Analyzing Drivers of Tropical Moist Forest Dynamics in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park Landscape, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo from 1990 to 2022

Nadège Cizungu Cirezi (), Jean-François Bastin, Yannick Mugumaarhahama, Yannick Sikuzani Useni, Katcho Karume, Raymond Sinsi Lumbuenamo and Jan Bogaert
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Nadège Cizungu Cirezi: TERRA Research and Teaching Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Jean-François Bastin: TERRA Research and Teaching Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Yannick Mugumaarhahama: Natural Resource Management Department, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en Afrique, Bukavu P.O. Box 3323, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Yannick Sikuzani Useni: Ecology, Ecological Restoration and Landscape Unit, Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi P.O. Box 1825, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Katcho Karume: Natural Resource Management Department, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en Afrique, Bukavu P.O. Box 3323, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Raymond Sinsi Lumbuenamo: Protected areas management, Ecole Régionale Post-Universitaire d’Aménagement et de Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux (ERAIFT), Kinshasa P.O. Box 15373, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Jan Bogaert: TERRA Research and Teaching Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium

Land, 2024, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-22

Abstract: The protected areas (PA) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo serve as vital carbon reservoirs and are crucial for biodiversity conservation and climate regulation. Despite their significance, these areas face escalating rates of deforestation and degradation, often poorly understood at the local level. This study focuses on the dynamics of tropical moist forest (TMF) and the relative importance of the driving factors in the landscape of Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP), one of the country’s prominent PAs. Analyzing annual TMF dynamics from 1990 to 2022 using data classified by Vancutsem and his collaborators in 2021 from Landsat imagery alongside spatial datasets of deforestation and degradation drivers, we employed a comprehensive analytical approach. This included meshing, multi-scale analysis, principal component analysis, zoning, multiple linear regression, and relative importance analysis through bootstrapping. The findings indicate that the grid size considered does not significantly influence TMF dynamics in the KBNP landscape ( p -value = 0.67, α = 0.05). The edge and outer zones experienced substantial dynamics, with approximately 30% forest cover loss in both areas, contrasting with the relatively stable TMF cover (~100%) in the inner zone. Fire emerged as the most influential driver, explaining TMF dynamics with a relative importance of approximately 55%, 30%, and 23% in the inner, edge, and outer zones, respectively. This study underscores KBNP’s efficacy in curbing TMF loss but highlights the need for enhanced protection around its periphery. Management efforts should prioritize sustainable land use practices, livelihood improvement, and the establishment of an officially recognized buffer zone.

Keywords: tropical moist forest; deforestation; degradation; protected area; natural resource management and Kahuzi-Biega National Park (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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