From 10 to 21 May 2025, a second data collection mission at the Luki Biosphere Reserve (RB-Luki) was organized by the ERAIFT team in charge of implementing the activities of the project entitled Assessment of the value of the ecosystem services of the Luki Biosphere Reserve (EVASE_RBL). This project, led by the ERAIFT-INERA-University of Liège (Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech) consortium, aims to shed light on the economic value of the ecosystem services provided by the Luki Biosphere Reserve (RBL), in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is part of the program called: «Applied Research in Ecology and Social Sciences of Central African Forest Ecosystems (RESSAC)», funded by the European Union (EU).

The main aim of this mission was to collect data on carbonization activities, as well as a determination of the monetary value of some ecosystem services identified as more important to populations bordering the RBL. Specifically, the focus was on: (1) conducting surveys and focus groups within local communities to identify forest species used for charcoal and firewood processing; (2) obtaining quantities and prices (in local markets) of the main products from the reserve and (3) to make observations and interpretations in the field to verify the information obtained.

This data collection mission was made possible thanks to the support of the RESSAC program, implemented by the CIFOR-ICRAF consortium and the financial assistance of the European Union, to which ERAIFT expresses its deep gratitude.