Caractéristiques des sols sous savane et sous forêt naturelle sur le plateau des Batéké en République Démocratique du Congo

One of the major constraints for the natural replenishment of the fertility of savanna sandy soils is the continual shortening of fallow in the traditional slash and burn system. On the Bateke plateau, agroforestry appeared as one of the alternative systems to cope with soils poverty. This study is a preliminary assessment of soil nutrient contents up to 120 cm deep, under natural savanna and forest, developed on the same parent material with kaolinite as dominant clay and to assess the opportunity to support agroforestry. Ninety composite soil samples were collected and analyzed. Mean comparisons and discriminate analyses were used for statistical purpose. The result of statistical analysis did not show significant differences in soil composition. The high yields in shifting cultivation after forest clearance could be explained by the contribution of organic matter, due to large quantities of ashes that improves the nutrient balances in the soil. Agroforestry is then justified not only because of its high supply of organic matter, but also because it can really shorten the fallow duration.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

Evaluation par télédétection des changements d’un couvert forestier de la région forestière de Kisangani

This survey is based on the assessment by remote detection of the deforestation in the forest region of Masako in Kisangani (RDC), it aims to quantify the dynamics of the soil occupation while using the techniques of the cartography by remote detection as well as those of the systems of geographical information. We had used of the Landsat pictures TM p176r060 of January 1990 and March 2001, to make the cartography of the soil occupation, the method of the post-classifications has been used, six classes have been kept in order to apply a SIG under Arcgis 10, The matrix of confusion has been used to validate the results of the classification, the matrix of transition and the yearly rate of deforestation, have been used to quantify the fragmentation of the forest landscape. Of the gotten results, the methods prove that him ya had a change in the occupation of soil of it spaces it of 11 years. So while comparing the gotten results, we noted that the forest landscape is in full change in Kisangani. Fragmentation remains intense for the classes of the dense forests and the secondary drill. The dominant class is the one of the fields and fallows

Évaluation de certains indicateurs de développement socioéconomique attribuable au système agroforestier du plateau de Bateke en République Démocratique du Congo

There is a growing scientific interest in agroforestry on the Bateke Plateau. Therefore, the evaluation of its impact cannot be limited to technical aspects such as improving soil fertility and productivity. There are also the socioeconomic aspects, expression of the improved well-being of farmers, which have led to this study. Surveys were carried out with 330 farmers as well as with the resource persons responsible for their supervision, in three agroforestry landscape on the Bateke plateau which are, villages around Ibi and Mbankana, and the Mampu agroforestry center. The key for this research was to find clues that shows social well-being improvement in agroforestry communities. For this study, the stabilization of farms, the sedentarization of farmers, as well as the existence of savings in appropriate structures such as banks. Survey results showed that in all sites, farmers value their activity as their main source of income. With years, breeding has been developed, from poultry to cattle as well as plantations of forest species other than Acacias sp. Rather timidly but surely, farmers have mentioned their savings in banking structures. All these observations lead us to think of a real anchoring in the metier and the maturation of farmers. Therefore, subsistence farming is no longer the only source of income for farmers. Evidences of the development of other agroeconomic sectors thanks to farmers sedentarization are all arguments that support the fact that agroforestry, which has already proved its worth, should be encouraged in similar landscapes of the Bateke plateau and in the lands impoverished by overexploitation of trees

Fire risk assessment, spatiotemporal clustering and hotspot analysis in the Luki biosphere reserve region, western DR Congo

This paper analyzes active fires from 2001 to 2019 in and around the Luki Biosphere Reserve, western DR Congo to assess fire risks. In this study, we used descriptive statistics to assess fire events, Getis-Ord G hotspot analysis to define the spatial patterns presented by the fire events. Diagnostics for spatiotemporal clustering of fires location and space-time interaction were assessed the spatiotemporal K function. MODIS data from 2001 to 2019 revealed 4602 fires events and 150,132 ha burned, corresponding to 42.6% of the study area. The results of this study show that the peak of fires was recorded in 2013 and fires are mostly recorded every year during the dry season from June to September. They occurred mostly between Noon and 01:00 PM local time. Fires that occurred in the region had low radiative power with the mean value of 23.5 Mega Watts. The Hotspot region where fires take place is located in the South-Eastern part of the studied area exhibiting a significant spatiotemporal clustering (p value = 0.012). Fires are mainly of 2 origins: annual savannah clearing and agriculture fires. The results of this research will help decision making with proactive preventive measures over time and space

Forests in Post- Conflict Democratic Republic of Congo: Analysis of a Priority Agenda

Forests are ubiquitous in the Democratic Republic of Congo; they touch the cultural and economic life of most of the population and have enormous global environmental significance. After years of conflicts and mismanagement, reconstruction is key to improving living conditions and consolidating peace. At the same time, better roads and trade bring risksÑthreatening forests and biodiversity by facilitating logging, land conversion, and the seizure of forest rights by vested interests. Anticipating these threats, in 2002, the transitional government started a Priority Reform Agenda. This report analyses the soundness of this Agenda, the progress achieved to date, and the priorities for the future. It emphasises the nature of forests as a public good; and the importance of the rule of law, transparency and public participation in managing natural resources. It highlights the multiplicity of claims on forests; calls for multipurpose participatory land-use planning; and emphasises the need to secure traditional user rights. Beyond the risks, the return of peace to the DRC also offers a unique opportunity to take a fresh look at the second-largest rainforest in the world, and to implement innovative strategies that give priority to the environment and to local people.Forest, economics, livelihoods, Congo, RDC, war, Post conflict, livelihoods, biodiversity, transport cost