Post by : Maya Rahman

Recent research presents alarming developments regarding Africa's forests. Historically, these forests contributed positively to combat climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide. However, a transition has occurred where Africa's forests are now releasing carbon at a rate that surpasses their absorption capabilities, exacerbating global warming rather than alleviating it. Scientific advocates argue that this development serves as a critical alert for global leaders.

Published in Scientific Reports, the study indicates that this transformation commenced around 2010, largely due to swift deforestation and damage to forested areas. The rate of tree removal is outpacing the natural growth of new trees. Additionally, forest degradation—where forests are negatively impacted but not fully destroyed—contributes to this escalating issue. The demise of trees results in the release of accumulated carbon back into the atmosphere.

Utilizing cutting-edge satellite technology and machine learning, researchers from the National Centre for Earth Observation in the UK analyzed data from NASA and Japan’s ALOS radar satellites, coupled with extensive ground measurements. This enabled them to construct the most comprehensive biomass map of Africa's forests to date. Their findings revealed an alarming annual loss of approximately 106 billion kilograms of forest biomass between 2010 and 2017, equating to the mass of around 106 million vehicles.

The most significant declines were seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and specific regions of West Africa, all known for their rich moist tropical forests, which are vital carbon stores. Despite minor gains in some savanna areas where shrubs have increased, this is dwarfed by the considerable losses in major forest regions.

The implications of this study are profound, serving as a wake-up call for the global community. According to Professor Heiko Balzter, a contributing author, if Africa's forests cease to act as carbon sinks, it will necessitate even greater emission reductions from other regions to achieve Paris Agreement targets. Likewise, Dr. Pedro Rodríguez-Veiga emphasizes the importance of collaboration among governments, private sectors, and NGOs to safeguard forests, curb illegal logging practices, and rehabilitate affected regions.

#Global News