Africa

=== Ecology and biodiversity ===
[[File:Vegetation Africa.png|thumb|upright=1.2|The main biomes in Africa.]]

Africa has over 3,000 [[protected area]]s, with 198 marine protected areas, 50 biosphere reserves, and 80 wetlands reserves. Significant habitat destruction, increases in human population and poaching are reducing Africa's biological diversity and [[arable land]]. Human encroachment, civil unrest and the introduction of non-native species threaten biodiversity in Africa. This has been exacerbated by administrative problems, inadequate personnel and funding problems.<ref name="environmentalatlas"/>

[[Deforestation]] is affecting Africa at twice the world rate, according to the United Nations Environment Programme ([[UNEP]]).<ref>[http://www.africanews.com/site/list_messages/18831 Deforestation reaches worrying level – UN] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206051452/http://www.africanews.com/site/list_messages/18831 |date=6 December 2008 }}. AfricaNews. 11 June 2008</ref> According to the University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center, 31% of Africa's pasture lands and 19% of its forests and woodlands are classified as degraded, and Africa is losing over four million hectares of forest per year, which is twice the average deforestation rate for the rest of the world.<ref name="environmentalatlas"/> Some sources claim that approximately 90% of the original, virgin forests in West Africa have been destroyed.<ref>[http://www.afrol.com/features/10278 Forests and deforestation in Africa – the wasting of an immense resource] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520182556/http://www.afrol.com/features/10278 |date=20 May 2009 }}. afrol News</ref> Over 90% of [[Madagascar]]'s original forests have been destroyed since the arrival of humans 2000 years ago.<ref>{{NatGeo ecoregion|id=at0118|name=Madagascar subhumid forests}}</ref> About 65% of Africa's agricultural land suffers from [[soil degradation]].<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nature-laid-waste-the-destruction-of-africa-844370.html "Nature laid waste: The destruction of Africa"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017221918/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/nature-laid-waste-the-destruction-of-africa-844370.html |date=17 October 2017 }}, ''The Independent'', 11 June 2008.</ref>

{{see also|Afrotropical realm|Palearctic realm}}