The role of forest concessions in the conservation of Congo Basin forests: two new studies published.

Two recent scientific studies, published in international journals (Communications Earth & Environment and Biological Conservation), provide important insights into the role of forest concessions in conserving ecosystems in the Congo Basin. They are based on long-term datasets (13 to 20 years) and rigorous quantitative approaches, combining satellite data, field observations, and operational monitoring.

The first study analyzes the impact of Forest Management Plans (FMPs) on forest cover dynamics between 2000 and 2020, using satellite and administrative data across several Central African countries. The results show that concessions with a validated FMP are associated with an average 47% reduction in forest loss, equivalent to approximately 100 hectares avoided per year per concession. This effect emerges progressively after validation and is sustained over the long term, for up to nearly 20 years. At the same time, these concessions maintain larger areas of intact forest, with no increase in deforestation in surrounding areas. These findings confirm that FMPs play an important role in structuring forest management, notably through zoning, rotation planning, regulation of logging activities, and improved access control. However, the study also highlights a key issue: nearly 45% of concessions still did not have a validated FMP as of 2020.

The second study focuses on anti-poaching efforts in FSC-certified concessions in Cameroon over a 13-year period. It is based on detailed monitoring of patrol efforts, poaching activities, and wildlife observations, supported by the SMART tool. The results show that following the introduction of SMART, patrol effort increased by around 50%, accompanied by a significant reduction in poaching indicators, including fewer snares, fewer poaching camps, and a strong decline in high-risk areas. The quantity of bushmeat observed at control points also decreased significantly (–44%). At the same time, encounter rates of large mammals such as forest elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees remained globally stable, suggesting that these management systems help limit pressure on wildlife. The study also highlights that these outcomes were achieved at a relatively moderate cost (around USD 23/km²/year), based on a combination of certification, field-based monitoring, and collaboration with public authorities.

Taken together, these two studies show that forest management, when effectively implemented, can help reduce pressures on forests and wildlife. They also underline that effectiveness depends primarily on the concrete implementation of existing tools: FMP validation, structured monitoring, and sustained enforcement efforts. Finally, these results confirm that forest concessions can play a complementary role to protected areas in managing forest landscapes.

In a context of increasing international requirements, particularly under CITES and the European Union’s deforestation regulation (EUDR), these findings provide useful evidence to inform discussions and better understand sustainable forest management approaches in Central Africa. They also highlight a clear priority: accelerating the validation of forest management plans and strengthening monitoring and control systems to consolidate the observed results.