The role of man on Landcover dynamics of the Jakiri Area of the North West Region of Cameroon

THE ROLE OF MAN ON LAND COVER DYNMICS IN THE JAKIRI AREA,

NORTH WEST REGION OF CAMEROON

By

Clement Anguh Nkwemoh & Destain Wirsiy

The University of Yaounde 1

ABSTRACT

Several Landscape degradation forms have attracted our attention in the Jakiri area on the North Eastern edge of the High Lave Plateau of Cameroon. Landscape degradation has become a major issue in contemporary studies, owing to its impact on society. This study aims to identify mainly various human factors responsible for Land cover dynamics. In order to complete this research, we adopted Classical and Empirical Approaches. These relied on the collection of data from secondary and primary sources. Questionnaires were administered to 310 farmers and 84 pastoralists in 17 villages. Focus Group Discussions and Interviews were equally carried out. The topographic map of Nkambe NB32XVII scale: 1:200 000, was exploited. The MSS, TM and ETM + Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus as well as ASTER images for 2007 were used. Data was treated with the use of SPSS, ArcGIS and ERDAS IMAGINE software. The study reveals that anthropogenic actions are predominant in degradation meanwhile physical factors are only contributory in the degradation processes that rendered the Jakiri Plateau susceptible to soil erosion and mass movements. The Normalized Different Vegetation Index (NDVI) revealed a decrease in NDVI values from +0.92 in 1988, +0.74 in 2001 and +0.5 in 2020, showing a vegetation decrease. Meanwhile, the Land Cover Classification revealed a change in forest/land cover, from 24.4% in 1988 to 9.83% in 2020 with a decrease in forest cover of 14.5%. On the contrary, built up area, grassland (savannah) and bare surfaces have witnessed an increase in land cover classes from 34.4%, 10%, 31.2% in 1988 to 37.7%, 14%, 38% in 2020. Our study equally identified population pressure, deforestation, rudimentary agricultural activities, overgrazing and the introduction of eucalyptus cultivation as a form of agroforestry that transformed the landscape of Jakiri. The solutions that have been proposed, focus on landscape restoration through improved farming systems such as agroforestry, and also the application of certain technical methods. The solutions are socially just, flexible, adaptable, economically viable and most importantly ecologically sound.

 

Keywords: Anthropic activities; vegetal degradation, GIS, Land cover change; agrarian and

technical measures