The latest "Forests of the Congo Basin: State of the Forest 2010" report, developed by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and supported by the World Agroforestry Centre and other partners, shows that deforestation rates have doubled in the Congo Basin since 1990. The report used very high resolution satellite imagery for the first time to map different parts of the Basin. These maps were used to show the impact of fuel wood extraction, agriculture, mining and oil extraction, biofuel expansion, and logging on the deforestation rates of the Congo Basin.

The informal timber sector have not been acknowledged in the past because there was scanty “accurate, up-to-date information on the current state and evolution of Central Africa’s forested areas” says Robert Nasi, CIFOR Director and co-author of the report. According to him, the lack of accurate information could have been a major factor in limiting the design of efficient forest management policies.

However, for the first time, the indicators and estimates used in the report were based on a vast amount of 300m satellite resolution images acquired over the last two decades. The production of the map relied on a semi-automatic method that combined statistical classification, expert consultation and manual editing. The scientists estimated a gross deforestation annual rate of 0.13 percent for the period 1990-2000 and 0.26 percent for the period 2000-2005.

The SPOT-VGT satellite system used to acquire the maps can also be used to monitor activities at landscape level where Centre scientists sometimes focus their research. In recent times, Centre scientists involved in land health research have developed a program that focuses on the creation of landscape level, digital maps that could be used by extension workers and farmers.

Read more on World Agroforestry Centre digital mapping research.

Read more on the CIFOR/COMIFAC report. 

Contributors: Ayrton Bett