Impact of site protection mechanisms on natural regeneration potential along a degradation gradient in Miombo Woodland region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

African Crop Science Journal, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 32(4), P. 405 - 426

Published: Jan. 13, 2025

For several decades, the Miombo woodland located in Lubumbashi plain Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has experienced significant changes its floristic composition due to increasing human activity on landscape, which greatly impacted potential for natural regeneration. Various interventions have been implemented protect this ecosystem, including adoption set-aside mechanisms with varying levels protection. The objective study was assess effects site protection regeneration vegetation, along a disturbance gradient, Congo. A conducted at Upper Katanga region Plain, involving total 60, 10 m x plots 20 per established across three sites, namely Kibundu, Kiswishi and Mikembo. Each plot subjected different that is conservation fence, without fence forest communities-based management. 1,230 individual trees were inventoried, representing 65 species, 45 genera families. Vertical spatial structure analysis revealed understory harbours greater species diversity than upper canopy. most represented families strata Fabaceae, Apocynaceae, Phyllanthaceae Ochnaceae. Additionally, Coefficient Variation (CV) sites indicated uneven distribution crowns within strata. CV 102.9% canopy against 73.6% 18.4% Mikembo, found influence absolute density individuals (CV =32.4, 61.5, 72.3% respectively). Interestingly, there high correlation between rate landscape (r =0.85, 0.055 0.77 Despite pressures, indices unity, indicating state equilibrium vegetation woodland.

Language: Английский

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Reforestation Initiatives in the Lubumbashi Charcoal Production Basin (DR Congo): Plant Diversity Selection, Management Practices, and Ecosystems Structure

Ecologies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1), P. 17 - 17

Published: Feb. 14, 2025

The sustainability of reforestation initiatives depends on the involvement local communities, whose lack ownership compromises efforts to combat deforestation in Lubumbashi Charcoal Production Basin. This study assesses activities two village areas (Milando and Mwawa), based individual interviews (50 individuals/village area) floristic inventories carried out types habitats (reforested unexploited) for each area. hypotheses tested were following: (i) Reforested tree species selected collaboratively, ensuring an inclusive approach; (ii) ecological parameters—density per hectare, quadratic mean diameter, basal area, diversity—of reforested sites comparable those unexploited miombo due protection allowing natural recovery; (iii) ethnobotanical patterns reflect varying levels anthropogenic disturbance limited diversity used reforestation. Thus, gathered data habitat woody selection management practices, while assessed condition these terms density diversity. results show that both areas, was concertedly (22.00–44.00% citations). Woody chosen according needs communities (40–52%) availability seeds (18.00–44.00%). Furthermore, practices include planning/assessment meetings (26.00–38.00%) maintenance activities, such as firebreaks (38.00–46.00%) surveillance (24.00%). Additionally, are being increasingly neglected, jeopardizing efforts. However, density/ha, did not significant differences between habitats, particularly at Milando (p > 0.05). similarity is 55.56% 93.75% but remains low (40.00–47.62%). lists also (43.75–31.58%). Finally, a total 442 individuals recorded 630 ones, with Fabaceae dominating types. Despite some cited like Acacia polyacantha absent, Brachystegia spiciformis emerged most prevalent areas. present suggest sustainable continuous effective reconstitution forest cover. To reinforce it recommended decision-makers conduct awareness-raising campaigns establish payment environmental service mechanisms motivate communities.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Restoring and Managing Miombo Woodlands: A Case Study from the Lubumbashi Region, Democratic Republic of Congo

Forests, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(3), P. 435 - 435

Published: Feb. 27, 2025

The overexploitation of forest resources in the Lubumbashi Charcoal Production Basin southeastern Democratic Republic Congo (DR Congo) leads to deforestation and miombo woodlands degradation, threatening local livelihoods. Current forestry policies are ineffective, partly due neglecting traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). This study identifies describes TEK practices related biodiversity conservation sustainable management. Focus groups interviews were conducted four villages (Maksem, Mwawa, Nsela, Texas), selected based on resource availability population size. Data sacred sites, practices, transmission, ceremonies, socio-demographic factors analyzed using descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, Jaccard’s similarity index. findings revealed that 75% respondents identified sites where logging activities strictly prohibited. Thirty tree species identified, with stronger compliance a high resources. is predominantly transmitted orally through family councils, as well ceremonies or rituals. Conservation include small-scale farming, intercropping, avoiding cutting deadwood. However, only farming intercropping still commonly practiced, particularly resource-scarce (64%). Women elders primary custodians TEK, though its application constrained by growth dwindling emphasize crucial role strengthening restoration initiatives selecting key woody while fostering community involvement. As such, decision makers should prioritize integrating into DR Congo’s support efforts.

Language: Английский

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Mapping and quantifying deforestation in the Zambezi ecoregion of Central-Southern Africa: extent and spatial structure

Frontiers in Remote Sensing, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6

Published: May 9, 2025

Introduction Forests in the Zambezi ecoregion play a critical role sustaining biodiversity and livelihoods of over 100 million people across Southern Central Africa. However, these forests face growing threats from human activities. This study assessed forest-cover changes at national scale within 2000 to 2023. Methods A total 600 Landsat images acquired for years 2000, 2008, 2016, 2023 were used analyze forest cover change. Forest was classified using Random algorithm, integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) landscape metrics assess patterns fragmentation ecological transformation. Result The results showed significant reduction area 2,328,377.5 km 2 1,817,513 , corresponding an annual deforestation rate 0.95%. decline associated substantial decrease largest patch index, signifying increased driven primarily by dissection suppression. At country level, rates above 1% identified Malawi (2.07%), Burundi (1.92%), Zimbabwe (1.57%), Tanzania (1.06%), while lower observed Zambia (0.93%), Mozambique (0.92%), Angola (0.83%), southeastern Democratic Republic Congo (0.72%). Despite widespread loss, some limited stability regeneration offer potential restoration. Discussion findings emphasize increasing human-induced pressures on highlight urgent need coordinated restoration initiatives African Development Community (SADC). Crucial steps include engaging local communities governance, promoting natural regeneration, implementing sustainable agriculture clean-energy policies conserve maintain ecosystem services.

Language: Английский

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