The Status and Distribution of Freshwater Biodiversity in Central Africa

Abstract

Central Africa supports an incredible biodiversity, and its inland waters are no exception. The Congo River has the highest species diversity of any freshwater system in Africa, and is second in species richness globally, after the Amazon. This diversity provides benefits to humans both directly, such as through livelihoods from fisheries, and indirectly through services such as the purification of water for drinking. Currently, central Africa is not heavily developed, but this is likely to change dramatically in the next few decades, in particular should long-term political stability come to the region. Development activities are, however, not always compatible with conservation objectives which are, in most cases, poorly represented within the development planning process.