Central Congo Basin Moist Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Thick vegetation, high water, and hordes of mosquitoes
Snapshot: Ecoregion 5
Size:
507,500 sq. km (196,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
Central Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo
Conservation Status:
Relatively Stable/Intact
Quiz Time!
Why are Congo weaver birds called so?
Answer:
Congo weaver birds build extraordinary nests, weaving shredded leaves, grasses, and twigs into large domed structures with an entrance at the top, bottom, or side!
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Eastern Congolian swamp forests; Central Congolian lowland forests. Together with the Northwestern Congolian lowland forests, they comprise the Earth's second largest contiguous rain forest after the Amazon.
Thick vegetation, high water, and hordes of mosquitoes meant until recently, the region was sparsely populated and relatively intact. Although swamp and primary forests dominate, there is a mix of vegetation types, including swamp forests, seasonally flooded forests, lowland rain forests, and forest-grassland mosaics.This ecoregion lies in the centre of the Congo Basin, surrounded by the Congo River. Erosion over thousands of years has helped to shape the region's topography.
Local Species
The forests contain remnant populations of ancient plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Amongst the plant species found here are the Camwood tree (Baphia spp.), and Ground orchid (Eulophia porphyroglossa).
A large number of mammals roam the forests, such as the endemic Bonobo (Pan paniscus), Allen's swamp monkey (Allenopithecus nigroviridis), African golden cat (Felis aurata), Beecroft's tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax dorsalis), and the Giant pangolin (Manis gigantea).
Also found here are numerous bird species including the Congo weaver (Euplectes anomala), Congo sunbird (Nectarinia congensis), Bates's paradise fly-catcher (Terpsiphone batesi), Green-backed camaroptera (Camaroptera brachyura), and the the endemic Brown nightjar (Caprimulgus binotatus).
Threats
Large areas of the ecoregion are remote and consist of inaccessible swamp forests and hence the ecoregion remains relatively intact. However, there are no protected areas within the ecoregion and whatever little area, that has been converted generally occurs along rivers that serve to be the only means of access.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
