Academic literature on the topic 'Forest biodiversity – Congo (Democratic Republic) – Kisangani'

Cocoa agroforestry has evolved into an accepted natural resource conservation strategy in the tropics. It is regularly proposed as one of the main uses for REDD+ projects (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, few studies have characterized the cocoa agroforestry systems in this country. Hence, this research proposes to determine the impact of distance from Kisangani (the unique city in the landscape) and land-use intensity on the floristic composition of cocoa agroforests in Bengamisa-Yangambi forest landscape in the Congo Basin. The results revealed that species diversity and density of plants associated with cocoa are influenced by the distance from Kisangani (the main city in the landscape and province). Farmers maintain/introduce trees that play one or more of several roles. They may host caterpillars, provide food, medicine, or timber, or deliver other functions such as providing shade to the cocoa tree. Farmers maintain plants with edible products (mainly oil palms) in their agroforests more than other plants. Thus, these agroforests play key roles in conserving the floristic diversity of degraded areas. As cocoa agroforestry has greater potential for production, biodiversity conservation, and environmental protection, it should be used to slow down or even stop deforestation and forest degradation.

Humid conditions and equatorial forest in the Congo Basin have allowed for the maintenance of significant biodiversity and carbon stock. The ecological services and products of this forest are of high importance, particularly for smallholders living in forest landscapes and watersheds. Unfortunately, in addition to deforestation and forest degradation, climate change/variability are impacting this region, including both forests and populations. We developed three case studies based on field observations in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as information from the literature. Our key findings are: (1) the forest-related water cycle of the Congo Basin is not stable, and is gradually changing; (2) climate change is impacting the water cycle of the basin; and, (3) the slow modification of the water cycle is affecting livelihoods in the Congo Basin. Developmental and environmental actions in the Congo Basin need to properly consider the slight modification of this water cycle in watersheds that affect products and services from the forest.

AbstractThe forests of the Albertine Rift are known for their high biodiversity and the important ecosystem services they provide to millions of inhabitants. However, their conservation and the maintenance of ecosystem service delivery is a challenge, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Our research investigates how livelihood strategy and ethnicity affects local perceptions of forest ecosystem services. We collected data through 25 focus-group discussions in villages from distinct ethnic groups, including farmers (Tembo, Shi, and Nyindu) and hunter-gatherers (Twa). Twa identify more food-provisioning services and rank bush meat and honey as the most important. They also show stronger place attachment to the forest than the farmers, who value other ecosystem services, but all rank microclimate regulation as the most important. Our findings help assess ecosystem services trade-offs, highlight the important impacts of restricted access to forests resources for Twa, and point to the need for developing alternative livelihood strategies for these communities.

This paper provides a review of data on the effects of the civil war on forest areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Only a few of these effects were beneficial, the most important being the collapse of the wood industry. However, the war has increased the number of people that rely on wood for fuel and bushmeat for protein. The presence of soldiers and refugees aggravates this pressure. When people hide they do not necessarily refrain from hunting, because goods, including ivory, can be stocked to be traded when the situation improves. War seems beneficial to the environment only if it keeps people out of large areas. It could be useful to extend the concept of peace parks to war zones. The idea of an international ‘green force’ to protect biodiversity hotspots should be given serious consideration. Awareness is growing that political instability should not preclude conservation efforts from being continued.

AbstractUnderstanding the importance of bushmeat consumption for household nutrition, both in rural and urban settings, is critical to developing politically acceptable ways to reduce unsustainable exploitation. This study provides insights into bushmeat consumption patterns relative to the consumption of other meat (from the wild, such as fish and caterpillars, or from domestic sources, such as beef, chicken, pork, goat and mutton) among children from Province Orientale, Democratic Republic of Congo. Our results show that urban and rural households consume more meat from the wild than from domestic sources. Of the various types of wild meat, bushmeat and fish are the most frequently consumed by children from Kisangani and fish is the most frequently consumed in villages. Poorer urban households eat meat less frequently but consume bushmeat more frequently than wealthier households. In urban areas poorer households consume common bushmeat species more frequently and wealthier households eat meat from larger, threatened species more frequently. Urban children eat more bushmeat from larger species (duiker Cephalophus spp. and red river hog Potamochoerus porcus) than rural children (rodents, small monkeys), probably because rural households tend to consume the less marketable species or the smaller animals. We show that despite the tendency towards more urbanized population profiles and increased livelihood opportunities away from forest and farms, wildlife harvest remains a critical component of nutritional security and diversity in both rural and urban areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Shifting cultivation has been shown to be the primary cause of land use change in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Traditionally, forested and fallow land are rotated in a slash and burn cycle that has created an agricultural mosaic, including secondary forest, known as the rural complex. This study investigates the land use context of new forest clearing (during 2000–2015) in primary forest areas outside of the established rural complex. These new forest clearings occur as either rural complex expansion (RCE) or isolated forest perforations (IFP), with consequent implications on the forest ecosystem and biodiversity habitat. During 2000–2015, subsistence agriculture was the dominant driver of forest clearing for both extension of settled areas and pioneer clearings removed from settled areas. Less than 1% of clearing was directly attributable to land uses such as mining, plantations, and logging, showing that the impact of commercial operations in the DRC is currently dwarfed by a reliance on small-holder shifting cultivation. However, analyzing the landscape context showed that large-scale agroindustry and resource extraction activities lead to increased forest loss and degradation beyond their previously-understood footprints. The worker populations drawn to these areas create communities that rely on shifting cultivation and non-timber forest products (NTFP) for food, energy, and building materials. An estimated 12% of forest loss within the RCE and 9% of the area of IFP was found to be within 5 km of mines, logging, or plantations. Given increasing demographic and commercial pressures on DRC’s forests, it will be crucial to factor in this landscape-level land use change dynamic in land use planning and sustainability-focused governance.

The aim of this study was to investigate industrial logging in Businga Territory. The survey was carried out by means of a questionnaire addressed to 235 people including 150 men (64%) and 85 women (36%) between 31 and 100 years of age, on the basis of free and informed consent. It emerged from this study that 110 subjects out of the 235 (46.8%) were from SICOTRA company and its surroundings and 125 respondents (53.2%) belonged to from KKF company and its surroundings. Of the 235 people surveyed, only 104 (or 44.3%) were workers from two companies, the rest were heads of groups, capitas, local notables and those who had not worked in either company. 44.6% of the respondents had a primary level followed by 31.9% (or 75 people) with a secondary level. There are 55 illiterate people (23.4%). No university executives were met in the area during the survey. The logging by these two companies (KKF: from 1949 to 1998 (49 years of exploitation) and SICOTRA: from 1980 to 1998 (18 years)) has caused enormous destruction of the ecosystem and the population is today confronted with multiple difficulties and problems of supply of Non Timber Forest Products (caterpillars, snails, mushrooms, Cola acuminata, etc.) and the erosion of biodiversity. Of the 17 forest species exploited in this Sector, 03 have totally disappeared: Diospyros crassiflora Hiern, Nauclea diderrichii (De Wild.) Merr. and Prioria balsaminfera (Vermoesen) Breteler. The majority contacted had no notion of protecting the forest (67.2% vs. 32.8%); the population had no notion of drawing up specifications (95 vs. 5%). The results revealed that the indigenous population did not benefit from their forest, nor did they benefit from basic social infrastructures of community interest. In order to remedy this situation, a good regulation of the forestry exploitation code, the popularization of the new forestry code and the elaboration of specifications in collaboration with local communities are necessary to correct this situation in the future.

In Africa, the importance of NTFPs in the livelihood security is well recognized and these products represent vital sources of income for poor population. However, the sales chain of Marantaceae leaves is informal in Gbado-Lite and there is no information available on this sector for the promotion of the sale of NTFPs at the local level to reduce poverty and protect the environment as well as to conserve biodiversity. This survey shows that mostly female (55%) carries out the sale of Marantaceae leaves in Gbado-Lite. Among traders, 37.5% are illiterate, 32.5%, 20% and 10% have a secondary, primary and university education respectively. Regarding the marital status, 52.5% of respondents are divorced, 25% are widows and 22.5% are married. While 40% of respondents are unemployed, 30% are farmers while housewives and pupils account for 17.5% and 12.5% respectively. Our respondents know seven other non-woody forest products. These include: Mushrooms (27.5%), Caterpillars (22.5%), Marantaceae leaves (20%), honey (17.5%), snails and game (5% each) and vines (2.5%). Marantaceae leaves are first used for food packaging (47.5%), food preservation (35%), building material (10%). The forest accounts for 52% of the total harvesting habitat of Marantaceae leaves. It is followed by fallow (25%), fields (15%) savannah (8%) respectively. This sale allows the schooling for children (27.5%); health care (20%); food purchase (17%); beverage purchase (12.5%). The majority of respondents believe that these leaves are not well managed after use and therefore pollute the environment because of the lack of a waste collection structure. Yet, they are biodegradable and should be used to make compost for crops in Gbado-Lite.

Floristic, Ecological and Phytosociological, Study of the Forests of the Mbiye Island at Kisangani, DR Congo The Mbiye Island is situated on the Congo River, in the Eastern part of Kisangani. It is located upstream of the Wagenia Falls, between latitude 0º31’ North and longitude 25º11’ East, with 376 m of altitude. It adjoins the town of Kisangani, and it is 14 km long and 4 km wide. All around Kisangani, the Mbiye Island is the only ecosystem which has a dense forest that is relatively well preserved. This Island has an area of 1,400 ha, and it comprises three types of forest: dry land forest, periodically flooded forest and swampy forest. The main purpose of this study has been to make a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the physiognomy and structure of these three types of forest. I relied on two methods in data collecting: the Phytosociological plotting method with a sampling equal to 100 individuals for the higher strata and 100 m² grass strata, associated with dbh measure for trees whose diameter is ≥ 10 cm. In total, out of the 80 plottings, 67 multi strata and structurals each of which has been decomposed in 4 sub-plottings fit together. Based on the presence-absence criterion, the other 13 multi strata and structurals have been made into Chablis, and all the data have been globally analyzed. An inventory of 33991 individuals has been made in this study. After their identification, it has been found out that there 470 species belonging to 297 types and 90 families. Rubiaceae, Caesalpiniaceae and euphorbiaceae families have been found out to be the most important in Genus and species. In the raw spectra of biological types, the phanerophyts (83.0%) are the most predominant, and within which the mesophanerophyts (trees 10 to 30 m tall in their old age) are the most predominant (39.0%). The Phytogeographical spectra have more omni-guineo-congolese (35%) elements; and amongst the diaspore types, the sarcochores (69%) are the most predominant. 58 endemic species (12.3%) of the central forest sector have been found out at the Mbiye Island. After the classification and ordination of the 80 plottings by Twinspan and DCA, three Phytosociological groupings have been found out in the dry land forest: (1) grouping of Funtumia elastica and Albizia ealaensis, (2) grouping of Nesogordonia leplaei and Antiaris toxicaria, (3) prouping of Olyra latifolia and Campylospermum elongatum; two others for floodable forests (1) grouping of Rinorea oblongifolia and Byrsocarpus coccineus, (2) grouping of Pachystela seretii, Dracaena kindtiana and Culcasia yangambiensis, and three others for swampy forests: (1) grouping of Strombosia grandifolia, Calamus deerratus, Culcasia angolensis and Elaeis guineensis, (2) grouping of Cleistopholis patens and Pterygota bequaertii, (3) grouping of Diospyros bipendensis, Strychnos icaja and Palisota barteri and then two groupings for the Chablis plottings (1) grouping of Palisota schweinfurthii, Eremospatha haullevilleana, Thomandersia hensii and Pycnocoma insularis and (2) grouping of Nephrolepis biserrata and Scaphopetalum thonneri. The coelocaryon botryoides has shown a uniform spatial distribution in the in the forest periodically flooded, whereas Gilbertiodendron dewevrei has shown an aggregated distribution. Comparison of richness in different taxa within the sampling has given high values as far as the numbers of species is concerned and genus of the same family in the phytosociological sampling. Out of all the species listed, 189 have been considered to be common species with regard to the three forest types, other 144 belonged to two types. 90 species have been listed only on solid land, 27 on periodically flooded forest 20 on swampy forest. Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae and Caesalpiniaceae families were the best represented in species and genus. With regard to richness in each forest type, the forest of solid soil was the only one to have high values both in species

and genus, and the swampy forest was less represented. With reference to richness according to strata, the herbaceous and under-shrub stratum (H) was the richest whereas the stratum of dominant trees (E+A1) was the poorest. Mbiye island forest is the nearest one of Kisangani for which it plays the most important role with regards to supplies in different forest products and non-ligneous forest products. In total, 12.3% endemic species of Central forest sector have been listed there, but due to frequent use by man this time, all these endemic species may disappear from this island. It is therefore urgent that particular attention be paid on it. Actions of conservation and lasting exploitation must be started in order to block their extinction. Key words: DRCongo, Flora, Ecology, Phytosociology, insularity, flooding, spatial distribution, biodiversity, synusie, Mbiye Island, Kisangani./Etude floristique, écologique et phytosociologique des forêts de l'île Mbiye, Kisangani, RDCongo. L'île Mbiye est une île du fleuve Congo située dans la partie Est de la ville de Kisangani, en amont des chutes Wagenia, entre 0° 31' de latitude Nord et 25° 11' de longitude Est, avec une altitude de 376 m. Elle jouxte la ville de Kisangani et sa longueur maximale est de 14 km sur 4 km de largeur. Elle est le seul écosystème à proximité de la ville, possédant encore une forêt dense relativement bien conservée et formant un îlot de 1400 ha comprenant trois types forestiers :la forêt de terre ferme, la forêt périodiquement inondée et la forêt marécageuse. L’objectif principal de cette étude a été de faire une analyse quantitative et qualitative de la physionomie et la structure de ces trois types forestiers. Deux méthodes ont permis la récolte de données ;la méthode de relevés phytosociologiques à effort d’échantillonnage égal à 100 individus pour les strates supérieures et 100 m² pour la strate herbacée, associée à celle de mesure de D130, pour les arbres à diamètre ≥ 10 cm. Au total, 80 relevés dont 67 multistrates et structurels, décomposés chacun en 4 sous-relevés emboîtés, ont été mis en place. 13 autres ont été faits dans les chablis avec l’appréciation basée sur le critère de présence-absence et toutes les données ont été analysées globalement. A l’issue de cette étude, 33991 individus ont été recensés. Après leur identification, au total 470 espèces appartenant à 297 genres et 90 familles ont été obtenues. Les familles des Rubiaceae, des Caesalpiniaceae et des Euphorbiaceae sont les plus importantes, tant en genres qu’en espèces. Dans les spectres bruts de types biologiques, les phanérophytes (83,0 %) sont les plus abondants et au sein desquels les mésophanérophytes (arbres de 10 à 30 m au stade adulte) sont les plus dominants (39,0 %). Les spectres phytogéographiques ont montré une prédominance d’éléments omni-guinéo-congolais (35 %) alors que parmi les types de diaspores, les sarcochores (69 %) sont les plus dominants. 58 espèces endémiques du Secteur forestier central (soit 12,3 %) ont été recensées à l’île Mbiye. Après classification et ordination de ces 80 relevés par Twinspan et DCA, trois groupements phytosociologiques ont été obtenus dans la forêt de terre ferme: (1) groupement à Funtumia elastica et Albizia ealaensis, (2) groupement à Nesogordonia leplaei et Antiaris toxicaria, (3) groupement à Olyra latifolia et Campylospermum elongatum ;deux autres pour les forêts inondables (1) groupement à Rinorea oblongifolia et Byrsocarpus coccineus, (2) groupement à Pachystela seretii, Dracaena kindtiana et Culcasia yangambiensis ;trois autres encore pour les forêts marécageuses :(1) groupement à Strombosia grandifolia, Calamus deerratus, Culcasia angolensis et Elaeis guineensis, (2) groupement à Cleistopholis patens et Pterygota bequaertii, (3) groupement à Diospyros bipendensis, Strychnos icaja et Palisota barteri, et enfin, deux groupements pour les relevés de chablis (1) groupement à Palisota schweinfurthii, Eremospatha haullevilleana, Thomandersia hensii et Pycnocoma insularum et (2) groupement à Nephrolepis biserrata et Scaphopetalum thonneri. L’espèce Coelocaryon botryoides a montré une répartition spatiale uniforme dans la forêt périodiquement inondée alors que Gilbertiodendron dewevrei y a montré une répartition agrégée. La comparaison de la richesse en différents taxa au sein de relevés et de placettes a donné de valeurs supérieures en nombre d’espèces, de genres et même de familles, dans les relevés phytociologiques. Sur le total des espèces recensées, 189 ont été considérées comme espèces communes aux trois types forestiers, 144 autres appartenaient aux deux types. 90 espèces

n’ont été recensées qu’en forêt de terre ferme, 27 en forêt périodiquement inondée et 20 dans la forêt marécageuse. Les familles des Euphorbiaceae, des Rubiaceae et celle des Caesalpiniaceae ont été les mieux représentées en espèces et en genres. En ce qui concerne la richesse dans chaque type forestier, la forêt de terre ferme était la seule à avoir des valeurs supérieures tant en espèces qu’en genres et la forêt marécageuse était la moins représentée. Quant à la richesse spécifique selon les strates, la strate herbacée et sous-arbustive (H) était la plus riche alors que la strate des arbres dominants (E+A1) était la plus pauvre. La forêt de l’île Mbiye est la seule forêt proche de la ville de Kisangani pour laquelle elle joue un rôle de premier plan en ce qui concerne le ravitaillement en différents produits forestiers et forestiers non ligneux. Au total, 12,3% d’espèces endémiques du Secteur forestier Central y ont été recensées, mais vue l’action anthropique qu’elle connaît ce dernier temps, toutes ces espèces endémiques risquent de disparaître de cette île. Il est alors urgent qu’une attention particulière, soit tournée vers elle. Des actions de conservation et d’exploitation durable doivent être amorcées en vue contrecarrer l’extinction des celles-ci. Mots clés :RDCongo, flore, écologie, phytosociologie, insularité, inondation, répartition spatiale, biodiversité, synusie, île Mbiye, Kisangani.
Doctorat en Sciences
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

This study assessed the impact of human activities on deforestation and sustainability of water resources and livelihoods in the Congo Basin. It mainly aimed to assess forest degradation in the Yoko reserve from 1976 to 2015 and investigate the compatibility of Landsat imagery for forest monitoring. Digital Image processing for unsupervised classification was done using ENVI software while supervised classification was done by means of ArcGIS 10. Results show that forest landscape faced large scale human induced fragmentation over the last 40 years. If these trends continue, they will affect the sustainability of water resources and livelihoods in the Congo Basin of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hence, policy makers need to look at key drivers and address impacts that may threaten the future of Hydrological Ecosystems Services, including water and land resources in the Congo Basin. Authorities have to apply an Integrated Management of Water, Land and Ecosystems.

This chapter assessed the impact of human activities on deforestation and sustainability of water resources and livelihoods in the Congo Basin. It mainly aimed to assess forest degradation in the Yoko Reserve from 1976 to 2015 and investigate the compatibility of Landsat imagery for forest monitoring. Digital image processing for unsupervised classification was done using ENVI software while supervised classification was done by means of ArcGIS 10. Results show that forest landscape faced large-scale human-induced fragmentation over the last 40 years. If these trends continue, they will affect the sustainability of water resources and livelihoods in the Congo Basin of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Hence, policymakers need to look at key drivers and address impacts that may threaten the future of hydrological ecosystems services, including water and land resources in the Congo Basin. Authorities have to apply an integrated management of water, land, and ecosystems.