Woody Plants of Western African Forests

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This is a guide to the identification of all the woody plants (c. 2250 species in 740 genera) of the forest region of West Africa called `Upper Guinea', between Togo and Senegal. Upper Guinea is one of the world's most important centres of biodiversity, from the mountain forests of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, to the lowland evergreen, and semi-deciduous forests, widespread also in Ghana and Ivory Coast. Once rich in timber trees, these areas are increasingly permeated today by the buzz of chain saws, logging roads, farms and urban growth, fires, mines and plantations and the occasional national park. Unrecognised and even unnamed botanical gems thrive or decline here.

The guide was funded by the European Union, through its ECOSYN project (based at Wageningen University) which aims to support forest biodiversity and management in the region. The book will play a vital supportive role in the challenge of sustainable development within the forest region of West Africa, by helping to promote the wiser management of its plants and forests.