Phase I environmental profile of Liberia

However, Liberia"s forests are coming under increasing pressure. Under shifting cultivation, the dominant form of agriculture, much if not most of the country"s primary forests have been converted to various types of degraded secondary forest or completely cleared. Logging by timber concessions and fuelwood demand constitute the other major causes of forest conversion. It is estimated that these demands will lead to the complete disappearance of the country"s remaining primary forests within another 10 years. Extensive modification of the country"s forests is also leading to increased pressures on other renewable natural resources (soils, water, fauna). This report provides background data on Liberia"s physical, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics; describes the use and conservation of its water, soil, wildlife, forest, and mineral resources; assesses the protected area system; and identifies major environmental problems. In addition to problems associated with natural resource management, Liberia faces the following environmental issues: insufficient development and coordination of legislative and institutional mechanisms for environmental management; unregulated urban expansion, particularly in the capital city; inadequate rural water supply and sanitation; and pollution effects of mineral exploitation.