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Living under a Fluctuating Climate and a Drying Congo Basin

Author

Listed:
  • Denis Jean Sonwa

    (Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Yaoundé P. O. Box 2008 Messa, Cameroon)

  • Mfochivé Oumarou Farikou

    (Department of Earth Science, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé P. O. Box 812, Cameroon)

  • Gapia Martial

    (Higher Institute of Rural Development (ISDR of Mbaïki), University of Bangui, Bangui P. O. Box 1450, Central African Republic (CAR))

  • Fiyo Losembe Félix

    (Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, University of Kisangani, Kisangani P. O. Box 2012, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC))

Abstract

Humid conditions and equatorial forest in the Congo Basin have allowed for the maintenance of significant biodiversity and carbon stock. The ecological services and products of this forest are of high importance, particularly for smallholders living in forest landscapes and watersheds. Unfortunately, in addition to deforestation and forest degradation, climate change/variability are impacting this region, including both forests and populations. We developed three case studies based on field observations in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as information from the literature. Our key findings are: (1) the forest-related water cycle of the Congo Basin is not stable, and is gradually changing; (2) climate change is impacting the water cycle of the basin; and, (3) the slow modification of the water cycle is affecting livelihoods in the Congo Basin. Developmental and environmental actions in the Congo Basin need to properly consider the slight modification of this water cycle in watersheds that affect products and services from the forest.

Suggested Citation

  • Denis Jean Sonwa & Mfochivé Oumarou Farikou & Gapia Martial & Fiyo Losembe Félix, 2020. "Living under a Fluctuating Climate and a Drying Congo Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-22, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2936-:d:342384
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Denis Sonwa & Johnson Nkem & Monica Idinoba & Mekou Bele & Cyprain Jum, 2012. "Building regional priorities in forests for development and adaptation to climate change in the Congo Basin," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 441-450, April.
    2. Greta C. Dargie & Simon L. Lewis & Ian T. Lawson & Edward T. A. Mitchard & Susan E. Page & Yannick E. Bocko & Suspense A. Ifo, 2017. "Age, extent and carbon storage of the central Congo Basin peatland complex," Nature, Nature, vol. 542(7639), pages 86-90, February.
    3. Molua, Ernest L., 2008. "Turning up the heat on African agriculture: The impact of climate change on Cameroon’s agriculture," African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, African Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 2(1), pages 1-20, March.
    4. Benjamin Apraku Gyampoh & Monica Idinoba & Steve Amisah, 2008. "Water Scarcity Under a Changing Climate in Ghana: Options for livelihoods adaptation," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 51(3), pages 415-417, September.
    5. Oecd, 2009. "Climate Change and Africa," OECD Journal: General Papers, OECD Publishing, vol. 2009(1), pages 5-35.
    6. Louis Lebel & Jianchu Xu & Ram Bastakoti & Amrita Lamba, 2010. "Pursuits of adaptiveness in the shared rivers of Monsoon Asia," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 10(4), pages 355-375, December.
    7. H. Brown & Johnson Nkem & Denis Sonwa & Youssoufa Bele, 2010. "Institutional adaptive capacity and climate change response in the Congo Basin forests of Cameroon," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 15(3), pages 263-282, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. David Ushindi Chishugi & Denis Jean Sonwa & Jean-Marie Kahindo & Destin Itunda & Josué Bahati Chishugi & Fiyo Losembe Félix & Muhindo Sahani, 2021. "How Climate Change and Land Use/Land Cover Change Affect Domestic Water Vulnerability in Yangambi Watersheds (D. R. Congo)," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-21, February.

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