Raphia gabonica

The occurrences of Raphia gabonica are located outside of protected areas and along important road axes (e.g. Nationale 1). They are threatened by road infrastructures and logging that induces degradation of the quality of the habitat of this species.

Since this species is threatened by road infrastructures and logging, various conservation measures should be considered. First, the species should be sought in the Lopé National Park where it might also occur. Second, it should be regarded as an HCV1 (High Conservation Value), and as a consequence, should be included in the management plan of the industrial concessions within which it occurs. Third, it should be included in Gabon’s list of protected species, and the destruction of its habitat and possible harvesting must therefore be limited. Fourth, ex situ conservation should be tested, both within Gabon and internationally. Finally, a public awareness campaign must be conducted involving industrial companies and other private actors, NGOs, scientific institutions, and the Gabonese government, to ensure that the species is taken into consideration when decisions are made that could impact its conservation.