9 February 2014: The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) has released an analysis revealing that current rates of deforestation in the Congo Basin are likely to rise.

The analysis states that current low deforestation rates are largely attributable to low population density, poorly maintained roads, limited mineral extraction, low per capita charcoal consumption, and weak support for the agriculture sector. However, the analysis notes that future trends are likely to rise given that the population of the Congo Basin expected to double between 2000 and 2030, expanding global markets will increase demand for under-utilized resources, and higher levels of investment are anticipated in the region.

The analysis does note that a number of actions can be taken to prevent increased deforestation rates in the Congo Basin including a ban on road construction and increased support for REDD+. Together, the analysis notes, such steps may help preserve the key ecosystem services provided by forests that, in the Congo Basin, account for 90 percent of Africa’s forest cover.

CIFOR bases its analysis on the publications: ‘Deforestation Trends in the Congo Basin’ by the World Bank and ‘State and evolution of the African rainforests between 1990 and 2010′ by Mayaux et al. CIFOR is a member of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). [CIFOR Press Release]