Resilience and Sustainability in the Congo Basin

Hosszú leírás:

This is Open Access Book and this book is the 2025 Congo Basin Assessment Report, which synthesizes existing scientific knowledge, including that of Indigenous peoples and autochthonous communities, on the functioning of and threats to the Congo Basin and its ecosystems. As such, it is the first of its kind and constitutes the primary product of the Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB). The book offers a meta-analysis of published materials on the Congo Basin, synthesizing all available knowledge on various aspects of the Congo Basin ecosystems; it collates peer-reviewed published materials from past and ongoing research. However, far from being a simple compilation of dispersed published materials, the book brings together diverse knowledge from various areas of scientific inquiry assembled in a coherent set of new meta-knowledge necessary to guide future decisions that will impact the entire Congo Basin. Structurally, the book first assesses the past and present ecological conditions of the Congo Basin before assembling available knowledge to suggest the trajectories the Congo Basin is likely to take if current trends (business-as-usual models) remain constant. With this latter feature, the authors of Congo Basin scientists provide scenarios to help policy-makers ensure that economic activities have less detrimental impact on the sustainability of essential ecological functions and the vibrancy of the cultural diversity of the Congo Basin. Congo Basin in this book includes both the Congo Basin and the Ogooué Basin; as such, the book covers what is also known as Central African Forests.

This book contributes to SDGs by synthesizing scientific and Indigenous knowledge to advance climate action (SDG 13), protect terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15), ensure clean water and sustainable use (SDG 6), promote responsible economic practices (SDG 12), foster sustainable communities (SDG 11), and encourage partnerships (SDG 17) for the Congo Basin's preservation.

Tartalomjegyzék:

Introduction: Congo Basin Resilience and Sustainability: From Past to Future.- Geology and Geodynamics Evolution of the Congo Basin.- Climate of the Congo Basin.- The Evolution of Congo Basin Ecosystem Diversity.- The Hydrology of the Congo Basin.- Hydrology of the Ogooué and Sanaga Watershed Systems: Critical Case Studies in the Context of the Congo Basin Forest.- Central African Rainforest Archaeology.- Human Occupation of the Congo Basin.- Critical Interconnections Between Cultural and Biological Diversity in the Congo Basin.- The Ecological Functions of Congo Basin Ecosystems and Basin-Wide Carbon Cycle.- Global, Regional, and National Economic Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in the Congo Basin.- Agriculture, Ecosystem Functions, and Services in the Congo Basin.- Pastoralism: Access to Land and Ecosystem Functions and Services in the Congo Basin.- Timber Production and Ecosystem Functions and Services in the Congo Basin.- Mining and Ecosystem Functions and Services in the Congo Basin.- Hunting, Fishing, and Ecosystem Functions and Services in the Congo Basin.- Climate Change and Ecosystem Functions and Services in the Congo Basin.- Urbanization, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Functions and Services in the Congo Basin.- History, Development, and Politics of Protected Areas in the Congo Basin Countries.- Ecosystem Functions and Services.- Effects of Diseases on Wildlife Species in the Congo Basin.- Human Influence on Current Status of Biodiversity of the Congo Basin.- Opportunities and Potential for Sustainable Development in the Congo Basin from an Environmental Sustainability Perspective.- Future Risks of Disease Emergence in Humans, Wildlife, and Livestock in the Congo Basin: Predicting Outcomes Under Current Trends and Policy-Driven Solutions.- The Climate and Land-Use Change Feedback.- Cities, Infrastructure, Energy, and the Future of the Basin.- How Could Logging Policies and Practices Influence the Future of the Congo Basin Biodiversity and Ecosystems?.- How Could Agricultural Policies and Practices Influence the Future of the Congo Basin’s Biodiversity and Ecosystems?.- How Could Hunting and Fishing Policies and Practices Influence the Future of the Congo Basin Biodiversity and Ecosystems?.- Mining Influence on the Future of the Congo Basin.- What Might Influence Economic Forecasts for the Congo Basin?.- The future of biodiversity in the Congo Basin.- The SPCB Vision for the Congo Basin in 2050.- Trends Protected Areas Will Take in the Context of 30 × 30 Congo Basin Engagements.- Natural Resource Management Policies in the Congo Basin.- The Potential for Restoring and Rewilding Degraded Ecosystems Across the Congo Basin to Play a Role in Land Management and Conservation.- Solutions of Global, International, Regional, and National Economic Initiatives.- Nature-Based Solutions in the Congo Basin.- Tapping into Indigenous and Local Knowledge in the Congo Basin to Increase Understanding of Its Ecology.- Spatial Dimensions of Existing Conservation Areas and Other Land Uses in the Congo Basin.