Biodiversity case studies

Gabon: Ground-breaking biodiversity partnership

The Smithsonian Institution Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity Programme (SI/MAB) and Shell are working together to increase understanding of biodiversity and energy resource development in Gabon.

For more than 40 years, oil companies have been working in Gabon’s Gamba Complex. The Complex covers 11,000 km2, and includes extensive lagoons, lakes, open savannah, dense rainforests and watersheds. This creates an area very rich in biologically diversity; however, very little work has been undertaken to determine the species composition, structure or function of the area’s ecological systems or its relationship with energy development projects. Through a grant from the Shell Foundation, the SI / MAB has been carrying out a long-term independent biodiversity assessment of the area. After thorough consultation and working with Gabonese partners, the aim is to increase knowledge, local research capacity, approaches to minimise oil and gas impacts, and contribute to long-term protection. Findings have been disseminated through field notes, publications, a BBC film and other communication mediums. Fieldwork has determined that the biodiversity within Shell’s areas of operations is equivalent or higher for certain taxa than the surrounding national parks. Scientific data collected will be used to increase awareness about the uniqueness of this biodiversity rich area, drive through operational performance and contribute towards the longer-term conservation planning of the Complex.  

Key messages

• Shell is working with one of the world's leading scientific institutions to increase biodiversity understanding and knowledge.
• Scientific information will be publicly shared, used to raise awareness about the importance of the region and to develop conservation management strategies.