In Burundi, several ecosystems have been destroyed in an alarming way and others are very fragmented. In forest environments, several biological resources no longer exist or are in a very advanced state of disappearance. In particular, these are plants used for medicinal, food, crafts, cosmetics, etc. The search for fertile land and the resulting cultural clearings have considerably reduced several plant formations, many of which are in an unsustainable situation to reclaim the land. The extension of the habitat and the conversion of natural ecosystems into areas for industrial plantations and livestock have endangered several species, even those unique to Burundi. In aquatic environments, irrational fishing practices have been the cause of the decrease in fish stocks and the loss of species. Invasive exotic plants have already shown their effects on local biodiversity. In several environments, the Lantana camara proliferates massively by replacing native species. Water hyacinth, in continuous proliferation in aquatic environments and is likely to cause harm that is difficult to repair for aquatic biodiversity. The loss of biodiversity thus results in the breakdown of the ecological balance that has already occurred, where natural vegetation has given way to invasive species.

The loss of biodiversity also leads to the precariousness of the way of life of populations who no longer have access to sufficient biological resources. The degradation of ecosystems also weakens their ecological roles and is at the origin of the worsening of the harmful effects of climate change. All these consequences combined thus cause interminable conflicts over natural resources, in particular land disputes, which occupy almost all the legal discussions. In order to contribute to the preservation of biodiversity in Burundi by raising awareness among the population, a synergy between the Burundian Office for Environmental Protection (OBPE) and the Association for the Restoration and Enrichment of the Environment in Burundi (ASREEBU) was undertaken. The objective of this synergy work is to show how the loss of biodiversity leads to a change in the way of life of populations who no longer have access to sufficient biological resources. It is also a question of showing how to preserve this biodiversity.