UNESCO - MAB Biosphere Reserves Directory

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			Biosphere Reserve Information
			Dem.Republic of the Congo LUKI


	General Description		Located in the south-west of the Democratic Republic of Congo and about 120 km east of the Atlantic coast, Luki Biosphere Reserve represents the humid tropical rain-forest ecosystem. In former times, this area was reserved in order to protect its natural resources for colonial interests. In an altitude between 150 and 500 meters above sea level, many different habitats can be distinguished such as primary forests with Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum, Gilletiodendron kisantuense or Terminalia superba, secondary forests with Terminalia superba, woody and herbaceous savanna as well as agroecosystems and agroforestry systems. The plant resources of the area are used for both commercial purposes (e.g. palm oil, coffee, and cacao) and traditional nutrition (banana, taro, manioc, rice, corn, etc.). About 7,100 people live within the biosphere reserve and some 64,200 nearby (2002). The main economic activity is agriculture and agroforestry. However, the biosphere reserve faces problems due to illegal forest exploitation (e.g. for fuel wood and house construction), carbonisation, hunting and fishing. There is a great need for a plant and animal inventory of the biosphere reserve since many species disappear without being noticed. A guide to the sustainable development of the biosphere reserve’s fauna has been developed recently (2002).
	Major ecosystem type		Tropical humid forest
	Major habitats & land cover types		Primary forest with Gossweilerodendron balsamiferum; primary forest with Gilletiodendron kisantuense; primary forest with Terminalia superba; secondary forests with Terminalia superba; woody and herbaceous savanna; agroecosystems; agroforestry systems
	Location		05°30' to 05°45'S; 13°07' to 13°15'E
	Area (hectares)
	Total		32,968
	Core area(s)		6,816
	Buffer zone(s)		5,216
	Transition area(s) when given		20,936
	Altitude (metres above sea level)		+160 to +350
	Year designated		1976
	Administrative authorities		Président du Comité National MAB/CONGO Ministère de l’Environnement, Conservation de la Nature, Pêche et Forêts

	Brief description		Research on the ecological effects and impacts of human activities on humid tropical and subtropical ecosystems Research of agro-forestry practices
	*Specific variables...*
	Abiotic		n.a.
	Biodiversity		Tropical humid forest.
	Socio-economic		Agroforestry.
	Integrated monitoring		Impact and risk studies/Environmental impact.

	Contact address		Kimpese Mindanda Chef de projet/Terrain Dem.Republic of the Congo
	Telephone		(243) 998 31 82 70
	Fax
	E-mail		mdardbak@yahoo.fr

			n.a.

Last updated: 24/10/2007