Publications
Assessing Land Cover Change and Forest Sustainability in a World Heritage Context: Evidence from the Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Forest loss and degradation in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR), a UNESCO World Heritage site, have accelerated since 2013, with disturbances primarily concentrated along its boundaries and National Road No. 4, while also affecting core protected areas. This study, using Landsat satellite data from 2000 to 2023 and the Continuous Change Detection and Classification (CCDC) algorithm, reveals increasing landscape fragmentation and varied conservation pressures across management zones, as measured by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15.1.1 indicator. The findings highlight the potential of Earth observation techniques for monitoring endangered World Heritage sites in conflict-affected regions with limited field data.
Binary annual map (Forest/Non-Forest) of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve during 2000 to 2024
A comprehensive binary annual map of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, spanning from 2000 to 2024, reveals significant changes in forest cover over a quarter-century. This dataset, derived from the Joint Research Centre Tropical Moist Forest (JRC-TMF) data, provides yearly spatial layers that offer critical insights into deforestation and forest dynamics within this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The maps serve as a transparent and reproducible resource for researchers, enabling detailed analysis of land-use changes and their ecological impacts. By offering a granular view of forest/non-forest transitions, the dataset supports studies on biodiversity conservation, habitat fragmentation, and the effectiveness of protection measures in one of Africa's most biologically diverse regions.
Bird community composition across a land use gradient in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
A study reveals significant differences in bird community composition between the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) and surrounding agroforestry areas in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. While cocoa farms exhibited higher species richness, primary forests demonstrated the highest diversity and evenness, with annual cultures showing the most balanced communities. Eighteen bird species were strongly associated with specific habitats. The research, combining mist netting and passive acoustic monitoring across 19 sites, underscores the importance of protected areas like OWR for sustaining avian biodiversity while highlighting the potential benefits of structurally complex agroforestry landscapes for certain forest bird subsets.
GIS Methods to Distinguish Between Land Changes from Smallholder Agriculture and Mining in a Time Series for a Tropical Protected Area Forest
A new GIS approach reveals distinct land-use patterns in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic Republic of the Congo, by analyzing 24 years of satellite data. The study distinguishes between persistent and alternating non-forest changes caused by smallholder agriculture and illegal mining using Trajectory Analysis and DynamicPATCH. It finds that while agricultural zones show increasing persistence in land-use change—suggesting a shift from rotational crops to prohibited perennial ones—the mining zone exhibits consistent, accelerating expansion of illegal mining fronts. The hunting-conservation zone remains largely stable. This method provides actionable insights into zoning rule compliance and highlights the limitations of endpoint analyses in capturing dynamic land-use changes.
Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Management of Forest Resources in a Socio-Cultural Upheaval of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve Landscape in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Indigenous knowledge systems play a crucial role in sustainable forest resource management within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, despite rapid socio-cultural changes. The study reveals that customary taboos and restrictions effectively regulate hunting, fishing, gathering, and honey harvesting, contributing to biodiversity conservation. However, vulnerabilities such as biodiversity decline, erosion of intergenerational knowledge transmission, and increased reliance on monetary income are evident. A mixed-methods approach, including surveys (n = 80), focus group discussions, floristic inventories, and statistical analyses, demonstrated a highly structured socio-ecological gradient, indicating strong coupling between environmental perceptions, demographic identity, and livelihood strategies. The findings underscore the resilience of Indigenous Peoples but also highlight their exposure to ecological and cultural disruptions. Formal recognition of Indigenous institutions and integration of their knowledge systems into co-management frameworks are essential for strengthening ecological resilience and aligning conservation policies with global biodiversity and climate agendas.
Hidden species diversity in the Enteromius Cope, 1867 (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) from the Aruwimi basin (Middle Congo) in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Two new African minnow species, Enteromius cerinus and Enteromius ruforum, have been discovered in the Angadiko River within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These species are distinguished by unique morphological traits, such as low circumpeduncular scales, body depth, and barbel lengths for E. cerinus, and high body depth with small, isometric eye diameter for E. ruforum. Genetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA (COI gene) confirmed their distinct lineages, with genetic distances of 10.3% and 11.2%, respectively, from the closely related species Enteromius kamolondoensis. The study highlights the hidden biodiversity in the poorly documented left-bank sub-affluents of the Nepoko River, which face significant anthropogenic threats, including habitat destruction and illegal fishing practices like ecopage. Both new species are classified as Vulnerable (VU) under IUCN criteria, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect the reserve's freshwater biodiversity.
Biodiversity Governance and Regional Insurgencies in the Democratic Republic of Congo
A critical link between biodiversity governance and regional insurgencies has been revealed in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly within its protected areas. The study highlights how insurgent groups exploit these regions, using them as training grounds, rear base camps, or sources for war economies, thereby undermining conservation efforts. Despite DRC's ambitious target to expand protected areas to 17% of its national territory—up from the current 12%—most sites, including the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, face significant challenges in achieving their conservation objectives due to these power dynamics and transnational conflicts. The research employs a contextualized analysis, focusing on empirical evidence from the Okapi Wildlife Reserve to examine this understudied phenomenon. This work provides crucial insights into the interplay between global sustainability goals and local security crises, challenging conventional approaches to biodiversity management.
Comparing forest product harvest rates and livelihood activities among migrant and Indigenous households in the Congo Basin
Recent migrants to the Congo Basin's forests, including those near Okapi Wildlife Reserve, are less likely to engage in forest-harvest-based livelihoods and harvest fewer forest foods and fibers compared to longer-established or Indigenous households. They tend to be wealthier, younger, and more represented in salaried jobs. Indigenous households, however, show a significantly higher likelihood of participating in forest-based livelihoods, with variations across sites influenced by remoteness and economic opportunities. The study, based on over 6500 household surveys, highlights the changing dynamics of forest-proximate communities and their implications for forest management and governance.
Contribution des savoirs des peuples autochtones à la conservation de la biodiversité dans la Réserve de Faune à Okapi
Indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge significantly contributes to biodiversity conservation in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, Democratic Republic of Congo. The study identified strict taboos against exploiting 20 mammal species (primarily primates and artiodactyls) and 57 plant species (notably Fabaceae), demonstrating how local customs protect vulnerable flora and fauna. Surveys of 253 households across six peripheral localities revealed that while agriculture, hunting, gold panning, fishing, and gathering are prevalent, indigenous practices also include the preservation of forest areas in the reserve's hinterland. These findings highlight the potential for integrating local knowledge into conservation strategies to enhance environmental education and community engagement.
In Danger
A tragic incident at the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscores the severe threats faced by conservation efforts. On 17 September 2020, two employees of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) were murdered at the Adusa post, the entrance to the reserve. This violent attack highlights the perilous conditions endured by those working to protect this globally significant site, home to the endangered okapi and other unique biodiversity. The incident was strongly condemned by UNESCO's Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced security measures and international support to safeguard both personnel and the reserve's ecological integrity.
Farmers survey of wild mammals species implicated in crop damage in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR-Epulu, Democratic Republic of the Congo): severity and control strategies
A survey of farmers in the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo revealed that primates, including species of guenons and baboons, along with elephants, cause significant crop damage during the maturation and fructification stages of maize, cassava, and bananas. Farmers primarily rely on guarding their fields to mitigate this damage. The study, conducted between June and August 2010, interviewed 210 farmers from seven tribes using probabilistic surveys and structured interviews. It highlights the severe impact of wild mammals on agricultural productivity in the region, emphasizing the need for effective control strategies to protect both crops and wildlife.
Mammal Depletion Processes as Evidenced From Spatially Explicit and Temporal Local Ecological Knowledge
A significant decline in mammal populations, particularly red colobus, orycterope, and chimpanzee, has been observed across the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in Democratic Republic of the Congo. This depletion is largely attributed to cascading effects stemming from rebellions between 1996 and 2002. The study employs an ethnozoological approach, integrating spatially explicit and temporal local ecological knowledge, to provide a cost-effective yet reliable method for tracking population trends. Notably, while species like elephants have locally disappeared and okapi and forest buffalo persist only in the northern part of the landscape, Yangambi Reserve demonstrates post-depletion sustainability with stable populations of fast-reproducing or small-sized species. The research underscores the potential for reversing depletion processes in post-conflict contexts and highlights the utility of this methodology in other regions with significant observer activity.
Giraffe and okapi: Africa's forgotten megafauna
Recent ecological studies and conservation assessments reveal significant population declines for both giraffe and okapi, with giraffe numbers dropping over 43% since 1998 and okapi populations likely halving in the last two decades. The okapi, once classified as 'Near Threatened,' is now listed as 'Endangered' by the IUCN, while two giraffe subspecies—West African and Rothschild's—are also critically endangered. These declines are driven by habitat loss, poaching, human encroachment, and socio-political instability across their ranges. The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced monitoring, conservation efforts, and global awareness to mitigate threats and ensure the long-term survival of these iconic species. Innovative methods such as camera traps and noninvasive genetic approaches show promise in addressing knowledge gaps, particularly for the elusive okapi.
Resource Wars and Conflict Ivory: The Impact of Civil Conflict on Elephants in the Democratic Republic of Congo - The Case of the Okapi Reserve
Civil conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) led to a near 50% decline in elephant populations within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, primarily due to increased poaching for ivory during the war. Using distance sampling surveys and Generalized Additive Models, researchers found that human activity—rather than habitat factors—dominated elephant distribution both before and after the conflict, with post-war models explaining more variation. Elephant densities were higher in the park's central, better-protected areas, suggesting these zones acted as refuges. However, persistent threats like weakened institutions, illegal trade, and growing human populations continue to endanger remaining populations. Strengthening conservation efforts and curbing illegal wildlife trade are critical for recovery.
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