| FishBase | Complete | Literature | Reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Families | Species | Families | |||
| Marine | 242 | 112 | Yes | Giaccardi, M., P. Yorio and M.E. Lizurume, 1997 | ||
| Freshwater | 4 | 4 | Yes | Vatova, A., 1975 | ||
| Total | 249 | 114 | No | |||
| 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 |
Nearly the whole country is low-lying and only in the northwest does the relief begin to rise toward the Guinea highlands. The southern half fo the country is densely forested and the northern half consists of sparse scrub savanna growing on poor lateritic or sandy soils.
The south of the country has a typical tropical climate with warm, even temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. There is a heavy annual rainfall which is concentrated into two rainy seasons: March-July, and September-December. In the south, the climate is more arid, with a tendency for the two rainy seasons to become amalgamated into a single season lasting from March to October. Ref. Vanden Bossche, J.-P. and G.M. Bernacsek, 1990 |
| Hydrography |
Lakes: there are only a few small natural lakes in the northern part of the country.
Rivers, floodplains and swamps: Apart from two very short headwater tributaries of the Niger River, all the rivers in Côte d'Ivoire are south-flowing. There are two main basins which lie wholly within the country: the Sassandra River (650 sq. km.), and the Bandama River (1,050 km). Smaller intensified rivers are the Komoe, Cavally, Tano, Bia and Black Volta. There are no extensive swamps or floodplain.
Reservoirs: there is one major reservoir (Kossou), two large (Buyo and Ayame), and several smaller ones (Taobo, Ayane II, Bouake, Yaora, Zatta and Yabra). Other planned reservoirs are at Soubre, Atakro, Malamalasao and Tiboto-Nyaake. There are a number of minor agricultural and potable water supply reservoirs.
Coastal lagoons: there are three large lagoon complexes: Aby-Tend-Ehy, Tagba-Maki-Tdio (Grand Lahou), and Ebrie. In addition there are several small lagoons scattered along the coast. Ref. Vanden Bossche, J.-P. and G.M. Bernacsek, 1990 |