Site Ramsar Vallée du Niari. 18/09/2012; Niari; 1,581,000 ha; 03°47'S 012°30'E. A complex of permanent freshwater rivers and lakes surrounded by seasonally flooded freshwater swamp forests. It supports a rich diversity of plant and animal species including several IUCN Red-Listed species such as the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), Western lowland Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). It is a migrating path for over 200 waterbird species and serves as a spawning ground and food source for several fish species. Its main hydrological functions include groundwater recharge, flood control, shoreline stabilisation, and sediment trapping. Ecotourism activities, especially bird-watching, are currently being developed in the site. It is of great cultural value to the resident population, who depend on fishing, hunting, agriculture and harvesting of forest products for a source of livelihood. The site is threatened by slash and burn agriculture and wood logging. This has promoted the current development of a management plan for its exploitation. Ramsar site no. 2081. Most recent RIS information 2012.