Peatlands for life in the Congo Basin: Current and emerging status of knowledge, conservation, challenges, and opportunities

The peatlands of the Congo Basin straddle the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo (RoC). They cover an area of approximately 145,500 km2, making them the largest continuous complex of tropical peatlands. These ecosystems are characterized by their rich biodiversity and high carbon storage capacity. They absorb more carbon from the atmosphere than they release, and therefore play an essential role in mitigating climate change and water security risks.

With the recognition of its ecological importance, numerous research studies and investigations are being conducted on peatlands. Its ecological significance is gradually being acknowledged by various stakeholders, leading to discussions on how to best manage this ecosystem.

Despite their importance, peatlands remain particularly vulnerable to human activity, notably logging, hydrocarbon exploration and agriculture. The disturbance they undergo results in the emission of large quantities of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas responsible for climate change. Given their great ecological interest, there is an urgent need to define strategies for their protection, while at the same time facilitating the development of the communities that depend on them. The need for improved mapping, appropriate status designation, and exploration of ways to integrate them into land use planning processes that considers both environmental and socio-economic development aspects in the Congo Basin have been highlighted several times.