Socio-ecological Difficulties and Problems in Congo Basin Peatland Management: A Review of the Literature and Prospects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59228/rcst.026.v5.i2.323Keywords:
Tropical peatlands, Congo Basin, biodiversity, local perceptions, ecology, vegetationAbstract
One of the world's largest tropical forest complexes, the peatlands of the Congo Basin are vital to the world's biogeochemical cycles. They carry out important ecological tasks such as maintaining biodiversity, regulating hydrology, and sequestering carbon. In order to analyze the floristic makeup of these ecosystems as well as the local and scientific attitudes connected with them, this study provides a thorough analysis of the literature. A rigorous evaluation of institutional and scientific literature served as the foundation for the analysis. The findings indicate that specialized flora suited to hydromorphic and anoxic conditions can be found in the peatlands of the Congo Basin. Additionally, they emphasize a divergence between local perceptions—which are often utilitarian—and scientific approaches focused on conservation. This study highlights the need for an integrated approach that combines local knowledge with scientific expertise to ensure the sustainable management of these strategic ecosystems. It underscores the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks and environmental governance to improve the effectiveness of conservation policies. Furthermore, it emphasizes the central role of local community participation in the development and implementation of management strategies. Finally, it recommends the development of in-depth interdisciplinary research to better understand the ecological and socio-economic dynamics of the Congo Basin’s peatlands and to guide decisions based on robust integrated scientific data.
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