Daniel Etongo

Participatory Resource Mapping for Livelihood Values Derived from the Forest in Ekondo-Titi Subregion, Cameroon: A Gender Analysis

Increasingly, the multiplicity of products, services, and values, and the diversity of interests from different resource users and groups, is being acknowledged as vital for sustainable use. This calls for a shift from protection to sustainable use and to resource-user focus. The aim of this study is to identify the spatial occurrence of livelihood values through participatory resource mapping, their changes over time and alternatives for sustainable management. A participatory resource mapping study was conducted with local community, including important stakeholders in Ekondo-Titi subregion of Cameroon. The research technique which focused on gender revealed different patterns of forest resources and changes on the landscape. The study concludes that the importance of resources varies between men and women in Ekondo-Titi subregion of Cameroon, implying that resources may have multipurpose functions, but its exact role depends on the needs of the user groups that utilize them. The divergence of opinion on certain resources is a clear indication of preferences that are gender motivated. The study also revealed that the greatest impact of land use change is the conversion of forest land into agriculture.

Assessing the sustainability of fuelwood production and its potential impact on REDD+ in Burkina Faso

Abstract The paper assesses the sustainability of fuelwood production in regard to REDD+ in southern Burkina Faso. Data collection included a review of the forest management plans, an inventory of 135 plots in addition to silvicultural observations in three Forest Management Units. Fuelwood production data exceeded data from approved management plans by 50%. The conversion of forests to farmlands was observed in two parcels in addition to bush fire and grazing activities – an indication that minimum safeguard measures were not respected. The use of chain saws, capacity strengthening, political will and the effective implementation of approved management plans can all ensure the sustainability of fuelwood production.

Assessing the drivers of land use change in the Rumpi hills forest protected area, Cameroon

ABSTRACT Protected areas serve two objectives, biodiversity conservation and securing of ecosystem services. But the recent expansion of human activities around Cameroon’s Rumpi Hills Forest Reserve in this Era of Sustainable Development Goals is a call for concern. This study assesses land use and land cover change around the reserve and their potential impact on its sustainability. A total of 250 household surveys were conducted across 13 villages in four selected sites around the reserve in addition to 11 focus group discussions. Landsat 7 ETM (2000) and Landsat 8 OLI (2014) images and topographic maps were utilized to quantify land use and land cover change. During the 14-year period, dense forest dropped to 90.2% while settlements increased from 744.6 to 2148.8 hectares in 2014. Also, farmlands increased by 18.25% representing a change from 9400.4 to 11117.16 hectares. Over 98% and 85% of the respondents are engaged in the cultivation of food and cash crops and are dependent on the forests for timber and non-timber forests products. Land and tree-based interventions that improve soil fertility should be promoted among smallholder farmers to ensure the sustainability of protected areas in Cameroon.

Cameroon Must Focus on SDGs in Its Economic Development Plans

able: reducing poverty by more than half and improving access to potable and clean water, access to basic health care, modern communication technologies, adequate housing, access to necessary finance, and basic education for all by 2035.1 The vision tackles social inclusion, unemployment, institutional inadequacies, inequalities, and policy biases.2 Economic development strategies in Cameroon seem to reinforce the belief that humanity has the capacity to manipulate the environment for its