State of the Rainforest 2014

cover) of approximately 0,25 % annually in the period 2000–2012, but far higher deforestation when less dense forest is included.

forest has high carbon content compared to the average amount of carbon stored in tropical forests, and globally the Congo rainforest represents about 25% of the total carbon stored in tropical forests. 26 Central Africa’s rainforest is home to vast numbers of plant and animal species, but formal scientific knowledge about these plants and animals is still limited. The region has some 400 recorded mammal species, 1,000 bird species and probably more than 10,000 plant species (of which 3,000 are endemic). The threatened forest elephant, lowland gorilla, chimpanzee, bongo and okapi have attracted world attention but scientists are continually recording new species. 27 People depend on forest More than 75 million people live in the Congo Basin region; the majority are dependent on the forest and forest ecosystems for their food, medicines, and livelihood. The indigenous pygmy peoples (the numbers of how many they are vary), are entirely dependent on the forest for their livelihood and culture. The forest peoples of the Congo Basin have vast knowledge of the flora and fauna which should be acknowledged as a valuable resource in all efforts aimed at sustainable management of the rainforest. Bushmeat and fisheries from the forests provide crucial protein sources for around 30 million people living in these forested areas. Forest products, whether directly consumed or traded, provide a substantial portion of income for the local population. The forests also constitute an important safety net in countries where poverty and undernourishment are highly prevalent. Studies estimate that at least 500 plant species and 85 animal species are harvested, many of which are used for several purposes, for food, oils and medicinal plants. 28 Extent of forest and deforestation trends The Congo Basin is the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest, covering approximately 2 million km 2 . While the rainforests of West Africa and Madagascar are heavily degraded, with only patches of the original forest left, large areas of the rainforest in the Congo Basin are still intact. This is particularly the case for the “forest giant” of the region, DRC, which has almost 20% of the world’s remaining rainforest within its borders. According to the FAO, 29 51% of the forest in DRC and 65% of the forest in Gabon is primary forest and, whereas the other Congo Basin counties have lower percentages. These figures are highly uncertain, however. 30 Deforestation in the Africa’s rainforests in other areas than the Congo Basin is extremely high. In West Africa deforestation rates are three times as high, and in Madagascar nine times as high. 31 The FAO reports a relatively low deforestation rate in the “Congo Basin rainforest region” at an annual net loss of –0.23% for 1990–2010. 32 The loss for DRC is slightly lower, at –0.20% annually over the past two decades. 33 The FAO figures are disputed, however. A recent World Bank report on the Congo Basin 34 shows a doubling of annual deforestation in the period 2000–2005 (0.28% ), compared to the previous decade. 35 A study by the University of Maryland 36 reports forest loss in the region’s dense tropical rainforest (76–100% tree

The data on deforestation is conflicting, and it is generally agreed that there is a need for better monitoring and analysis of the Congo Basin rainforest. Most studies predict an increase in deforestation in the Congo Basin in the years to come. Threats There is controversy about what the major drivers of deforestation in the Congo Basin are, and a lack of reliable data. Compared to other rainforest regions, small scale agriculture is a relatively more important deforestation factor in the Congo Basin, especially in densely populated areas. Most experts see expansion of agriculture and plantations, roads and extractive industries as the major challenge. Roads are among the most robust predictors of tropical deforestation, 37 as they open up areas for large scale exploitation. 38 Urbanisation causes pressure on forests due to demand for timber and charcoal from the towns and cities. 39 According to the FAO, ‘With escalating prices of minerals, fuel and food, mining and large-scale land acquisition for oil palm and cash crops appear set to become the leading causes of deforestation in Congo Basin in the forthcoming years.’ 40

Extent of rainforest and deforestation in Central Africa

Annual deforestation rate Percentage

1,2

1,0

C ENTRAL A FRICAN R EPUBLIC

C AMEROON

0,8

E QUATORIAL G UINEA

0,6

FAO

0,4

0,2

G ABON

R EPUBLIC OF C ONGO

UMD

D EMOCRATIC R EPUBLIC OF THE C ONGO

0,0

500 1 Forest and deforestation extent Thousands square kilometres 100

Forest cover, 2000 FAO

1 500

University of Maryland (UMD)

Deforestation

FAO, 2000-2010 University of Maryland 2000-2012

Source: based on Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA; FAO Note: Data sets from UMD and FAO have signi cant di erences as di erent methods of quantifying forest extend and deforestation are used

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STATE OF THE RAINFOREST 2014