NCI 2024
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    Located on the west coast of Central Africa, Gabon is renowned for its extensive biodiversity and vast expanses of pristine rainforests. It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Gabon’s commitment to conservation is evidenced by its network of national parks and protected areas, which cover about 11% of its land area.

    Gabon’s landscape is predominantly covered by dense tropical rainforests, with more than 80% of the country’s area under forest cover, making it one of the most forested countries in Africa. These forests are part of the Congo Basin, the second-largest rainforest area in the world after the Amazon. The terrain also includes a series of plateaus, small mountains, and coastal plains, with several rivers, like the Ogooué, traversing these landscapes to empty into the Atlantic Ocean.

    Score Rank Change
    Total Score – NCI 2024 60.14 36 N/A
    Land Management 66 28 N/A
    Protected Areas (Terrestrial) 71 75 N/A
    Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 100 1 N/A
    Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas 67 40 N/A
    Protected Areas (Marine) 84 12 N/A
    Pristine Habitat (Converted Land) 100 1 N/A
    Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution) 18 150 N/A
    Sustainable Pesticide Use 23 104 N/A
    Threats to Biodiversity 59 124 N/A
    Threatened Species (Terrestrial) 90 61 N/A
    Threatened Species (Marine) 38 127 N/A
    Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas 72 137 N/A
    Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas 97 46 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial) 35 54 N/A
    Species with Declining Populations (Marine) 0 10 N/A
    Depleted Fisheries 0 39 N/A
    Fishery Pressure in the High Seas 100 45 N/A
    Invasive Species Pressure 100 5 N/A
    Capacity and Governance 63 89 N/A
    Total Management Cost 98 63 N/A
    Conservation Culturomics 45 80 N/A
    Conservation Legislation 60 22 N/A
    Ratification of CBD 100 1 N/A
    Ratification of CITES 100 1 N/A
    Political Stability and Absence of Violence 50 63 N/A
    Control of Corruption 30 141 N/A
    Government Effectiveness 36 126 N/A
    Future Trends 53 31 N/A
    Climate Change Mitigation 53 31 N/A

    Four pillars elaborated:

    Land Management

     Gabon is home to a wide range of protected areas, including national parks, marine parks, and hunting reserves, which play a crucial role in preserving the country’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage. These protected zones span a substantial part of Gabon’s land and marine territories. Notable national parks like Ivindo and Akanda safeguard extensive areas of rainforest, whereas marine parks such as Mayumba and Pongara protect vital marine ecosystems. Gabon is also actively enhancing its marine conservation efforts; recent initiatives have resulted in the creation of 20 marine protected areas, which now cover over 26% of Gabon’s marine territory, underscoring the nation’s commitment to protecting oceanic environments.

    Threats to Biodiversity

     Despite its robust conservation initiatives, Gabon confronts significant environmental challenges, including illegal logging and mining activities that threaten its diverse ecosystems. Nonetheless, the country is actively seeking paths toward sustainable development. By promoting ecotourism and engaging in carbon trading, Gabon aims to create a harmonious balance between its conservation efforts and economic growth. These strategies not only help preserve its rich biodiversity but also provide economic benefits, positioning Gabon as a model for integrating environmental sustainability with development.

    Capacity and Governance

     Gabon is committed to sustainable development through its Emerging Gabon Strategic Plan and is dedicated to preserving its biodiversity in line with the new Kumming Montreal global biodiversity framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted in Montreal in December 2022. Historically, Gabon has successfully preserved its natural ecosystems, both terrestrial and marine, thanks to effective conservation policies and a robust legal framework, including the Sustainable Development Act passed in 2014.

    Despite these efforts, Gabon faces challenges in effectively mobilizing funding for its conservation initiatives. Funding efforts are often uncoordinated and executed in isolation without a cohesive strategy, which undermines their effectiveness. Financial mechanisms such as results-based payments, grants, environmental taxation, and blue bonds have yet to deliver the anticipated outcomes.

    Future Trends

     Gabon’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) serves as a roadmap for the country’s dedication to preserving its abundant biodiversity. The plan addresses a comprehensive range of ecological and societal aspects, emphasizing the protection and sustainable management of diverse habitats such as forests, freshwater systems, marine and coastal areas.

    Additionally, it considers agrobiodiversity and the crucial role of local communities in conservation efforts. Through this action plan, Gabon aims to integrate biodiversity conservation into broader national development policies, ensuring that environmental stewardship goes hand-in-hand with economic and social progress.


    Biodiversity

    Gabon is covered by dense tropical rainforests, which account for about 85% of its land area. These forests are part of the Congo Basin, the second-largest rainforest in the world. Gabon’s rainforests are home to a remarkable variety of wildlife, including forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and mandrills. The forests also host a rich diversity of bird species, such as the grey parrot and the African grey hornbill, and numerous plant species, including many endemic and rare species. The Ivindo National Park, Loango National Park, and Minkébé National Park are critical protected areas that preserve these vital ecosystems.

    Gabon’s coastline along the Atlantic Ocean features a range of coastal and marine habitats, including mangroves, estuaries, and sandy beaches. These areas are crucial for marine biodiversity, supporting species such as sea turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales. Gabon’s beaches are important nesting sites for leatherback and olive ridley sea turtles. The mangrove forests provide essential breeding grounds for fish and crustaceans, supporting both biodiversity and local fisheries.

    In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Gabon only):


    Species
    (World rank)    		 Threatened % Threatened Endemic % Endemic
    Mammals 202 (#59) 18 8.9% 3 1.5%
    Birds 604 (#53) 6 1.0% 1 0.2%
    Reptiles 133 (#72) 7 5.3% 4 3.0%
    Amphibians 97 (#37) 3 3.1% 6 6.2%
    Fishes 819 (#67) 93 11.4% 72 8.8%
    Plants 5,175 (#77) 173 3.3% 78 1.5%

    Go To 2024 National Nature Conservation Index Main Page

    Gabon

    Role model for sustainable practices globally

    Score:

    60.14 / 100

    Rank:

    36 / 180