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Status and Trends of Biodiversity

Overview

The D.R. of Congo is characterized by 19 distinct ecosystems, 15 of which are represented in the protected areas. Forests cover about 52% of the national territory and which are more or less conserved naturally due to their monumental importance. The annual rate of deforestation is about 0.4%, and is due mainly to burning for agriculture and collection of firewood. The inland waters occupy 3% of the national territory. They are considered as one of the most important continental water resources, and account for about 60% of the fresh water reserves for Africa. These areas are also important as extensions of the humid zones, temporary habitats for migrating birds and an important source of biodiversity. There are no appropriate management strategies in place at the moment. A survey of known species in the D.R. of Congo shows that there are: 10,007 species of higher plants with 55 threatened; 450 species of mammal with 40 threatened; 345 species of breeding birds with 28 threatened; 304 species of reptile with 2 threatened; 208 species of amphibians and 101 species of fish with 1 threatened.

Number and Extent of Protected Areas

The protected areas cover 9% of the total, national surface area, which equals about 234,486ha of total land area. 15 of the 19 ecosystems are represented in this area.

National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan

Major features of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan

There were three principal themes considered in the development of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. These themes were then broken down into specific objectives and programmes. The three themes are: conservation of biological diversity; sustainable development and management of the biodiversity resources; and the implementation and follow-up of the national strategy and action plan. Several long and short term projects were initiated such as: project for the restoration and rehabilitation of the national parks, plans for the protection and rehabilitation of endangered species and ecosystems, development of the Zoological and Botanical Institute of Congo, program to fight the vectors of malaria, National Program for sustainable agriculture and the National Strategy on Biosafety.
 

• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan on Belgian CHM (French)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (French)
• National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (French)

Implementation of the Convention

Initiatives in Protected Areas

A strategy for the conservation of protected areas was produced in November 2004. One major achievement was the protection of the manatee by the creation of a mangrove park. A survey was also completed, which identified the high value biodiversity zones in light of the creation of new protected areas. An effort has been made for the recognition of humid zones in the network of protected areas. Legislation concerning matters of nature conservation is in the process of being prepared.