StoneRoad2013's photos with the keyword: DR Congo

A significant increase in the deforestation after 2012 - the rate has almost doubled, and is now almost 500,000 hectares a year, which puts the DR Congo into third place for world deforestation since 2002. Two major drivers for forest clearances are for mining operations and subsistence farming by refugees. . Not my Image ; Fair Use & public information

That's a huge area of deforestation in less than two decades, and it will have wide-reaching affects - not just the loss of a significant carbon sink, but also habitat loss, leading to the extinction of some species. Note that a lot of the Amazonian clearances were accompanied by burning off vegetation from vast swathes of land - this recently exposed soil rapidly declines in fertility and is subject to extensive erosion. Don't forget the creation of carbon dioxide and particulates in the smoke from these fires. . . Not my Image ; Fair Use & public information