Analyzing Drivers of Tropical Moist Forest Dynamics in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park Landscape, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo from 1990 to 2022

Kahuzi-Biega National Park (KBNP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo has effectively mitigated tropical moist forest (TMF) loss, maintaining near-complete forest cover (~100%) in its inner zone from 1990 to 2022. However, edge and outer zones saw significant deforestation (~30% loss), driven primarily by fire, which accounted for 55%, 30%, and 23% of TMF dynamics in these areas, respectively. The study used multi-scale analysis, regression modeling, and bootstrapping to assess drivers, finding that grid size had no significant impact on forest dynamics (p-value = 0.67). These findings highlight the need for stronger protection measures around KBNP’s periphery, including buffer zones, to address peripheral degradation while sustaining its role as a critical carbon reservoir and biodiversity hotspot.

Cirezi, N. C., Bastin, J.-F., Mugumaarhahama, Y., Useni, Y. S., Karume, K., Lumbuenamo, R. S., & Bogaert, J. (2024). Analyzing Drivers of Tropical Moist Forest Dynamics in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park Landscape, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo from 1990 to 2022. Land, 14(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010049