The Forests of the Congo Basin - State of the Forests 2008

Abstract

The principal objective of the SOF report remains to detail the status of dense moist forest in Central Africa. Its focus comprises the six Central African countries containing this type of forest: Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. The process of drafting the SOF 2008 began with the definition and selection of indicators for monitoring the state of forests in Central Africa. These indicators are structured around three themes: (i) status and trends of forest cover; (ii) management of production forests; and (iii) conservation and enhancement of biodiversity. The indicators are presented in a hierarchical structure at three levels: regional, national and management unit (specifically logging concessions and protected areas). The indicators were validated by a representative panel of stakeholders in the management of Central Africa forests during a workshop held in Kribi in February 2008. Based on established indicators, national groups of four to ten individuals working within the forestry administration collected data between April and August 2008. The data were primarily from 2006 and 2007, and were subsequently validated in national workshops attended by government officials as well as representatives of environmental NGOs, the private sector and development projects. Finally, the data were provided to the authors of the chapters in the report. The entire report was reviewed by a scientific committee of international renown.