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<p>Ghana's recent legalization of mining in forest reserves introduces uncertainties about its impact on forest cover, biodiversity, and carbon stocks, amid already severe environmental degradation driven by illegal artisanal gold mining (galamsey). We analysed forest cover dynamics between 2018 and 2023 in the Oda River Forest Reserve and inventoried data from 12 plots in non-mined and mined (low, moderate and heavily) forest sites for its consequences on biodiversity and carbon stocks. Forest cover declined by 5.9%, shrinking from 16,959.89&#xa0;ha in 2018 to 15,952.82&#xa0;ha in 2023, while illegal gold mining expanded astronomically by 1917.6%, increasing from 52.78&#xa0;ha to 1059.85&#xa0;ha, with the most rapid expansion occurring between 2022 and 2023. The study revealed significant reductions in plant species richness and diversity across trees, shrubs, and climbers in mined areas, with heavily mined zones exhibiting a complete absence of vegetation. The Shannon diversity index and structural attributes such as tree height and diameter also significantly declined, reflecting the widespread ecological disruption caused by gold mining activities. Non-mined forest sites demonstrated higher biodiversity (S = 13.33, H = 2.41), greater structural complexity, and maintained the highest carbon stocks (689.11&#xa0;Mg C ha<sup>−1</sup>), emphasizing their role in mitigating climate change. In contrast, heavily mined forest areas exhibited complete carbon loss, resulting in substantial potential CO<sub>2</sub> emissions (2522.15 tCO<sub>2</sub>e). Our results demonstrate the urgent need for effective land management policies, enforcement of mining regulations, and restoration efforts, including reforestation with native species. Addressing mining in forest reserves is critical to preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and ensuring the resilience of forest ecosystems.</p>

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Forest landscape degradation, carbon loss and ecological consequences of illegal gold mining in Ghana

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月21日

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  • Simon Abugre,
  • Michael Asigbaase,
  • Samuel Kumi,
  • George Nkoah,
  • Austin Asare

摘要

Ghana's recent legalization of mining in forest reserves introduces uncertainties about its impact on forest cover, biodiversity, and carbon stocks, amid already severe environmental degradation driven by illegal artisanal gold mining (galamsey). We analysed forest cover dynamics between 2018 and 2023 in the Oda River Forest Reserve and inventoried data from 12 plots in non-mined and mined (low, moderate and heavily) forest sites for its consequences on biodiversity and carbon stocks. Forest cover declined by 5.9%, shrinking from 16,959.89 ha in 2018 to 15,952.82 ha in 2023, while illegal gold mining expanded astronomically by 1917.6%, increasing from 52.78 ha to 1059.85 ha, with the most rapid expansion occurring between 2022 and 2023. The study revealed significant reductions in plant species richness and diversity across trees, shrubs, and climbers in mined areas, with heavily mined zones exhibiting a complete absence of vegetation. The Shannon diversity index and structural attributes such as tree height and diameter also significantly declined, reflecting the widespread ecological disruption caused by gold mining activities. Non-mined forest sites demonstrated higher biodiversity (S = 13.33, H = 2.41), greater structural complexity, and maintained the highest carbon stocks (689.11 Mg C ha−1), emphasizing their role in mitigating climate change. In contrast, heavily mined forest areas exhibited complete carbon loss, resulting in substantial potential CO2 emissions (2522.15 tCO2e). Our results demonstrate the urgent need for effective land management policies, enforcement of mining regulations, and restoration efforts, including reforestation with native species. Addressing mining in forest reserves is critical to preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and ensuring the resilience of forest ecosystems.