Tropicultura (Jan 2018)
Analyse structurale de la dynamique forestière dans la région de l'Arc Cuprifère Katangais en République Démocratique du Congo: II. Analyse complémentaire de la fragmentation forestière
Abstract
Pattern Analysis of Forest Dynamics of the Katangese Copper Belt Region in the Democratic Republic of Congo: II. Complementary Analysis on Forest Fragmentation. The social welfare search has led to the emergence of various anthropogenic activities in the Katangese Copper Belt (K.C.B.), including mining, which has led to a significant decline in its forest cover. This study analyzed the forest fragmentation in the K.C.B. from 2002 to 2015, using a 10 km x 10 km grid overlaid on a mosaic of classified Landsat images. Pattern metrics highlighted a significant deforestation as well as a lesser extent reforestation. The K.C.B. forests are characterized by a high spatial dispersal which increased over time. The forest degradation is largely caused by agricultural development. The reforestation observed in some south-east and south-west grids is explained by factors like the energy wood consumption , the urbanization and the mining activities, the privatization of some concessions, their inaccessibility and/or remoteness to large cities. However, anthropization endangers these regenerating forests, as long as miners, farmers and charcoal producers remain in activity.
