Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé

The Obô Natural Park of São Tomé (Portuguese: Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé) is a natural park of São Tomé and Príncipe, covering 195 km2 (75 sq mi) of the island of São Tomé.[1] It was established in 2006.[2] It has not yet been assigned to an IUCN protected area category.[3][4] It covers parts of the districts of Caué, Lemba, Lobata and Mé-Zóchi.[5]

For the protected area on Príncipe island, see Parque Natural Obô do Príncipe.
Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé
Pico Cão Grande
Location in São Tomé and Príncipe
Coordinates0°13′N 6°34′E
Area195 km2 (75 sq mi)
Created2006

Geography

The Natural Park covers three geographically separated zones:[1]

The park is known internationally amongst conservationists for its biologically rich dense virgin rainforests. It is also characterized by a wide range of biotopes, from lowland and mountain forests, to mangroves and savanna area, which contribute to its unique ecosystem. The park includes virgin Atlantic high altitude rainforest and secondary rainforest (known to locals as capoeira) which contains abandoned plantations.[6]

In 1988, scientists classified the forests of São Tomé and Príncipe as the second most important in terms of biological interest out of 75 forests of Africa; most of the species found in the islands are found in the national park.[6] The WWF has listed the forests of the national park as among the Global 200, the 200 most important biological areas on the planet.[7] The forest of Obo is listed as an Important Bird Area (IBA) of Africa.[6]

Flora and fauna

There are about 700 plant species on the island of São Tomé,[8] of which 95 endemic.[9] Flora includes the evergreen coniferous Afrocarpus mannii. Orchids, ferns and mosses are common in the area.

There are 16 endemic bird species on the island, including São Tomé olive pigeon (Columba thomensis), São Tomé ibis (Bostrychia bocagei), São Tomé fiscal (Lanius newtoni), São Tomé shorttail (Amaurocichlia bocagei),[9] São Tomé grosbeak (Crithagra concolor), Giant sunbird (Dreptes thomensis), São Tomé oriole (Oriolus crassirostris) and São Tomé thrush (Turdus olivaceofuscus).[3] The park has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.[10]

The amphibians Ptychadena newtoni, Hyperolius thomensis, Hyperolius molleri, Phrynobatrachus leveleve, and Schistometopum thomense are found in the park.[3] The shrew Crocidura thomensis is the only endemic terrestrial mammal. There are three endemic species of bats: São Tomé collared fruit bat (Myonycteris brachycephala), São Tomé free-tailed bat (Chaerephon tomensis),[9] and São Tomé leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros thomensis).[3] Invertebrates include the moths Theretra viridis, Hyalobathra barnsalis and Pseudoclanis tomensis and the ant Tetramorium renae.

  • Cloud Forest of the Obo National Park.
  • Pico Cao Grande from the south-eastern part of the park.
  • A typical forest landscape of the park area.

References
  1. "Parque Natural d'Obô em São Tomé". Retrieved 19 October 2018.
  2. Lei 06/2006, 13 June 2006
  3. "DOPA: Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé". Joint Research Centre. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  4. "Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé". World Database on Protected Areas. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  5. Map of São Tomé and Príncipe, Instituto Nacional de Estatística
  6. "Conservation history". Obo Park.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-01. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  7. Sao Tome and Principe, biodiversitya-z.org
  8. "Natural History". Sao Tome and Principe Travel and Tourism. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
  9. Islands of São Tomé and Príncipe of the coast of Equatorial Guinea, World Wildlife Fund
  10. "Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé e Zona Tampão". BirdLife Data Zone. BirdLife International. 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
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