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DR Congo
Forest Information and Data
According to the U.N. FAO,
68.0% or about 154,135,000 ha of Democratic Republic of the Congo is forested, according to FAO. Of this #VALUE! ( #VALUE! ) is classified as primary forest, the most biodiverse and carbon-dense form of forest. Democratic Republic of the Congo had 59,000 ha of planted forest.
Change in Forest Cover: Between 1990 and 2010, Democratic Republic of the Congo lost an average of 311,400 ha or 0.19% per year. In total, between 1990 and 2010, Democratic Republic of the Congo lost 3.9% of its forest cover, or around 6,228,000 ha.
Democratic Republic of the Congo's forests contain 19,639 million metric tons of carbon in living forest biomass.
Biodiversity and Protected Areas: Congo, Dem Rep has some 2100 known species of amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles according to figures from the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. Of these, 6.6% are endemic, meaning they exist in no other country, and 3.5% are threatened. Congo, Dem Rep is home to at least 11007 species of vascular plants, of which 10.0% are endemic. 5.1% of Congo, Dem 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) | 205 | 177 | 164 | | Aboveground forest carbon (Mt C) | 18,930 | 17,805 | 17,314 | | Belowground forest carbon (Mt C) | 5,213 | 4,857 | 4,700 | | Total forest carbon (Mt C) | 24,143 | 22,662 | 22,014 | | Average Carbon Density (t C/ha) | 118 | 128 | 134 |
M=million, t=metric tons; all figures are mean carbon stock values
Congo, Dem Rep Environmental profile
The following contains data relating to forest cover in DR Congo
Previous version of this profile (2009)
SECTIONS:
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DR Congo: Forest Cover, 2010
| Total Land Area (1000 square kilometers) | 35473 |
| Total Forest Area (1000 ha) | 20433 |
| Percent Forest Cover | 20036 |
| Primary Forest Cover (1000 ha) | No |
| Primary Forest, % total forest | Yes |
| Other wooded land (1000 ha) | 19838 |
| Percent other wooded land | 19639 |
DR Congo: Breakdown of forest types, 2010
| Primary forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | No | Yes |
| Other naturally regenerated forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | 2009 | In implementation |
| Planted Forest (1000 ha | % of forest area) | 2002 | No |
DR Congo: Trends in Total (Net) Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| TOTAL FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| n.s. | n.s. | | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
DR Congo: Trends in Natural Forest Cover (Deforestation), 1990-2010
| FOREST COVER (excluding planted forests) (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | Yes | Yes | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| | Yes | Yes | |
DR Congo: Trends in Primary or Old Growth Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| PRIMARY FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| | - | - | |
DR Congo: Trends in Planted Forest Cover, 1990-2010
| PLANTED FOREST COVER (1000 ha) |
| 1990 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 |
| - | - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (1000 ha)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | - | - | |
ANNUAL CHANGE RATE (percent)
Negative number represents deforestation |
| 1990-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2010 |
| - | | - | |
DR Congo: Primary designated function (percent)
| Production | Protection of soil and water | Conservation of biodiversity | Social services | Multiple use | Other | None or unknown |
| - | - | | - | - | - | - |
DR Congo: Forest ownership and management rights 2005 (percent)
| OWNERSHIP PATTERN |
| Public ownership | Private ownership | Other |
| 367 | 918 |
| PRIVATE OWNERSHIP |
| Individuals | Business entities and institutions | Local, indigenous and tribal communities |
| 205 | - | 51451 |
| HOLDER OF MANAGEMENT RIGHTS OF PUBLIC FORESTS |
| Public administration | Individuals | Business
entities and Institutions | Communities | Other |
| 74592 | 81580 | - | | - |
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DR Congo: Environment
| Environment - current issues | poaching threatens wildlife populations; water pollution; deforestation; refugees responsible for significant deforestation, soil erosion, and wildlife poaching; mining of minerals (coltan - a mineral used in creating capacitors, diamonds, and gold) causing environmental damage | | Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Environmental Modification | | Natural hazards | periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes |
DR Congo: Land use / Resources
| Land use (%) | arable land: 2.96%
permanent crops: 0.52%
other: 96.52% (2001) | | Natural resources | cobalt, copper, niobium, tantalum, petroleum, industrial and gem diamonds, gold, silver, zinc, manganese, tin, uranium, coal, hydropower, timber |
DR Congo: Economy
| Economy - overview: | The economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo - a nation endowed with vast potential wealth - has declined drastically since the mid-1980s. The war, which began in August 1998, dramatically reduced national output and government revenue, increased external debt, and resulted in the deaths of perhaps 3.5 million people from war, famine, and disease. Foreign businesses curtailed operations due to uncertainty about the outcome of the conflict, lack of infrastructure, and the difficult operating environment. Conditions improved in late 2002 with the withdrawal of a large portion of the invading foreign troops. The transitional government has reopened relations with international financial institutions and international donors, with President KABILA implementing reforms. Much economic activity lies outside the GDP data. Economic stability improved in 2003-05, although an uncertain legal framework, corruption, and a lack of openness in government policy continues to hamper growth. In 2005, renewed activity in the mining sector, the source of most exports, boosted Kinshasa's fiscal position and GDP growth. Business and economic prospects are expected to improve once a new government is installed after elections. | | GDP - per capita | $800 (2005 est.) | | GDP - real growth rate (%) | 6.5% (2005 est.) | | Agriculture - products | coffee, sugar, palm oil, rubber, tea, quinine, cassava (tapioca), palm oil, bananas, root crops, corn, fruits; wood products | | GDP - composition by sector (%) | agriculture: 55%, industry: 11%, services: 34% (2000 est.) | | Industries | mining (diamonds, copper, zinc), mineral processing, consumer products (including textiles, footwear, cigarettes, processed foods and beverages), cement, commercial ship repair | | Economic aid - recipient | $2.2 billion (FY03/04) | | Debt - external | $10.6 billion (2003 est.) | | Population below poverty line (%) | NA | | Labor force - by occupation (%) | NA |
DR Congo: Population / Demographics
| Population (July 2005) | 60,085,804 | | Population growth rate (%) (2005) | 2.98% | | Population density (people/sq km) (2005) | 26.5 | | Median age (years) | total: 15.8 years | | Total fertility rate (children born/woman) | 6.54 (2005 est.) | | Ethnic groups (%) | over 200 African ethnic groups of which the majority are Bantu; the four largest tribes - Mongo, Luba, Kongo (all Bantu), and the Mangbetu-Azande (Hamitic) make up about 45% of the population |
Largest Cities in Congo Dem Republic
Cities and urban areas in Congo Dem Republic with population over 100,000 All figures are estimates for 2002.
| City | Country | City Population | Urban Area Population |
| Kinshasa | Congo Dem Republic | 6301100 | 7527500 |
| Lubumbashi | Congo Dem Republic | 1074600 | 1074600 |
| Mbuji-Mayi | Congo Dem Republic | 905800 | 1054400 |
| Kolwezi | Congo Dem Republic | 803900 | 803900 |
| Kananga | Congo Dem Republic | 539600 | 539600 |
| Kisangani | Congo Dem Republic | 510300 | 818800 |
| Likasi | Congo Dem Republic | 375100 | 375100 |
| Boma | Congo Dem Republic | 352200 | 352200 |
| Tshikapa | Congo Dem Republic | 319600 | 319600 |
| Bukavu | Congo Dem Republic | 236400 | 504600 |
| Matadi | Congo Dem Republic | 224700 | 224700 |
| Kikwit | Congo Dem Republic | 222500 | 222500 |
| Mbandaka | Congo Dem Republic | 206800 | 206800 |
| Mwene-Ditu | Congo Dem Republic | 198800 | 198800 |
| Uvira | Congo Dem Republic | 194500 | 194500 |
| Butembo | Congo Dem Republic | 148900 | 148900 |
| Goma | Congo Dem Republic | 148400 | 148400 |
| Isiro | Congo Dem Republic | 135600 | 135600 |
| Bunia | Congo Dem Republic | 129000 | 129000 |
| Gemena | Congo Dem Republic | 120000 | 120000 |
| Kindu | Congo Dem Republic | 119000 | 119000 |
| Bandundu | Congo Dem Republic | 116700 | 116700 |
| Kalemie | Congo Dem Republic | 108200 | 108200 |
| Ilebo | Congo Dem Republic | 104800 | 104800 |
DR Congo: Infrastructure
| Telephones - main lines in use | 10,000 (2002) | | Telephones - mobile cellular | 1 million (2003) | | Roadways (km) | total: 157,000 km (including 30 km of expressways) (1999) |
DR Congo: Health
| Life expectancy at birth (years) | total population: 51.1 years
male: 49.68 years
female: 52.56 years (2005 est.) | | Infant mortality rate | 92.87 deaths/1,000 live births | | HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%) | 4.2% (2003 est.) | | Major infectious diseases | degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, plague, and African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are high risks in some locations
water contact disease: schistosomiasis (2004) |
DR Congo
: 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
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