Biodiversity in Equatorial Guinea (GNQ)
| FishBase | Complete | Literature | Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Families | Species | Families | |||
| Marine | 207 | 98 | Yes | Giaccardi, M., P. Yorio and M.E. Lizurume, 1997 | ||
| Freshwater | 3 | 3 | Yes | Vatova, A., 1975 | ||
| Total | 214 | 100 | No | |||
Ref. Vatova, A., 1975
| Conservation | The following information is to be sought: - Status of knowledge of the freshwater fauna; - Existence of conservation plans; - Information on major aquatic habitats or sites within the country; - Current major threats to species; - Future potential threats to species; - Contact(s) for further information. |
| Geography and Climate |
The country consists of two parts: (a) a mainland enclave (Rio Muni) and 3 small nearby islands (combined area of 255,952 km2); and (b) the large island Bioko and another smaller islands (combined area of 2,020 km2). Rio Muni is mainly a fluvial mainland plateau. The islands are of volcanic origin. Most of the country is covered by tropical rainforest.
The climate is tropical, alternating wet and dry seaons. Ref. Vanden Bossche, J.-P. and G.M. Bernacsek, 1990 |
| Hydrography |
Lakes: there are three small volcanic crater lakes on Bioko Island.
Rivers, floodplains and swamps: there are no large rivers in the country. The biggest river, Rio Benito (about 230 km long) traverses the middle fo the mainland province of Rio Muni and has an average width of some 150 m. It is not navigable, being cut by frequent rapids, waterfalls and also obstructed by tree trunks. Other rivers have similar physiography and all typically have acid, fairly clean, "black" waters of low pH (4.0 - 6.5), low in nutrient salts and dissolved oxygen, high in humic acids, resulting in low productivity, certainly no more than 25 kg/ha/yr for fish.
Reservoirs: there are no significant impoundments.
A hydroelectric project at Bikoma (18 km from Bata) on this river will create a small reservoir of 7-10 ha, but fishing will be difficult there are no bush clearing will be carried out.
Coastal lagoons: there are three large estuarine (Rio Campo, Rio Benito and Rio Munior Utamboni) with brackish, also acidic, water and fairly extensive mangroves (especially in Rio Muni). These appear to be nursery grounds for many marine fish species, as well as crustacea (prawns). Ref. Vanden Bossche, J.-P. and G.M. Bernacsek, 1990 |