Central African Republic Forest Information and Data

According to the U.N. FAO, 36.3% or about 22,605,000 ha of Central African Republic is forested, according to FAO. Of this 10.5% ( 2,370,000 ) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Central African Republic had 2,000 ha of planted forest.

Change in Forest Cover: Between 1990 and 2010, Central African Republic lost an average of 29,900 ha or 0.13% per year. In total, between 1990 and 2010, Central African Republic lost 2.6% of its forest cover, or around 598,000 ha.

Central African Republic's forests contain 2,861 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass. Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Central African Rep has some 1010 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 1.0% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 1.5% are threatened. Central African Rep is home to at least 3602 species of vascular plants, of which 2.8% are endemic. 11.8% of Central African Rep is protected under IUCN categories I-V.

2011 Update

In May 2011, Sassan Saatchi of Caltech's Jet Propulsion Lab and colleagues published a paper in PNAS with new carbon stock estimates for global tropical forests.

Forest definition (canopy cover %)	10% tree cover	25% tree cover	30% tree cover
Forest Area (M ha)	53	42	34
Aboveground forest carbon (Mt C)	2,517	2,145	1,841
Belowground forest carbon (Mt C)	745	631	538
Total forest carbon (Mt C)	3,262	2,776	2,378
Average Carbon Density (t C/ha)	62	66	70

M=million, t=metric tons; all figures are mean carbon stock values

Central African Republic Environmental profile

The following contains data relating to forest cover in Central African Republic

Previous version of this profile (2009)

SECTIONS:

Forest Cover | Breakdown of forest types | Change in Forest Cover | Deforestation | Primary forest | Planted forest | Forest designation | Forest ownership | Growing stock | Carbon stock | Disturbances affecting forest land | Removals | Removals Value | Employment | Forest policy | Human resources | Revenue | Agreements | Protected areas | Biodiversity - Wildlife | Biodiversity - Plants | Environment | Land use / Resources | Economy | Population / Demographics | Infrastructure | Health | References | Books

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Central African Republic: Forest Cover, 2010 Total Land Area (1000 ha) 62300 Total Forest Area (1000 ha) 22605 Percent Forest Cover 36 Primary Forest Cover (1000 ha) 2370 Primary Forest, % total forest 10 Other wooded land (1000 ha) 10122 Percent other wooded land 16 Central African Republic: Breakdown of forest types, 2010 Primary forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) 2370 10 Other naturally regenerated forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) 20233 90 Planted Forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) 2 n.s. Central African Republic: Trends in Total (Net) Forest Cover, 1990-2010 TOTAL FOREST COVER (1000 ha) 1990 2000 2005 2010 23203 22903 22755 22605 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 -30 -30 -30 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 -0.13 -0.13 -0.13 Central African Republic: Trends in Natural Forest Cover (Deforestation), 1990-2010 FOREST COVER (excluding planted forests) (1000 ha) 1990 2000 2005 2010 23201 22901 22753 22603 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 -30 -30 -30 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 -0.1 0 0 Central African Republic: Trends in Primary or Old Growth Forest Cover, 1990-2010 PRIMARY FOREST COVER (1000 ha) 1990 2000 2005 2010 3900 3135 2752 2370 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 -77 -77 -76 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 -2.16 -2.57 -2.94 Central African Republic: Trends in Planted Forest Cover, 1990-2010 PLANTED FOREST COVER (1000 ha) 1990 2000 2005 2010 2 2 2 2 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 0 0 0 ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent) Negative number represents deforestation 1990-2000 2000-2005 2005-2010 0 0 0 Central African Republic: Primary designated function (percent) Production Protection of soil and water Conservation of biodiversity Social services Multiple use Other None or unknown 21 0 1 0 78 0 0 Central African Republic: Forest ownership and management rights 2005 (percent) OWNERSHIP PATTERN Public ownership Private ownership Other 91 0 9 PRIVATE OWNERSHIP Individuals Business entities and institutions Local, indigenous and tribal communities - - - HOLDER OF MANAGEMENT RIGHTS OF PUBLIC FORESTS Public administration Individuals Business entities and Institutions Communities Other 1 0 15 0 84 Central African Republic: Growing stock in forest GROWING STOCK IN FOREST Total (million m3) Per hectare (m3) Coniferous (million m3) Broadleaved (million m3) % commercial species 3776 167 0 3776 28 GROWING STOCK IN FOREST Total (million m3) Per hectare (m3) Coniferous (million m3) Broadleaved (million m3) % commercial species - - Central African Republic: Trends in carbon stock in living forest biomass 1990-2010 CARBON STOCK IN LIVING FOREST BIOMASS (million metric tons) 1990 2000 2005 2010 2936 2898 2879 2861 CARBON STOCK IN LIVING FOREST BIOMASS (per hectare in tons) 2000 127 ANNUAL CHANGE (1 000 t/yr) 1990 2000 2005 2010 -4 -4 -4 ANNUAL CHANGE PER HECTARE (t/ha/yr) 1990 2000 2005 2010 n.s. n.s. n.s. Central African Republic: Area of forest affected by fire and other disturbances 2005 FOREST FIRE 1000 ha % wild fire (not managed burn) - - EXCLUDING FOREST FIRE Insects Diseases Other biotic agents Abiotic factors Total (excluding fire) % of 2005 forest area - - - - - - Central African Republic: Trends in removals of wood products 1990-2005 INDUSTRIAL ROUNDWOOD Total volume (1 000 m3 over bark) 1990 2000 2005 percent of which from forest 2005 496 1108 765 100 WOODFUEL Total volume (1 000 m3 over bark) 1990 2000 2005 percent of which from forest 2005 3231 2300 2300 - Central African Republic: Value of wood and NWFP removals 2005 Value of removals (million US$) Value per ha forest (US$) Industrial roundwood Woodfuel NWFP Total 153 - - - - Central African Republic: Employment in forestry 1990-2005 TOTAL (1000 full-time employees) 1990 2000 2005 4 5 7 IN PRIMARY PRODUCTION OF GOODS-FORESTRY (1000 full-time employees) 1990 2000 2005 3 4 6 IN MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS-CONSERVATION (1000 full-time employees) 1990 2000 2005 1 1 1 Central African Republic: Forest policy and legal framework 2008 National forest policy (year): Yes (2003) Sub-national forest policy: No National forest program (year) - status: Yes (1994) Temporarily suspended National forest law (year): Specific forest law (2008) Sub-national forest law: No Central African Republic: Human resources within public forest institutions 2000-2008 2000 2005 2008 # % female # % female # % female 400 8 450 9 462 10 Central African Republic: Forest revenue and public expenditure on forestry 2005 Forest revenue Public expenditure (1000 US$) Domestic funding External funding Total (1000 US$) Operational expenditure Transfer payments Operational expenditure Transfer payments Operational expenditure Transfer payments 7945 - - - - - - Central African Republic: Status of ratification of international conventions and agreements as of 1 January 2010 CbD: UNFCCC: Kyoto Protocol: UNCCD: ITTA: CITeS: Ramsar: World Heritage Convention: NlbI: [an error occurred while processing this directive] Central African Republic: Environment Environment - current issues tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation Environment - international agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94 signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea Natural hazards hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common Central African Republic: Land use / Resources Land use (%) arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 96.76% (2001) Natural resources diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower Central African Republic: Economy Economy - overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization, with GDP growth at only 0.5% in 2004 and 2.5% in 2005. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. GDP - per capita $1,200 (2005 est.) GDP - real growth rate (%) 2.5% (2005 est.) Agriculture - products cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber GDP - composition by sector (%) agriculture: 55%, industry: 20%, services: 25% (2001 est.) Industries gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles Economic aid - recipient ODA $59.8 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2002 est.) Debt - external $1.06 billion (2002 est.) Population below poverty line (%) NA Central African Republic: Population / Demographics Population (July 2005) 3,799,897 Population growth rate (%) (2005) 1.49% Population density (people/sq km) (2005) 6.1 Percent rural (2003) 57.3% Median age (years) total: 18.12 years Total fertility rate (children born/woman) 4.5 (2005 est.) Ethnic groups (%) Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% Largest Cities in Central African Republic Cities and urban areas in Central African Republic with population over 100,000 All figures are estimates for 2002. City Country City Population Urban Area Population Bangui Central African Republic 652900 789400 Central African Republic: Infrastructure Telephones - main lines in use 9,000 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular 13,000 (2003) Roadways (km) total: 23,810 km (1999) Central African Republic: Health Life expectancy at birth (years) total population: 43.39 years male: 43.27 years female: 43.52 years (2005 est.) Infant mortality rate 91 deaths/1,000 live births HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) 13.5% (2003 est.) Major infectious diseases degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004) Central African Republic : References & Data Sources  Environment, Land use / Resources, Economy, Population / Demographics, Infrastructure, Health -- CIA World Factbook, 2005  Forest Cover, Forest types, Breakdown of forest types, Change in Forest Cover, Primary forests, Forest designation, Disturbances affecting forest land, Value of forests, Production, trade and consumption of forest products -- The FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS's Global Forest Resources Assessment (2005 & 2010) and the State of the World's Forests (2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001)  Protected Areas, Plant and animal biodiversity -- United Nations Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC). 2004. World Database on Protected Areas.  Biosphere reservers -- United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) - Man and Biosphere Program. 2004. UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory.  RAMSAR sites -- The Bureau of the Convention on Wetlands . 2005. The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance.  World Resources Institute's EarthTrends web site  The 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species  Population Data -- United Nations Population Fund  With additional analysis by Rhett Butler of mongabay.com Select a Country or Region INDEX Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Caribbean Cayman Islands Central African Republic Central America Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Costa Rica Cote d�Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic DR Congo East Timor Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macau Macedonia Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea Norway Oceania Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russia Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Lucia Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South America South Korea Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States United States of America United States Virgin Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Vietnam Virgin Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Tropical rainforest information  World Rainforests  Rainforest Structure  Rainforest Biodiversity  Canopy  Forest Floor  Rainforest Waters  Indigenous People  Deforestation  Global Importance  Rainforest Conservation  Country Reports update soon  References  Deforestation Tables  The Amazon Rainforest update soon  The Congo Rainforest update soon  Deforestation in Brazil  Rainforest Images   Web mongabay.com Mongabay Rainforests Mongabay News Mongabay Photos