Africa's forests are crucial not only for maintaining biodiversity but also for mitigating the effects of climate change by enhancing the continent's carbon sink capacity. Over the past two decades, deforestation across the continent has resulted in substantial forest loss, significantly contributing to global carbon emissions.

In a recent study in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, a research team led by Prof. BAO Anming from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, reveals the urgent need for forest conservation to reduce carbon emissions in Africa. 

The researchers used advanced tools such as ArcGIS and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-Offs (InVEST) model to analyze changes in forest cover and carbon storage from 1992 to 2020. The findings highlight that 77.36% of African countries experienced more forest loss than gain during this period, resulting in a net loss of 32,000 kha of forest area. This deforestation has contributed to 15.73 Pg C of carbon dioxide emissions, with countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) playing a central role due to high deforestation rates.

Moreover, the annual rate of forest loss was found to be approximately 1,600 kha, contributing to annual carbon emissions of 0.786 Pg C. Despite efforts to boost carbon sequestration through reforestation and afforestation, the rate of carbon storage decline remains faster than expected, underscoring the need for more robust conservation strategies.

"Reforestation initiatives, improved land-use planning, and strict enforcement of anti-deforestation laws are critical for sustainable forest management practices needed to reduce carbon emissions," said Dr. Vincent Nzabarinda, first author of the study.

The study emphasizes the importance of immediate policy interventions, such as sustainable forest management, to reverse the deforestation trend, and offers valuable insights for policymakers to address deforestation and strengthen forest conservation efforts across Africa.(from: XIEG)