The Gulf Of Guinea Central

The Gulf of Guinea Central ecoregion largely contains mangroves of the Niger Delta. They are the single most extensive mangrove system in Africa and third globally after India and Indonesia. The mangroves are essential in stabilizing the shoreline. They also act as the nursery areas for fish and shrimps. The dominant species of mangroves is the Rhizophora racemose. The area has a diverse collection of animals including; manatee, crocodiles, clawless otter, squirrels, African Fish-eagle, and the African skimmer. Population pressure has threatened the existence of this ecoregion. Some of the threats attributed to population pressure include; urbanization, industrialization, timber and petroleum exploitation, dynamite and poison fishing, discharge of sewerage, and sand mining. Oil spills and development projects have led to the death of invertebrates and fishes.