Country: Guinea
Administrative region: Macenta (Prefecture)
Central co-ordinates: 8.26583 N, 9.34528 W
Area: 1161.7km²
Qualifying IPA Criteria
A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, B(ii)Site contains an exceptional number of species of high conservation importance, C(iii)Site contains nationally threatened or restricted habitat or vegetation types, AND/OR habitats that have severely declined in extent nationally
IPA assessment rationale
The Ziama mountain range comprises a rich matrix of sub-montane forest punctuated by granite inselbergs, grading into lowland evergreen forest. This supports a wide range of plant species including two global endemic species (Mikaniopsis camarae and Inversodicraea pepehabai) and 33 range-restricted species. It has one of the largest areas of intact submontane forest in the country and a significant area of lowland rainforest, albeit disturbed. There are significant populations of many threatened plant species found here. The Ziama classified forest has several villages within the southern, lowland forest portion, and there are concerns over forest clearance both recent and during past periods of instability. Although Ziama is already a biosphere reserve there are no specific management actions for plant species.
Site description
The Ziama classified forest, located in the prefecture of Macenta in Guinée Forestière, consists of a mountain range aligned approximately southwest to northeast, with submontane forest and granite inselbergs with grassland. On both sides of the mountain range there are areas of lowland evergreen forest. The area is crossed by rivers with white water, habitat for Podostemaceae species.
Botanical significance
Due to the variation and intactness of the vegetation types in this area, there is an exceptional botanical richness in Ziama Classified Forest. Thirty three rare, threatened and/or endemic plant species have been documented, including Cassipourea adamii (EN) in submontane forest, Tarenna hutchinsonii (CR) and Gymnosiphon samoritoureanus (EN) in the lowland forest, and Inversodicraea pepehabai (EN) an endemic species to the fast flowing rivers.
Habitat and geology
Ziama consists of a dolerite/orthogneiss mountain range, mostly covered in lowland and sub-montane forest. The inselbergs have open vegetation with woodland, wooded grassland, grassland, and open rocky areas. The lowland forest areas surrounding the mountain range are mostly on Archean era base rock.
Conservation issues
In the lowland forest area there are villages enclaved and there have been concerns about forest clearance. Large areas of lowland have been converted into monospecific tree plantations usually of Terminalia sp. In the submontane forest there are plantations of tea and Cinchona, there are concerns that these may restart production. Ziama is presumably frequently visited by local hunters, which will have reduced the density of many animal species, and this in turn could negatively affect some plant species. Collection of Piper guineensis by poachers involves cutting trees down to get to the liana.
Site assessor(s)
Assessed by:
Charlotte Couch, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Pépé Haba, Guinée Biodiversité
Martin Cheek, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
IPA criterion A species
| Species | Qualifying sub-criterion | ≥ 1% of global population | ≥ 5% of national population | 1 of 5 best sites nationally | Entire global population | Socio-economically important | Abundance at site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brachystephanus jaundensis Lindau subsp. nimbae (Heine) I.Darbysh. | A(i) |  |
|
|
 |
|
Scarce |
| Bryaspis humularioides Gledhill | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Cassia aubrevillei Pellegr. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Cassipourea adamii Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Cryptosepalum tetraphyllum (Hook.f.) Benth. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Dalbergia adamii Berhaut | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Dorstenia astyanactis Aké Assi | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Drypetes afzelii (Pax) Hutch. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Entandrophragma candollei Harms | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Entandrophragma utile (Dawe & Sprague) Sprague | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Garcinia kola Heckel | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Genlisea barthlottii S.Porembski, Eb.Fisch. & Gemmel | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Gladiolus praecostatus Marais | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Heterotis sylvestris (Jacq.-Fél.) Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Hymenocoleus multinervis Robbr. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Inversodicraea pepehabai Cheek | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
| Mikaniopsis camarae Lisowski | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Milicia regia (A.Chev.) C.C.Berg | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Monocymbium lanceolatum C.E.Hubb. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Mostuea adamii Sillans | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Nemum bulbostyloides (Hooper) J.Raynal | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Neolemonniera clitandrifolia A.Chev. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Osbeckia praviantha Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Pauridiantha schnellii N.Hallé | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Rinorea djalonensis A.Chev. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Salacighia linderi (Harms) Blakelock | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Tarenna hutchinsonii Bremek. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Psychotria samoritourei Cheek | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Vepris felicis Breteler | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Omphalocarpum ahia A.Chev. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Placodiscus riparius Keay | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
Brachystephanus jaundensis Lindau subsp. nimbae (Heine) I.Darbysh.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Bryaspis humularioides Gledhill
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Cassia aubrevillei Pellegr.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Cassipourea adamii Jacq.-Fél.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Cryptosepalum tetraphyllum (Hook.f.) Benth.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Dalbergia adamii Berhaut
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Dorstenia astyanactis Aké Assi
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Drypetes afzelii (Pax) Hutch.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Entandrophragma candollei Harms
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Entandrophragma utile (Dawe & Sprague) Sprague
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Garcinia kola Heckel
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Genlisea barthlottii S.Porembski, Eb.Fisch. & Gemmel
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Gladiolus praecostatus Marais
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Heterotis sylvestris (Jacq.-Fél.) Jacq.-Fél.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Hymenocoleus multinervis Robbr.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Inversodicraea pepehabai Cheek
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Occasional
Mikaniopsis camarae Lisowski
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Milicia regia (A.Chev.) C.C.Berg
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Monocymbium lanceolatum C.E.Hubb.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Mostuea adamii Sillans
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Nemum bulbostyloides (Hooper) J.Raynal
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Neolemonniera clitandrifolia A.Chev.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Osbeckia praviantha Jacq.-Fél.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Pauridiantha schnellii N.Hallé
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Rinorea djalonensis A.Chev.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Salacighia linderi (Harms) Blakelock
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Tarenna hutchinsonii Bremek.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Psychotria samoritourei Cheek
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Vepris felicis Breteler
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Omphalocarpum ahia A.Chev.
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
Placodiscus riparius Keay
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(i)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Unknown
IPA criterion C qualifying habitats
| Habitat | Qualifying sub-criterion | ≥ 5% of national resource | ≥ 10% of national resource | 1 of 5 best sites nationally | Areal coverage at site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West African Lowland Evergreen Forest | C(iii) | |
|
|
|
| Guinean Highland Submontane Forest | C(iii) | |
|
|
|
| Granite Inselbergs | C(iii) | |
|
|
West African Lowland Evergreen Forest
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
Guinean Highland Submontane Forest
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
Granite Inselbergs
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
General site habitats
| General site habitat | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest | |
Minor |
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Forest | |
Major |
| Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks] | |
Minor |
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Minor
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Forest
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks]
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Minor
Land use types
| Land use type | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Nature conservation | |
Major |
Nature conservation
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture | Medium | Ongoing - declining |
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming | Low | Ongoing - declining |
| Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants - Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Low | Ongoing - stable |
| Biological resource use - Logging & wood harvesting | Low | Ongoing - stable |
Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - declining
Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Agro-industry farming
Severity:
Low
Timing:
Ongoing - declining
Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants - Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)
Severity:
Low
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Biological resource use - Logging & wood harvesting
Severity:
Low
Timing:
Ongoing - stable
Protected areas
| Protected area name | Protected area type | Relationship with IPA | Areal overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massif du Ziama | National Reserve | protected/conservation area matches IPA | 1162 |
Massif du Ziama
Protected area type:
National Reserve
Relationship with IPA:
protected/conservation area matches IPA
Areal overlap:
1162
Conservation designation
| Designation name | Protected area | Relationship with IPA | Areal overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massif du Ziama | Important Bird Area | protected/conservation area matches IPA | |
Massif du Ziama
Protected area:
Important Bird Area
Relationship with IPA:
protected/conservation area matches IPA
Areal overlap:
Management type
| Management type | Description | Year started | Year finished |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected Area management plan in place | The forest was originally classified in 1942 and is a Reserve integrale. In addition it was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve (Massif du Ziama) in 1980. A management plan exists for this area, but the extent is unknown. According to a Birdlife International Assessment in 2007, it is out of date and not well implemented. | |
|
Protected Area management plan in place
The forest was originally classified in 1942 and is a Reserve integrale. In addition it was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve (Massif du Ziama) in 1980. A management plan exists for this area, but the extent is unknown. According to a Birdlife International Assessment in 2007, it is out of date and not well implemented.
Year started:
Year finished:
Bibliography
Threatened plants species of Guinea-Conakry: A preliminary checklist
Peerj Preprints
Man and Biospheres Directory: Massif du Ziama
Important Bird Areas factsheet: Massif du Ziama
Rapport de terrain Darwin Mt Ziama Fevrier 2017
Rapport de terrain Darwin Mt Ziama et FCM Bamakana Dec 2016
Recommended citation
Charlotte Couch, Pépé Haba, Martin Cheek (2026) Tropical Important Plant Areas Explorer: Ziama Massif (Guinea). https://tipas.kew.org/site/ziama-massif/ (Accessed on 22/09/2026)