23.01.2026
Recognising a tree, understanding a forest, passing on knowledge.
In tropical forests, reliable identification of tree species is essential for forest management, sustainable development and the transmission of knowledge. Given the floral diversity of Central African forests and the growing demands of the field, forestry stakeholders still have few reference tools that combine scientific rigour, readability and operational use.
The book ‘Les Arbres d'Afrique Centrale (Tome 1)’ meets this need by offering a reference forest flora, designed to support professionals, trainers and students, in line with the realities on the ground.
The result of a collaboration between Nature+ and Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech – University of Liège, this work aims to strengthen forest management practices, sustainable management approaches and certification processes through a structured, accessible and directly applicable approach.
The project is divided into two volumes. The first, already available, covers botanical families from A to F (from Acanthaceae to Francoaceae). Each species is presented in a detailed fact sheet including botanical descriptions, summary tables, pictograms and diagnostic photographs to facilitate identification and use in the field.
Beyond identification, the guide provides essential information on the species' ecology and conservation status, making this work a strategic resource for training, expertise, and decision-making in tropical forest environments.
The first volume is currently being distributed free of charge by ATIBT in Nogent-sur-Marne and can be sent upon request. It is also available for download here: https://orbi.uliege.be/handle/2268/340142
It will also be available at the Carrefour International du Bois: an ideal opportunity to pick up this reference guide and add it to your professional tools.
This book was funded by the PPECF (Program for the Promotion of Certified Forest Exploitation).
