<P> Africa is suffering deforestation at twice the world rate , according to the United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) . Some sources claim that deforestation has already wiped out roughly 90 % of West Africa 's original forests . Deforestation is accelerating in Central Africa . According to the FAO , Africa lost the highest percentage of tropical forests of any continent during the 1980s , 1990s , and early 2000s . According to the figures from the FAO ( 1997 ) , only 22.8 % of West Africa 's moist forests remain , much of this degraded . Nigeria has lost 81 % of its old - growth forests in just 15 years ( 1990 -- 2005 ) . Massive deforestation threatens food security in some African countries . One factor contributing to the continent 's high rates of deforestation is the dependence of 90 % of its population on wood as fuel for heating and cooking . </P>
<P> Africa is suffering deforestation at twice the world rate , according to the United Nations Environment Programme ( UNEP ) . Some sources claim that deforestation has already wiped out roughly 90 % of West Africa 's original forests . Deforestation is accelerating in Central Africa . According to the FAO , Africa lost the highest percentage of tropical forests of any continent during the 1980s , 1990s , and early 2000s . According to the figures from the FAO ( 1997 ) , only 22.8 % of West Africa 's moist forests remain , much of this degraded . Nigeria has lost 81 % of its old - growth forests in just 15 years ( 1990 -- 2005 ) . Massive deforestation threatens food security in some African countries . One factor contributing to the continent 's high rates of deforestation is the dependence of 90 % of its population on wood as fuel for heating and cooking . </P>
where is the majority of deforestation currently taking place
where is the majority of deforestation currently taking place
Africa
Africa