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VOL. 5, ISSUE 4 (2023)
Analysis of land use land cover change dynamics in the Bali-Ngemba forest reserve, north west region of Cameroon
Authors
Adela Njamnjubo Njilin, Nyong Princely Awazi, Titus Fondo Ambebe
Abstract
Understanding land use and land cover (LULC) changes within protected
areas is key to appropriate decision making for their conservation. It is
against this backdrop that this study examines LULC changes in and around the
Bali-Ngemba Forest Reserve (BNFR) in Cameroon. Satellite imagery was collected
from the US Geological Survey for the period 1984-2022,
treated and analysed using ArcMap 10.5. From the findings, all (100%)
the respondents affirm that forest cover in the BNFR has been decreasing in the
past 10 years attributable to logging, agriculture expansion, fuelwood
exploitation. The BNFR in 1984 had 82% (614.75ha) forest cover, 0% (0ha) shrubs and 17% (132.88ha) bare soils, rocks, and forest clearings. Between
1984 and 2003, forest cover declined by -10%, bare rocks and soil by -5.6%
while shrubs gained 16.2% in coverage. Between 2003 to 2013, LULC types in the
BNFR continued to change but at a gentler rate as forest and shrub cover both declined
by -2% and -3% while bare rocks and soils gained 2.1% of coverage. Between 2013
and 2022, forest declined by -6.6%, bare soils and rocks by -2.3% while shrubs
gained 8.8% of cover. Thus, between 1984 and 2022, the BNFR lost 142ha of
forest cover to bare soils and shrubs at an annual rate of -4ha/yr.,
-0.8ha/yr., and -5ha/yr for the years 1984-2003, 2003-2013 and 2013-2022,
respectively with the years 2003-2013 having the lowest rate of change (-0.8
ha/yr), while 2013-2022 had the highest rate of change (-5ha/yr). The results
show that forest cover is decreasing with maximum annual decline rates of 1% in
the BNFR attributable mainly to increased logging by the local population. A
more favourable policy framework that provides alternative livelihood options
to adjacent communities will help to reduce pressure on the reserve, thereby
fostering conservation.
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Pages:37-43
How to cite this article:
Adela Njamnjubo Njilin, Nyong Princely Awazi, Titus Fondo Ambebe "Analysis of land use land cover change dynamics in the Bali-Ngemba forest reserve, north west region of Cameroon". International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol 5, Issue 4, 2023, Pages 37-43
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