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Sapelli ( Entandrophragma cylindricum ) and tali ( Erythrophleum suaveolens ) are among the most important timber species harvested from Congo Basin forests. They also host edible caterpillars, Imbrasia oyemensis and Cirina forda, respectively, which are important to the nutrition and income of rural and urban populations. This study evaluated the density of these tree species within a 10 km radius around each of 4 villages and in the 2012 annual cutting areas of two timber concessions in the region of Kisangani (DRC). Sapelli and tali trees ≥20 cm dbh and their stumps were identified and measured on 21 five ha plots around each village and 20 five ha plots on each concession. Around villages and on concessions, sapelli trees occurred at densities of 0.048 ± 0.008 harvestable trees (≥80 cm dbh) ha −1 and 0.135 ± 0.019 precommercial trees ha −1 . Harvestable tali trees (≥60 cm dbh) were seven times more abundant at 0.347 ± 0.032 ha −1 , while precommercial tali trees occurred at densities of 0.329 ± 0.033 trees ha −1 . Between 25% and 40% of the harvestable sapelli trees had been logged as compared to <3% of the harvestable tali trees. Production per tree, derived from another study, was extrapolated to estimate caterpillar yields on a half circle of 15,700 ha within 10 km of villages, using these estimates of tree densities. Depending on the village, yields were estimated as 11.6–34.5 Mg year −1 of I. oyemensis from sapelli trees , and 65.8–80.9 Mg year −1 of C. forda from tali trees, an average of 0.74–2.2 kg ha −1  year and 4.2–5.2 kg ha −1  year, fresh weight, respectively (0.23–0.68 kg ha −1  year −1 and 1.3–1.6 kg ha −1  year −1 , dry weight, respectively). Harvestable trees yielded more caterpillars, providing most of the C. forda caterpillars. However, because harvestable sapelli trees occurred at low densities, the bulk of I. oyemensis caterpillar production would be hosted on precommercial trees. Logging practices that reject poorly formed or hollow trees and guidelines that call for high minimum diameter limits and retention of seed trees or prohibit logging on slopes or riparian zones, safeguard edible caterpillar production. Multiple resource management for multiple stakeholders would require more deliberate planning and management approaches based on negotiations with local communities and approaches like setting aside collection zones or collection trees that would be protected from logging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rattans, one of the major non-timber forest products used by the population in and around Kisangani (Democratic Republic of Congo), are a significant source of income and the basis of a very active informal sector focused towards supplying the city with raw canes. We present the effects of harvest and light availability on the demography of two common rattan species in the Yoko forest reserve, near Kisangani: Eremospatha haullevilleana De Wild. and Laccosperma secundiflorum (P. Beauv.) Kuntze. We studied clump demography for a year, under variable light condition and harvesting regimes (control, partial harvest and complete harvest of adult stems). We show a positive effect of full and partial light availability on the dynamic of individuals for both species but with variable treatment responses. We also demonstrate that a partial harvest of two-thirds of adults cane is beneficial or nondetrimental to the production of new shoots under partial or full-light conditions. These results suggest opportunities for multiple-use management that integrate timber and rattan harvesting in forest around Kisangani. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cocoa agroforestry has evolved into an accepted natural resource conservation strategy in the tropics. It is regularly proposed as one of the main uses for REDD+ projects (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, few studies have characterized the cocoa agroforestry systems in this country. Hence, this research proposes to determine the impact of distance from Kisangani (the unique city in the landscape) and land-use intensity on the floristic composition of cocoa agroforests in Bengamisa-Yangambi forest landscape in the Congo Basin. The results revealed that species diversity and density of plants associated with cocoa are influenced by the distance from Kisangani (the main city in the landscape and province). Farmers maintain/introduce trees that play one or more of several roles. They may host caterpillars, provide food, medicine, or timber, or deliver other functions such as providing shade to the cocoa tree. Farmers maintain plants with edible products (mainly oil palms) in their agroforests more than other plants. Thus, these agroforests play key roles in conserving the floristic diversity of degraded areas. As cocoa agroforestry has greater potential for production, biodiversity conservation, and environmental protection, it should be used to slow down or even stop deforestation and forest degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]