Conservation et anthropisation en Afrique centrale

Conservation and Anthropization in Central Africa. As we enter a millennium often referred to as Anthropocene, with reference to the influence never before seen in the history of a species namely the human being, world biodiversity declines at an accelerated pace. A pace of change so severe that researchers have difficulties describing the current phenomena. Wildlife in particular is seriously threatened, to such an extent that we speak about the biggest massive extinction of animal species ever to occur on Earth. Many regions of the globe, in particular Central Africa, thus see theirbiodiversity disappearing before it is even documented. With regard to its concerns about the sustainability of the environment, the journal Tropicultura now opens its columns to authors working in conservation and the relations between man and nature, and more particularly its wildlife. Stemming from a call for contributions directed at young active researchers in Central.Africa, this special issue is as diverse as the themes developed in conservation of this region. >From plains Gorillas of Cameroon to bushmeat consumption in Gabon and the participative management in Congo, intrepid scientists offer us an anthology of fascinating stories. Scattered at the edge of dense forests, in remote and sometimes dangerous areas, these researchers raise numerous questions about the future of wildlife in this part of the globe. A frightening future, since the threats seem more numerous than the solutions. Nevertheless, these articles also deliver a positive vision of the situation. They demonstrate the will of enthusiast conservationists to fight relentlessly for the preservation of our ecosystems. They also demonstrate the increasing implication of researchers from those regions to protect their incredible heritage and reconcile man and nature. If figures are disturbing and human population grows and expands perpetually, particularly in these countries, the interest for environmental protection was never so important in our society as it is at the moment. Through their research, these young scientists offer potential solutions by demonstrating to what extent man is connected to this biodiversity and dependant upon it for his survival.By increasing the awareness of this dynamic, we dearly hope to mitigate the harm and facilitate a more accomodating future for the incredible natural resources of our planet. Let us appreciate that this publication would not have come about without the help of many renowned scientists, who agreed to make the selection and the review of the articles. We wish to specifically thank the following individuals :E. Arnhem (WCS), S. Carriere (IRD), N. Gami (ECOFAC V/RAPAC), B. Haurez (ULg/Gembloux), M.-C. Huynen (ULg), C. Julve (Nature+), J. Punga Kumanenge (Université de Kinshasa), C. Vermeulen (ULg/Gembloux)and J. Willie (Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp)