TOGO Togo has very little rainforest cover, but what remains is highly degraded and fragmented—there is no primary rainforest left in Togo. Most of Togo's tropical forest areas are used for subsistence slash-and-burn agriculture and fuelwood cutting. The mining industry causes environmental degradation as well.

Because Togo extends through six distinct geographic regions, the country's climate varies from tropical to savanna. At one time this variation meant Togo possessed high biodiversity, including 3,085 species of plants, 565 birds, 196 mammals, and 117 reptiles, according to the World Resources Institute. On paper 11.3 percent of the country is protected.

Between 2000 and 2005 Togo had one of the highest deforestation rates in the world, and since 1990, 43.6 percent of its forests have been lost.

According to the CIA World Factbook, water and air pollution are an increasing problem in Togo.

Large numbers of reptiles are exported for the pet trade, while poaching is a problem throughout the country.

Suggested reading - Books

• Togo: Reflections of an Afro-American in Togo-West Africa

Image copyright Google Earth, MDA EarthSet, DigitalGlobe 2005

CIA-World Factbook Profile
FAO-Forestry Profile


Last updated: 4 Feb 2006