African Rain Forest Poster Maps

In order to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the world's natural resources, timely access to accurate information is essential. This information, whether on protected areas, habitats or species of conservation concern, may then be used by the conservation community, government and non-government organisations, donor agencies, the corporate sector, resource planners, the media, local communities and educationalists.

In the early 1990s, a poster map showing the extent of tropical moist forest in Southeast Asia was widely distributed - this proved to be extremely popular and supportive of conservation education work in the region. Following from this, the Netherlands Government, through the Tropical Rainforest Programme of the IUCN Netherlands Committee, commissioned UNEP-WCMC to prepare a poster map for Africa incorporating information on the extent (original and remaining) of tropical forest ecosystems, distribution, protection, cultural and biological value, and threats.

Two maps were published in three languages (English, French and Swahili) in 1997:

  • a technical version, aimed at environmental organisations, to provide current information and support planning and decision making; and

  • an educational version, to use as a teaching resource and raise awareness about rain forest issues.

The poster maps are based on digital (GIS) coverages of currently available data, and accompanied by text, statistical information, photographs, and case studies of issues and sustainable use practices from the region.

This work represents a collaborative venture between UNEP-WCMC, the international conservation community (eg IUCN-The World Conservation Union, the World Wide Fund for Nature and the International Centre for Conservation Education) and national organisations involved with education, conservation, and sustainable development. Collaboration is essential to ensure that:

  • users are involved and their needs carefully defined;
  • maps are presented clearly and appropriately; and
  • maps are distributed effectively (10,000 copies for schools and 5,000 technical copies) throughout the rain forest region.