The main objective of this study was to contribute, on the one hand, to the understanding of the concept of a biosphere reserve, on the other hand, to take stock of the experience of the Taï Biosphere Reserve in this area. According to the recommendations of the UNESCO MAB Program, a biosphere reserve has to comprise three zones, 1) a central monitoring area, 2) a buffer zone for research, experimentation, education, tourism and recreation, and 3) a transition area for research, tourism, recreation as well as local and sustainable development. This study shows that the Taï Biosphere Reserve is structured in three areas, which corresponds to the functions mentioned above. It is remarkable that the managers of what? have been able to adapt the zoning to the local realities. In particular, they took the objectives of sustainable conservation of the biodiversity and the sustainable development activities of the local populations into account. However, more capacity strengthening is needed, and relations between the Taï Biosphere Reserve and the surrounding forests should be improved. Although the different functions are operational, they should be further developed, particularly tourism and scientific research.

The population of hammer-headed bats, Hypsignathus monstrosus H. Allen, 1861, in the District of Plateau in Abidjan has been studied from August 2003 to July 2004. Vocalization recognition and roost counts of bats males have been used in order to identify mating calls sites and to determine the variations of population size. Results show that the hammer-headed bats have demonstrated a high preference for reproduction site dominate by Terminalia catappa L. (Combretaceae). The population size varied with the site, the tree species and season.