The vulnerability of Central African forests

A road crosses a forest in northern Congo.

© IRD / Nicolas Barbier

By: Sayouba Traoré

2 min

The forest plays an important role in regulating the climate.

Unfortunately, the hand of man has weakened these important ecosystems.

For the Central Africa region, which is home to the second largest tropical forest, an international study coordinated by researchers from IRD and CIRAD is sounding the alarm.

Publicity

This study, using a very large dataset of 6 million trees in more than 180,000 plots of land, and in 5 countries, reveals the vulnerability of the tropical forests of Central Africa to climate change and human activities.

The maps generated could be used to guide targeted actions beyond national borders.

This sounds like an alert addressed to decision-makers in the various countries concerned.

Guests

:

- Maxime Réjou-Méchain, ecologist at IRD

- Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury

, forest ecologist at the Forests and Society Unit of the IRD.

Maxime Réjou-Méchain on the left, Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury on the right.

© Private collection / V.

Hinge

Production: Sayouba Traoré

Director: Ewa Piedel

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  • Environment

  • Climate change

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