| Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé | |
|---|---|
 Pico São Tomé | |
  Location in São Tomé and Príncipe | |
| Coordinates | 0°13′N6°34′E / 0.217°N 6.567°E /0.217; 6.567 |
| Area | 195 km2 (75 sq mi) |
| Created | 2006 |
The Obô Natural Park of São Tomé (Portuguese:Parque Natural Obô de São Tomé) is a natural park ofSão Tomé and Príncipe, covering 195 km2 (75 sq mi) of the island ofSão Tomé.[1] It was established in 2006,[2] but yet to be assigned anIUCN protected area category.[3][4] It covers parts of the districts ofCaué,Lemba,Lobata andMé-Zóchi.[5]
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 ofbiotopes, from lowland and mountain forests, tomangroves andsavanna area, which contribute to its unique ecosystem. The park includes virgin Atlantic high altitude rainforest and secondary rainforest (known to locals ascapoeira) 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] TheWWF has listed the forests of the national park as among theGlobal 200, the 200 most important biological areas on the planet.[7] The forest of Obo is listed as anImportant Bird Area (IBA) of Africa.[6]
There are about 700 plant species on the island of São Tomé,[8] of which 95 areendemic.[9] Flora includes the evergreen coniferousAfrocarpus mannii. Orchids, ferns and mosses are common in the area.
There are 16 endemic bird species on the island, includingSão 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) andSão Tomé thrush (Turdus olivaceofuscus).[3] The park has been recognised as anImportant Bird Area (IBA) byBirdLife International.[10]
The amphibiansPtychadena newtoni,Hyperolius thomensis,Hyperolius molleri,Phrynobatrachus leveleve, andSchistometopum thomense are found in the park.[3] The shrewCrocidura 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] andSão Tomé leaf-nosed bat (Hipposideros thomensis).[3] Invertebrates include the mothsTheretra viridis,Hyalobathra barnsalis andPseudoclanis tomensis and the antTetramorium renae.
.jpg)
