Dimonika Biosphere Reserve

The 136,000 hectares (530 sq mi) reserve is located in the central Mayombe mountain chain about 50 km (31 mi) from the Atlantic coast.^[1]

The Mayombe has a hot, humid climate, combining tropical and oceanic traits. A lowland Guineo-Congolese rainforest dominates the biosphere reserve together with savanna vegetation. The area is in the transition zone between semi-deciduous and evergreen forest. Of special scientific interest are various types of forest communities recolonising old areas of forest exploitation.^[1]

The fauna within the biosphere reserve is diverse and varied.^[1] Mammals occurring in the reserve include African bush elephants, African forest buffaloes, western gorillas and chimpanzees.^[2] The reserve has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports significant populations of many bird species.^[2]

Compared to other rural areas of Congo, the Mayombe Mountains are densely populated.^[1] Many migrants from neighboring regions, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have settled within the biosphere reserve. As of 1984^[update], there were 19,000 inhabitants in the Sous-prefécture de M’Vouti. Their main activities are subsistence agriculture, hunting, fishing and gold extraction.^[1]

The "Mayombe Project" aimed at improving the communication between local stakeholders, managers and scientists. In 1991, a survey was issued to determine perceptions and expectations of the biosphere reserve inhabitants. Research has been carried out on the impact of gold extraction on the biosphere reserve.^[1]

 This article incorporates text from a free content work (license statement/permission). Text taken from UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory​, UNESCO, UNESCO.