Territory, Economy, and Demographic Growth in São Tomé and Príncipe: Anthropogenic Changes in Environment

Nearly five centuries of human activity on São Tomé and Príncipe have profoundly altered the islands' landscape, replacing natural habitats with plantations (roças) and settlements, introducing exotic species, and depleting resources for urban growth. This transformation, driven by exponential population growth and urban expansion, is causing significant environmental deterioration, including deforestation, illegal sand mining, and the decline of endemic biodiversity. The study highlights the absence of effective territorial planning as a critical factor exacerbating these challenges, threatening the islands' unique ecosystems and biodiversity.

Muñoz-Torrent, X., da Trindade, N. T., & Mikulane, S. (2022). Territory, Economy, and Demographic Growth in São Tomé and Príncipe: Anthropogenic Changes in Environment. Biodiversity of the Gulf of Guinea Oceanic Islands, 71–86. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06153-0_4