Yangambi Biosphere Reserve, Democratic Republic of Congo

The Yangambi Biosphere Reserve is situated within the Congo River Basin west of the City Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Ecological Characteristics

The Yangambi Biosphere Reserve is situated within the Congo River Basin west of the City of Kisangani in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Secondary forests with Pycnanthus angolensis and Fagara macrophylla, semi deciduous secondary rain forests, rain forests with Gilbertiodendron dewevrei, climax forests with Brachystegia laurentii and marshland forests dominate the biosphere reserve.

The site is very important from a biodiversity point of view since it hosts about 32,000 tree species. The elephant (Loxodonta africana cyclotis), the river hog (Potamochoerus porcus) and monkeys (Cercopithecusspp.) are among the most threatened species.

Forests: Climax with Brachistegia laurentii; Rainforests with Gibertiodendron dewevrei; Semi-deciduous with Scorodophloeus zenkeri; Secondary degraded forests; Marshland forests; Post-agricultural secondary re-growth. Forests in the valleys of the River Congo and its tributaries: wet meadows, flood vegetation, island forests.

 

Socio-Economic Characteristics

Although there are no figures on the number of inhabitants of the area, some economic activities take place within the biosphere reserve boundaries such as agriculture, hunting, fishing, the production of canoes as well as some gold extraction.

Numerous soil, silviculture and climate studies as well as experiments on the regeneration of the vegetation cover have been carried out.

Canoe-making; Agricultural activities; Hunting; Residential development: village enclaves, agent camps, administrative city; Agronomic and forestry research; Subsistence activities : gathering; Illegal exploitation of natural resources.

 

 

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Last updated: October 2019