Congo (DRC)
Deforestation-Induced Climate Change Reduces Carbon Storage in Remaining Tropical ForestsBackground:Deforestation of tropical forests alters the biophysical properties of the forest's surface, which contributes to regional warming and drying. These environmental changes, in turn, could impact non-degraded forests, reducing the rates of photosynthesis and increasing the release of carbon through autotrophic respiration, as well as the risk of a wildfire. Consequently, it is important to improve the accuracy of carbon and climate benefits of a land management action (e.g., avoided deforestation) to enable a more effective valuation of the carbon credits issued for a specific project. Open access copy available |
Climate-Smart Conservation Agriculture, Farm Values and Tenure Security: Implications for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the Congo BasinBackgroundThe Congo Basin forest houses a high amount of biodiversity and is an important area to conserve in light of climate change. This region is also important for agriculture and local livelihoods, though current practices are degrading the forest. Certain policy issues surrounding land tenure and investments may be hindering climate smart agriculture. Open access copy available |
The association between rainforest disturbance and recovery, tree community composition, and community traits in the Yangambi area in the Democratic Republic of the CongoBackgroundForests in the Congo Basin are becoming increasingly threatened by human disturbances. These forests play a crucial role in global biodiversity, though understanding the full impact of forest degradation has been difficult due to the intact canopy cover. It is important to assess the extent that human activities have impacted these forests to make decisions on the forests’ conservation and management practices. Open access copy available |
The ecology and management of the Miombo woodlands for sustainable livelihoods in southern Africa: the case for non-timber forest productsBACKGROUNDOpen access copy available |
Distribution and genetic diversity of five invasive pests of Eucalyptus in sub-Saharan AfricaBACKGROUNDPlantation forestry in Sub- Saharan Africa has been characterized by an introduction of several Eucalyptus species because of their socio- economic benefits. However, these Eucalyptus trees have been affected by non- native foliage feeding insect pests, which have been accidentally introduced, resulting in stunted growth and in some cases mortality. The rate of introduction of non-native eucalypt-feeding insects globally has increased nearly five-fold between the 1980s and 2010s. Open access copy available |
Plantation Forestry in Sub Saharan Africa: Silvicultural, Ecological and Economic AspectsBACKGROUNDPlantation forestry in Africa is practiced using exotic species to supply timber and non- timber forest products, which are for industrial and non- industrial purposes. Ownership of the plantations extends from governments and large industrial corporations to individual farmers. Private plantations are performing well, with a better supply compared to the public ones. Plantation programs in Africa have undergone various challenges leading to a decline in production in the past two decades. Open access copy available |
Contributions of agroforestry to ecosystem services in the miombo eco-region of eastern and southern AfricaBackgroundThe article discusses the functional benefits of agroforestry to the miombo region of eastern and southern Africa, which includes the following countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique. Open access copy available |
La gestion des aires proteges dans les paysages du PFBC: un etat des lieuxThe authors discuss history and threats to protected area systems in the Congo Basin. They outline a new approach to protected area management in the Congo Basin region.
Open access copy available |
Learning from Change in the Sangha Tri-National LandscapeBackgroundThe authors discuss the lessons learned from a participatory landscape monitoring initiative in the Sangha Tri-National landscape. The initiative was started in 2006 in the Sangha Tri-National landscape; it involved a variety of stakeholders to monitor changes in peoples' livelihoods and land uses. The group collected data on certain indicators, which allowed them to produce simple simulation models on landscape change over time. Open access copy available |
Les sociétés rurales et les pratiques d’utilisation multiple des terres (Rural societies and land-use practices)This chapter focuses on rural poverty in central Africa and the contribution of multiple land use practices to local development. The authors discuss the paradox of belonging to an area that is on the one hand extremely rich in natural resources, and on the other hand extremely poor in national and local development. They stress the importance of maintaining globally important natural resources that will be able to respond to the needs of future generations of central Africans.
Open access copy available |