Conservation, Development, and Transformative Change in the Upper Guinean Forests of West Africa

The Upper Guinean Forests of West Africa are globally recognized for their exceptional biodiversity, including many endemic species, yet they are also among the most threatened tropical forest ecosystems globally. This biodiversity hotspot, which encompasses six countries, presents a complex socioeconomic and ecological landscape shaped by Indigenous and colonial legacies, demographic and climatic change, and accelerating pressures on land from multiple economic sectors. This review discusses the histories, ecological trends, and challenges facing the region but also highlights bright spots of socioecological resilience and promising policy pathways forward. Pressures on biodiversity operate within socially complex and culturally diverse landscapes where traditional beliefs and practices, customary land and tree tenure systems, and community forest management continue to play vital roles in conservation. The governance of key remaining biodiversity areas is complicated by the transboundary nature of many problems. We identify many new opportunities for transforming land use, but existing policy approaches fail to account for spillovers, lack enforcement, and do not align with local needs. Opportunities to achieve synergies between biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and social equity will depend on a better understanding of local community interests, greater collaboration, and significantly enhanced funding to overcome lock-ins.