By Edith Mutethya in Nairobi, Kenya |
chinadaily.com.cn |
While African countries have made significant progress in integrating forests into national biodiversity, climate change, and land restoration policies, weak institutional coordination, limited funding, and inadequate stakeholder participation continue to undermine conservation efforts in some of the continent's most important biodiversity hotspots, experts say.
Speaking during a regional webinar organized by the African Forest Forum on Monday, researchers and policymakers said forests remain central to achieving biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable development goals. However, translating policy commitments into effective action on the ground remains a major challenge.
Presenting findings from studies conducted in Cameroon, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Madagascar, Moussa Massaoudou, a visiting scientist at the African Forest Forum, said biodiversity hotspots are under increasing pressure from climate change, population growth, poverty, and habitat degradation.
