The Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve, located on the Mambilla Plateau in Taraba State, Nigeria, is a unique and critically important montane forest ecosystem recognized globally for its rich biodiversity. Despite its small size, it remains one of Nigeria’s most plant species-rich montane forests, hosting over 24 endangered plant species and several rare and endemic fauna, including the endangered Nigerian chimpanzee and the near-threatened Crossley’s ground-thrush. It is designated as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International and is vital for local ecosystem services like clean water supply and carbon sequestration .
Since its gazettement as a forest reserve in 1969, Ngel Nyaki has faced persistent threats from farming, cattle grazing, hunting, illegal logging, and habitat degradation. These pressures have caused a significant decline in forest cover; recent remote sensing data indicate an 80% decrease in dense forest area within the reserve from 1993 to 2023. Vegetation health indices also show slight but consistent declines, underscoring the urgent need for continued conservation action .
Modern conservation efforts were reinvigorated in the early 2000s by Professor Hazel Chapman of the University of Canterbury, who founded the Nigerian Montane Forest Project (NMFP). The NMFP integrates scientific research, education, and community engagement to promote sustainable forest management and restoration. A key initiative is the establishment of a permanent forest dynamics plot in 2014, now part of the Smithsonian ForestGEO network, used to monitor forest dynamics, species demographics, and climate change impacts. The project also trains Nigerian and international students in conservation research while promoting local community livelihoods through employment and small business development such as beekeeping .
Over 70,000 trees have been planted in reforestation efforts aimed at restoring degraded areas, serving as a model for forest recovery in similar montane ecosystems. However, challenges remain, including illegal deforestation and poaching. Studies show local awareness of wildlife conservation is high, but government support is limited, emphasizing the need for strengthened enforcement and policy interventions. The reserve also shows promise for ecotourism, supported by improving security measures, offering economic incentives for preserving the forest .
The Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve’s future depends on the success of integrated conservation approaches like the NMFP, collaborative governance involving local communities, state authorities, and international partners to safeguard its biodiversity and ecosystem services for generations to come