Country: Guinea
Administrative region: Forecariah (Prefecture)
Central co-ordinates: 9.56639 N, 12.86917 W
Area: 39.55km²
Qualifying IPA Criteria
A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species, A(iii)Site contains one or more highly restricted endemic species that are potentially threatened, 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 Kounounkan Massif is home to more than 30 threatened plant species including ten point-endemic species that are globally unique to Kounounkan. There are significant threats to the species and landscape from increased population pressure resulting, in areas being cleared for subsistence farming. The Kounounkan forest is the largest remaining intact lowland forest in Guinee Maritime. It is a significant habitat for many animal and bird species, in addition to its globally important plant diversity.
Site description
The Kounounkan Massif consists of the southernmost extension of the Fouta Djallon highland area. It comprises a series of several barely connected sandstone table mountains with sheer cliffs falling hundreds of metres, with few and difficult access routes to reach the summit plateaus. In colonial times, this part of Kounounkan was known as Mt Benna. The southernmost tip is uninhabited but elsewhere pastoralists occupy the seasonal summit grasslands. Further east, outside the TIPA, the talus slopes and lowlands are intensively cultivated for Riz de Pays (Oryza glaberrima), Cajanus, and Capsicum. To the west, the talus slopes are forested and descend intact into large areas of lowland evergreen forest, both pristine and secondary, due to intermittent collapse of the cliffs above. Much of the surface is boulder strewn, but despite this it is being cleared for smallholder agriculture.
Botanical significance
The Kounounkan Massif is the location for 34 globally threatened species. It is the sole global location for Cailliella praerupticola (EN) (Melastomataceae), Mesanthemum bennae (EN) (Eriocaulaceae), Ternstroemia guineenis (EN) (Theaceae), a newly described species in 2019, and six other species. The sandstone plateau has the greatest concentration of high-altitude sandstone bowal endemic species in Guinea and is the most ecologically intact area. The species-rich submontane sandstone bowal grassland in the southern part is pristine, compared to the northern part. The sandstone cliffs below the plateau are also home to several endemic threatened species, some of which occur nowhere else. Kounounkan is only 65km inland from the coast and has the largest surviving lowland ‘maritime’ forest in Guinea. This contains the largest global populations of several threatened species, such as Diospyros feliciana (EN) (Ebenaceae) and Vepris felicis (CR) (Rutaceae). It also possibly contains the largest area of intact submontane forest in this zone (c. 10km²). This transition of lowland evergreen to submontane forest also occurs at Simandou and Ziama in Guinée Forestière, but those have different species compositions. In the faulted valleys on the plateau, good quality undisturbed submontane gallery forest can be found in the southern part, though this is not the case in the northern part where it is disturbed by cattle farmers. Further investigation is required in this area. Lowland forest, submontane forest, sandstone cliffs, and high-altitude sandstone bowal are all recognised threatened habitats in Guinea.
Habitat and geology
Ordovician quarzitic sandstone overlying metamorphic rock, this is the part of the outcrop that extends north to Pita. Thin soils on the plateau with some rock outcrops. On the lower slopes, the soils are deeper and humus rich. In areas of the south and west the soils can be thinner and rockier, as indicated by the presence of Guibourtia copallifera.
Conservation issues
The lower slopes of the forest are under threat from clearance for agriculture with large farms of hill rice mixed with other crops. This is largely for smallholder farming or village cooperatives. On the eastern and western flanks there has been some large-scale, village-led forest clearance, though this has currently been stopped by the government. However, due to the lack of protection of this area, it could commence again. The plateau sandstone bowal grasslands are threatened in the northern part from the increased burning regime brought about by cattle herders. It has already been seen that the increase in fire has pushed several threatened species to the brink of existence at the edge of the plateau.
Kounounkan has high potential for village-based eco-tourism that would benefit local communities, giving an incentive for conservation. Kounounkan is a Classified Forest (designated in 1994), but not a formally Protected Area. Eco-guards are present in the area but are unable to patrol all of it. Designation as a National Park is strongly recommended.
Site assessor(s)
Assessed by:
Charlotte Couch, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Martin Cheek, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
Xander van der Burgt, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Pépé Haba, Guinée Biodiversité
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anisotes guineensis Lindau | A(i) |  |
|
|
 |
|
Frequent |
| Apodiscus chevalieri Hutch. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Cincinnobotrys felicis (A.Chev.) Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Diospyros feliciana Letouzey & F.White | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Dissotis leonensis Hutch. & Dalziel | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Common |
| Fleurydora felicis A.Chev. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Genlisea barthlottii S.Porembski, Eb.Fisch. & Gemmel | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Abundant |
| Heterotis pygmaea (A.Chev. & Jacq.-Fél.) Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Keetia susu Cheek | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Dilophotriche occidentalis Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Neolemonniera clitandrifolia A.Chev. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Dichaetanthera echinulata Hook.f. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Common |
| Stylochaeton pilosus Bogner | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Schizachyrium radicosum Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Tessmannia baikieaoides Hutch. & Dalziel | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Dissotis splendens A.Chev. & Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Common |
| Cailliella praerupticola Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Droogmansia montana Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Gladiolus chevalieranus Marais | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Gladiolus mariae Burgt | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Impatiens bennae Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Kotschya uniflora (A.Chev.) Hepper | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Mesanthemum bennae Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Rhytachne perfecta Jacq.-Fél. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Ternstroemia guineensis Cheek | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Vepris felicis Breteler | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Virectaria pepehabai Cheek | A(iii) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Cola lorougnonis Aké Assi | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Cryptosepalum tetraphyllum (Hook.f.) Benth. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Frequent |
| Cola angustifolia K.Schum. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Unknown |
| Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib. | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Scarce |
| Trichanthecium tenerium Xanthos | A(i) | |
|
|
|
|
Occasional |
Anisotes guineensis Lindau
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:
Frequent
Apodiscus chevalieri 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:
Frequent
Cincinnobotrys felicis (A.Chev.) 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
Diospyros feliciana Letouzey & F.White
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:
Frequent
Dissotis leonensis Hutch. & Dalziel
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:
Common
Fleurydora felicis 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:
Frequent
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:
Abundant
Heterotis pygmaea (A.Chev. & 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
Keetia susu 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:
Scarce
Dilophotriche occidentalis 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:
Frequent
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:
Frequent
Dichaetanthera echinulata Hook.f.
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:
Common
Stylochaeton pilosus Bogner
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
Schizachyrium radicosum 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
Tessmannia baikieaoides Hutch. & Dalziel
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
Dissotis splendens A.Chev. & 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:
Common
Cailliella praerupticola 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:
Frequent
Droogmansia montana 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
Gladiolus chevalieranus 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:
Unknown
Gladiolus mariae Burgt
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Impatiens bennae 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
Kotschya uniflora (A.Chev.) Hepper
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:
Frequent
Mesanthemum bennae 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
Rhytachne perfecta 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
Ternstroemia guineensis Cheek
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
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:
Unknown
Virectaria pepehabai Cheek
Qualifying sub-criterion:
A(iii)
≥ 1% of global population:
≥ 5% of national population:
1 of 5 best sites nationally:
Entire global population:
Socio-economically important:
Abundance at site:
Scarce
Cola lorougnonis 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
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:
Frequent
Cola angustifolia K.Schum.
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
Benna alternifolia Burgt & Ver.-Lib.
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
Trichanthecium tenerium Xanthos
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
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) | |
|
|
|
| High Altitude Sandstone Bowal Grasslands | C(iii) | |
|
|
|
| Sandstone cliffs and walls | C(iii) | |
|
|
|
| Guinean Highland Submontane Forest | C(iii) | |
|
|
10 |
West African Lowland Evergreen Forest
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
High Altitude Sandstone Bowal Grasslands
Qualifying sub-criterion:
C(iii)
≥ 5% of national resource:
≥ 10% of national resource:
Areal coverage at site:
Sandstone cliffs and walls
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:
10
General site habitats
| General site habitat | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest | |
Major |
| Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Grassland | |
Major |
| Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks] | |
Major |
Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Forest
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude Grassland
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Rocky Areas - Rocky Areas [e.g. inland cliffs, mountain peaks]
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Major
Land use types
| Land use type | Percent coverage | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| Harvesting of wild resources | |
Minor |
Harvesting of wild resources
Percent coverage:
Importance:
Minor
Threats
| Threat | Severity | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Annual & perennial non-timber crops - Shifting agriculture | Medium | Ongoing - increasing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture - Livestock farming & ranching - Nomadic grazing | Medium | Ongoing - increasing |
| Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants | 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 - increasing
Agriculture & aquaculture - Livestock farming & ranching - Nomadic grazing
Severity:
Medium
Timing:
Ongoing - increasing
Biological resource use - Gathering terrestrial plants
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kamalayah | Classified Forest | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | |
Kamalayah
Protected area type:
Classified Forest
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
Conservation designation
| Designation name | Protected area | Relationship with IPA | Areal overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kounounkan | Important Bird Area | IPA encompasses protected/conservation area | |
Kounounkan
Protected area:
Important Bird Area
Relationship with IPA:
IPA encompasses protected/conservation area
Areal overlap:
Bibliography
Flore (Angiospermes) de la République de Guinée.
Threatened plants species of Guinea-Conakry: A preliminary checklist
Peerj Preprints
Field Reports from Kounounkan prepared by RBG Kew for Herbier National de Guinee
Important Bird Areas factsheet: Kounounkan
Recommended citation
Charlotte Couch, Martin Cheek, Xander van der Burgt, Pépé Haba (2025) Tropical Important Plant Areas Explorer: Kounounkan Massif and Plateau (Guinea). https://tipas.kew.org/site/kounounkan-massif-and-plateau/ (Accessed on 17/03/2025)