Potential synergies of the main current forestry efforts and climate change mitigation in Central Africa

Abstract

In Central Africa, important carbon stocks are stored in natural forest stands, while activities that modify the carbon storage occur in the forest landscape. Besides clean development mechanisms, the reduction of emission through deforestation and degradation (REDD) initiative is viewed as one way to mitigate climate change. Important forest habitat protection activities have already been implemented with the aim of conserving the biodiversity of the region in a sustainable manner. The main causes of land use changes in the region are small holder subsistence practices and logging activities. Agricultural production has low productivity levels and therefore investments in improved agricultural techniques can both reduce pressure on existing forests and perhaps allow for the reforestation of existing degraded lands. The logging industry is dominated by large, industrial scale, logging operations performing selective logging of specific species and large trees. The adoption of improved forest management practices can reduce the impact of such logging on the ecological integrity and carbon stocks. Some efforts to engage in the carbon market have begun in the region. Further research is needed into the types of projects that will most likely become successful in the region and what locations will offer the greatest benefits.

Sustainable Choices for a Comprehensive Agricultural Sector in the Congo Basin of Central Africa

“…building materials, fuel wood, non-timber food products and game, medicinal plants, genetic resources). According to Sonwa et al (2011), physical support (provision of space and required substrate for habitat, farming zones, recreational sites, conserved natural spaces), and informational functions i.e. provision of aesthetic, cultural and scientific benefits (e.g.…”

“…Some evidence suggests that selective logging accounts for 25-50% of the region's carbon losses (Sonwa et al, 2011;Justice et al, 2001), and also helps to open up new forest areas for activities such as slash-and-burn farming that are likely to accelerate carbon and biodiversity losses (Duveiller et al, 2008;Kamdem-Toham et al, 2003). Therefore, the continued destruction and degradation of the forests hampers the provision of environmental services, undermines the global response to climate change, and reduces the local capacity to adapt to climate change impacts (Ravindranath, 2007).…”

“…However, land and market policies will have to be revised and employed to encourage agricultural intensification and promote allocation of spared land to alternative uses which sequester more carbon and/or emits fewer GHGs. Institutional-tenure issues and land-use sustainable development must be part of the comprehensive strategy for this to be effective greenhouse gas mitigation strategy (Sonwa et al, 2011;Venema & Rehman, 2007;Dobbs & Pretty, 2004;Rojas & Aylward, 2003).…”

“…It is a major transboundary natural resource pool spanning approximately 200 million hectares, with about 65 million people living inside or at the margins. Subsistence small-scale slash-and-burn shifting cultivation is the dominant economic activity and farm practice of the inhabitants (Sonwa et al, 2011;Bellassen & Glitz, 2008;Zhang et al, 2002). Poverty and underdevelopment are significant (de Wasseige et al, 2009).…”

Valuation of forest carbon stocks to estimate the potential for result-based payment under REDD+ in Cameroon

“…Before the emergence of the current "era of REDD+", biodiversity conservation has been more present in the forest agenda in Cameroon (Sonwa et al 2011). A network of protected areas covering 10 437 336 Hectares (IUCN Category I to VI) has so far been established in Cameroon, in order to improve the conservation of the forests' biological resources (Cerruti et al 2010).…”