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The Spatiotemporal Dynamics of the Landscape of the Itombwe Nature Reserve and Its Periphery in South Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo

Author

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  • Cléophace Bayumbasire Citwara

    (Ecole Régionale Post-Universitaire d’Aménagement et Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux (ERAIFT), Kinshasa P.O. Box 15.373, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Biodiversité, Ecosystème et Paysage, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
    Département de l’Environnement, Centre de Recherche en Sciences Naturelles de Lwiro (CRSN-LWIRO), D.S.Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Trésor Mbavumoja Selemani

    (Biodiversité, Ecosystème et Paysage, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium)

  • Julien Bwazani Balandi

    (Ecole Régionale Post-Universitaire d’Aménagement et Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux (ERAIFT), Kinshasa P.O. Box 15.373, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Biodiversité, Ecosystème et Paysage, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium)

  • Nadège Cizungu Cirezi

    (Ecole Régionale Post-Universitaire d’Aménagement et Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux (ERAIFT), Kinshasa P.O. Box 15.373, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    TERRA Research and Teaching Center, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
    Natural Resource Management Department, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Université Evangélique en Afrique, Bukavu P.O. Box 3323, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • André Nduwimana

    (Centre de Recherche en Sciences de Productions Animales Végétales et Environnementales (CRAVE), Université du Burundi, Bujumbura BP 1550, Burundi)

  • Léonard Mubalama Kakira

    (Centre de Recherche en Gestion de la Biodiversité et Changement Climatique, ISDR Bukavu, Bukavu P.O. Box 2849, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Kouagou Raoul Sambieni

    (Ecole Régionale Post-Universitaire d’Aménagement et Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux (ERAIFT), Kinshasa P.O. Box 15.373, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Jean-Pierre Mate Mweru

    (Ecole Régionale Post-Universitaire d’Aménagement et Gestion Intégrés des Forêts et Territoires Tropicaux (ERAIFT), Kinshasa P.O. Box 15.373, Democratic Republic of the Congo)

  • Jean-François Bastin

    (Biodiversité, Ecosystème et Paysage, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium)

  • Hervé Tchekote

    (Département de Géographie, Centre d’Études et de Recherche en Espaces, Arts et Humanités (CEREAH), Université de Dschang, Dschang P.O. Box 96, Cameroon)

  • Jan Bogaert

    (Biodiversité, Ecosystème et Paysage, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, Université de Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium)

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of anthropogenic pressures on the Itombwe Nature Reserve and its periphery over the period 1990–2024 using satellite imagery. Two landscape ecology indices were employed: the Percentage of Landscape (PLAND) and the Largest Patch Index (LPI). The PLAND quantifies the overall extent of each habitat type, while the LPI provides insights into their spatial configuration. Eighty-three plots (each 2.5 km per side, i.e., 6.25 km 2 ) were sampled in both the reserve and its periphery to generate robust landscape replications. Analysis focused on three key land use classes: forests, savannahs, and fields. Statistical comparisons using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests revealed a decline in forest cover within the reserve and its periphery, accompanied by a steady increase in savannahs and fields. The decline in forest cover is particularly pronounced along the reserve’s periphery. For instance, in the reserve, forest cover decreased from 78.4% in 1990 to approximately 60.2% in 2024, whereas on the periphery, it dropped from 37.5% to about 21.4%. In contrast, the savannah areas increased from 17.7% to 29.5% within the reserve and maintained a marked predominance on the periphery (rising from 53.9% to 55.2%). Additionally, the area dedicated to fields exhibited notable expansion, rising from 3.70% to 10.22% in the reserve and from 7.54% to 21.98% along the periphery. These findings underscore the significant impacts of anthropogenic pressure on the forest ecosystems in both the reserve and its periphery. They highlight the urgent need for enhanced conservation measures within the reserve, as well as the implementation of sustainable land use practices (e.g., agroforestry and sustainable agriculture) in the peripheral zones to reduce the local population’s dependence on forest resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Cléophace Bayumbasire Citwara & Trésor Mbavumoja Selemani & Julien Bwazani Balandi & Nadège Cizungu Cirezi & André Nduwimana & Léonard Mubalama Kakira & Kouagou Raoul Sambieni & Jean-Pierre Mate Mweru, 2025. "The Spatiotemporal Dynamics of the Landscape of the Itombwe Nature Reserve and Its Periphery in South Kivu, the Democratic Republic of Congo," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:4:p:907-:d:1638945
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julien Bwazani Balandi & Jean-Pierre Pitchou Meniko To Hulu & Kouagou Raoul Sambieni & Yannick Useni Sikuzani & Jean-François Bastin & Charles Mumbere Musavandalo & Timothée Besisa Nguba & Roselande J, 2024. "Anthropogenic Effects on Green Infrastructure Spatial Patterns in Kisangani City and Its Urban–Rural Gradient," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Brockhaus, Maria & Di Gregorio, Monica & Mardiah, Sofi, 2014. "Governing the design of national REDD+: An analysis of the power of agency," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 23-33.
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