The area estimates of the Congo Basin can differ because the hydrological definition covers 3.7 million square kilometers, while narrower ecological or geographical definitions estimate around 1.7 million square kilometers.

The Congo Basin plays a crucial role both locally and globally:

• Over 75 million people directly depend on its forests and rich biodiversity for their livelihoods, including food, medicine, water, materials, and shelter
• The broader region, including those indirectly relying on the Basin's resources, encompasses around 300 million people (WWF: Congo Basin).

The Congo River is the world’s second-largest river system, approximately 4,700 kilometers long, serving as a vital water source for millions of people:

• It is the deepest river in the world, with its deepest point reaching approximately 220 meters (about 720 feet). This incredible depth highlights the river's unique physical characteristics and its global significance.
• The river has the second-highest flow rate in the world after the Amazon, significantly contributing to water supply and agriculture in the region.

Carbon Sink and Storage System​

The Congo Basin remains one of the few regions in the world that consistently absorbs more carbon than it emits, despite facing significant deforestation threats:

• Its crucial role as a carbon sink and reservoir is increasingly recognized.
• Scientific studies indicate that the Congo Basin's peatlands and forests store more carbon than the Amazon, highlighting its critical role as the world's largest carbon sink (UN environment programme: Critical ecosystems: Congo Basin peatlands).
• The region features significant densities of large trees and high biomass, defined as the total mass of living matter (flora and fauna) within a given area, contributing to its crucial role in global carbon storage, comparable to the Amazon rainforest.

Extensive deforestation and fires have caused certain regions of the Amazon to shift from a carbon sink to a carbon source:

• Prolonged and more intense droughts exacerbate this situation, leading to significant decreases in rainfall and increases in temperature across these areas.
• Preservation of the Congo Basin forests is critical to mitigating climate change and preventing irreversible ecosystem degradation.
• There is concern that the Amazon could reach a tipping point, transitioning irreversibly from a humid forest biome to a drier savannah-like biome due to continued degradation and loss of its carbon storage capacity (Yale Climat Connections: A new Amazon Carbon Study), (Nature: Trouble in the Amazon), (National Geographics-Amazon a system on the brink).   

Cuvette Central/Peatlands

The Cuvette Central, located within the Congo Basin, contains the largest peatland complex in the tropics, formed over 10,600 years:

• Recent data indicate that these peatlands store more carbon than the entire tropical forest in the Congo Basin.
• Maintaining their saturated state with water and preventing human disturbance are essential to preserving their carbon storage capacity.(Mongabay: The future of the Congo Basin peatlands).

Hydrological Significance

The water vapor above the Congo Basin forest plays a vital role for both local and global environments (See 'Green Air Conditioners'):

• It serves as a primary source of drinking water for many regions across Africa, contributes to rainfall patterns in areas such as Ethiopia and Sudan, and sustains the Nile River system.
• In the context of a global water crisis, safeguarding this water source is imperative.
• The influence of water vapor on cloud formation impacts weather patterns and contributes to climate regulation, highlighting the critical role of the forest in global hydrological cycles.

Conclusion: The True Value of Tropical Forests

Tropical forests should not be valued solely for their carbon sequestration capabilities.
They play a crucial role in:

• Regulating global temperatures
• Supporting indigenous communities
• Hosting diverse organisms (e.g., insects, mammals, birds, amphibians, and plants)
• Providing essential medicines, with numerous pharmaceuticals derived from forest plants

Humid Tropical Forests contribute to water cycles through evapotranspiration:

• Transfer of water from land to the atmosphere by evaporation (from soil and water bodies) and transpiration (from plants, through the process of photosynthesis)
• Vital for maintaining regional and global climate patterns
• Essential for drinking water supplies and hydroelectric power generation

This significant biome, spanning six countries, provides:

• Food security and a vital lifeline for indigenous and local communities, including sustainable harvesting of forest products (FAO: Forests and Food Security)
• Critical habitats for numerous endangered species (e.g., Western Lowland Gorilla, Forest Elephant, Bonobo, Okapi) (WWF: Congo Basin)
• Ecosystem services such as soil stabilization and nutrient cycling (Nasi et al., 2011, CIFOR)

The capitalist perspective treats nature as a marketable commodity, leading to:

• Harmful practices such as carbon trading schemes, carbon offsets, and geoengineering solutions like carbon capture and storage
• False climate solutions that often ignore local community needs
• Promotion of monoculture plantations, which destroy biodiversity and disrupt local ecosystems

Preserving natural diversity supports:

• Long-term ecological balance and resilience
• Adaptation to climate change by maintaining genetic diversity
  
  

Shared Responsibility for Protection and Sustainable Development

Preserving the Congo Basin is a global responsibility due to:

• Its role in climate regulation and rich biodiversity.
• Acting as a major carbon sink, absorbing significant amounts of CO2.
• Supporting diverse plant and animal life, ensuring ecosystem stability and resilience.

Protecting and sustainably developing the Congo Basin is essential for:

• Ensuring ecological stability and livelihoods for local and global communities.
• Maintaining a balanced and healthy environment for plants and animals.
• Providing resources for future generations through sustainable practices.

Collaboration among governments, NGOs, and local stakeholders is essential to:

• Balance conservation goals with socio-economic development.
• Preserve the basin's natural resources for future generations.
• Implement effective conservation strategies, such as protected area management and anti-poaching efforts.

Successful initiatives:

• Community-based forest management and wildlife conservation programs have shown positive impacts on biodiversity and local economies.
• Education and awareness campaigns to promote sustainable practices.
• Restoration projects that rehabilitate degraded areas and reintroduce native species.

Ecotourism potential in the Congo Basin:

• Supports economic development and conservation efforts.
• Activities such as guided wildlife tours, bird watching, and cultural tours with indigenous communities.
• Generates income for local populations and raises awareness about the importance of conservation.
• Promotes sustainable travel practices that minimize environmental impact.

Encouraging participation in conservation efforts and supporting sustainable practices:

• Helps ensure the preservation of the Congo Basin's natural beauty and biodiversity for future generations.
• Involves tourists in conservation activities.
• Supports local communities by creating jobs and funding for conservation initiatives.