Deforestation in Africa

Deforestation, the permanent removal of trees from an area of forest, is a major concern in Africa.¹ The region has the second-fastest rate of deforestation in the world, after Southeast Asia.² 41,000 square kilometres (4.1 million hectares) of natural forest in Africa is lost every year.³ This is an area equal to the size of Switzerland.⁴  

Where does deforestation occur in Africa?

Deforestation occurs in many different African nations.⁵ It is most prevalent in the continent’s largest tropical forests: the Congo Basin and the Guinean Forests of West Africa.⁶ Over 90 per cent of Africa’s deforestation is caused by agricultural development.⁷ Logging and mining industries are also primary culprits, driven by an influx of Chinese loggers and miners.⁸ 

West Africa

Over the past century, West Africa has lost about 90 per cent of its forest coverage.⁹ Growing international demand for cocoa is leading to further deforestation to make space for plantations.¹⁰ In the Ivory Coast, more than 80 per cent of the forests have been converted to cocoa production over the last 50 years.¹¹ As a result, forest cover has reduced from 10.7 per cent to 8.9 per cent of the country’s total land area since 2015.¹² 

The Congo Basin rainforest

The Congo Basin is the second-largest rainforest in the world, after the Amazon.¹³ It is known as the ‘second lungs’ of the world, for the carbon dioxide (CO2) it absorbs and the oxygen it produces.¹⁴ This immense rainforest spans across six countries – Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.¹⁵

It is an incredibly diverse place. For example, more tree species can be found in one hectare of the Congo Basin rainforest than all the UK’s native tree species combined.¹⁶ This forest is home to about 10,000 species of plants and endangered animals which cannot be found anywhere else on Earth.¹⁷ 

What plant is being used to slow down deforestation in Africa?

How is bamboo useful?

Bamboo is being used to slow down deforestation in Africa.¹⁸ It is regenerative, meaning that an entire bamboo plant can be grown from a single small cutting.¹⁹ The plant is also one of the fastest-growing on the planet.²⁰ It transforms nutrients to fuel growth incredibly efficiently.²¹ Finally, it can be used to manufacture flooring, furniture and in construction.²²  

What are the limitations of bamboo?

These properties help to make bamboo a sustainable plant that reduces dependence upon timber and other depleted species.²³ For instance, in areas where there is a high demand for indigenous trees for building purposes, bamboo can serve as a far more sustainable alternative.²⁴ Also, bamboo itself absorbs CO2, making it useful in the fight against global warming.²⁵ 

Nevertheless, bamboo has its limitations in preventing climate change. There are fears of widespread starvation if too many poor Africans begin growing bamboo instead of food crops.²⁶ Ultimately, the existing rainforest must be protected and enhanced to help preserve ecosystems and reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. This should be coupled with a global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to prevent a catastrophic rise in temperatures.

 

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