Congo Basin peatlands: threats and conservation priorities

Abstract

The recent publication of the first spatially explicit map of peatlands in the Cuvette Centrale, central Congo Basin, reveals it to be the most extensive tropical peatland complex, at ca. 145,500 km 2 . With an estimated 30.6 Pg of carbon stored in these peatlands, there are now questions about whether these carbon stocks are under threat and, if so, what can be done to protect them. Here, we analyse the potential threats to Congo Basin peat carbon stocks and identify knowledge gaps in relation to these threats, and to how the peatland systems might respond. Climate change emerges as a particularly pressing concern, given its potential to destabilise carbon stocks across the whole area. Socio-economic developments are increasing across central Africa and, whilst much of the peatland area is protected on paper by some form of conservation designation, the potential exists for hydrocarbon exploration, logging, plantations and other forms of disturbance to significantly damage the peatland ecosystems. The low level of human intervention at present suggests that the opportunity still exists to protect the peatlands in a largely intact state, possibly drawing on climate change mitigation

Enjeux des Activités Humaines dans le Maintien de la Diversité Végétale des Forêts Marécageuses de la Sous-Préfecture de Grand-Lahou sur le Littoral Ivoirien

“…Tout comme dans cette zone d'étude, de nombreuses études dans le monde et en Côte d'Ivoire en particulier ont mis en évidence l'usage des ressources biologiques des zones humides notamment les forêts marécageuses par les communautés riveraines pour assurer leurs obligations sociales et leur survie dans les domaines de la pharmacopée, l'alimentation, l'artisanat, la construction des habitations, agriculture ; services culturels et autres domaines (Egnankou, 2010 ;Zadou et al, 2011 ;Soro et al, 2014 ;Dargie et al, 2019).…”

Forest carbon prospecting for climate mitigation

“…Nevertheless, it is important to note that some nancially viable but less pro table forest carbon sites will struggle to compete with lucrative land uses, particularly in countries such as Brazil and Indonesia, which are the world's major producers of soy and palm oil, respectively 14 . In other countries, such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hydrocarbon exploration and logging developments with multiple vested interests may pose additional barriers to carbon projects 16 . Therefore, it is imperative to implement other conservation strategies and interventions, in addition to carbon nance, to safeguard the carbon stocks and biodiversity in these vulnerable forests.…”

Tropical peatlands under siege: the need for evidence-based policies and strategies

“…Common themes seem to be emerging regarding threats to the relatively intact peatlands of Africa and South America. In the Congo Basin, which covers the Republic of the Congo (ROC) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Dargie et al (2018;this issue) indicated the potential threats relating to peatland degradation include infrastructure development and support for hydrocarbon exploration and mining. Both disturbances would require strong policy aimed at the protection of national parks scattered in the region.…”

“…Second, evidence-based policy may be formulated, based on the studies in this issue and elsewhere, to allow the design of measures needed to implement national programs and/or Table 4 Summary of options for policy and measures to meet national and subnational agendas that align with the global agenda through adopted international treaties. See Lilleskov et al (2018;this issue) and Dargie et al (2018; NDC, nationally defined contribution; REDD+, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and foster conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks; NAMA, nationally appropriate mitigation action specific subnational projects that align with the global climate agenda. Moreover, they may be evaluated to improve the performance and be extrapolated for application elsewhere.…”