SW-Cameroon; Gabon

The southwestern region of Cameroon and southwestern Gabon encompasses critical portions of the Congo Basin rainforest, one of the world's most biodiverse ecosystems. This transboundary area features dense lowland tropical forests, coastal mangroves along the Atlantic, and montane forests in Cameroon's volcanic highlands. According to IUCN Red List 2025 data, all four assessed plant species in this region are classified as threatened, indicating severe conservation challenges for endemic flora. Primary threats include intensive logging operations targeting valuable timber species like okoumé and sapelli, particularly acute in Gabon's concession areas. Slash-and-burn agriculture expansion along Cameroon's southwestern corridors fragments critical forest habitats. Palm oil plantations, especially around Cameroon's coastal plains near Kribi, continue converting primary forest. Mining activities, including iron ore extraction in southeastern Cameroon's Mbalam region, create additional pressure on forest ecosystems. Both countries have established significant protected areas, with Gabon's network of 13 national parks covering 11% of its territory and Cameroon's Campo Ma'an National Park protecting crucial coastal forest-savanna transitions. However, enforcement remains challenging due to limited resources and remote locations. The region's biodiversity trajectory appears concerning given the complete threatened status of assessed plant species, suggesting broader ecosystem stress requiring immediate attention to prevent further species decline.