1. Common graphical representations.
Source: WRI Online Datasets (Accessed October 2024)
Figure 1: “Congo Basin Forests”
Source: Turubanova, Svetlana, 2021[1]
Figure 2: Lower Guinea Forests of Africa
[1] Turubanova, Svetlana, 2021, Agriculture is the primary driver of tree cover loss across the Forestière region of the Republic of Guinea, Africa, V3, DOI 10.1088/2515-7620/ac4278 Environmental Research Communications
Figure 1 is a common graphical representation of “Congo Basin” forests. In practice however, “Congo Basin” has also assumed a geo-political connotation. This explains why, although spatially extending into Nigeria, the growth of the notion of “Congo Basin countries” never mentions Nigeria. Hence the need for ecosystems professionals to maintain focus on ecological perspectives that do not necessarily cede to “political” limitations. For instance, Figure 2 depicts the ecological extent of the “Lower Guinea” forests of Africa, appearing to overlap with “Congo Basin” forests. For purposes of understanding, we present in this brief, some similarities and differences between these two tropical ecosystems.
The Lower Guinea Forests and the Congo Basin Forests are two major tropical forest ecosystems in Africa, both part of the broader Guinea-Congolian rainforest belt. However, despite their proximity and some shared characteristics, they have distinct ecological, geographical, and biological features. Here's a brief comparison highlighting some of their similarities and differences:
2. Similarities
Tropical Rainforest Biomes.
· Both the Lower Guinea Forests and the Congo Basin Forests are tropical rainforests, characterized by high levels of rainfall, humidity, and warm temperatures year-round
High Biodiversity.
· These forests are biodiversity hotspots, hosting a vast array of plant, animal, and insect species. They are home to endemic species that have adapted to these rich ecosystems over millennia.
Carbon Sinks.
· Both regions play critical roles as carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus contributing to global climate regulation.
Threats.
· Both forests face significant threats from human activities such as deforestation, logging, agriculture (especially shifting cultivation and commercial plantations), and mining.
Cultural Importance.
· Both areas are home to numerous indigenous communities that rely on the forest for food, shelter, medicine, and cultural practices.
3. Differences.
Geographical Location:
· Lower Guinea Forests are located along the Atlantic coast of West and Central Africa, spanning countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.
· Congo Basin Forests are situated further inland, covering much of Central Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and parts of Gabon.
Size
· The Congo Basin is significantly larger, often referred to as the world’s second-largest tropical rainforest (after the Amazon), covering about 1.8 million square miles (4.7 million km²).
· The Lower Guinea Forests are smaller in comparison, but still substantial, covering an arc along the coast of West and Central Africa.
Species Composition
· While both forests have high biodiversity, the Congo Basin Forests are known for their megafauna, such as forest elephants, lowland gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos.
· The Lower Guinea Forests also host great biodiversity, but species composition varies, and it tends to have more coastal species and unique flora and fauna e.g. existence of the red colobus monkeys, adapted to more humid conditions.
Ecological Function
· The Congo Basin acts as a vast basin for the Congo River and its tributaries, heavily influencing the hydrology of the region.
· The Lower Guinea Forests are more fragmented due to topographical variations and proximity to the coast, meaning the ecological processes here are more complex and varied with more riverine and coastal interactions.
Human Impact.
· The Lower Guinea Forests are more heavily impacted by human activities due to their proximity to major urban centers and ports along the coast. This has led to higher deforestation rates and habitat fragmentation.
· The Congo Basin Forests, though still under threat, are more remote and less accessible, which has somewhat slowed down the pace of exploitation, though recent infrastructure developments are changing this.
In summary, while the Lower Guinea Forests and Congo Basin Forests share many characteristics typical of tropical rainforests, such as climate, biodiversity, and ecological importance, they differ in geographical size, species composition, ecological roles, and the extent of human impact.
by Peter Mbile
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