Tropical forests are an important element of DR Congo's natural capital (e.g. accounted via UN-REDD). However,

capacity and efforts for environmental and ecological research in DR Congo's forests are marginal as compared

to the Amazon basin. To close this gap science-based and structured efforts should be put in place urgently.

The goal of this 2-year project is the development of an operational benchmark platform for integrated forest

ecos stem monitoring in three locations: dense humid, mountain and o en semi-di)'. troEical forest in DR Con _o.