Gambia - Overview

Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

With its characteristic Sudano-Savanna woodland vegetation type, ecosystems of Gambia include closed and open woodlands, plantations, tree and shrub savannas, and wetlands. The wetlands of Gambia cover almost 20% of the total land area of the country. Of this, 6.4% is mangrove forest, 7.8% is uncultivated swamps and 3.2% cultivated... More »

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

Several protected areas have been established, including 6 national parks and nature reserves, 66 forest parks and one Ramsar site. The Gambia is in the final stages of designating Tanbi Wetlands Complex and Niumi National Park as additional Ramsar sites. The national Parks and nature reserves cover a total area of 4.09% of the national territory... More »

Percentage of Forest Cover

Forests cover 43% of the national territory. Woodlands account for 10% of that area and the remainder consists of savanna woodlands and mangroves, which are found along the Gambia River. The mangrove forest cover is estimated at 453,000 ha.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

The Gambia has identified a wide variety of principles and targets, including sector specific goals. To achieve the long-term goals (that aim to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss and ensure the protection and sustainable use of its components), several specific operational objectives have been established in relation to: in-situ and ex-situ conservation; assessment and monitoring; alien species; scientific and technical capacity; public awareness; cooperation; legal, policy and administrative measures; local knowledge and practices; and synergies between related Conventions and Treaties... More »

Implementation of the Convention

Measures Taken to Achieve the 2010 Target

Strategies and plans have been incorporated into the Agriculture and Natural Resources Sector, Poverty Reduction Strategy Programme (PRSP) and a national biodiversity policy framework is being developed. Many species are now legally protected, including the Senegalese long tail parakeet, the common hippo, the Sitatunga, the manatee and nitrogen fixing trees such as Accacia albida... More »

Initiatives in Protected Areas

Before the CBD, the protected area coverage was 3.7%, which steadily increased to its present level of 4.09%. The Tanbi wetland complex and Niumi National Park, as important stands of mangroves along the West African Coast, have been given protected area status. A Programme to encourage the creation of community and private nature reserves and other categories of PAs is on course... More »

Initiatives for Article 8(j)

Mechanisms have been put in place to allow the participation of those who retain and utilize traditional knowledge in the decision-making process. Such mechanisms include the National Farmers Platform, the National Livestock Farmers Association, and the National Association of Traditional Medicine Practitioners. The NGO Affairs Agency is collaborating with National and International NGOs through MOUs and other agreements to promote the participation of local communities in decision making through training and other forms of skills development... More »

National Contacts

Full details of national contacts »

Convention on Biological Diversity

Mr. Ousainou Touray	CBD Primary NFP, CHM NFP, SBSTTA NFP
Mr. Kawsu Jammeh	Protected Areas NFP

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Mr. Ousainou Touray

Cartagena Protocol Primary NFP, BCH NFP