Africa’s montane forests warm up faster on deforestation, study shows

 Men stand over piles of logs from the national park in Virunga, Democratic Republic of Congo on May 10, 2023. PHOTO | POOL

Deforestation in Africa’s montane forests is driving a sharper rise in temperatures and cloud levels than climate change alone, endangering water resources in these critical ecosystems that supply millions across the continent, new research has shown.

The study shows that in the last 20 years, deforestation has caused the loss of 18 percent of Africa’s montane forests.