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The challenges
The OKKPS landscape is also a focal point for the railway line for the largest iron ore mine in West Africa. It is also surrounded by large settlements, and national and regional road construction projects. The development of these activities will not be without negative impacts on biodiversity.
Expanding slash-and-burn agriculture
Community members’ fields are usually on land where almost all the trees are felled and the vegetation is burned. This slash-and-burn method of cultivation rapidly depletes the soil of nutrients, and is not guaranteed viable beyond two years. As local communities repeatedly clear a new fields, this unfortunately leads to deforestation and the premature desiccation of rivers. Original fields (...)
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Industrial mining operations
The OKKPS Landscape area is bisected by the railway line that will be used to transport minerals for export. The railway line passes through the heart of the priority area for the conservation of threatened species. Close collaboration with the mining operators is needed to establish an agreement of mitigation activities to reduce the negative impacts on biodiversity (deforestation, changes (...)
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Bushfires
In the OKKPS landscape, fires have visible negative impacts on forests and waterways. The slash-and-burn method is an ancient practice in the culture of local farmers, however, when left unchecked, fire causes damage to crops in the fields and to livestock. The fire dynamics in the OKKPS zone are poorly studied. It is therefore essential to implement a bushfire management strategy using (...)
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