Policy Briefs
FLEGT In West Africa: Towards Effective Governance and Trade
Thursday, 03 November 2011 07:15
The challenges facing countries and producers of forest products vary with each situation, but there are cconstraints common to many. These include lack of: politiccal will, national dialogue, national standards, necessary skills, clear incentives, and fair competition, among others. In many West African States, illegal harvesting appears to be increasing and hampers the realization of full economic potential of the forestry sector. Export procedures sometimes provide loopholes for corruption, while certification is yet significantly appreciable in sustainable forest maanagement. Implementation of Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) in these countries holds potential to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, these constraints.
EN | FR
The Case for an Integrated Forest and Water Management in SADC
Thursday, 03 November 2011 07:01
In the SADC region both forests and water are highly valued resources and yet there is no clear strategy on how to manage them in an integrated manner. Conceptual clarity on the effect of forest cover on water yield and water quality is evident. However, the lingering question is still whether forests are major regulators, consumers or producers of water (Dudley and Stilton, 2003; Cal der et al, 2007) EN | FR
Climate Change and the Woodlands of Africa
Thursday, 03 November 2011 06:51
Even though mature woodlands are considered to be in a steady state with respect to carbon balance, many of these woodlands have been disturbed in the past by man. Under good management, such relatively mature woodlands have the potential to accumulate additional carbon in woody biomass and soil while maintaining existing carbon stocks, and thereby contributing to climate change mitigation and stabilization. Threats to African woodlands include (i) their conversion to cropland, arising from population growth and economic policies, (ii) urbanization, (iii) over dependence on wood-based energy sources, (iv) unsustainable harvesting of wood products, (v) fire and (vi) climate change and variability. From 1990 to 2000, it was estimated that woodland countries in sub-Saharan Africa lost nearly 5 million ha of forest cover annually; that is nearly 1.7% of the forest cover in 2000 (FAO, 2005). EN | FR
Climate Change and Wildlife Resources in East and Southern Africa
Thursday, 03 November 2011 06:35
Over 65% of the original wildlife habitat in Africa has been lost (Kiss, 1990) as a result of agricultural expansion, deforestation, and overgrazing, which have been fuelled by rapid human population growth and poverty. As a result, protected areas are becoming increasingly ecologically isolated while wildlife on adjacent lands is actively eliminated (Newmark and Hough, 2000). Invasive alien species pose additional dangers to biodiversity in protected areas in east and southern Africa. EN | FR
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