cameroon fourth national report - Impact monitoring of Forest ...

REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON 

CAMEROON FOURTH NATIONAL REPORT 

TO THE 

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY 

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From left to right 

Pictures on cover page: 

Left : Taiping four gorilla, frog type, Accipiter tachiro; 

Middle: Cameroon map divided into the various ecosystems 

Right: Gnetum spp and Ectomycorriza (Scleroderma), Coffea montekupensis (Cheek, 1998); Aphelariopsis, 

coffee bakossi (Gosline 1999) kupemontis (Roberts) a fungi , a new snake species (unidentified); 

Cameroon mapwith the various ecosystems 

All information contained in this Report has been examined and certified by the Ministry of Environment and 

protection of Nature, Cameroon. The responsibility and authenticity of the information lies solely on the sources 

who supplied the information, and they are been cited acknowledged. 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................... vi 

LIST OF BOXES ................................................................................................................... viii 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... ix 

FOREWORD x 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... xiii 

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................... xv 

PROCEDURE USED FOR DEVELOPING THE REPORT ............................................... xvii 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CAMEROON ...................................................... xviii 

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 1 

CHAPTER I: BIODIVERSITY STATUS, TRENDS AND THREATS .......................... 2 

1.1 OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY ............................................................... 2 

1.1.1 ECOSYSTEMS .................................................................................................... 5 

1.1.2 HABITATS .......................................................................................................... 9 

1.1.2.1 OVERVIEW: ......................................................................................... 9 

1.1.2.2. HABITAT TYPES: .............................................................................. 9 

1.1.2.3 HABITAT LOSS ................................................................................ 12 

1.1.2.4 HABITAT QUALITY ACTIVITIES ................................................. 13 

1.1.2.5 HABITAT RECOVERY .................................................................... 13 

1.1.3 SPECIES........................................................................................................... 16 

1.1.3.1 DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE ................................................... 16 

1.1.3.2 VULNERABILITY ............................................................................ 16 

1.1.3.3 INTRODUCTIONS AND MIGRATIONS ....................................... 16 

1.1.3.4 MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE USE ................................. 17 

1.1.3.5. CROSS-BOUNDARY ILLEGAL TRADE; ..................................... 18 

1.1.3.6 NEW AREAS ON SPECIES DIVERSITY ....................................... 18 

1.1.4 GENETIC DIVERSITY ................................................................................... 19 

1.1.5 IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS TO HEALTH....... 20 

1.1.6 IMPORTANCE OF COMPONENTS TO ANIMAL LIFE ............................. 21 

1.1.7 IMPORTANCE TO THE ENVIRONMENT ................................................... 22 

1.1.8 IMPORTANCE TO NATIONAL ECONOMY ............................................... 23 

1.2 STATUS AND TRENDS ................................................................................................. 27 

1.2.1 GENERAL OUTLOOK ................................................................................... 27 

1.2.1.1 POPULATION TRENDS AFFECT BIODIVERSITY ....................... 27 

1.2.1.2 CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIOMASS LOSS .................................. 28 

1.2.2 ECOSYSTEMS: ............................................................................................... 29 

1.2.3 SPECIES........................................................................................................... 31 

1.2.3.1 FLORAL BIODIVERSITY ................................................................. 31 

1.2.3.2 FAUNAL BIODIVERSITY ................................................................ 33 

1.2.3.3 DOMESTICATED ANIMAL DIVERSITY ....................................... 35 

1.2.3.3 (a) Conventional Animal Breeding ..................................................... 35 

1.2.3.3 (b) Non Conventional Breeding .......................................................... 37 

1.2.3.4 AQUATIC DIVERSITY ..................................................................... 38 

1.2.3.5 MICROBIAL BIODIVERSITY .......................................................... 38 

1.2.3.6 GENETIC DIVERSITY ...................................................................... 41 

1.2.4 INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES ......................................................................... 41 

1.2.4.1 INVASIVE ALIEN MICROBIAL SPECIES ..................................... 42 

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1.2.5. NEW DISCOVERIES ....................................................................................... 43 

1.2.5.1. NEW MICROBIAL DISCOVERIES ................................................. 44 

1.2.5.2. NEW DISCOVERIES IN CAMEROON FAUNA ............................ 44 

1.3 MAJOR THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS ........................................ 44 

1.3.2 THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS ......................................... 45 

1.3.3 IMPLICATIONS OF OBSERVED CHANGES .............................................. 46 

CHAPTER II CURRENT STATUS OF NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY 

STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN48…………………………………….48 

2.1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NBSAP ...................................................................... 48 

2.1.1 PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ................................................................................... 48 

2.1.2 NATIONAL TARGETS AND INDICATORS .................................................. 50 

2.1.2.1 THE NATIONAL TARGETS ............................................................. 50 

2.1.2.2 THE NATIONAL INDICATORS ...................................................... 50 

2.1.3 GLOBAL TARGETS AND INDICATORS ...................................................... 50 

2.2 ACTIVITIES IN THE NBSAP ....................................................................................... 51 

2.2.1 THEMATIC PROGRAMMES .......................................................................... 51 

2.2.2 ON CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES ADOPTED IN CBD .................................... 52 

2.2.3 SPECIAL CASE STUDIES .............................................................................. 52 

2.2.3.1 ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION: ................................................... 52 

2.2.4 EFFORTS BY SPECIALIZED BODIES. ......................................................... 53 

2.2.4.1 THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (CAS): .................. 53 

2.2.4.2 THE BIORESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND 

CONSERVATION PROGRAM-CAMEROON (BDCP- 

C)/CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE 

DEVELOPMENT-CAMEROON (CBSD-C) ..................................... 53 

2.2.4.3 THE OCACAM ................................................................................... 53 

2.2.4.4 THE BETTER WORLD ORGANISATION....................................... 54 

2.3 PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING PRIORITY ACTIVITIES ...................................... 54 

2.3.1 PROGRESS ON PRIORITY ACTIONS ........................................................... 54 

2.3.2 CONCRETE RESULTS ACHIEVED ............................................................... 54 

2.4 FUNDING DEDICATED TO PRIORITY ACTIVITIES .............................................. 55 

2.4.1 DOMESTIC FUNDING:.................................................................................... 55 

2.5 PROGRESS IN THE CBD IMPLEMENTATION ......................................................... 55 

2.5.1 CAMEROON CBD IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ............................................ 56 

2.5.2 SUCCESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE CBD .................................................... 57 

2.5.3 CONTRIBUTION BY SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY ON CBD 

IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................ 60 

2.5.4 MAIN OBSTACLES IN IMPLEMENTING THE CBD ................................... 61 

2.5.5 LESSONS LEARNT .......................................................................................... 62 

2.6 EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NBSAP ............................................................................. 62 

2.6.1 MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE NBSAP ................................... 63 

2.6.2 CAN CURRENT NBSAP ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THREATS? ............. 63 

2.6.3 NEED TO REVISE PORTIONS OF THE NBSAP .......................................... 63 

2.6.3.1 SUGGESTIONS TO REVISE NBSAP ............................................... 63 

2.6.3.2 SUGGESTIONS TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES ............................ 64 

CHAPTER III: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION INTEGRATION INTO 

OTHER SECTORS .................................................................................... 65 

3.1 INTEGRATING INTO OTHER STRATEGIES AND PROGRAMMES ....................... 66 

3.1.1 POVERTY REDUCTION PLAN ...................................................................... 67 

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3.1.2 NATIONAL PLAN FOR ACHIEVING THE MILLENNIUM 

DEVELOPMENT GOALS: ............................................................................... 67 

3.2 THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS ACHIEVEMENT .............................. 68 

3.2.1 NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN ................................. 69 

3.2.2 NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME TO COMBAT .................................... 70 

3.2.3 NATIONAL PLAN FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE BASED ON NEPAD 

PARTNERSHIP PRINCIPLES. ......................................................................... 70 

3.2.4 FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMME................................................ 70 

3.2.5 NATIONAL PLAN FOR FOOD SECURITY: (NPFS) ................................... 70 

3.3 OTHER CONVENTION PROCESSES ......................................................................... 71 

CHAPTER IV CONCLUSIONS .......................................................................................... 72 

4.1 PROGRESS TOWARDS THE 2010 TARGET AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 

THE STRATEGIC PLAN .............................................................................................. 72 

4.2 PROGRESS TOWARDS GOALS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN OF CBD ................. 72 

4.3 CONCLUDING STATEMENT ........................................................................................ 81 

4.3.1 ON CONSERVATION: ..................................................................................... 81 

4.3.2 ON SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY .............................................. 81 

4.3.3 ON FAIR AND EQUITABLE UTILISATION OF GENETIC 

RESOURCES ..................................................................................................... 81 

4.3.4 LESSONS LEARNT .......................................................................................... 82 

4.3.5 SOME SET BACKS: ......................................................................................... 82 

4.3.6 NATIONAL ENDEAVOUR .............................................................................. 83 

4.3.7 PROPOSALS: .................................................................................................... 83 

ANNEXES 

………………………………………………………………………………..85 

REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................... 92 

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LIST OF TABLES 

Table 1. Some threatened genetic resources in Cameroon ......................................................... 3 

Table 2: Findings of Eleven Vegetation Types in the Kupe Mwanenguba Highlands .............. 7 

Table 3. Habitat Classification in Cameroon ............................................................................. 9 

Table 4. Habitat Types for Bird Species in Cameroon ............................................................ 10 

Table 5: Evolution of Protected Areas 1996 - 2008 ................................................................. 11 

Table 6: General Status of Protected Areas in Cameroon - 2008 ............................................ 11 

Table 7. Comparative Forest Habitat Loss in Five Central African Countries. ....................... 12 

Table 8. Estimated Habitat Change and Habitat Loss Activities in General* ......................... 12 

Table 9. Habitat Change Activities ......................................................................................... 13 

Table 10. National Measures for Habitat Recovery ................................................................. 14 

Table 11. Practical Measures for Habitat Recovery around Protected Areas in Cameroon ... 15 

Table 12. Taxa vs Area Comparism in 4 Sites in Cameroon ................................................... 20 

Table 13. Some Ethno-botanical Surveys undertaken in Cameroon (1996 -2004)................. 21 

Table 14. Importance of Biodiversity Components to Plant and Animal Life in Cameroon . 21 

Table 15. Market Destination of Biodiversity Products ........................................................... 24 

Table 16. Employment Rate of Some Biodiversity- Based Activities .................................. 25 

Table 17. Financial Institutions Attracted to Biodiversity Activities ....................................... 25 

Table 18. National Rural and Urban Population Trends : from 1998 - 2020 .......................... 27 

Table 19. Rate of Plant Biomass Loss in Cameroon in 2000 ................................................... 28 

Table 20. Characteristics of Cameroon’s Ecosystems ............................................................. 29 

Table 21 State of Cameroon Flora - 2008 ............................................................................... 31 

Table 22: Red Data List on Cameroon Plants .......................................................................... 33 

Table 23 State of Cameroon’s Faunal Biodiversity 2008 ........................................................ 33 

Table 24 Faunal Richness of Lake Beme in the Bakossi Highlands ....................................... 34 

Table 25: Biodiversity Richness of the Takamanda Forest Reserve ........................................ 35 

Table 26. Species Vulnerability in Cameroon Highlands. ...................................................... 35 

Table 27 (a) Various breeds of domesticated animals in Cameroon. ....................................... 36 

Table 27 (b) Various breeds of sheep in Cameroon. ............................................................... 36 

Table 27(c) Various breeds of goats in Cameroon. ................................................................. 37 

Table 28: Summarized situation of non conventional breeders surveyed in 2007 ................... 38 

Table 29 Cane rat culture information in cameroon 2002 - 2007 .......................................... 38 

Table 30: Diversity of Edible Insects ....................................................................................... 38 

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Table 31: Some Major Common Invasive Crop Pests and Diseases in Cameroon .................. 42 

Table 32 New Discoveries in Floral Biodiversity in Cameroon .............................................. 43 

Table 33. Major Threats and their causes in Cameroon’s Biodiversity ................................... 46 

Table 34. Implications from Changes in Biodiversity Components ........................................ 47 

Table 35 Priority Activities Outlined in the Cameroon NBSAP .......................................... 49 

Table 36: Policy, Legislation and Institutional Arrangements ................................................. 50 

Table 37: Objectives and Means of Verification on Activities in the NBSAP ........................ 50 

Table 38: International Agreements and Indicators ................................................................. 51 

Table 39. Examples of Activities on Thematic Programmes ................................................... 51 

Table 40: Cross Cutting Issues and References on Cameroon NBSAP ................................... 52 

Table 41: Concrete Results of Priority Actions and Activities ................................................ 54 

Table 42 Summary of Heifer Project Activities in Cameroon ................................................. 59 

Table 43 Biodiversity Conservation Integration into other Sector .......................................... 65 

Table 44: Summary of Millennium Development Goals Achievement. .................................. 68 

Table 45: Information on Convention Processes in Cameroon ................................................ 71 

Ta ble 46. Progress Towards “The 2010 Biodiversity Target” ................................................ 73 

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LIST OF FIGURES 

Fig. 1: Cameroon Geographical Position & Extent ............................................................... xviii 

Fig 2: Distribution of Land Use in Cameroon ...................................................................... xviii 

Fig 3: Population Evolution in Cameroon ........................................................................... xviii 

Fig 4. Characteristics of Cameroon’s Biodiversity. ................................................................... 2 

Fig 5: Cameroon’s Main Ecosystems ........................................................................................ 6 

Fig 6. African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro) ........................................................................... 17 

Fig 7: The stolen chimpanzees “Taiping Four” arrived Cameroon ......................................... 17 

Fig 8: Hausa Cattle sticks ......................................................................................................... 17 

Fig 9: Coffea bakossi (Gosline, 1999) ................................................................................. 18 

Fig 10: Coffea montekupensis (Cheek, 1998) .......................................................................... 18 

Fig 11: Cameroon’s Agro-Ecologicial Zone ............................................................................ 26 

Fig 12: Cameroon Hydrological Network ................................................................................ 27 

Fig 13: Tree Fern Cyathea camerooniana ............................................................................... 35 

Fig 14: Selected animal species used for non-conventional breeding ..................................... 37 

Fig.15: Mycorrhyzal Fungal diversity in Cameroon ................................................................ 39 

Fig.16: Biofertilizers developed from mycorrhizal fungi and legume nodulating bacteria ..... 39 

Fig 17: Legume Nodulating Bacteria Demonstration .............................................................. 40 

Fig 18: Banana/Plantain torerence to drought demonstration using mycorrhizal fungi .......... 40 

Fig 19: Aphelariopsis kupemonti .................................................................................................... 40 

Fig 20: New Species of Snake (unidentified) ........................................................................... 44 

LIST OF BOXES 

Box 1: Functions of Ecosystem Components .......................................................................... 22 

Box 2: Importance of Biodiversity to Cameroon Economy .................................................... 24 

Box 3: Conservation and Governance ...................................................................................... 26 

Box 4: Biodiversity Treasures in Lake Beme-Cameroon ....................................................... 34 

Box 5: Heifer Project Capacity Building ................................................................................. 59 

Box 6: Contribution by the Cameroon Scientific Community on CBD implementation ........ 60 

Box 7: The Limbe Botanic and Zoological Garden (LBG) ..................................................... 61 

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

This report is the contribution of individuals and institutions associated with 

biodiversity activities in Cameroon. The Ministry of the Environment and Protection of 

Nature recognises their contributions and endeavour in building up this report. All the 

individuals and institutions mentioned in the list of contributions to the report have therefore 

been acknowledged. 

Special mention and gratitude is made to institutions who have devoted their time and 

resources in their bid to study the status and trend in Cameroon’s biological resources some of 

whom have contributed to build up the list of case studies used in this report. Among these 

are: The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for their useful information on crop 

production, The Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Industries including its associated Project 

on Non-conventional breeding; the National Herbarium Cameroon; Kew Botanic Gardens; 

The Heifer Project Cameroon; Birdlife International, World Wildlife Fund for Nature; the 

International Union for the Conservation of Nature in Cameroon; the Cameroon Academy of 

Science, the Cameroon Bioscience Society; Bio-resources Development and Conservation 

Programme- Cameroon; University of Yaoundé I, the Limbe Botanic and Zoological Garden ; 

The Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development - Cameroon; l’Organistaion et 

Centre d’Appui Agro-Ecologique du Cameroun, . 

Cameroon is extremely grateful for the financial support provided by the Global 

Environment Facility (GEF) through a medium-sized project jointly managed by UNDP and 

UNEP. 

The Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) particularly the 

Animal Production and Fishery Department as well as the Central Entomology Laboratory 

have provided useful information which has largely contributed towards updating animal and 

insect diversity information in Cameroon. 

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FOREWORD 

It is with great honour that the Government of Cameroon 

is submitting the present 4 th National Report on the Convention 

on Biological Diversity in fulfilment of its obligations on 

reporting as requested by the Secretariat of the Convention, 

and raising awareness as contained in the provisions of 

Article 74 of the 1996 (National) Framework Law on 

Environmental Management. The Report provides an opportunity 

for various stakeholders at the national level to take stock 

of the achievements made towards conservation and sustainable 

use of the nation’s biodiversity. It also affords a new spirit 

and reconfirmed commitment to meet the 2010 Biodiversity Loss 

Reduction Target. This collective commitment was demonstrated 

by the cross-section of biodiversity stake-holders 

representatives attending the consultative workshop on the 

elaboration of this report held at the Chamber of Agriculture, 

Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry from 17 to 18 August 2008. 

In counting our gains, we equally made a critical analysis 

of the situation on biodiversity loss and discovered a number 

of main drivers of biodiversity loss as being: unsustainable 

agricultural practices, continued illegal exploitation of 

forest resources, unsustainable continental and marine 

fishing, desert encroachment, pollution from diverse sources 

and unsustainable land use, natural disasters or catastrophes 

such as floods, erosion and landslides. All these factors 

have had serious negative impacts on biodiversity 

conservation, accelerating the vulnerability of several 

species, increased poverty and the negative impact on human 

health and the environment. The Congo Basin ecosystem which 

serves as a global carbon sink continues to be degraded while 

waters of Lake Chad and other inland lakes continue to 

dwindle. 

A series of events registered during the period covered in 

the report have contributed to raise awareness and produced 

concrete results towards curbing biodiversity loss. Among some 

major activities to which Cameroon participated, hosted or 

initiated are: 

Hosting of the Sub-regional Conference on National 

Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans for Central 

African countires 

The hosting by Cameroon of the African Preparatory 

Meeting to COP12 to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, 

Sub-regional meetings of the Commission on Forest for the 

Central African Sub-region (COMIFAC), 

The African Regional Children’s Summit on the 

Environment, 

The return to Cameroon of the Four smuggled Cameroonian 

Gorillas-“The Taiping Four”, 

Organisation of GEF National Dialogue on identifying 

national priorities for funding amongst others. 

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The adoption of National Commitments for the 

implementation of Principle 10 of the Rio Declaration 

promoting public access to environmental information, 

Participation of the public in environmental decision 

making and public access to justice in the field of 

environment, 

Launching of the Operation Green Sahel Initiative in the 

Far North Province with the planting of several thousand 

trees by youth and local communities,(this initiative 

ties with the UNEP Billion Tree Campaign and the Sahara 

Green belt); 

The identification of national wetland sites of 

international importance, 

The institution of Awards to various Divisions in the 

country in support of environmental protection 

competition activities (with special emphasis placed on 

the conservation of biodiversity); 

And the creation of the Department of Biodiversity in the 

University of Yaounde I and Biodiversity Research 

Centre(IRAD) 

Greater emphasis is placed on biodiversity criteria during 

environment impact assessments for major projects to be 

realised in Cameroon in a truly participatory manner. Several 

steps have been taken to improve communication, education and 

public awareness in the field of the environment in general 

and biodiversity in particular. The role played by other 

stakeholder ministries, city councils, NGOs, Nature Clubs in 

educational institutions in order to create awareness on 

biodiversity has been considerable. The implementation of the 

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 

suffered from several institutional lapses resulting from 

institutional and other changes. 

Government is grateful to all donors that have provided 

targeted support to programmes and projects relating to 

biodiversity conservation and environmental management 

particularly the Global Environment Facility who continue to 

provide support to priority programmes. Synergies now exist in 

the implementation of multilateral agreements on the 

environment in particular the three Rio Conventions – CBD, 

UNCCD and UNFCCC. 

The major double challenges presently being faced by 

Cameroon involves working out strategic plans towards 

conserving the resources of the Congo Basin Ecosystem and 

enabling local communities to effectively participate in the 

equitable sharing of benefits resulting from the exploitation 

of the resources they have contributed in conserving. 

The two remaining years to 2010 require that Cameroonians 

and their well-wishers combine their efforts towards meeting 

these challenges. It is in this wise that the Millennium 

Development Goals (MDGs) notably Goal Nº7 will be fulfilled at 

the national level. 

In my capacity as Minister in charge of the Environment 

and Protection of Nature, I do urge each and everyone, 

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especially the private sector, to join hands in the ongoing 

efforts, so that together, we can face these challenges and 

ensure a better future for our children who will also need the 

same biological resources for their own survival. 

The Minister of Environment 

And Protection of Nature 

HELE Pierre 

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The Fourth National Report of the Convention on Biological Diversity Cameroon 

(CBD) has been prepared with contributions from biodiversity stakeholders in Cameroon, 

following guidelines from the Secretariat of the CBD. The importance of the Report to 

Cameroon has been expressed because it will assist to improve information on the countries 

biodiversity. It will enable biodiversity stakeholders to become acquainted with the status, 

trends of the country’s biodiversity and the level of implementing the CBD in Cameroon. It 

contains five parts namely: Introduction and background; Status, Trends and Threats on 

Biodiversity; the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP implementation; 

Biodiversity integration to other sectors of the economy and The Conclusion regarding 

progress in the 2010 target. 

The introduction and background describe the land, population and Cameroon’s 

economy. Chapter One examines Cameroon’s biodiversity under ecosystems, habitats, species 

and shows the six ecosystems as identified during the biodiversity studies and planning. It 

emphasizes the exceptional characteristics of Cameroon’s biodiversity. The importance of 

biodiversity to health, animal life, to the economy and to the environment have also been 

shown. The Status and Trend show that ecosystems and habitats are being degraded with 

resultant loss of species, mostly by man’s economic activities. New discoveries have been 

reported on plant and insect species, habitats and ecosystems are being restored in some parts 

by the creation of Protected Areas. 

The Second Chapter describes Cameroon’s NBSAP activities as a measure towards 

the CBD implementation. Most of the 228 actions have been followed in accordance with the 

209 decisions of the Conference of Parties. Concrete results, lessons and advantages have 

been obtained as illustrated with the Heifer Project’s influence on community-based 

biodiversity conservation activities in relation to animal production in five provinces. Lessons 

include new management techniques, sharing knowledge and experiences and handling 

international issues particularly on cross border resource management. Major obstacles like 

financial difficulties for monitoring and reporting have been highlighted and should be 

obtained through special budgetary allocations. Most stakeholders need to be sensitized on the 

existence of the NBSAP. 

The Third Chapter shows the successful integration of Cameroon’s biodiversity into 

the country’s economic and social activities as well as its involvement in other national 

strategies and programmes. Section 3.2.2 summarizes actions undertaken by Cameroon 

towards achieving “The Millennium Development Goals and specifies Government’s 

concrete actions for achieving each of the twelve principal goals”. In reviewing other 

Conventions’ processes, Cameroon has signed over 32-biodiversity related conventions, and 

about fourteen (44%) are currently operational. 

This notwithstanding, the government of Cameroon has participated in all the Conferences of 

Parties as shown in Section 2.5.1. 

The last chapter concludes with a summary of the progress made towards attaining 

“The 2010 Biodiversity Loss Reduction Target including the implementation of the CBD’s 

Strategic Plan in accordance with the Decision VII/30 of the COP of the CBD. The goals, 

national targets and implementation of the NBSAP all feature in Annex III. The lessons learnt 

and successes achieved have been summarized. Major setbacks include poor infrastructure, 

neglect and poor management of biodiversity hot spots as well as insufficient budgetary 

provisions. The national endeavour to combat the set backs will be to cooperate with national 

and international organizations working on biodiversity and to re-enforce the status of the 

xiii

National Focal Point who should be adequately and regularly equipped. There is need for 

activating biodiversity inventory, monitoring and regular reporting. 

Some incentives have been provided by the government towards encouraging the 

involvement of indigenous people and local communities in conservation initiatives, such as 

the redistribution of benefits from forest and wildlife exploitation, involvement of 

representatives of local communities in steering committees of conservation projects and in 

the implementation of various components of the Rio Declaration Principle 10. However, the 

adoption of a national policy and legislation on Access to genetic resources and the equitable 

sharing of Benefits resulting from the exploitation os such resources (ABS), the conservation 

and sustainable use of the biological resources of the congo basin ecosystem as well as a 

national policy on biotechnology are still major concerns of the Government of Cameroon. 

xiv

ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS 

ANAFOR…………………… Agency for Forest Regeneration and Management 

ASL………………………… Above Sea Level 

ATO………………………… African Timber Organization 

BCH……………… ………… Bio-safety Clearing House 

BDCPC………… 

Bio-resources Development & Conservation Programme. 

CARPE……………………… Central African Regional Programme for the 

CAS………………. ………… Cameroon Academy of Sciences 

CBD………………………… Convention on Biological Diversity 

CBSD-C………………… Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development 

UNCCD……………………… Conversion to Combat Desertification 

CDC………………………… Cameroon Development Cooperation 

CEFAI…………………………Centre for Environmental, Forestry and Agric Information 

CEMAC……………………… Economic and Monitoring Union of Central Africa 

CENADEFOR…………………Centre for National Forest Management 

CHM………………………… Clearing House Mechanism 

COMIFAC……………………Commission for Central African Forests 

GDP………………………… Gross Domestic Product 

COP………………………… Conference of Parties 

DFID………………………… Department for International Development 

ECOFAC………………………Central African Ecosystems 

EEZ…………………………… Exclusive Economic Zone 

EU…………………………… European Union 

FAO……………………………Food and Agricultural Organization 

FIMAC……………………… Fond d’Investissement des Micro projet Agricoles du Cam. 

GEF……………………………Global Environment Facility 

GMO………………………… Genetically Modified Organisms 

GTZ……………………………German Technical Assistance 

IAS…………………………… Invasive Alien Species 

IPRs…………………………… Intellectual Property Rights 

IRAD………………………… Institute of Agricultural Research for Development 

IRZV………………………… Institute of Animal and Veterinary Research 

IITA…………………………… International Institute of Tropical Agriculture 

ITTO………………………… International Tropical Timber Organization 

IUCN………………………… International Union for the Conservation of Nature 

MIFED………………………… Ministry of Finance & Economic Development 

MINADER…………………… Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development 

MINEPIA……………………… Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries 

MINFOF……………………… Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife. 

MINEP……………………… Ministry of Environment and Protection of Nature 

NBSAP………………………… National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 

NEPAD……………………… New Partnership for African Development 

NTFPs…………………………. Non Timber Forest Products 

OCACAM………………… Organisation et Centre d’Appui Agro-Ecologique du Cameroun 

OMS…………………………Organisation Mondial de la Santé 

PADC……………………… Programme d’Appui au Développement Communautaire 

PAU………………………… Programme d’Action d’Urgence 

PFBC……………………… Congo Basin Forest Partnership 

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PNDP……………………… Programme National de Développement Participatif 

PNGE……………………… Programme National de Gestion de l’Environnement 

PSFE……………………… Programme Secteur Foret Environnement 

RBG………………………… Royal Botanic Garden, Kew 

SBSTTA…………………… Subsidiary Body for Scientific Technical & Technol. Adv. 

SNV………………………… Organization Nelandaise de Developpement 

UK………………………… United Kingdom 

UNCC……………………… United Nations Convention on Climate Change 

UNCLOS ……………………United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea 

UNDP……………………… United Nations Development Programme 

UNEP……………………… United Nations Environmental Programme 

UNESCO…………………… United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organization 

UNWTO…………………… United Nations World Tourist Organization 

USAID…………………… United States Agency for International Development 

WB………………………… World Bank 

WCMC…………………… World Conservation and Monitoring Centre 

WOAH……………………. World Organization of Animal Health 

WCS……………………… Wildlife Conservation Society 

WRI………………………… World Resource Institute 

WWF……………………… World Wildlife Fund 

xvi

PROCEDURE USED FOR DEVELOPING THE REPORT 

The following process was followed to develop the Fourth National Report for Cameroon: 

- On receiving the instruction letter N°SCBD/ITS/NR/LC/59515 of 12 November 2007 

for the 4 th National Report, the format was retrieved from the CBD Secretariat 

website. The 29-page format document containing the guidelines for developing the 

Fourth National Report was read by the CBD National Focal Point in order to master 

what was expected by the CBD secretariat. 

- It was discovered that emphasis was placed on the status, trends on the country’s 

biodiversity and the CBD’s level of implementation especially in accordance with the 

Plan of Action of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan document. 

- The Ministry, through the CBD Focal Point, called for National consultants. 

- A leading consultant was assigned to outline all that was necessary; his terms of 

reference were laid down. Resource persons were identified following various 

diversity classifications. Resource persons were those considered as national experts 

in the various fields of biodiversity. They were expected to be well acquainted with 

the provisions of the CBD and its implementation stages in Cameroon. 

Both the lead consultant and the resource persons contacted the major biodiversity stakeholders 

some areas of biodiversity in order to: 

Obtain current information on the status and trends on biodiversity; 

Assess the CBD implementation in the various areas of biodiversity especially 

with reference to conservation, sustainable use, access to genetic resources, 

and benefit sharing; 

The national realities and activities in the thematic areas and other crosscutting 

issues related to the country’s biological resources; 

Update all previous information on the country’s biodiversity. 

- All the information obtained was pooled into producing a comprehensive draft report 

edited under the CBD Secretariat Guidelines. 

- All resource persons were expected to study and comment on the draft report to ensure 

that their respective contributions were genuinely reported. 

- A stakeholder consultative workshop was held and the time frame for further inputs 

into the draft report. 

- A write up committee was setup to edit and correct the existing draft in order to 

produce the final draft. 

- A final meeting comprising experts and some key stake-holders was held for the write 

up the report. At the end of the workshop, the report was approved and finally 

submitted to the Ministry of Environment and the Protection of Nature forappreciation 

and dissemination. 

- The final document was signed by the Honourable Minister of Environment and 

Protection of Nature. 

- The final report was sent for translation. 

- Copies of documents were produced in English and French for distribution to major 

stakeholders through the national territory with copies sent to the CBD Secretariat, the 

UNDP and UNEP. 

xvii

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CAMEROON 

8° 

12° 

Fig. 1: Cameroon Geographical Position & Extent 

Land Reclassification Area (km²) 

Area of Territory ……… 475.446… 100% 

Total Land Area …………465.412… 97.9% 

Semi Arid ………………..102.068…….21.2% 

Wooded Savannah ……….101.992…….21.0% 

Coastal & Maritime Zone …..9.670…… 1.0%… 

Tropical Forest Zone ……..394.700……..82.5% 

Land under Cultivation ……19.668…….. 3.0% 

Stretch of Coastline……………402 

Protected Area Coverage …… 115000……..24.2% 

Rate of Deforestation (1996) 200.000/year 

EEZ………………………… 40km 

Position and Extent 

The Republic of Cameroon extends 

from 2° N to 13° N latitude and between 8° 

25° East and 16° 20° West longitude. The 

Country has a total area of 475 446 km² and 

is bordered by Chad to the North, Nigeria to 

the West, To the South by Congo, Gabon and 

Equatorial Guinea to the East by Central 

African Republic and a 350 km stretch of 

Atlantic Ocean coast line. 

Area of 

Territory 

58% 

Land under 

Cultivation 

3% 

Protected 

Areas 

25% 

Semi Arid 

13% 

Coastal and 

maritime Zone 

1% 

Fig 2: Distribution of Land Use in Cameroon 

Demographic Situation 

Total Population (2007) ………………….16.087.000 inhabs 

Population Density …………………….. 34 inhabs/km² 

Population Growth 1995-2000………..… 27% 

Urban Population 2005 ………………….50% 

Population Engaged in Agriculture …….. 70% 

Population Engaged in Tertiary Sector … 21% 

Population Engaged in Industries ……… 9% 

Biodiversity Contribution to GDP (2007) 40.6% 

Main Cash Crops Products in 2005 

Coffee Arabica….............. .....5083 tons.. 

Coffee Robusta…………….41385 ,, 

Cocoa …………………… 174288 ,, 

Banana ……………………248840 ,, 

Cotton …………………… 306000 ,, 

Palm Oil ………………… 288800 ,, 

Tea……………………………? 

Groundnuts……………… 353 953 ,, 

Rubber…………………… 41214 ,,……………. 

Timber (2007)………… 2 086.244. m 3 

Source:MINADER, MINFOF, MINEFI 200 

Pop 

a 

20000000 

15000000 

10000000 

5000000 

0 

1960 

1987 

1994 

1999 

a 

2001 

2003 

2008 

Fig 3: Population Evolution in Cameroon 

Source : National Office of Statistics, Yaounde 

FISHERY SECTOR 

Industrial fishing ……………... 9 700tons 

Artisan Maritime fishing …….. 63 000 tons 

Artisan inland fishing …………50 000 tons 

Source : MINEPIA 2004 

xviii

INTRODUCTION 

Cameroon’s Fourth National Report on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) 

is required in fulfilment of the objectives of Article 26 of the CBD and in conformity with 

Decision VIII/14 of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the CBD. Cameroon has regularly 

fulfilled the reporting obligations through its timely submissions of the First, Second and 

Third National Reports and effort has been made to submit the Fourth National Report on 

schedule. From the nature of the report format, the report will embody implementation 

processes from the ratification through the adoption of national policies and legislation to the 

213 decisions of the Eighth Conference of Parties to the CBD. 

Cameroon Government is conscious of the nation’s rich biological wealth and is 

making every endeavour to keep up with all processes and directives on the implementation 

of the CBD, which involves the judicious management and sustainable use of the country’s 

biological resources. To meet the biological resources requirement of Cameroon’s growing 

population, care is taken to maintain the country’s relationship with the CBD organs – the 

Secretariat, the COP, the SBSTTA, and all relevant panels. This is why the government of 

Cameroon has endeavoured to participate in all COP meetings (those of the related organs) 

and sign all the treaties and protocols related to biodiversity at sub-regional and global levels. 

Achievement towards the implementation of the CBD has been carefully considered 

in the three chapters using the guidelines for the report as provided by the secretariat of the 

CBD. The progress made towards achieving the 2010 Biodiversity target at the National level 

is encouraging. Many national policies, legal and institutional reforms have been made in 

accordance with the objectives of CBD. Considerable effort has been made over the years to 

involve and coordinate the biodiversity institutions and other stakeholders. Goods and 

services have been shifting from extending biodiversity land-based activities to intensive land 

use activities. The focus has been converting forest, agricultural, livestock and fishery 

resources into finished products which should be marketed within and out of Africa. The level 

of implementation of the CBD has been summarised in section 2.5.1. 

Cameroon’s foreign policy includes the establishment of strong cooperation ties with 

other member countries in the CEMAC sub-region, other African countries, friendly countries 

and international organisations. As a peace loving country, this has contributed to ensure 

peace and stability among the rural masses who live and work with biodiversity. They also 

contribute to the valorisation of indigenous knowledge and do organise acceptable systems of 

access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing. Traditional administration is used to 

complement government’s policy and the improvement of the rural economy. International 

cooperation and signing of the Cartagena Protocol to the CBD makes Cameroon benefit from 

funding to adopt National biodiversity control measures notably biosafety norms and use of 

advances in modern biotechnology. Currently, the country is evaluating the synergies and 

capacities for implementing the three Rio conventions related to the environment CBD, 

UNFCCC, UNCCD. 

While admitting that the CBD implementation has not been without problems, the 

challenges arising from any difficulties linked to communication, education, public 

awareness, funding are gradually being overcome. 

This report provides an opportunity for reporting on CBD’s implementation activities in 

Cameroon as they are seen in the field. Efforts have been made to ensure that information on 

all forms of Cameroon’s biodiversity is real and current. Contributors to this 4 th National 

Report have been carefully selected and represent stakeholders from the main areas of 

Cameroon’s biodiversity. They are convinced that the information they have supplied is a true 

reflection of what actually obtains and the information can be taken as authentic and could be 

used for planning and management. 

1

CHAPTER 1 

BIODIVERSITY STATUS, TRENDS AND THREATS 

1.1 OVERVIEW OF NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY 

Cameroon is endowed with rich biodiversity both in variety and in quantity. This is 

explained from the country’s geographic position and climatic variations. The rich volcanic 

soils in most of the South West and Littoral regions and the maritime influence account for 

luxuriant vegetations which harbour flora and fauna and encourage considerable agricultural, 

forestry and fishing activities. In the African Continent, Cameroon ranks fourth in floral 

richness and fifth in faunal diversity (UNEP, 1997). Most African ecosystems (92%) are 

represented in Cameroon. There is a high degree of diversity of ecosystems and genetic 

resources (species breeds, varieties) which all relate to the character of the environment with 

corresponding effects on human and animal life and effects to the national economy. 

Although species inventories have not been carried out during the period under review, data 

from specific target studies indicate that Cameroon’s biodiversity is characterised by 

abundance, high degree of endemism, great diversity, highly threatened, understudies, 

invasiveness, new discoveries, over-exploitation, and some attempts of domestication (Fig 4). 

Characteristics of Cameroon Biodiversity 

Cameroon’s biodiversity is characterised by the features shown in Figure 4 

ABUNDANCE 

VARIETIES OF ECOSYSTEM 

SPECIES, GENETIC MATERIA 

CAMEROON 

BIODIVERSITY 

ENDEMISM 

HEAVILY THREATENED 

OVER EXPLOITED 

UNDER-STUDIED 

NEW DISCOVERIES 

INVASIVES 

DOMESTICATION 

Fig 4. Characteristics of Cameroon’s Biodiversity. 

i) Abundance: The variety of life forms actually demonstrates its abundance. The 

various product distributions in 1998 and their contribution to the GDP are shown below: 

The abundance is also illustrated by the occurrence of a great variety of wildlife species. 

Within Cameroon there are a considerable proportion of mammals, fish species, amphibians, 

reptiles, birds and a large variety of insects. There are also considerable varieties of plants 

such as Asteraceae, Orchidaceae, Legumes, Rubiaceae. Most micro-organisms in the country 

are still to be assessed for the discovery of species. 

2

The six mega-ecosystems (Fig 5) contain mosaic layers of plant, animal and microorganisms 

diversity. Many of the habitats, particularly dense tropical forest ecosystems are 

still pristine such as Korup National Park, Dja Reserve forest has been reported to contain the 

oldest tropical rain forest in the world, with some organisms reported to be about 60 million 

years old, (UNEP, 1995). 

Endemism: The pristine nature of some of Cameroon’s habitats confers endemism on 

many of its species. Table 46 shows the degree of endemism in the country’s species. 

Threats: Most Cameroonians depend on biological resources for their sustainable 

livelihood especially as the economy is based on agriculture. Many species are threatened (see 

Table 1), and the threats keep increasing. It should be noted that the degree of threat on most 

of the species increases greatly with the high demand for products from biological resources. 

Table 1 shows the status of some threatened species in Cameroon. 

Under-studied: Recent investigations show new information regularly appearing 

about habitats, ecosystems, species, breeds and varieties. Ethno-botanical studies, phytoanalyses 

and recent discoveries have shown the need to intensify studies on Cameroon 

biodiversity. Studying the habitats and plants of Bali-Ngemba Forest Reserve 10 km² John De 

Marco (2004) said, ‘In the case of this fascinating landscape called Bamenda Highland, each 

hill and valley, while being similar to the next one may well contain something new and 

different. In the course of a month’s gathering between Nyassoso and the summit of Kupe, 98 

plant specimens were collected, of which ten were new to science and only two of them have 

been published. The investigator gathered about 14 novelties for every hundred specimens, 

(Cheek 2004). Who would have guessed that even dedicated botanists would find not less 

than 39 plant species of special conservation interest and at least 25 described taxa and for 

this degraded forest remnant to produce as many as 12 species not detected in the course of 

intensive searching by many of the same trained eyes in the latter, much larger sites. This is 

evidenced by the description of a new species called Magnistipula Butayei- subsp. 

Balingembaensis. 

Over-Exploitation:. There are records of what is exploited but no accurate records 

of what is remaining of the exploitable biological resources. There is the case study of a 

Central and West African vegetable delicacy, Gnetum africanum commonly called “Eru” or 

‘Okok’ exploited from the Central and Southern provinces of Cameroon and embarked at the 

Idenau Port through Nigeria to Europe and America (MINEF 1994). The inventory of Gnetum 

species is on–going, exploitation is actually increasing and even its production does not 

provide enough quantities for exportation. The last timber resource inventories were carried 

out by CENEDEFOR in 1984 and only in the southern western and south-eastern part of the 

country. Moreover in the Cameroon NBSAP the first activity in the Action Plan within 

ecosystems recommends identification and inventory for each resource. Multi-resource 

inventories were planned for each ecosystem but not achieved to date. 

Examples of species considered to be over-exploited in Cameroon are shown in Table 1 

Table 1. Some threatened genetic resources in Cameroon 

Species Habitat/Species Nature Of Threat 

Gnetum africanum (leaves) Central, South, South West, Over-exploitation without 

Prunus africanum (Pygeum) 

Timber 

South West, North West 

Pycnanthus angolensis, 

Chlorophora excelca, baillonaila 

toxisperma, Afzelia spp 

replacement 

Over-exploitation with low rate of 

regeneration 

Wildlife (parrots, lions, Parrots, elephants, some insect Over-exploitation 

elephants) 

species, rodents 

Fish (all species) All species Over-fishing, use of improper fishing 

techniques, industrial pollution, loss of 

habitat 

3

Invasiveness 

Some ecosystems are facing the challenge of invasive alien species. Invasive species 

are found in pasture lands, in mangrove habitats, fresh water, farmlands. This include Striga 

species parasitizing cereals and legumes in the northern part of the country and Nipa palm in 

mangrove habitat, in addition to Pteridium, Chromonaela, Mimosa, Water Hyacinth and 

Nypa species. However their intensity is not known and no attention has yet been paid to the 

identification of ports of entry, methods of prevention, introduction, control management and 

eradication. 

Domestication 

Some attempts at domestication of wild species of plants and animals are currently 

being undertaken both by government institutions and private initiatives. For example,the 

Limbe Botanic Garden on Gnetum spp, ICRAF on Agro-forestry. The domestication of cane 

rats is currently being carried out both by some government institutions and private 

individuals but these are mostly from species imported into Cameroon according to the 

NBSAP. It is unfortunate that much effort is not yet done in the field of animal domestication. 

Biodiversity Conservation Efforts 

Despite the great contribution of biological resources to the sustainable livelihoods of 

a majority of Cameroonian population and to national income as a whole, the importance of 

conservation has not yet been widely perceived or understood by all biodiversity stakeholders. 

There is therefore a dying need for constant and continued communication, education, 

information and creation of awareness notably amongst the public and policy makers. 

However, some efforts in sustaining the resources are centered along the adoption and 

implementation of policies, legislation, programmes and activities geared towards biological 

resource conservation. 

Policy and Legislation 

Government has adopted specific policies and appropriate laws for managing 

biological resources in a sustainable manner. The agricultural, forestry, wildlife, fisheries, 

land and environment policies including their corresponding laws are being implemented to 

safeguard the resources. This is shown by the existence of external services and lawenforcement 

personnel especially in the Forestry and Wildlife sectors. Enforcement measures 

are weak, and there is still room for illegal exploitation of biological resources. According to 

an assessment carried out within the framework of implementing principle10 in Cameroon it 

has been revealed that despite the gamut of legislation and regulations existing within the 

environmental fields, there is weak implementation. 

Good Governance Programme 

Corruption exists in the area of the management of natural resources sector in 

Cameroon. In 2006 the country hosted the African Forest Law Enforcement and governance 

(AFLEG) conference which aimed at curbing corruption and poor governance in the forest 

sector and the environment as a whole. However, the Minister in charge of Forestry and Wild 

life in collaboration with some NGOs, has recently taken severe measures to sanction 

defaulters in Forestry and Wildlife resources. The Minister of State Lands equally shut down 

some clandestine land occupants, but the farmer grazer problem remains a headache till 

today,(Nyamnshi et al, 2008). 

Restoration and Creation of Protected Areas 

Over the past ten years Government has embarked on a programme of improving the 

Protected Area coverage by: 

 

Recovering the PAs which had been lost through encroachment by the population. 

Bafut-Ngemba, Bali-Ngemba Forestry reserve, Bomboko, Ndoko, Ototomo Forest 

Reserves, Loum , Santcho and many others are among the reserves encroached by 

the population. 

4

The creation of new PAs in many parts of the country including proposed Marine 

PAs – Bakassi Peninsula Mangroves, Douala Edea Fauna Reserve, Rio del Rey. 

The creation of marine Protected Areas has been a national priority since 1995 

(WB, IUCN 1995). In Kupe Mwanenguba alone, about 230000 hectares have been 

earmarked for new creation, (Wild & Ekobe 2003). As a whole from 1996 to 2008, 

the total area of PA has doubled from 1164842 to 3482741 hectares. 

Agricultural Technologies and Techniques 

Modern technologies and techniques in agriculture are being adopted in a timid 

manner. Gene banks meant to conserve displaced varieties and breeds are in a poor state. 

However, new genebanks are planned, but human and financial resources will be key to the 

improvement of the trend. Technology use is still weak given the disappearance of the 

national agricultural extensions and research projects. Better land-use principles are being 

applied and extension services now reach the farmer, grazer and the fisherman to sensitize 

them on the need to foster the principle of conservation and sustainable use. However 

traditional farming systems are still the mainstay of agriculture. 

Regeneration Methods 

The emphasis now on biodiversity conservation and use is to: 

Create new plantations for forest products poles, fuel wood and timber. 

Promote aqua-culture and introduction of new species, breed or varieties for 

strategic commodities and services. 

International Conventions 

The implementation of biodiversity related conventions is Cameroon’s priority in the 

biodiversity conservation agenda. Institutional arrangements are indicative of this good will. 

There is a Ministry of the Environment and Protection of Nature (MINEP) distinct from the 

Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife (MINFOF). Other administrations are in charge of 

agriculture while the MINEP ensures that all regulations related to the implementation and 

management of the forest and wildlife resources are strictly applied. It is the Focal Point 

Ministry of the CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD. However coordination with other key 

administrations is weak. 

1.1.1 Ecosystems 

An “Ecosystem” has been defined as “a dynamic complex of plants, animals, fungal, 

and micro-organisms and their associated non-living environment inter acting as an ecological 

unit; the organisms living in a given environment such as a tropical forest or a lake and a 

physical part of the environment that impinges on them. 

Studies on Cameroon’s biodiversity have been based on the “Ecosystem Approach”. 

Within the NBSAP analysis, the six broad ecosystems are: Marine and Coastal, Tropical 

Humid Dense forest, Montane, Tropical Wooded Savannah, Fresh Water and Semi-arid 

ecosystem, see Fig. 5, (UNEP/MINEF 1998). Other classifications based on vegetation types, 

have been proposed, (Achoundung 2006). The stability or degradation of ecosystems has 

largely resulted from pressure from human activities and management methods of the 

resources under use. Plantation and subsistence agriculture, logging, grazing, bush fires and, 

to some extent infrastructure (road building and urbanization), have contributed to ecosystem 

degradation. Hunting for game, forest clearing to establish farms and the quest for new 

pastures as fodder for cattle are mostly achieved through bush fires. The mountain, tropical 

woodland savannah and semi arid ecosystems are the zones affected by these practices. 

5

Fig 5: Cameroon’s Main Ecosystems 

Source: MINEF 1998 

Ecosystem classification as seen in Figure 5 above, more or less corresponds with the 

vegetation and the agro-ecological zones. 

6

Ecosystem Case Study 

Martin Cheek (2003) identified eleven vegetation types in the Bakossi area (2.390 km2). Analytical studies for each zone have been classified 

in. The studies were undertaken within an altitude between 150 to 2.000 metres (see Table 2 below). 

Table 2: Findings of Eleven Vegetation Types in the Kupe Mwanenguba Highlands 

Veg Vegetation Type 

Unit 

1 Lowland 

evergreen forest 

2 Semi-deciduous 

forest 

3 Fresh water 

swamp lowland 

river side 

4 Sub-montane 

forest 

5 Sub- montane 

grass land 

6 Rock Faces of 

cliffs 

7 Rheophytic 

vegetation of 

upland streams 

and rivers 

Altitude 

(M) 

Vegetation Characteristics Threats Conservation Priorities 

150-800 Emergent, pioneer trees, lianas common herbs Agriculture, logging 

Road infrastructure, 

300 Two taxas, Triplochiton and Celtis spp Clearance for cocoa farms Regular 

cultivation of cocoyams Microberlinia 

bisulcala is critically endangered 

150-800 Lowland river bank taxas notable 

Spondicathus, Ficus, homalium annual herbs, 

Oxystima gilberti 

200- 

1900 

1000- 

1600 

600- 

1500 

400- 

1400 

8 Crater Lakes 1150- 

1900 

9 Montane Forest 

and Forest 

1900- 

2050 

Trees > 10 m dbh with 5 common families 

Sapotaceae, Myrtaceae, burseraseae, 

Olosacee, Euphorbiaceae Epiphytes: Begonia, 

peperomia 

All species are herbs 

Taxas are post cultivation pioneers. 

Neonotonia wightii. 

Chromonella odorota 

Urenallobata 

Taxa- Begonia Duncan thomasii 

Cercestis kamerunensis 

Culeasia spp 

Selaginella 

Rheophytes 15 species adapted to fast flowing 

water. 

Ladermanniella species. 

Brillantaisie lanci fdia. 

Achyranthes talbotii. 

Anubias barteri 

Most complicated ecosystem invaded with 

Sphagnum planifolium and Nymphaea lotus 

climbers, epiphytes. 

No true Montane species except Syzyium 

standtii Carapa grandiflora Forest in Mount 

7 

Two specis threatened Crateranthus 

talbotii floscopa mannii 

Grass land dry season fires. 

Clearing for agricultural lands. 

Small scale timber and wood. 

Cleaning for agriculture 

Earlier over-grazing by Bakossi cattle 

Lithophytes are classified into shade 

demanding and sun-demanding 

a)Increased turbidity of water due to 

sediments run-off after logging. 

b)Pollution of water courses by sewage or 

surfactant. 

No threats to lake vegetation except 

female lake Mwanengumba used for cattle 

watering . 

Cattle grazing, fires set by cattle grazers 

to graze cattle and horses. 

77 Red data taxa, 2 species for conservation 

Acanthuses and osciculum 

Khaya ivorensis and Entrandrophragma 

spp favoured Microberlinia bisulcata is 

critically threatened 

Conservation of a timber tree Havea 

stipulosa 

Proposed national park for the area. 

Fences used to keep animals out of food 

plots. 

Proposed introduction of exotic fish. 

Need to survey the extent of the Pristine 

nature of Mount Kupe and put it under

Grassland Kupe is “Pristine” protected area status. 

1900- 

Need to protect zone from land slides 

2050 

10 Montane 

Grassland 

11 Anthropic 

Vegetation 

200- 

1900 

Source: Adapted by CBSD-Cameroon from Martin Cheek et al (2003). 

Dominated with Sporobolus africanus 

Hyparrhenia : Radiola linioides, 

Wahlenbergia ramosissima and Antherotoma 

naudinii 

Vegetation generally replaced with farms of 

cocoa( Theobroma cocoa) and (coffee 

canephora) and other crop and fruit trees 

Man made threats absent lighteninginduced 

fires and land-slides are common; 

contains highest proportion of threatened 

species. 

Repeated burning for cultivation, slash 

and burn. 

Natural vegetation 

Replacement with economic agricultural 

crops. 

Comparative studies in the CEMAC region showed that Cameroon registered 59% habitat loss in 1986 (see Table 7). It has been 

estimated that 96.5% of the original forest cover of the Bamenda Highlands above 1.500 metres altitude has been lost (Cheek et al, 2000). 

8

1.1.2 HABITATS 

1.1.2.1 OVERVIEW: 

As seen in Section 1.1 on the general treatment of biodiversity, the large variety of 

ecosystems also indicates a high variety of habitats. Each habitat is characterized by those 

conditions which favor the presence of specific types of organisms. Several factors that affect 

ecosystem existence affect habitats and their species. Biodiversity managers in Cameroon are 

concerned with habitat management that should lead to ecological stability and prevent 

species decline. 

Studies in Cameroon’s biodiversity have shown that habitat classification is subjective 

and depends on the investigator’s objectives. In most cases, classifications will depend on the 

terrestrial, aquatic and soils types. One site can serve as habitat for several species. Thus 

plants and animals can benefit from the same habitat given their complementary roles in the 

ecosystem. Of the 26 resident bird species in Bali-Ngemba, Cheek et al (2004), recorded 22 

different micro-habitats, see Table 4 below. 

. The African elephant Loxodonta africana africana (4000-6000 kg) has adapted itself to 

the savannah habitat while the Loxodonta africana cyclotis (2500-3000 kg) is used to the 

forest habitat. A plant genus, Lophira has adapted itself in the Tropical Rain Forest as 

Lophira alata and in the Savannah environment as L. lanceolata. From the analysis of the 

vegetation of the Bamenda highlands, Hawkins and Brunt (1965), it is concluded that 

grassland and savannah species migrated from lower altitudes.Consideration on the habitat 

examination will be treated under: Habitat types, changes in habitat quality, habitat loss and 

habitat recovery. 

1.1.2.2. HABITAT TYPES: 

According to the NBSAP (2002), habitat types have been classified into four main 

categories: Aquatic, Forests Savannah, Montane and soil habitats. See table 3 below. 

Table 3. Habitat Classification in Cameroon 

Major 

Habitat Type 

Group 

N° 

Corresponding 

Ecosystem 

Location in Cameroon 

1 Aquatic 

2 

Forest and 

savannah 

3 Montane 

4 Soils 

Marine water, brackish water, 

Fresh water: lakes, rivers 

artificial ponds, swamps 

Natural forest, Artificial forests, 

Agriculture lands, Savannah 

Desert, 

Mountain forests 

Highland forests, rocks 

Forest soils, Agricultural soils 

Marine soils lake soils 

Savannah soils 

Desert soils 

Mountain\volcanic soils 

Source: Compiled using information from NBSAP Cameroon. 

Marine &Coastal, 

Fresh water 

Tropical humid forest 

Artificial forests 

Artificial forests 

Montane 

Woodland Savannah 

All Ecosystems 

South West Province, 

southern and Littoral 

Adamawa, South, North, 

Far north, North West, 

Western provinces. 

South West province 

North West province 

Adamawa. 

All Provinces 

9

Table 4. Habitat Types for Bird Species in Cameroon 

Species Habitat Observations In April 2004 

Cameroon Olive Montane Forest and forested Not seen 

Pigeon* 

gullies 

Columba Siostedji 

Bar-tailed Trogon 

Apaloderma vittatum 

Moist Montane forest 

Not seen: this species is highly unobtrusive, thus was 

likely overlooked. 

Western green tinker Montane forest and forest Not seen: many Tinker birds were heard but those seen 

bird 

Pogoniuslus 

coryphaeus 

patches 

belong to the much commoner P bilineatus 

Grey Cuckoo-shrike 

Coracina caesia 

Cameroon Olive 

Greenbul* 

Phyllastrephus poensis 

Yellow breasted 

Boubou* 

Laniarius atroflavus 

Mountain Boubou* 

Laniarus Poensis 

Mountain Robin-Chat* 

Cossypha isabellae 

Abyssinian Hill-babbler 

Pseudoalcippe 

abyssinica 

Grey-chested Illadopsis 

Kokamege poloithorax 

Brown-backed 

Cisticola* 

Cisticola (chubby) 

discolor 

Green longtail* 

Urolais epichlora 

Black-collared Apalis 

Apalis pulchra 

Bamenda Apalis 

Apalis bamendae 

Black-capped woodland 

Warbler 

Phylloscopus herberti 

White bellied crested 

Flycatcher 

Trchocercus albiventris 

Cameroon sunbird 

Nectorinia oritus 

Northern double 

collared sunbird 

Nectarinia preussii 

Thick billed seedeater 

Serinus burtoni 

Oriole Finch 

Linurgus olivaseus 

Fernando Po Olive 

back* 

Nesocharis shelleyi 

Red faced Crimson 

wing 

Cryptospiza reichnovii 

Montane forest and forest 

patches 

Montane forest and forested 

ravines 

Dense undergrowth of Montane 

forest clearing and forest patches 


forest margins and clearing 

Montane and submonatne forest 


forest and clearing 

10 

Seen near the lower edge of the reserve in disturbed 

forest, and in remnant gulley forest immediately 

southwest of the reserve 

Not seen 

Two birds seen in disturbed forest at 1700-1800 m alt, 

several heard here and at the nearby Baba II community 

forest, probably not locally uncommon. 

Not seen: this species is secretive and easily overlooked. 

Not seen 

Not seen: this species is shy and unobtrusive, thus easily 

overlooked 

Ground level of Montane forest Not seen: again shy and obtrusive, thus easily 

overlooked 

Dense undergrowth of forest One seen on the edge of cultivation near Mantum village 

edges, clearing and abandoned C discolor is often considered a subspecies of Chubb’s 

cultivation 

Cisticola C Chubbi 

Montane and submontane forest 


forest and forest edges 

Forest canopy 

Wet montane and submontane 

forest and forest edges 

Montane forest usually 

undergrowth 

Undergrowth of mid elevation 

and montane forest 

Open montane forest clearing 

and secondary bushland 

Edges of montane forest and in 

patches of scrub at higher 

elevations 

Montane forest edges and 

abandoned farmland. 

Montane forest edges clearings 

plantations 

Dense undergrowth and edges of 

Montane forest 

Several seen in closed-canopy forest at c. 1450-1550 m 

alt, where it is possibly locally numerous. 

Not seen 

One seen in disturbed forest at c. 1450 m alt near the 

lower limit of the reserve 

Notseen 

One recorded in open forest at c. 1700 m alt 

Not seen: this is usually in view of the fact that sunbird 

species are active and conspicuous and that it was 

recorded during a brief stay in Bamenda. 

Frequently recorded within the reserve at Mantum 

village, particularly at forest /woodland edhges. 

Not seen at Bali Ngemba but recorded in the nearby 

Baba II village at the lower edge of the community 

forest. 

Not seen 

Not seen 

Not seen : this species is again secretive and easily 

overlooked.

Baglafecht weaver 

Ploceus baglafecht 

Black billed weaver 

Ploceus melanogater 

Brown capped weaver 

Ploceus insignis 

Waller’s starling 

Onychognathus walleri 

Source: Borrow and Semey (2001) 

Edges of montane forest 

Dense undergrowth of montane 

forest and clearing 

Canopy and mid-levels of 

montane and mid- elevation 

forest 

Canopy of montane forest 

Fairly common in cultivation at forest edges and 

clearings in reserve. Note this species is common in E 

Africa but is much more local in W Africa were it is 

confined to the Cameroon mountains EBA 

Not seen 

One female recorded in open woodland on the edge of 

Mantum village near the lower limits of the reserve 

Small flocks believed to be of this species, seen flying 

into the reserve from the west in the early mornings and 

evenings. 

The key species of birds highlighted in the designation of the Bali Ngemba Forest 

Reserve as an important bird area (IUCN 2003) with records of their occurrence and 

abundance noted during the 2004 botanic expedition designates restricted range species of the 

Cameroon Mountains EBA. Habitat information is derived from Borrow and Demey (2001). 

In the domain of wildlife conservation, Cameroon has endeavored to protect over 

3482741 hectares of habitats in 2008 under National Parks, Forest Reserves, Sanctuaries, 

Botanical and Zoological gardens. Table 5 shows the evolution of Protected Areas from 1996 

to 2008 while Table 6 summarizes the current situation on protected areas in the country. The 

total area under protection is 11 % of the National territory. If the 18 % of the area under 

Safari hunting zones is regarded as “protected”, this makes the figure 30 % of National area 

under protection. The actual state of every P.A. needs to be reviewed to come up with the true 

figure. 

Table 5: Evolution of Protected Areas 1996 - 2008 

No Protected Areas Surface Area (Ha) Date Of Creation Ecosystem Type 

1 Mpem and Djim National Park 97,480 2004 Tropical Wooded Savanna 

2 Mbere Valley National Park 77,760 2004 // // // 

3 Boumba Bek National Park 238,255 2005 Tropical humid Savanna 

4 Nki National Park 309,362 2005 // // // 

5 Bakossi National Park 29,320 2007 Montane Ecosystem 

6 Mbanyang-Mbo Sanctuary 66,000 1996 Tropical Humid Dense 

Forest 

7 Lobeke National Park 217,854 2001 // // // // 

8 Mount Oku Sanctuary 1,000 2005 Montane Ecosystem 

9 Mengane Sanctuary 26,711 2008 // // 

10 Kangwene Sanctuary 1,100 2008 ? 

TOTAL 1,164,842 

Source: Department of Wildlife Protected Areas – Cameroon 2008 

Table 6: General Status of Protected Areas in Cameroon - 2008 

Status 

Protected Areas IUCN rating 

Forest reserves ……… 

Under creation 

Total Area Under Protection 

Safari Hunting Zones 

Total Area under Protection & 

Management 

Source: Department of Wildlife Protected Areas – Cameroon 2008 

National 

Coverage ( 

Ha ) 

3,482,741 

920,0.00 

975,091 

5.377,830 

11 

% Of 

National 

Land Area 

7.00 

1.90 

2.10 

11.00 

18.00 

8.138,800 

13,516,632 29.00

1.1.2.3 HABITAT LOSS 

The factors which account for ecosystem degradation also account to habitat loss. 

Habitat losses have in many cases affected the status of various forms of biodiversity.The rate 

of wildlife habitat loss in forest ecosystems in five african countries indicates that Cameroon 

registered a 59 % habitat loss (Source Mackinnon 1986) (Table 7). 

Table 7. Comparative Forest Habitat Loss in Five Central African Countries. 

Country Original Wildlife Habitat Amount Remaining Km² Habitat 

Km² 

Loss% 

Cameroon 

Angola 

Central Africa Republic 

Chad 

Congo 

469 400 

1 246 700 

623 000 

720 800 

340 000 

192 454 

760 847 

274 120 

172 992 

172 420 

59 

39 

56 

76 

49 

Source: Mackinnon, 1986 

Factors that contribute to habitat loss in general are summarized in Table 8. 

Table 8. Estimated Habitat Change and Habitat Loss Activities in General* 

Capital Activity Corresponding Ecosystem % Habitat Loss* 

Exploitation of wildlife resources 

Marine and Coastal, Tropical Forest, 40-50 

Fresh Water, Woodland Savanna, 

mountains 

Expansion of agriculture, forestry and Marine, Coastal, Tropical Forest 30-40 

aquaculture 

Woodland Savannah 

Effects of species introduced naturally or by Mostly in habitats of terrestrial 10-15 

humans (invasive alien species) 

ecosystems 

Pollution of soils, water and atmosphere In all six ecosystems 60 

Global Climate Change In all six ecosystems Difficult to 

Estimate 

Urban and road infrastructure Terrestrial ecosystems 30 

Petroleum and mining industries Aquatic and terrestrial 40 

Source: Bokwe (2008) Estimates calculated from various land –use reports 

It should be noted that since about 70% of the rural population depend on agriculture. 

Forest clearing for both plantation and peasant agriculture account for about 30- 40% of the 

forest cover of all terrestrial ecosystems in the country, while pollution of soils water and 

atmosphere account for about 60 % habitat loss, (Table 9). Fuel wood harvesting constitutes a 

great threat to biodiversity conservation in the Savannah and Sahel Regions. Activities that 

contribute to habitat change which consequently affect biodiversity have been summarised in 

Table 9. 

Loss of Logging Intensty: 

Loss of biodiversity and therefore loss of habitat has been observed in Cameroon 

through logging activities. Studies undertaken in selected African countries including 

Cameroon showed that damage to residual trees in conventional logging is excessive and can 

range from 33 -70% in areas with highly logging intensity (Nicolson 1958 b). even with 

careful felling, (Weidelt 1996) recorded about 200m 3 of forest area damaged by felling of one 

tree. 

Logging Intensity and Wood Waste 

Wood waste studies done in Cameroon and Ghana found that on the average, 55.5% of 

the tree was extracted: of the remaining volume, 4.6% was stump, 5.2% was buttress, 10.4% 

was stem off cuts, 23% were parts of the crown with diameter more than 20cm, (Noack,1995) 

logging waste in Cameroon has also been due to bucked trees which are not found during 

skidding; Mattsson-marn and Jonkers (1981) found that 11m 3 /ha (20% of extracted volume of 

12

logs could not be found by the skidder in current operations. Poor felling and buckling 

techniques also account for logging waste. Estimated volume of waste due to felling and 

buckling losses is about 6.5 – 8.5% of the utilisable volume. (FAO 1989a, Winkler 1997). 

1.1.2.4 HABITAT QUALITY ACTIVITIES 

Table 9. Habitat Change Activities 

Activities Provoking 

Habitat Change Nature of Change Effect on Biodiversity 

Forest Clearing for 

Agriculture 

Flora and fauna vegetation lost, 

introduction of new species, e.g. cocoa, 

rubber, oil palm, etc 

Loss of biodiversity in quality and quantity 

Many species under threat 

Upset of ecological balance wildlife Reduced flora composition 

Logging 

habitat removed 

Threat to wildlife population 

Uncontrolled Hunting Disturbance of wildlife management Reduction of wild life population, ecosystem 

Poaching 

programme 

modification 

Elimination of animal and plant species Loss of plant and microbial species. 

Destruction of soil microbes 

Introduction of new species 

Bush Fires 

Pesticides Habitat pollution by chemicals Reduction of flora and fauna 

Urbanisation Upset of ecological equilibrium Loss of biodiversity. 

Climate Change 

Floods, sea level rise, erosion, droughts Reduced biodiversity through water and soil 

and landslide 

erosion, re-adaptation of biodiversity, 

disappearance of some species, appearance of 

new species, destruction and modification of 

ecosystem 

Fuel wood Habitat destruction Destruction of vegetation, erosion 

Fishing channels 

Reduction of fishing population, creation of 

dangerous trenches 

Off /onshore oil exploitation Disturbance of the ecosystem, pollution Biodiversity loss, migration of biodiversity 

Mining and quary Disturbance, destruction and Biodiversity loss 

extractions 

modification of ecosystem 

Over grazing Modification of ecosystem Loss of several species of forage, death of 

several cattle’s food species. 

Source: MINFOF, MINEPIA 2008 

1.1.2.5 HABITAT RECOVERY 

Government is aware of the loss of habitat in all ecosystems. The policy and legal 

measures adopted are centred on conservation of species and recovery of lost and degraded 

sites (NBSAP). In 2005, when the organisational chart of MINEP was created, the 

Department of Restoration of Nature was formed. So far, the department has achieved the 

following habitat restoration measures: 

Operation Green Cities 

Green Sahel 

Mangrove restoration programmes 

While specific recovery measures are going on in the marine coastal ecosystem, there are 

National Measures: 

National measures towards habitat recovery include: policy, legislative, forest 

regeneration modern agricultural practices, creation, recovery and management of Protected 

Areas as well as regional cooperation, (Table 10). 

13

Table 10. National Measures for Habitat Recovery 

Practical Measures Actual User Practices Habitat Location 

Policy and - Forestry, Fishery, wildlife policies and In all aquatic and terrestrial habitats. 

legislations 

laws on conservation of biodiversity 

- New forestry legislation adopt the “ufa” In the tropical humid dense forest 

system where exploited forest is ecosystem habitats 

guaranteed management 

Forest regeneration 

Agricultural practices 

Creation of Protected 

Areas 

in 

compensation of lost 

areas 

Sub-regional 

cooperation 

Sacred forests 

Monitoring 

evaluation 

and 

Communication, 

education and public 

awareness 

International 

agreements 

Source: Compiled from Ministerial Reports 

- ANAFOR ensures regeneration and 

management. 

- Private forest plantations. 

Agro-industrial establishments habitually 

renew crop habitats though replanting, 

combating pests and diseases and the use 

of fertilizes to improve habitat conditions 

About 11% of national territory is under 

P.A. management – Forest reserves, 

National Parks, Animal Sanctuaries 

(Table 6) 

- CEMAC countries signed the “Yaounde 

Declaration” on the conservation of the 

Tropical forest of the Congo Basin. 

- Chad Basin Commission 

Creation and maintenance of sacred 

forests 

- For cultural practices 

- For traditional practices 

- Setting up of National Observatory for 

Climate Change (President Biya’s 

proposal and appeal to the UN General 

Assembly, 2008) 

- Creation of Sub Department of 

Monitoring MINEP 

Most of the activities in forestry, 

wildlife, agriculture and environment 

have been subjects of regular radio and 

TV programmes on main country TV and 

radio stations. 

Government endeavours to be party to the 

international agreements related to biodiversity – 

CBD 

Mostly in the Tropical Woodland 

Savanna Ecosystem e.g. 

- ANAFOR national regeneration 

campaign had in August 2008 

21451 nursery seedlings for the dry 

savanna region 

- 106000 seedlings in seven nurseries 

for Maroua Kaélé, Mokolo, Kouseri, 

Yagoua, Maga and Garoua 

(MINFOF 2008) 

Plantations of CDC, HEVECAM, 

PAMOL, SODECOTTON, SODERIX 

In Tropical Humid Forests, 

In Tropical woodland savanna, 

In Montane ecosystem 

In tropical Humid forest 

Tropical woodland savannah Fresh 

Water Ecosystem. 

- Nation wide 

- Traditional healers 

Found on diplomatic and policy 

statements MINEP planning 

Information is diffused nationawide 

CBD, UNFCCC, UNCLOS, 

UNCCD, Ramsar and others. 

International Cooperation: 

The following practical measures are going on in Cameroon to improve and protect 

biodiversity-rich areas. Examples of some of the many areas are around protected areas 

(Table 11). Implementation of most conventions is done through projects with the technical 

and financial assistance of international NGO’s in Cameroon aimed at recovering threatened 

habitats. 

14

Table 11. Practical Measures for Habitat Recovery around Protected Areas in 

Cameroon 

Habitat Type Conservation Priority Intervener Action Taken/Ongoing 

Campo Ma’an Highest WWF, Tropenbos Int. 

Reinforce existing PA’s management 

activities. 

Reinforce collaboration with Logging 

Mount 

Cameroon. 

Highest 

DFID, GTZ 

Douala Edea. Highest Cameroon Government 

Rumpi Hills Highest Cameroon Government 

Kupe 

Mwanenguba 

Highest 

WWF, RBG Kew 

Nki Bouba Bek Highest WWF/ USAID 

Bamenda 

Banso High 

Cameroon Government 

Highlands 

ECOFAC, EU, USAID, 

Dja Faunal High 

WWF 

Reserve 

industries 

Create new core PA’s 

Reinforce existing protected areas, 

management activities. 

Develop target management plans. 


activities. 


activities. 

Reinforce existing PA’s 

management activities. 

Establish sustainable funding 

mechanisms. 


activities. 

Sensitizes populations on best 

conservation participation activities. 


activities. 

Rio Del Ray Moderate FAO Mangrove /Fish protection 

Takamanda 


resources 

High 

WU 


activities. 

Banyang Mbo High WCS Wildlife conservation measures 

Limbe botanic Highest Cameroon government, Conservation, Education, Research, 

Zoologica 

Garden 

DFID, RBG, Kew Domestication, GIS, Survey systems. 

Source: Compiled from Ministerial reports 

1.1.2.6.1 PROTECTED AREAS 

In Cameroon, there are six categories of Protected Areas. These are National Parks, 

Zoological Gardens, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Fauna Reserves, Safari Hunting zones, Community 

Management Hunting Zones. To this, IUCN categories of protected areas should be added, 

forest reserves, sacred forests, botanical gardens. Table 6 summarizes the situation of 

protected areas in Cameroon. Up to 2008, total area under protection has been estimated to 

cover about 13.5million hectares which amount to 30% of the national territory. This includes 

the 18 % which is under safari hunting zones. Protected areas actually cover 11 % of the 

national territory. Between 1996 and 2008 considerable conservation measures were taken to 

add 1.164.842ha (2.38%) to the existing Protected Areas coverage. 

Protected Areas creation, recovery and management have been used as habitat 

recovery measures. Several new protected areas have been created to compensate portions of 

protected areas which have been lost to the population. This is the case with Ejagham Forest 

Reserve in Manyu Division in the South West Province. 

15

1.1.3 SPECIES 

1.1.3.1 DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE 

Cameroon has been reported to be comparatively rich in floral, faunal and microbial 

diversity (UNEP/MINEF 1999), (GEF 2008). In floral biodiversity Cameroon is second in 

Central Africa and fourth in Africa while she ranks fifth in faunal richness in Africa. It is 

known to contain 84% of known African primates, 68% of African passerine birds and 66% 

of African butterflies, (Groom, Bridge and Jenkins, 2000) and 9050 plants (Onana, 2008), 160 

of them being endemic (WCMC, 1994). This makes the Guinea – Congolean Rainforest an 

important focal point for conservation in Africa. 

1.1.3.2 VULNERABILITY 

Several investigators working in different parts of Cameroon have shown that plant and 

animal species in the country are highly vulnerable. Cheek et al (2004) working on the plants 

in the Kupe Mwaneguba and Bakossi Mountains categorized the 2412 taxa into 6 categories 

as shown below. 

. IUCN Classification on Species Vulnerability in Kupe Mwaneguba and Bakossi 

CATEGORY CR EN VU NT LC DD 

NUMBER OF 33 52 147 296 1497 1 

TAXA 

CR: Critically Endangered NT: Near threatened 

EN : Endangered LC: Least Concerned 

VU: Vulnerable 

DD: Data Deficient 

Source: Cheek, M.( 2004) 

1.1.3.3 INTRODUCTIONS AND MIGRATIONS 

Characteristically plants and animal species in Cameroon are of particular interest 

because of their specificities - abundance, diversity, adaptations, endemism, wide distribution, 

new discoveries, threats and recently extinctions. Ecological conditions have contributed to 

the survival of new plant and animal species which had been and are being introduced as 

exotics in the fields of agriculture, forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, animal husbandry and 

pisciculture. Several mechanisms lead to the introduction of species which can include 

Invasive Alien Species and other introductions by ships and planes, by wind, by water. 

16

2 

3 

1 

1. Filming of the Taiping 

Four chimpanzees on their return 

from South Africa; 

2. Welcoming the “Taiping Four” on 

their arrival to Cameroon; 

3. One of the Taiping Four feasting on 

arrival back home. 

Fig7. African Goshawk (Accipiter tachiro) 

Fig 6: The stolen chimpanzees “Taiping Four” arrived Cameroon 

from South Africa (Photo courtesy of Last Great Ape Foundation) 

While domesticated animals, insects and cultivable plants have been man introduced, 

bird, animal and insect species have found themselves in Cameroon through migratory habits. 

Birds have been recorded to escape the European winter for tropical Africa. Species of birds 

have been recorded as “rare” and “threatened” in Cameroon. The African Goshawk (Accipiter 

tachiro)(Fig 7) is threatened in the Takamanda Forest Reserve in the South West Province.. 

Wildlife species notably elephants in the Waza National Park of Cameroon have been found 

in neighboring Chad. Hunted antelopes and deers in the Korup National Park have been 

bound to escape into the neighbouring Cross River Park in Nigeria. Poachers from 

neighbouring countries have in many occasions been caught in Cameroon Protected Areas. 

Exploiters of non-timber products from Nigeria have been seen in Cameroon national 

territory. Huge quantities of chewing sticks species and the cattle sticks Carpolobia spp are 

regularly and clandestinely taken to Nigeria from the Takamanda Reserve, see Fig 

8(Comiskey et al 2003) 

Fig 8: Hausa Cattle sticks 

(Carpolobia spp) from Takamanda 

Forest Reserve being unloaded at 

Ikom, Nigeria 

Photo courtsy of Terry Sunderland 

1.1.3.4 MANAGEMENT FOR SUSTAINABLE USE 

Species stability, exploitation and control are usually subjected to international 

norms and regulations. Biodiversity managers have long been faced with the problem of 

regulating (especially products under exploitation) trans-boundary movements of such 

products. Among some of the reasons are trans-border village communities, usually sharing 

public facilities like markets, worship facilities, education establishments, and ceremonies. 

17

1.1.3.5. CROSS-BOUNDARY ILLEGAL TRADE; 

The porosity of the boundaries with the neighboring countries leads to interaction and 

cross border trade in a lot of animals and poachers leave from one area to the other very 

easily. Several cross border trans-boundary protected areas have been created Tri-National, 

Sanga, Bouba-Bek, Tchabal are examples. In the feudal north of Cameroon, adjacent villages 

between Nigeria and Cameroon, Intermarry and even share homes with blood relations. 

Similarities in ecological zones with neighboring countries usually have the same species of 

plants and animals. Cott and Pooley 1972 attributed the low number of crocodile species in 

the Takamanda Forest Reserve to the hunting for meat and export of skins; the practice which 

they report contributes to habitat degradation. 

Partial remedial measures to these irregularities have depended on: 

- International regulations and the CBD’s emphasis on the responsibility of every 

nation managing its biodiversity in a manner to make the resources available to the 

population. 

- Ensure national legal and institutional arrangements 

- Bilateral cooperation and assistance on the management of biological resources. 

- Improvement of capacities to enforce national regulations towards resource 

management and sustainable use. Figure 8 shows the trade on cattle sticks from a dominant 

species (Capolabia spp) in the Takamanda Forest reserve. It can become threatened if not 

properly managed. 

1.1.3.5 NEW AREAS ON SPECIES DIVERSITY 

Soil micro-biology is a very important aspect of Cameroon’s species diversity. With 

an economy based on agriculture the soil micro-fauna and micro-flora should be given 

prominence.. Soil bacteria, fungi and viruses greatly influence the Cameroon economy, 

particularly with regards to soil fertility and plant pathology. 

Studying the impact of land use system on microbial biomass and endomycorrhizal 

diversity in humid forests in South Cameroon, Nwaga et al (1998) found that microbial 

biomes is highest in the primary forest. Glomus spores were most abundant followed by 

Gigaspora spores. 

Since the First National Report in 1997, the new development on species in Cameroon 

has been in areas of Biosafety and Modern Bio-technology, including biodiversity on health, 

the economy and the environment. Mention is made on Genetically Living Modified 

Organisms (GMO’s) and Invasive Alien Species (IAS). New institutions, appropriate 

legislations and greater focus are being made on species, races, adaptations and strains 

essentially to improve yields. 

There is still considerable work by the National Herberium and universities is going on 

species type, composition, characteristics and other qualities of species in Cameroon. 

Fig 9: Coffea bakossi (Gosline, 1999) Fig 10: Coffea montekupensis (Cheek, 1998) 

18

Two new species of coffee have been described in the Bakossi and Kupe Mwanenguba high 

lands, Coffea bakossi (Rubiaceae) Ngomboaku, 1999(Fig 9) and Coffea montekupensis 

(Rubiaceae) Cheek, 1998 ( Fig 10). 

1.1.4 GENETIC DIVERSITY 

The diversity of plants, animals and microbes (in plant and animal), reflects the diversity 

of genetic resources in the country. Two major classifications on genetic resources have been 

examined, (Mbah 2007).. While the resources are seemingly abundant, they are getting 

limited in relation to the demands of the constantly growing population. 

Considerable effort is being made towards conservation and sustainable use of genetic 

resources in Cameroon through the revision of policies and regulations (MINEF 1994). 

Measures being taken include: 

- regulating the exploitation of genetic resources in a sustainable manner, 

- adherence to international conventions on resources conservation and 

management, 

- national inventories and research on indigenous plant and animal species 

- Improvement of national capacities, formulation of appropriate policy and 

appropriate legislation on genetic resource management. 

- Existence of gene banks for some agricultural species. 

Since the signing of the Cartagena Protocol (2000) by Cameroon, greater emphasis is 

paid to the management of genetic materials through the promotion of modern biotechnology. 

Of the 40 biotechnology establishments in Cameroon, 24 were identified for handling 

main techniques in modern biotechnology (Bokwe & Ngwa 2005). The need for the training 

of staff on GMO monitoring standard procedure was expressed. The training and research 

being undertaken on modern biotechnology indicated that Cameroon is on the right path 

towards the mastery and management of her genetic resources as well as fulfilling her 

obligations towards the implementation of the CBD provided the enforcement of the 

regulations is made. 

Quite interesting is the cooperation that exists between the national research bodies 

and the universities that handle genetic resource programmes. There is regular exchange of 

ideas among the biodiversity – related Ministries - MINFOF, MINEP, MINEPIA, the research 

institutes and institutions of higher learning. The Ministry of Scientific Research and 

Innovation has a policy of making research results available to the public to enable the rural 

population (who live and work with biodiversity) benefit from research. Since its creation 

1990 the Cameroon Academy of Science has been very keen in helping Cameroon fulfill her 

obligation to the CBD. This is why the Academy plays a sensitization and training role by 

informing 1 the academia and the public about the importance of genetic resources within the 

context of the CBD. Other national scientific associations and NGOs have been playing their 

role in educating the Cameroonian mass and engage themselves in sharing their experiences. 

The Cameroon Biosciences Society is one of such. 2 

Among the problems associated with genetic resource management are: 

- Insufficient qualified human resources, 

- High cost of maintenance of equipments for modern Biotechnology, 

- Absence of policies and appropriate regulations, 

1 CAS devoted a Scientific publication on :Biodiversity Conservation - Conserving and Managing 

Biodiversity in Central Africa . Workshop on Modern Biotechnology dealing in crops, food and feed of the 

African Sub-region on Biodiversity 

2 

see Bioscience Proceedings: 

. Vol 5 1998 – Biosciences and Biodiversity 

. Vol 6 1999 - Biosciences and Biotechnology for Sustainable Development. 

19

- Lack of funding. 

There is still considerable work in progress on species type, composition, 

characteristics and other qualities. In this Fourth National Report, every effort has been done 

to provide the current state and trends on species biodiversity in Cameroon. ( Table 46) 

A comparison of total species in 6 areas in Cameroon show that Kupe-Mwanenguba 

(1.01 taxa/km²) has a very high level density of plant taxa (Table 12). 

Table 12. Taxa vs Area Comparism in 4 Sites in Cameroon 

Checklist Site Area (km²) No of Taxa Taxa/km² 

Korup Project Area 

Mt Cameroon Area 

Kupe Mwanenguba-Bakossi 

Mount Oku and Ijim Ridge 

2510 

2700 

2390 

1550 

1693 

2435 

2412 

920 

0.67 

0.90 

1.01 

0.59 

Source: From the results obtained by Cheek, Pollard, Debyshire, Onana, Chris Wild, 2004. 

Case Studies on Abundance of Cameroon’s Biodiversity 

The relative richness of the Cameroon tropical humid forest can be seen from the 

comparative studies done in two sites by Chuyong, Kenfack, Songwe and Dunkan (1998) in 

the Korup National Park and Sunderland Groves et al (2004) in Takamanda Forest Reserve;- 

1- Chuyong et al (1994) working in Korup National Park found 6,580 stems belonging to 243 

taxa of the 45 families represented within the first hectare, the most representative was 

Violaceae and Sterculiaceae with 1,264 and 1,143 respectively identified. 

1.1.5 IMPORTANCE OF BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS TO HUMAN HEALTH 

An important consideration of biodiversity components is their use in human health. 

This is reflected on various medicinal properties of some of plants and animal species. It is 

estimated that 80% of the rural population in Cameroon depend on traditional medicine, a 

practice that has lasted for over a century and quite common to the Central and West African 

rural communities. Inhabitants of biodiversity rich areas are endowed with indigenous 

knowledge associated with plants and animals. 

In each of the six ecosystems, there are some aspects of traditional knowledge related 

to some plant and animal species. The use of plants and animals for healing in Cameroon is 

so common that government, in cooperation with the African Union (OAU 1996), has 

developed a pharmacopoeia based on the common medicinal plants. The need for medicinal 

plant materials for drug manufacture has been to a greater extent, the subject of Access and 

Benefit-sharing of the resource. 

Microbial diversity (bacteria, fungi, viruses) has been associated with a number of 

diseases either directly affecting human health or indirectly as pathogens to floral 

biodiversity. Microbial invasives have been reported to be responsible for about 19 plant 

diseases in Cameroon and Aspergillus flarus (Nwaga 2007) from groundnuts or maize seeds 

is reported to cause liver cancer in humans. Many of the components are also involved in 

immerging infectious diseases – “Ebola”. It is important that Cameroon deposits its 

instruments of ratification of the Convention on Biological and ToxinWeapons. 

Considerable research is underway to isolate the active ingredients from plants for use 

in the manufacture of drugs. The Institute of Medical and Medicinal Plant Studies (Research) 

in Yaounde, the Baptist Health Board in Mutengene are pharmaceutical industries based on 

plants. Biotechnology institutions in Cameroon using established techniques and equipment 

have come up with useful products like recombinant antigens, vaccines, specific antibodies, 

etc. One of the areas of extensive research in Cameroon is in the natural products but this has 

rarely been developed into products and services. The recent collaboration between 

Traditional Medicine and Western Medicine is all based on components of biodiversity 

20

especially on the emphasis on traditional knowledge and cultural practices. The importance 

of this collaboration is illustrated in the ethno-botanical surveys undertaken in the biodiversity 

hot spots in Cameroon: Table 13, OAU/STRC (1996) 

Table 13. Some Ethno-botanical Surveys undertaken in Cameroon (1996 -2004) 

Zone 

Coverage Year Medicinal Surveyors 

Km² 

Plants 

1 KORUP NATIONAL 2,510 1989 550 Duncan Thomas, Jane McCauley Thomas, 

PARK 

Wendy Ann Bromley, Fonki Tobias 

2 KUPE MWANENGUBA 2,390 2004 125 Benedict John Pollard 

3 TAKAMANDA 67,599 2003 Terry Sunderland and others 

4 SOUTHERN BAKUNDU 18,100 ha 1998 6 Bokwe Augustine 

FOREST RESERVE 

5 CAMEROON MOUNTAIN 30,000 1998 Nkwantoh Anthanasius 

Ferdinand Weh 

6 NATION WIDE 475,000 1996 406 22 Cameroonian and Nigerian Authors 

7 BALI-NGEMBA 10 2004 Benedict John Pollard 

Source: Complied from various survey reports 

1.1.6 IMPORTANCE OF COMPONENTS TO ANIMAL LIFE 

Animals are an important component to the ecosystem. The relationship of 

biodiversity to animal and plant life in Cameroon is of great importance particularly on the 

role of plants animals to the individuals and community as a whole. In addition to being 

among the highest faunal diversity. Cameroon has several classes of domesticated groups of 

animals and a rich flora and fauna. 

The main areas that biodiversity influences animal life is summarized in table 14. 

Table 14. Importance of Biodiversity Components to Plant and Animal Life in 

Cameroon 

Component/ Activity 

Impact On Animal Life 

Plants 

Forest/Savannah environment 

Animals 

Plants and Animals 

Plankton and other sea foods 

Pests Control 

Habitat Protection 

Need for Research 

Resource Inventories 

Conservation Measures 

Raising capacities 

- Food, shelter, of wildlife, Protection against predators 

- Habitat for wildlife, territory for breeding and defense 

- Food material for carnivorous species 

- Contribute to sustain habitat 

- Inter-dependence of animals on plants - parasites and symbioses e.g. 

The ant species which live in the stem of the plant- Barteria fistolosa 

- Source of foods for fish and other aquatic habitats 

- Plant and animal pests for disease control help to restore 

biodiversity and improve degraded ecosystems. 

- Habitat suitability emphasis for wildlife management 

Appropriate habitats are required for animal species, territory, 

reproduction and nutrition. 

- Best means being sought for improvement of those components of 

biodiversity which are necessary for upkeep of animal life:- In 

Cameroon this is done through research. 

- Survey and inventories of single species or multiple resource to 

the population level of biodiversity actions. 

- Appropriate actions will improve the level of biodiversity of the 

region. 

- Qualified staff will educate and sensitize local population on the 

best way of understanding biodiversity on which their life 

depends. 

The interaction of biodiversity components on plant and 

animal life in Cameroon is extremely important because Government endeavors to prioritize 

resource conservation through financing and encouragement of conservation initiatives. 

21

Discussions on the Environment are restricted to the maintenance of the kind of environment 

which is expected to sustain biodiversity - its rate of degradation or upkeep. 

1.1.7 IMPORTANCE TO THE ENVIRONMENT 

The principal interactions from properties of ecosystems are in the form of energy 

flow, nutrient cycling and interactions. Each organism interacts directly with only a limited 

number of other organisms through processes like interference, competition, predation and 

mutualism. There are basic principles associated with species behaviour and interactivity 

particularly in natural environments. Some of these principles and mechanisms are mentioned 

in Box 1 and are also characteristics in Cameroon biodiversity 

Box 1: Functions of Ecosystem Components 

As additional source of mortality, predation has direct negative effects on prey population and hence 

increases risk of population extinction.If two prey species share the same predator, consumption of one 

species contributes to the increase of predator population and hence the predator pressure on other 

species. In arguing that exploitation can enhance species diversity, Darwin (1885) showed that 

mowing of a lawn or its browsing by large herbivores maintained a higher richness of plants than 

occurred in its absence like Musanga, Cecropioides, Trema guinensis, Harungana madagascariensis 

In tropical forests of Cameroon, light-demanding pioneer species tend to germinate, establish and grow 

to maturity only in gaps while non pioneer or climax species tend to germinate and establish primarily in 

the shade. 

Plant pests increase plant diversity when they attack a superior competitor and this prevents 

competitive dominance. This principle accounts for ecosystem degradation especially in the Tropical 

Woodland Savanna Ecosystem. 

Grazing by sheep has long been known to maintain high plant species diversity and prevent the 

conversion of grasslands into forests (Bobbink and William1998). 

Species other than predators can play the role of keystone species and can contribute to the 

maintenance of species diversity 3 . ( Power and Mills 1995) 

In plant-insect systems, insects feeding at different times or on different parts of a plant may have a 

substantial effect on the quantity or quality of the available resources. 

The ecosystem and its component communities is the more appropriate target for conservation 

because they implicitly consider many ecological interactions between organisms and their biotic and 

a-biotic natural environment. Cameroon NBSAP was developed following the “Ecosystem Approach”. 

Within the Cameroon context, biodiversity has over the years brought the following 

influences:- 

- Plants and animals: 

Co-existence between plants and animals – symbiosis; 

The relationship of plants and animals especially in their natural forms ; 

Contributes to environmental stability in both forest and soil environment. 

- Water regulators: 

Wooded and forest lands are known to be reliable inland water 

regulators. Streams, water catchments are sustained effectively 

under forest cover. Vegetation covers prevent run-off and promote stem 

flow and infiltration. 

- Migration of solar effects: 

Forest cover reduces impact of solar radiation on the ground and so reduces 

evaporation from the soil and inland water environments. 

3 A key stone species is one whose impact on it’s community or ecosystem are much lager than would expect 

from it’s abundance. 

22

- Climate change: 

The climatic influence within the Cameroon territory is quite noticeable and 

the effects of climate change has been seen among Cameroonians who have 

been complaining of sun’s rays becoming stronger than before as well as 

constant and disastrous floods. Rainfall 

patterns have changed drastically to the detriment of farming 

communities. Cameroon is reported to have 4,144,000 metric tons of Carbon 

dioxide emissions in 1995 (WRI 1998). 

- Fight Against Desertification: 

Cameroon’s northern border is partly influenced by the Sahara Desert which 

is advancing rapidly southwards. The Cameroon Government has since 1998 

initiated the programme to combat the advancing desert and its influence 

against biodiversity. 4 

- Soil Fertility: 

Where there is good vegetation cover the leaf litter, microbes and nitrogen fixing 

within the soil environment, all contribute to improve on the fertility of the soil. The 

Biotechnology Centre of the University of Yaounde I has developed bio-fertilizers that can be 

packaged and used to improve soil fertility and increase plant production 

- Ecosystem services 

Carbon sequestration (air quality and purification), water supply, regulation of climate, 

leisure etc are some experiences in Cameroon. 

1.1.8 IMPORTANCE TO NATIONAL ECONOMY 

Cameroon’s economy is based on biodiversity related activities and products. In 1997, 

biodiversity contribution to the GDP was 40.6 %of which forests occupy70% of the national 

territory totaling about 26 million hectares and contributed more than 3% of the GDP and 7% 

of exports (Tchoungi et al 1996; ADB 1995). The economic sectors based on biodiversity 

activities are Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Livestock, Hunting, Tourism and Research. 

About 80% of the rural population is engaged on biodiversity based activities and their 

livelihood depends on the products of biodiversity . in Takamanda Forest Reserve, Ayeni and 

Mdaihli (2001) concluded a survey of non timber forest products and estimates showed that 

income was in the order of 500milllion CFA about 850000$ dollars. In mount Cameroon, a 

survey conducted in six villages around the mount Cameroon project area (Ikata, Bavenga, 

Bafia, Lykoko Lyale, Munyenge) on the source, production and marketing of NTFPs showed 

that 27 products were identified but only five served as the main source of women’s income 

(Nkwatoh et al 1998). A list of NTFPs is included in Appendix. 

The two case studies of economic importance of biodiversity are illustrated with the 

Takamanda Forest Reserve and the Mount Cameroon NTFPs survey. 

From the species variety, there are food and cash crops which make Cameroon‘s food 

sufficiency. It has been established that Cameroon’s food sufficiency is largely sustained by 

the rural women with no government subsidies. Cameroon’s food is exported to neighbouring 

countries of the Central African sub-region. Export of biodiversity products in 2006 from 

Cameroon stood at the form shown in Table 15 below. 

4 Operation « Sahel Vert » is a Sahel regeneration programme financed by the Government in the Far North 

Province of Cameroon. 

23

Table 15. Market Destination of Biodiversity Products 

Products From Biodiversity Market Destination Remarks 

Agricultural Products 

Oil palm product 

Rubber 

Banana 

Cocoa 

Coffee 

Cotton 

Cassava 

Plantains 

Yams 

Cocoyams 

Maize 

Fruits, Vegetables 

Local Markets, 

Europe, USA 

Europe 

Europe, USA, Japan 

Europe, USA, Japan 

Local markets, Europe 

Gabon, Central African Republic 

Gabon, Equatorial Guinea 

Gabon, Equatorial Guinea 

Europe, Gabon Equatorial Guinnea, 

Nigeria 

Local markets, Gabon 

Local markets, Gabon, Nigeria 

Mostly informal 

,, 

,, 

,, 

Europe, Asia, USA 

Forestry/ Wildlife Products 

Poles for building 

Timber-logs are processed 

NTFPs including medicinal plants 

Animal trophies 

Birds ( parrots) 

Livestock Products 

Goats, sheep, chicken 

Meat 

milk 

Hides and skins 

Smoked fish 

Fresh fish 

Traditional Products 

Plants for healing 

Animals for healing 

Cultural/Sacred products 

Nigeria, USA, Asia, 

Europe, USA 

Europe, Niogeria 

Local market 

Local market 

Nigeria, Europe 

Local markets 

Nigeria, Local market 

Local market 

Traditional healers 

Traditional healers 

Source: Compiled by Bokwe from Markets and External trade information 2008 

,, 

,, 

,, 

Box 2: Importance of Biodiversity to Cameroon Economy 

- ecosystems services, species, varieties/breeds are of particular 

importance to the nation. 

- Biodiversity contributed to 34% of the GDP in 1994 

- Biodiversity employs directly 82% of the country’s working population. 

- 65% are engaged in crop production 

- 30% are engaged in animal husbandry 

- 79.8 % of all house-hold use plant products for domestic energy 

Source: MINEF (1997) 

Important areas of biodiversity to the Cameroon economy contained include the 

following: 

1. A source of raw materials for the country’s industries in agriculture, 

forestry, animal industries, fisheries; ( see Box 2). 

2. Contributes to the balance of payments in state budgets, ensuring the country’s food 

security and generates foreign and budgetary resources; 

3. A measure for alleviating poverty through direct and indirect employment 

especially with the rural population; 

4. For building with local materials, and energy supplies; 

At regional level, large agro - industries working with genetic resources in Cameroon 

24

employ many people at a large scale. C.D.C alone employs about 15000 Cameroonians 

next to government. Other agro-industrial complexes that employs are: SOCAPALM, 

PAMOL 

Table 16. Employment Rate of Some Biodiversity- Based Activities 

Structure Crop/Sector Workers 

C.D.C 

SOCAPALM 

PAMOL 

UNVDA 

SOSUCAM 

SEMRY 

HEVECAM 

CHOCOCAM 

CAMEROON TEA ESTATE 

DEL MONTE 

FORMALLY: INFORMALLY 

FISHING COMPANIES 

SAFARI HUNTING/ARTISANAL 

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY 

Source: MINADER 2008 

Oil palm, Rubber 

Oil palm industry 

Oil palm 

Rice 

Sugar cane 

Rice 

Rubber 

Cocoa 

Tea 

Banana 

Forestry 

Fishery 

Hunting Carving, Weaving 

Cattle breeding 

15000 

unavailable 

,, 

,, 

,, 

,, 

5.000 

? 

2.500 

2.000 

300 000 jobs 

240 000 jobs 

30 % of population 

Still from the economic perspective, Cameroon’s biodiversity has made the country 

derive the following advantages: 

- Foreign assistance: Financial and technical assistance has continued to come to 

Cameroon. 

Cameroon through multilateral and international cooperation, technical and financial 

assistance for the management of biological resources. The main agencies and organizations 

have demonstrated this concern in the various sectoral domains (Table 16). 

Table 17. Financial Institutions Attracted to Biodiversity Activities 

Nº Biodiversity Sector Financial Institutions Technical Assistance Body 

1 AGRICULTURE World Bank, ADB, First FAO, WFP 

Bank 

2 FORESTRY World Bank GTZ, WWF, IUCN, ITTO, ATO 

EU, SNV, COMIFAC 

3 WILDLIFE World Bank WCI, WWF,IUCN, OMS, 

Birdlife International 

4 FISHERIES World Bank FAO 

5 LIVESTOCK Islamic Bank FAO 

6 TOURISM ( Ecotourism ) WTO 

7 ENVIRONMENT World Bank UNEP, GEF, FAO, UNDP, 

UNESCO, CARPE, IUCN 

8 TRADITIONAL MEDICINE Cooperative Societies Unity Cooperative society Bank 

Banks - 

9 CULTURE Government 

10 BIODIVERSITY EDUCATION UNDP, UNEP, UNESCO, UNEP, UNDP, IUCN 

GEF 

11 RESEARCH GEF IRAD, IITA 

12 BIOTECHNOLOGY/ BIOSAFETY GEF UNIVERSITIES, MONSANTO 

Source: Bokwe, Information from various stakeholders. 

From the information in Table 17. Cameroon’s biodiversity has continued to attract huge 

technical assistance and financial investments. 

25

Box 3: Conservation and Governance 

Our community must get better at demonstrating the relevance of biodiversity to the 

rural poor, and how the world’s poorest people are vulnerable to the effects of 

environmental degradation and disasters. We need to prove how an investment in the 

conservation of ecosystem goods and service can yield concrete ways of eradicating 

poverty and improving health. 

Source: Biodiversity and Governance, 2005 

Cameroon’s 5 Agro – 

Ecological Zones (Fig.11) 

justify the crop and animal 

diversity and the dependence 

of the Cameroon population on 

products from biodiversity 

Sudano-Sahelian Zone 

The High Guinea Savanna Zone. 

The Western High Plateau Zone. 

Humid Forest Monoseasonal. 

Humid Forest Biseasonal. 

Fig 11: Cameroon’s Agro-Ecologicial Zone 

Source: IRAD Yaoundé 2007 

1.1.8.1 CAMEROON’S HYDROLOGY 

Inland waters cover an area of 35 000 km 2 representing 7.4 % of national territory. 

The main zones are: 

- Forest zones covering the Nyong, Ntem and Sanaga. 

- Northern zone with Lake Chad,flood zones (Yaere), Ladge and Magba dams 

(see also Fig. 11, Map of Cameroon Hydrology 

26

Central zone covering the Sanaga, and its three dams (Bamendjin, Mepé and Mbakou 

Fig 12: Cameroon Hydrological Network 

Source: Vivien (1991) 

1.2 STATUS AND TRENDS 

1.2.1 GENERAL OUTLOOK 

Since more than 80% of the Cameroonian population depends on biodiversity related 

activities such as agriculture, fishery, livestock, forestry, shelter, medicine and energy, the 

ever increasing population rate is impacting negatively on the status of biodiversity. 

Estimates on the use of the various biodiversity components clearly indicate the downward 

trend of biological resources. 

1.2.1.1 POPULATION TRENDS AFFECT BIODIVERSITY 

From 1998 to 2010, the country’s population would almost be doubled. The demand 

on the use of biodiversity products would be much higher. On the ground, this would mean 

ecosystem degradation, habitat destruction, species threat and eventual extinctions. Generally 

the urban and rural populations trends (Table 18) are indicating that there will be 

corresponding loss of various forms of biodiversity with increase in population. 

Table 18. National Rural and Urban Population Trends : from 1998 - 2020 

AREA 1998 2000 2005 2010 2020 

Cameroon 13.7 15.1 19.9 25.7 31.33 

Urban 6.3 7.6 11.9 17.5 24.6 

Rural 7.4 7.4 8.0 8.2 6.73 

Growth Rate 2.8% 

Source: MINEF 2001 

27

1.2.1.2 CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIOMASS LOSS 

Under the implementation of the United Nation’s Convention on Climate Change, 

Cameroon is expected to master the trend of biomass transformation and loss because these 

phenomena affect the regional and global climate patterns. These patterns ought to be 

foreseen and appropriate measures taken to revise the impact that could lead to the reduction 

of several forms of biodiversity notably crop losses, animal number reduction, climatic 

irregularities with destructive effects on human health. 

Climate change is manifested in Cameroon through various phenomena like rising sea 

level in coastal towns causing disasters, heavier rainfall in coastal and forest ecosystem floods 

in all ecosystems, droughts in Sahel Savannah, erosion and landslides in all ecosystems, 

vegetative adaptability, extinctions and successions. Examining the effect of sea level rise on 

habitat availability and shrimp yield, (Youmbi et al 1999) observed that above 50m of sea 

level rise area loss becomes important with negative impact on habitat availability and shrimp 

yield. These natural phenomena have negative repercussion on biodiversity depending on the 

ecosystem concerned. In order to adapt to the impact of climate change, the population in 

most of the ecosystems mentioned above exercise a lot of pressure on the biological resources 

within these ecosystems. Activities which affect biomass loss have been associated to various 

human activities as analysed in Table 19. Again, depending on the ecological zone, 

agriculture and cattle grazing also contribute largely to biodiversity loss. 

Table 19. Rate of Plant Biomass Loss in Cameroon in 2000 

Vegetation Type Land Area Km² Biomass Reduction Activity % Loss 

Tropical Moist Forest with 

short dry season 42.525 

Annual perennial agriculture 

Timber exploitation 

Fuel wood collection 

Urbanisation 

Decomposition of stumps and branches 

52 

13 

25 

5 

5 

Tropical Moist Forest with 

long dry season 148.180 

Tropical Dry Vegetation 49.428 

Montane Forest 1.500 

Source :MINEF, 2001 

Annual perennial agriculture 

Timber exploitation 


Grazing by cattle 

Wild fires 

On site decomposition 

Urbanisation 

Agriculture 


Grazing by cattle 

Wild fires 

Agriculture 

Fuel wood 

Grazing 

Wild fires 

Recent climate change adaptability measures by the population include; harvesting of 

wild vegetables as substitute to loss domesticated vegetables. The government is getting 

involved in the carbon credit market which will serve as an incentive to mitigate climate 

change through biomass production.Table 19, it is seen that the rate of biomass reduction by 

agricultural activities is relatively high in Cameroon. In implementing the UNFCCC, 

Government is requested to adopt the following strategic measures to mitigate the effects of 

biomass losses. 

- Reduce emission from forest grassland conversion and biomass and soil consumptions. 

- Expand related sinks to sequential emissions from forest and grassland conversion. 

- Strengthen and expand the climate change unit. 

- Facilitate the coordinating role of the Focal Point on climate change. 

28 

40 

2 

20 

15 

15 

3 

5 

3 

5 

40 

20 

60 

25 

5 

10

- Articulate the coordinating role of MINEP on matters of climate change 

- Appropriate measures should be taken to counter effects caused by climate change 

notably within coastal towns which are highly prone to floods and landslides resulting 

from sea level rise. 

. 

1.2.2 ECOSYSTEMS: 

An “Ecosystem” has been defined as “a dynamic complex of plants, animals, fungal, 

and micro-organisms and their associated non-living environment inter acting as an ecological 

unit; the organisms living in a given environment such as a tropical forest or a lake and a 

physical part of the environment that impinges on them. 

Human activities are determined by the ecosystem in which they find themselves. The 

ecosystem services differ from one ecosystem to another. 

The (NBSAP classifies Cameroon into six main ecosystems (Table 20). 

Table 20. Characteristics of Cameroon’s Ecosystems 

Priority 

Ecosystems 

Major 

Composition 

Location Climate And Soils Observation 

MARINE AND 

COASTAL 

ECOSYSTEM 

TROPIAL 

HUMID 

DENSE 

FOREST 

ECOSYSYTEM 

Continental 

Shelf 

Mangrove 

Zone 

Continental 

Coast 

Littoral or 

Atlantic 

Humid Forest 

Biafran Forest 

Guinea 

Congolian 


Swamp /Food 


i Geographical 

The coast is 402 

km long 

beginning from 

the Akwayafe 

river on the south 

eastern end of 

Nigeria, latitude 

4°40’ N and 

descends to the 

border with 

Equatorial Guinea 

at the River 

Campo, Latitude 

2° 20’ N. The 

ecosystem is 

between 

Longitudes 8°30’ 

and 10°20’ E. 

ii Administrative 

Ndian, Fako, 

Meme, Moungo, 

Sanaga Maritime, 

Wouri and Ocean 

Divisions. 

Geographica 

It is situated 

between latitudes 

2° and 6° 30’ N, 

and longitudes 10° 

20’ and 16° 20’E 

Administrative 

South west 

(tendency), 

Littoral, Centre, 

South and East 

provinces. 

29 

Climate 

The climate is warm 

and humid with annual 

water surface and air 

temperatures 

averaging 24°C and 

26.5° C, respectively. 

The area obeys a 

mono-modal rainfall 

pattern with an 

average of 5.000 mm 

per year. 

Soils 

The soils are volcanic, 

while the clays have a 

colour ranging from 

grey to yellow. The 

beaches are sandy .the 

northern and central 

parts of the ecosystem 

lie on sedimentary 

soils. 

The rain fall obeys 2 

patterns: 

Cameroonian; monomodal 

with more rain, 

and Guinean; bi-modal 

with less rain. Ex 

Douala = 4,028 mm, 

Yaoundé = 1,597 mm. 

mean annual 

temperatures are 

between 32° C and 

23.5°C. 

Soils 

Volcanic in the West 

Granitic and Variously 

metamorphic 

Continental shelf 

The northern section of the 

continental shelf is wide. 25 

nautical miles and 99% 

trawlable while the southern 

part is narrow. 15 nautical 

miles and 70% trawlable. 

Continental Coast 

The northern and Central 

parts are dissected by rivers 

carrying large quantities of 

alluvial deposits and hence 

the prevalence of mangrove 

species. The coastal mount 

Cameroon slopes and the 

extreme south of the 

ecosystem lie on hard rocks, 

and hence little deposits and 

few mangroves 

The Atlantic variant is 

made Of 3 levels: tree, 

shrub and herbs, with a lot 

of Lophira alata. The 

Atlantic type gives way to 

the biafran and then to the 

mixed forest of 

Gilberriodendron dewevrei 

which further gives way to 

the sterculia subviolacea 

marsh and raffia swamp 

forest

TROPICAL 

WOODED 

SAVANNAH 

ECOSYSTEM 

SEMI-ARID 

ECOSYSTEM 

FRESH 

WATER 

ECOSYSTEM 

Tree and 

woodland 

Savannah 

Shrub 

Savannah 

Grassland 

savannah 

Steppe or 

large open 

land. 

Savannah and 

shrub land 

Prairie 

pastures 

Yaeres and 

Boves 

Flooded lands 

Limnogical 

(continental 

lakes) 

Lithological 

(continental 

rivers) 

Geographical 

Rivers traverse 

several . ecosystems 

due to the 

modification effect 

of water on microclimate 

and 

vegetation. 

Geographical 

Subalpine or 

Ericaceous belt 

(3.00-4.000m 

a.s.l) 

Afromontane 

MONTANE 

belt (1.600m- 

ECOSYSTEM 3.000m a.s.l) 

Submotane 

(1200-1600m) 

Source: UNEP/MINEF 1998 

Geographical 

Latitudes 5° and 

8° 20’ N and 

longitudes 9° 30’ 

and 15° 40’ E. 


N. West and 

Adamawa 

Provinces. 

Geographical 

Latitudes 8° 

20’and 13° 10’ N 

and longitudes 12° 

30’ and 15° 40’ E. 


North and far 

North provinces. 

The mountains are 

mostly located on 

the western half of 

the country’s 

continental plate. 

The mean altitude is 

between 1.000 m and 

1.600 m a.s.l. The 

average annual 

temperature is 19.4°C 

and the mean annual 

rainfall is 2.000 mm. 

Soils 

Volcanic in the 

Western half, granitic 

in the S/E Adamawa. 

The climate is severe 

with clear differences 

between the daytime 

and night-time 

temperatures. 

Maximum 

temperatures vary 

between 40 and 42°C: 

end April and the 

minimum temperature 

is 17°C: Dec/Jan. 

Rainfall drops from 

south: 1.00 mm to 900 

mm.to North: 900 to 

400 mm per year. 

Soils 

The eastern plain lie 

on sedimentary soils. 

The Western soils are 

volcanic around the 

Mandara mountain 

and granitic north and 

south of the Mandara 

Mountains are coole,r 

their altitude eg Mt. 

Cameroon 4.095m has a 

temperature of 4) C but 

at Limbe (100masl . 

temperature is 32°C. 

soils are mainly 

volcanic.micro-climate is 

more humid, 

Tree and woodland 

savannah is found in the 

south and west of the 

ecosystem. Progressing to 

shrub savannah of Daniella 

oblonga and Lophira 

Ianceolata and then to grass 

savannah of imperata 

cylindricum and 

pennissetum purpureum. 

Three major features 

include the Benoue plain in 

the South/East littered by 

small hills, the dry Mandara 

region and the flood 

vegetation on the west 

known as the Boves and 

Yaérés. 

A special and unique 

vegetation of thorny 

scrubland occurs in the 

Mozogo Gogoko reserve of 

the Mayo Tsanga Division. 

Characteristic activities 

include fishing in the 

eastern flood plains: 

February – April as the 

waters recede. 

The lakes are classified in two 

categories namely; 

i. Craters or volcanic reservoirs 

ii. Subsistence or lowland 

Lakes 

iii. Basin Lakes i.e lake Chad 

iv. Artificial Lakes i.e. Lagdo 

The country’s mountains are 

noted for volcanic activity. the 

most recent was in 1999 on Mt 

Cameroon. 

Some flora lichens and orchids 

strive on recent mountain 

larva. 

30

1.2.3 SPECIES 

The status and trend of species diversity is of great importance to biodiversity 

stakeholders in Cameroon. In spite of the many changes which result from several activities 

on the plant and animal species, the users and managers of biodiversity hardly notice the 

changes. A new breed of fish, cattle or sorghum may be developed within a species 

population completely un-noticed until a systematic species analysis is made from an existing 

base-data. . Also, most of the ecosystems do contain various species of microorganism which 

if sustainably managed can contribute to the richness of Cameroon biodiversity. 

1.2.3.1 FLORAL BIODIVERSITY 

About 400 botanists have prospected the flora of Cameroon between 1861 and 2006. So far 

there are 235 families, 1779 genera and about 8500 species, among which are 410 exotic 

species (Onana, 2007) Table 21 summarizes the state of the Cameroon flora. The family of 

grasses alone comprises 7000 species 

Table 21 State of Cameroon Flora - 2008 

Nature Number Remarks 

Families 235 

Genera 1179 

Species 8500-10000 Grasses 7000spp 

Exotics 411 

Endemics 808 

Useful 3000 

Endangered 176 IUCN classification 

Invasive Species 11 

Source: Onana 2007, Van der zon 1992 

The following families which show relative abundance are: 

- Rubiaceae ………………….. 200 species 

- Leguminousae 

- Orchidaceae 

- Compositae 

- Craminae ……………………. 7000 species 

A huge number of plants in Cameroon have been put in the following uses: 

Local vegetables …………………………..150 

Local spices ……………………………… 50 

Edible fruits ……………………………….300 

Oil producing species …………………….. 7 

Natural drinks ………………………………24 including 3 feast liana 

Stimulants/beverage ………………………. 5 

31

Forage …………………………………… 300 

Local fibre production …………………….. 70 

Colouring/dying………………………………? 

Public health and hygiene…………………….? 

Construction of houses ………………about 300 

Environment (ornamentals) …………………40 

Energy………………………………………...? 

Medicinal plants …………………………….820 (Nkongmenek 2007) 

Englerondendion korupense Burgt (leguminosae) has been declared “Critically 

Endangered” by IUCN because less than 50 trees are now found in Korup – its unique habitat. 

Gleuma korupensis Burgt (Sapotaceae) is rare and unique to Korup; a natural wonder to the 

Korup National Park. It can be 42m high with a trunk diameter of 2.4m. It is classified as 

“Endangered” by IUCN classification list. 

1.2.3.1.1 WILD FLORA DIVERSITY 

While food and cash crop farming have been used as measures of conserving and 

using biodiversity in a sustainable manner, forest production has been responsible for great 

losses in biodiversity. It is reported that 80% of Cameroon forests are exploitable, (MINFOF 

2008). Timber production has been going on in five provinces – the Eastern, Central, South, 

Western, Littoral and lightly in the Western. About 100 concessions over an area of about 6.5 

milliion hectares; 45% of the concession are awarded to nationals and 55% to expatriates. 

Production in 2006 stood at 2 296 254 m 3. The evolution of timber production since 1998 is 

shown in Annex III 

It is shown in 2007 and 2008 that the first two species (Triplochiton and Tali) make up 

68% of the timber export volume in Cameroon and 80% of the wood products are exported to 

Asia (China and Vietnam) (MINFOF 2008) 

1.2.3.1.2 CROP DIVERSITY 

The crop diversity in Cameroon is very rich, impressive and contributes to the 

country’s food security. The large varieties of ecosystems support a wide range of crop 

diversity. The diversity includes main food-stuffs, fruits, vegetables, spices and medicinal 

plants. 

Although the main food items are generalized, there is a wide range on the choice food 

items particularly the vegetables and spice food items. In the Cameroon tradition, every ethnic 

group identifies itself with a range of foods and vegetable crops. Mbah (2008) reports that in 

his Moghamo Clan, there are over 7 vegetable species and 9 yam species while Bokwe (2008) 

outlined 15 generalized vegetables and 7 locally used for various Oroko dishes. Much of the 

wild food and spices like the country onions, Bush Pepper and Eru which are originally 

collected from the wild, are now under cultivation in some rural communities. 

Production estimates on Cameroon crop diversity particularly in the food sector are 

not very reliable. The cash crops estimates however, are fairly reliable because almost all the 

production and sales pass through organized co-operative societies. Annex II. summarizes the 

important cash and food crops in the various ecosystems. It is observed that the progressive 

annual production increases result from increases in corresponding increases in cultivated 

areas (e.g maize, cassava, plantains and palm oil) at least. The implication is that the impact 

of agriculture on the environment and biodiversity is increasing. Adaptation measures must be 

sought to put the situation under control. 

32

1.2.3.1.3 THE RED DATA ON CAMEROON PLANTS 

A Red Data List information of nine species was provided by the National Herbarium 

of Cameroon in 2007 (Cheeck et al 2007). Table 22 

Table 22: Red Data List on Cameroon Plants 

Nº Species Collections locations IUCN Status 

1 Schefflera mannii 14 13 Possible new threated 

2 Achyranthes talbotii 13 12 Possible new threated 

3 Afrothismia ameti 1 1 Data deficient 

4 Afrothismia gesnerioides 1 1 Data deficient 

5 Afrothismia pachyanta 3 2 Endangered 

6 Amphiblema monticola 6 6 Endangered 

7 Ancistrocladus korupensis 21 21 Endangered 

8 Malouetia barbata 3 2 Endangered 

9 Petchia africana 8 4 Endangered 

Source: Check et al 2007 

1.2.3.2 FAUNAL BIODIVERSITY 

The Status and Trend of the Cameroon faunal diversity as summarized in table 23 

shows that it is generally diminishing particularly with reference to wildlife species. 

Studies in the Bakossi Highlands show an extraordinary rich fauna. Table 23 shows some 

information on the richness of some faunal species. This downward trend is due to its impact 

on wildlife habitats through various activities like agriculture, logging, infrastructure, bush 

fires and climate change. 

Table 23 State of Cameroon’s Faunal Biodiversity 2008 

Nature Nº of Species Endemic Endangered Extinct New Discoveries 

WILD FAUNA 

Mammals 

Reptiles 

Snakes 

Amphibians 

AQUATIC 

Fishes 

Ophidians 

Birds 

Insects 

Crustaceans 

Mollusks 

409 

230 

150 

381 

451 

850 

2084 

3 genera 

25 species 

11 

57 

40 

9 species of 

turtles 

20 (rotifera) 

Korup 57 familes 

389sp 

67 spp of termites 

DOMESTICATED 

FAUNA 

Cattle breeds 

Horses breeds 

Donkey breeds 

Sheep breeds 

Goats breeds 

Dogs breeds 

Pigs breeds 

Poultry 

Cane rats breeds 

Rabbits 

6.000.000 

17.438 

45.277 

3.500.000 

3.500.000 

? 

1.700.000 

14.000.000 

? 

47.277 

4 kapsiki/3Namdi 

Source: Department of wildlife, Ministry of Livestock 2008, IRAD 

1 Blackbelly 

1 (Bamiliki) 

4 

It has been noted that insect diversity information has greatly improved by about 

100% with the work done by the Central Entomology laboratory in IRAD, Nkolbisson: A 

total of 2084 insect species have been described under the following orders, families and 

species groups: 

33

Coleoptera ………. 11 families ………… 1214 species 

Orthoptera ………… 4 families ……………... 42 species 

Isoptera/Dictoptera… 4 families ……………..248 species 

Hymenoptera ……… 1 family …………… …116 species 

Lepidoptera ……….. 7 families ……………...237 species 

Hemiptera ………… 7 families ……………...219 species 

Diptera ……………. 4 families ………………...8 species 

TOTAL…………… 38 Families …………..2084 species 

Source: Dibog 2008 

Molluscs form an important category of small food animals and their breeding is carried out 

in some parts of the country (e.g the Centre and South West Provinces). 

Table 24 Faunal Richness of Lake Beme in the Bakossi Highlands 

Species Type Total Nº (Species) Endemic Strict Endemic New Discovery 

Fish 132 

Mammals 110 

Birds 330 

Reptiles 105 351 lizards spp 

62 snakes spp 

9 Chameleons spp 

3 Crocodiles spp 

Amphibians 113 50% 10 spp 6 spp 

Source: Chris Wild, Berthan Morgan, Roger Fotso 

Lake Beme in the Bakossi highland is the richest fresh water site for fish species worldwide 

(Box 4 and Table 24) 

Box 4: Biodiversity Treasures in Lake Beme-Cameroon 

Lake Beme (60ha) is the richest fresh water site for fish species worldwide 

It has an intact micro flock of Tilapia comprising nine endemic cichlid species 

Tilapia bakossiorum 

Tilapia gutturosa 

Tilapia bemini 

Tilapia imbriferna 

Tilapia bythiobates 

Tilapia spogotroktis 

Tilapia flava 

Tilapia synderae 

Tilapia thysi 

The Lake Beme species are a biparental custodial substrata-spawning 

community; 

The endemic species include phytoplankton and sponge-eating representatives; 

Small seasonal forest pools and streams throughout Bakossi lowlands 

support at least five species of killifish (Aphyosemion spp) which is endemic to 

Bakossi and the adjacent Rumpi Hills; 

The worlds largest frog, the Goliath frog (Conrauna goliath) is present up to 

700m in the eastern tributaries of Kupe and Mwanenguba; 

Mwanenguba and Bakossi host the richest assemblage of Chameleon species in 

Africa, with 9 species being endemic 

Source: Chris Wild, Berthan Morgan, Roger Fotso 

Of the 23 endemic taxa listed in Bali-Ngemba, 12 are considered as strict endemics i.e. 

only known from Bali-Ngemba and 11 as near endemic (Cheek et al 2004) 

The highlands of Western Cameroon are considered an Endemic, Bird Area containing 30 

restricted range species, 10 of which are recognized as vulnerable. 

At least 10 species of amphibians are considered to be strictly endemic to the Bakossi 

Mountains. 

The Takamanda Forest Reserve (only 67.6 km 2 ) has a great diversity of plants and 

animals (Table 25). 

34

Table 25: Biodiversity Richness of the Takamanda Forest Reserve 

Species Total Number Endangered Newly Recorded 

Plants 950 (351 trees) ? 

Birds 313 ? 2 

Reptiles 81 ? 3 

Butterflies 111 ? 

Dragon flies 67 ? 

Fishes 166 ? 

Source: Sunderland et al 2004 

The Tree Fern Cyathea camerooniana Fig 13 is 

heavily threatened with extinction because it has 

long been used as a traditional fencing and 

building materials and other artisan works by 

rural communities of the tropical dense forest 

and tropical wooded savannah. It’s common 

habitats are forest and stream banks: 1200 to 

1450 metres ASL. 

Table 26. Species Vulnerability in Cameroon Highlands. 

Area Km² 

Mt. 

Cameroon 

1.100 

Highlands 


38.000 

Source: Cheek, 2004. 

Fig 13: Tree Fern Cyathea camerooniana 

Photo curtsy of Christo Van de Rheede 

Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Butterfies Plants 

R E R E R E R E R E R E 

126 2 403 3 55 0 81 5 36 2 3500 

138 11 573 7 38 9 89 15 47 5 3700 

Red List of Some Animal Species in Cameroon 

(from wildlife sources in Takamanda Forest Reserve) 

The Terrestrial Tortoises ……………………..Kinixys homeana 

Kinixys erosa 

Dwarf Crocodile ……………………………...Osteolaemus tetraspis 

1.2.3.3 DOMESTICATED ANIMAL DIVERSITY 

Animal breeding in Cameroon is classified into formal animal breeding involving 

ruminants and small ruminants and then informal breeding involving lower animal species 

(reptiles, birds, amphibians and smaller rodents). 

1.2.3.3(a) Conventional Animal Breeding 

So far, 10 species of animal species are reared nationwide .From a generalized 

assessment, it should be noted that within the species there are many breeds or varieties. 

Table 27 summarizes the current livestock situation in Cameroon in 2008. 

35

Cameroon has an important diversity of cattle species. Sixteen (16) species have been 

identified as shown on table 27 (a) below. 

Table 27 (a) Various breeds of domesticated animals in Cameroon. 

A ) Cattle Breeds Number of Year of Characteristics 

Heads Survey 

Bakossi 1000-1300 1984 Short horn in the Menengouba mountain regions 

of the South West Province. 

Bakweri Unknown Foot of Mount Cameroon 

Bamileke Extinct 0 

Banyo or Adamawa Gudali 1060000 1999 Composite species of the Gudali in the 

Adamawa and Bororo with the red collar , in the 

Adamawa Province 

Shuwa or Arab Choa 50000 1992 

Kapsiki or Kidri 3289 1985 Far North Province at Mokolo, Mandara 

Kuri 2350 1993 Long horn of the Lake Chad Basin 

Mbororo with white collar 140000 1999 North west and Adamawa provinces 

(white fulani, Akou, 

Bonanji) 

Mbororo with red collar (red 1570000 1999 Long horn, North Cameroon 

Mbororo, Djafoun) 

Doayo (Namchi) 6960 1992 Poli, North Cameroon 

Ndama (Futa, Fouta jallon) 2000-2500 1992 Palm plantations in the Littoral and South West 

Ngaoundéré, Foulbé, Peuhl 140420 1993 

Préwakwa 0 0 Brahmanx Adamawa, originates from Wakwa, 

5800 1993 

Yola (Foulbe of Yola) 0 0 Gudali blood of the Adamawa and Muturu 

Source:Les bovins du Cameroun : http://dad.fao.org/ 

According to FAO, eight (8) sheep species varieties have been summarized on table 27 (b) 

below while seven (7) goat species appear on table 27 (c) 

Table 27 (b) Various breeds of sheep in Cameroon. 

Sheep Breeds Number Characteristics 

Bornu (balani) Unknown Fualni variety in North Cameroon for 

meat production 

Dorset Unknown Imported from USA to the Mankon 

station Bamenda for Wool production. 

Katahdin Unknown Imported from USA to the Mankon 


Kirdi/Massa Unknown African naine variety from the West in 

the northern provinces for meat 

production. 

Nain from West Africa or Unknown 

Indegenous species in the Savanna areas 

Djallonké 

for meat production. 

Peuhl or foulbe (fulan) Unknown Indegenous species in the North and 

Adamawa for meat production. 

Suffolk Unknown Imported from USA to the Mankon 


Uda or felleta or louda Unknown Fulani variety for the production of meat 

Woila 

Fulani variety 

36

Table 27(c) Various breeds of goats in Cameroon. 

Goat Breeds Number Characteristics 

Desert or Sahel goats Unknown Importted from Chad to Cameroon 

Kirdi goats Unknown Nain varieties from West Africa are 

found in North Cameroon. 

Red Sokoto or Maradi goats Unknown Imported from Chad 

West African or Djallonké Nain Less than 2535000 in 1990 

nubian Unknown Imported for milk 

Saanen Unknown Imported for milk 

Toggenburg Unknown Imported for milk 

Sourcee: MINEPIA, Yaounde 2008 

Of the more than 16 cattle types, 3 are vulnerable or endangered (muturu – which is Bakweri, 

Bakossi; namchi, the kapsiki and the kuri.) some of the causes of the threats include the 

drying up and dwindling of its habitat(lake Chad Basin ecosystem), random cross-breeding by 

farmers. Cross breeding for dairy production goes on at a limited scale. 

One breed of cattle called the Bamileke is known to be totally extinct in Cameroon 

One breed of sheep called the Black Belly is actually endangered. 

1.2.3.3(b). Non Conventional Breeding 

This is a completely new area of animal breeding which focuses on small animal 

species (cane rats, snails, Guinea pigs, quails, frogs, rabbits, etc (See figure 14) 

Fig 14: Selected animal species used for non Conventional breeding 

With courtesy from PAPENOC 2007 

Within the programme of the Ministry of Livestock and fisheries, this breeding 

programme is managed under a project called “PROJET D’APPUI AUX ELEVAGES NON 

CONVENTIONNELS”. This project has extended its influence since 2007 to about nine 

provinces and has promoted income generating activities as well as encouraging self 

employment to the rural masses. It has recently been reported that products from some of the 

species used for this form of breeding are of great demand in markets even out of Cameroon. 

One genus of snails Achatina genus constitute a major source of proteins for some tribes in 

Cameroon. Some species of Cameroonian snails possess medicinal and comestique virtues. 

(MINEPIA 2008) 

Some information on non conventional breeding appears on Tables 28.and 29 below. 

37

Table 28: Summarized situation of non conventional breeders surveyed in 2007 

Provinces Centre East West South-West Total Average 

Species 

Information 

cane rats 8947 104 1042 308 10401 2600,25 

guinea pigs 4168 127 2543 56 6894 1723,5 

snails 3940 150 4 218 over 30000 + 40 000 + 10 000 

Source: MINEPIA - PAPENOC, Yaounde 2008 

Table 29 Cane rat culture information in cameroon 2002 - 2007 

Year 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 

Number 720 1200 4500 8000 9000 10401 

Variation - + 480 + 3300 + 3500 + 1000 + 1401 

Active Breeders 48 79 300 500 600 472 

Provinces Covered 02 05 09 09 09 04 

Source: MINEPIA - PAPENOC, Yaounde 2008 

The great variety of edible insects within the inhabitants of the various ecosystems is shown 

in Table 30 

Table 30: Diversity of Edible Insects 

Local names 

Ecosystem 

Locusts 

Savanna and Sahel 

Green grasshoppers 

Sahel, Savanna and Forest 

Termites (large) 

Savanna and forest 

Raffia palm beetles 


Caterpillars 


Elephant grass stocks beetles Savanna 

Crickets (one type) 

Savanna 

Source: Personal information Mbankenkhu M. .F. 2008 

1.2.3.4 AQUATIC DIVERSITY 

The marine and Coastal Environment in Cameroon has four main Characteristic areas:- 

- From Campo to the mouth of River Nyong 

- From River Nyong to Limbe 

- From Limbe to Idenau 

- From Idenau to Nigerian boarder. 

Fish production is about 75 000 tons/ year which is about 42 % of national 

production(180 000 tons). So far 38 species of fish have been identified in Cameroon’s 

continental waters, (Hamidou, 2008).Loss of aquatic diversity has been attributed to: various 

forms of pollution, over-exploitation, habitats degradation, poor capacity building, nonoptimization 

of use of traditional knowledge. 

1.2.3.5 MICROBIAL BIODIVERSITY 

Microbial diversity in Cameroon has been classified under bacteria, fungi and viruses. 

These three classes influence the Cameroon economy in the areas of agriculture, forestry, 

health, commerce and industries. Reporting on microbial biodiversity Nwaga (1998) they are 

a potential which is unexploited in Cameroon and can be useful to produce many products 

such as beverages, food, proteins, solvents, bio-fertilizers, bio-pesticides and minerals. The 

Identifications carried out so far resulted to the summary outlined below (see inventory of 

mycorrhizal mushrooms and Fig15) 

38

The main microbial groups reported are:- 

Mushrooms: 

- Basidiomycotina (Boletus, Edible, Mycorrhizal) 

- Glomeromycotina (Mycorhizas, Biofertilizers including 45 identified species, ) 

- Deuteromycotina (Pathogens for bio-control or food technology) Trichoderma 

- Mastigomycotina (pathogens, Saprophytes; Phytophthora, Agent causing black pod 

disease in cocoa) 

- Ascomycotina (Saccharomyces) used in beer and alcohol manufacture 

- Lichens (101 species identified) 

Species of Mycorrhizal fungi found in forest soils of the Tropical Dense Forest 

Ecosystem 

Acalauspora scrobiculata Trappe 

• Acalauspora mellea Spain &Schenk 

• Acalauspora rugosa Morton 

• Acalauspora denticulata Sieverding & Toro 

• Entrophospora Columbiana Spain 

• Scutellospora calospora (Nil. & Gerd.) Walker & Sanders 

• Scutellospora pellucida (Nicol & Schenk) Walker and Sander. 

• Gigaspora gigantea Nicol& Gerd.) Gerd.& Trappe 

• Gigaspora decipiens Hall & Abott 

• Sclerocystis pachycaulis Wu & Chen 

• Glomus microaaggregatum Koske Gemma & Olexia 

• Glomus caledenium Nicol. & Gerdemann 

• Glomus geosporum Nicol. & Gerdemann 

• Glomus intraradices Schenk & Smith 

• Glomus nanolumen Koske & Gemma 

• Paraglomus occultum Walker 

• Glomus claroideum Schenk & Smith 

• Glomus manihotis Howeler, Sieverding & Schenk 

• Glomus clarum Nil. & Schenk 

• Glomus mossae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Gerd. & Trappe 

Source: Nwaga 2007 

Fig. 15; Mycorrhizal Fungal diversity in Cameroon 

Through the correct use of mushrooms and bacteria, it is possible to produce a variety of 

products which can be useful for domestic purposes and for the improvement of the economy 

as evidenced from the use of bio-fertilizers from mycorrhizal fungi, legume nodulating 

bacteria and phosphorus solubilizing bacteria, fig 16. 

Mycorrhizal 

Root nodules 

2 products developed 

1-Mycorrhizal fertilizer for all crops 

2- Rhizobia:fertilizer for legumes 

3- MSP: on-going bio-stimulant. 

These bio-fertilizers have been tested in farms since 1996 in collaboration with IRAD, IITA and 

CARBAP in the Northern provinces, in the Western and Southern provinces of Cameroon; they 

have been recommended by the Cameroon committee Bio-science since 2001 and have been 

proved to improve yield from 50 to 200% according to the particular crop and the soil. 

Fig.16: Biofertilizers developed from mycorrhizal fungi and legume nodulating bacteria 

However, it has been noticed that the use of microbial diversity has not been fully 

maximized in Cameroon as is the case of nitrogen fixing bacteria for legumes and the control 

of banana plantain nematodes. 

39

Forestry Biodiversity Underexploited 

Root nodules of a 

Nitrogen fixing tree 

Species – 

Eythrophleum spp 

Agricultural Biodiversity Underexploited 

Greenhouse plants of plantain and banana mycorrhizal 

increasing tolerance to nematodes, diseases and water stress 

Nitrogen fixing site 

and natural soil 

fertilization 

Fig 17: Legume Nodulating Bacteria Bemonstration 

Fig 18: Banana/Plantain torerence to drought 

demonstration using mycorrhizal fungi 

Bacteria 

Rhizobia: fertilizers for legumes (groundnuts, beans); Pseudomonade, Bacillus; bio-control 

agents of crop pests and diseases; Lactobacillus: for milk technology 

-Cyanobacteria (bio-fertilizer for rice) 

- Bacteria wilt of tomato and Irish potato 

-Other bacteria (actinomycetes : production of antibiotics). 

Viruses: 

-Human and Animal (Hepatitis, HIV, Ebola, cattle and pork pest, emerging diseases… ) 

-Crops (for crops like cassava and rice) 

Within the framework of microbial diversity, the following considerations have to be made 

- Microbes are important elements to be considered in biosafety in Cameroon at the 

level of risk assessments. 

- mycorrhizal fungi are associated in about 90% of the world crop species in 

agriculture, livestock, forestry and carbon fixation and accounts for improvement 

crop yield from 50 to 200% in Cameroon. (Nwaga, 2008) 

- There is already an inventory of mushrooms.(Onguene, 2000) 

- The nitrogen fixing bacteria are used for legumes, for soils fertility and results of 40 

to 100% yield improvement have been obtained on groundnuts, soybeans (Nwaga, 2008) 

- Aquatic bacteria (Spirulina in Lake Chad, Cyanobacteria) have been identified. 

Two case studies of fungi from Cameroon (one from the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve and the 

other from Campo Rain Forest Areas) have been mentioned here below. These case studies 

show that 271 distinct species of fungi belonging to 110 general in 58 families have been 

recorded in Mbalmayo (Douanla – meli, 2007) while more that 125 species of 

ectomycorrhizal fungi were identified in the Campo Forest. (Onguene, 2000) 

Case study: Fungi from Mbalmayo Forest Reserve 

Douanla-Meli, C. 2007. Fungi of Cameroon: Ecological diversity with emphasis on the 

taxonomy of Non-gilled Hymenomycetes from the Mbalmayo forest reserve 2007. VIII, 410 

p., Bibliotheca Mycologica, Band 202. J Cramer, Stutgart. Fungi of Cameroon is a 

contribution towards assessing the current macrofungal diversity associated with the 

ecosystems of Cameroon's southern forests, and evaluates the impact of deforestation and 

slash-and-burn on fungal communities and tracks the occurrence and changes to the fungal 

communities through the seasonal climatic variations. The identification of specimens with 

modern techniques has yielded a total of 271 distinct species, belonging to 110 genera in 58 

families. The overall recorded species were new to the Mbalmayo forest reserve, while 75 of 

the described species were new to Cameroon, and 11 new mycobiota were described. 140 

species of Aphyllophorales, Gasteromycetes and heterobasidiomycetes are included: 11 

gasteromycetes, 10 heterobasidiomycetes, 9 clavarioid fungi, 19 steroid fungi, 10 lentinoid 

fungi, 6 ganodermoid fungi, 14 Hymenochaetaceae and 61 Polyporaceae are documented. 

40

Case study: Mycorrhizal Association in Rain Forest of Campo 

This work deals with mycorrhizal associations in rain forests of south Cameroon under various 

disturbance regimes and stages in order to provide essential information on the roles of 

mycorrhizas (arbuscular mycorrhiza and ectomycorrhiza) in tree establishment and forest 

recovery. How disturbances affect the biodiversity of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi. 

More than 125 species of ectomycorrhizal fungi were identified, mainly from near pristine 

forests in ectomycorrhizal clumps, either near the stem base of Uapaca species or those of the 

Caesalpiniaceae, while one further fungal species was found in association with Gnetum. 

Among the ectomycorrhizal fungi, the Amanitaceae, Russulaceae, Boletaceae, and 

Cantharellaceae were well represented, whereas only a few species of Cortinariaceae, 

Sclerodermataceae, Gomphaceae, Clavulinaceae, and Hymenochaetaceae were observed fungi 

within the Tropenbos Campo Program (TCP) area. The same ectomycorrhizal fungi (and the 

same ectomycorrhizal trees) also occur in Korup National Park, Cameroon, even though soils 

and climate are very different between Korup and the forests of the TCP area. When 

Tetraberlinia bifoliolata. 

1.2.3.6 GENETIC DIVERSITY 

The diversity of plant and animal life reflects the diversity of genetic resources in 

Cameroon. 

a) Plant Genetic Resources are threatened by agriculture, logging, hunting, climate 

change, and sea level rise. Genebanks exist for the following agricultural species 

Cassava gene banks IRAD Ekona Potato gene banks IRAD Bambui 

Sweet potato gene bank IRAD Bambui Maize gene bank IRAD Nkolbisson 

Cocoa gene bank IRAD Nkoavon Cocoa gene bank IRAD Barombi Kang 

Coffee gene bank IRAD Nkolbisson Arabica coffee gene bank IRAD 

Foumbot 

Gene banks being setup: 

Vegetable gene bank IRAD Foumbot, the Limbe Botanic Gardens. 

The Green gene bank IRAD Dschang, Bertoua 

Oil palm gene bank IRAD la Dibamba 

Rubber gene bank IRAD Ekona 

Sorghum and millet – Maroua 

Maize and groundnuts – Sangeari Garoua 

Forage gene bank (grasses, legumes) IRAD Wakwa, Garoua, Nkolbisson. 

b) Animal genetic resources are grouped into wildlife and domesticated animals. For 

wildlife species, there are plans to cover 30% of the national territory to protected 

areas. For domesticated animals, action includes collection and multiplication of 

endangered species. An animal genetic resource committee exists within the Ministry 

of Life Stock and fisheries. Mbah (2007) recommends more investment for the 

maintenance and creation of more genebanks, putting up of proper infrastructure and 

development of human resources at all levels. 

1.2.4 INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES 

In Cameroon, species considered as invasive have been studied in isolation by 

research bodies and project organizations. Nwaga(2007) examines some common microbial 

crop pests and invasives and classifies them under fungi, bacteria and viruses, while Bokwe 

(2007) examines plants, animals, insects, fish invasive alien species and attributes some 

biodiversity habitat destruction and ecosystem degradation to uncontrolled behaviour of 

invasive species. Cheek (2004) studying the plants of Kupe Mwanenguba classified invasive 

species into wild habitat invasives, Crop Aliens and Weedy Aliens. He identified four crop 

41

aliens and over 25 weedy aliens in Kupe, Mwanenguba and the Bakossi Mountains. In Bali 

Ngemba, Cheek (2004) identified two taxa of invasive species, four alien taxa and 25 native 

weeds. Several IAS of wetlands have been reported to cause considerable damage to 

Cameroon Wetlands. Howard et al (2003), outlined the following wetland invasive aliens 

which have been identified in Cameroon as well. 

Eichhornia crassipes……….. Water Hyacinth 

plants 

fish 

Azolla filiculoides 

Red water fern 

Nypa palm 

Pistia stratoites ……………….Water Lettuce 

Mimosa Pigra…………………Giant Sensitive Plant 

Procambarus clarkia………….Lousiana Crayfish 

Cyprinus carpio……………….Common Carp 

Greater attention is now paid in the domain of IAS in Cameroon particularly with the 

planned GEF-Cameroon Project on the Development and Implementation of a National 

Monitoring and Control System Framework for Living Modified Organisms and invasive 

alien species under the GEF biosafty programme (UNEP). 

1.2.4.1 INVASIVE ALIEN MICROBIAL SPECIES 

Some attempt has been made on identifying and inventoring microbial Invasive Alien 

Species. Major common Invasive Microbial Species have been listed on Table.31 

Table 31: Some Major Common Invasive Crop Pests and Diseases in Cameroon 

Name Scientific name Symptoms or damages 

Striga (Pl) Striga sp. Sorghum, cowpea are the main hosts 

Fusariose disease (Fu) Fusarium oxysporum Oil palm hearth (30-50% incidence) 

Black pod disease of cocoa (Fu) Phytophthora megakarya Reduce cocoa yield (50-70%), chemical controls 

have failed 

Cocoyam root rot disease (Fu) Pythium myriotylum Tuber yield reduction from 50-70% 

Coffee berry disease (Fu) Colletotrichum coffeanum More severe on Arabica coffee 

Leaf spot (Fu) Mycosphaerella sp. Banana/plantain 

Aspergillose (Fu) Aspergillus flavus Chicken nanism, cancer in humans from 

groundnuts or maize feeds 

Anthracnose diseases, Egussi (Fu) Colletotrichum lagenarium Diseases incidence may reach 100% 

Cercosporiose disease, grapes (Fu) Phaeoramularia angolensis Fruits and leaf diseases 

Late blight of Irish potato (Fu) Phytophthora infestans May cause severe losses on tubers 

Leaf blight of cowpea (Fu) Ascochyta phaseolorum Defoliation and pod spots causing 30-100% 

losses on cowpea 

Flat pod disease of groundnuts (Fu) Pythium myriotylum May cause empty pod of groundnut in humid 

forest zones 

Bacterial wilt (Ba) Ralstonia solanacearum Tomato and Solanaceae wilt 

Tuber rot of cassava (Ba) Xanthomonas manihotis More severe in humid forest zones 

Rosette disease of groundnut (Vi) Groundnut Common Rosette Virus Groundnut stunting, mosaic, reduce growth and 

yield 

Cassava mosaic disease (Vi) African cassava mosaic virus Leaf growth reduction, distortion, yellowing 

Mosaic disease of cowpea (Vi) Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic (Vi) Leaf distortion, mosaic, yellowing 

Mosaic disease of cowpea and bean (Vi) Bean Common Mosaic Virus Leaf distortion, mosaic, yellowing 

Root rot of banana/plantain (Ne) Radopholus similis Root destruction and severe plant growth 

reduction 

Root-knot nematodes of vegetables (Ne) Meloidogyne spp. Wilting, yellowing, and stunting of tomatoes, 

peppers and egg plants 

Source: Nwaga 2007 Ba: Bacteria, Fu: fungi, Vi: Virus, Pl: plant, Ne: Nematode 

42

1.2.5. NEW DISCOVERIES 

Cameroon’s biodiversity is characterised with new discoveries of plants, animal and 

microbial species. A study of Floral, Faunal and microbial species has shown new additions in 

the various species list. The new discoveries in floral biodiversity between 2002 and 2006 are 

outlined in Table 32 (Onana 2008) 

Table 32 New Discoveries in Floral Biodiversity in Cameroon 

Year Family Scientific Name Plant Discoverer 

2002 BALSAMINACEAE 

DICHAPETALACEAE 

ORCHIDACEAE 

PALAMAE …………….. 

RUBIACEAE ………… 

SCYTOPETALACEAE 

Impatients frithii 

Tapura tchoutoi 

Angraecum sanfordii 

Bulbophyllum kupense 

Eremosptha barendii. 

Oncocalamus tuleyi 

Coffea bakossi……. 

Psychotria moliwensis 

Stelechantha arcuala 

Tricalysia lejolyana 

Rhaptopetalum geophylax 

Cheek 

Breteler 

P.J. Cribb & B.J. Pollard 

,, 

Sunderland ,, 

Sunderland 

Cheeek and Bridson 

« « 

« « S.E. Dawson 

Robbr Sonke & Kenfack 

Sonke & Céeck 

Check & Gasline 

STERCULIACEAE 

Tricalysia achoundongiana 

Cola cecidiifolia… 

Cola metallica….. 

Cola suboppositifolia 

Check 

Check 

Check 

Litt & Check 

VOCHYSIACEAE 

2003 ANNONACEAE 

BURMANIACEAE 

MIMOSOIDEAE 

MORACEAE 

PALMAE ……. 

PHYLLANTHACEAE 

PODOSTEMACEAE …. 

TRIURDACEAE 

VIOLACEAE 

2004 ACANTHACEAE 

APIACEAE 

BORANGINACEAE 

CHRYSOBALANACEAE 

DRYOPTERIDACEAE 

ORCHIDACEAE 

RUBIACEAE 

2005 BRUMANIACEAE 

CYOERACEAE 

RUBIACEAE 

SAPOTACEAE 

2006 LAMIACEAE 

RHIZOPHORACEA 

RUBLACEAE 

VIOLACEAE 

Korupodendron songwean 

Uvariopsis korupensis 

Afrothisma gesnerioides 

Newtonia duncathomasil 

Dorstenia poinsettiifolia 

Dorstenia poinsettifolia 

Laccosperma korupensis… 

Hyllanthus caesiifolius 

Phyllanthus nyale 

Ledemanniella onanae.. 

Kupea martinetuguei 

Rinorea fansteana 

Rinorea thomasil 

Justicia leucoxiphus 

Pecendanum kupense 

Afrothismia foertheriana 

Afrothismia saingel 

Magnistipula butuyei subsp. 

Balingembaensis 

Dryopteris glandulopsopaloata 

Bulbophyllum kupense 

Coffea fotsoana 

Afrothismia hydra….. 

Afrothismia korupensis 

Hypdytrum unispicatum… 

Aulacocalyx camerooniana 

Bartiera heterophylla 

Psychotria bakossiensis 

Phychotria geophylax 

Manilkara lososiana 

Clerodendron attanticum 

Cassipourea korupensis 

Coffea mapiana…. 

Rinorea letuzeyi 

Rinorea mezilii 

Source : Onana J.M 2006 – les Nouvelle découvertes de l’herbier National. 

Geraud & Kenfack 

Maas – Van de Kramer 

Machinder & Check 

Eng. Var. achoudongiana, « « 

etugeana, B.J Pllard 

Sunderland 

Hoffm & Cheek 

,, ,, 

Cheek 

Cheek & Williams 

Achoungong & Cheek 

Achoundong 

Vollesen Check & Ghogue 

1.Darbysh & Check 

Th. Franke, Sainge & Agerer 

T. Francke 

Sosthers, Prance & B.J. Pollard 

J.P. Rocux 

P.J. Gribb & B.J. Pollard stoffelen 

& Sonké 

Sainge & Franké 

,, ,, 

Sosef & D.A. Simpson 

Sonke & E. Darvon 

Sonke & Ngenbou 

Ckeck & sonke 

Check & Sonke 

Kenfack & Ewango 

Jongkind 

Kenfack & Sainge 

Sonke, Ngembou & A.P. Davis 

Achoundong 

Achoundong 

43

1.2.5.1. NEW MICROBIAL DISCOVERIES 

Characteristically, new species of micro 

organisms have been described in Cameroon. 

Aphelariopsis kupemontis a new species of fungus 

(Fig19) has newly been described in the Kupe 

Mwanenguba Mountain by Peter Roberts of the Kew 

Botanic Gardens. (Roberts 2001) 

Fig 19: Aphelariopsis kupemontis 

Courtesy by Peter Roberts (2001) 

1.2.5.2. NEW DISCOVERIES IN CAMEROON FAUNA 

New fauna species have been described in Cameroon, among which is a recently 

discovered species of snake (unidentified) in the North West Province (fig 20) 

Fig 20: New Species of Snake (unidentified) 

1.3 MAJOR THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS 

The major threats of biodiversity components in Cameroon result from direct and 

indirect activities of man and the impact of climate change. 

The direct activities include; 

- Habitat loss – destruction of vegetation 

- Land conversion to agriculture 

- Logging, 

- Industrial mining, 

- Road construction and urbanization 

- Pollution from chemicals 

The major indirect cause is climate change which leads to 

- increase in temperature, desertification ,drought, floods,erosion, landslide 

Within the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems: 

- Problems of pollution from petroleum, mining companies and agricultural 

Chemicals 

- Unsustainable exploitation of biodiversity resources in particular; 

- Population pressure on mangroves and over harvesting of aquatic resources 

- Uncontrolled implantation of plantations and construction of infrastructure. 

- Climate change - floods 

Within the Tropical Humid Dense Forests: 

- unsustainable harvesting of timber and non-timber products; 

44

- lack of care and proper value of forests; 

- uncontrolled forest fires; 

- unplanned occupation of forest reserve for extra forestry activities; 

- Pressure on forest resources for daily subsistence. 

- Climate change 

- Agriculture 

Within the Tropical Wooded Savannah Ecosystem 

- Uncontrolled fires; 

- Insufficient structures of conservation; 

- Inadequate knowledge of biological resources and their socio-economic importance; 

- Exotic breeds inadequate to local conditions due to stress, nutrition and illness; 

- Farmer-grazier conflict 


- Agriculture 

Within the Semi Arid Ecosystem 

- Uncontrolled bush fires; 

- Unsustainable harvesting of fuel wood and fauna; 

- Insufficient structures of conservation methods; 

- Farmer /grazer conflict; 

- Inadequate knowledge of biological resources and their socio-economic importance; 

- Draught and desertification 


- Agriculture 

Within the Montane Ecosystem 

- Over exploitation; 

- Impaired ecosystem function; 

- Inappropriate agro-pastoral techniques; 

- Inadequate management of ecosystems and the zone of influence. 


- Agriculture 

Within the Fresh Water Ecosystem 

- Inadequate knowledge of biological resources; 

- Unsustainable exploitation of ecosystem and components 

- Water pollution 

- Increased vulnerability of ecosystem 


- Agriculture 

- Drought, floods. 

1.3.2 THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY COMPONENTS 

The major threats and their causes within the various forms of biodiversity are 

outlined in Table 33. 

45

Table 33. Major Threats and their causes in Cameroon’s Biodiversity 

Biodiversity Type Main Threats Causes Of Threats 

Ecosystems 

- Poor land-use systems 

- Loss of Rangelands 

- Ecosystem services and 

characterization 

Floral biodiversity 

- Threats of species 

- Exposure of surface 

soils 

- Heavy loss of species 

- Unplanned land uses 

- Haphazard uses of land 

- Poor agricultural methods 

- Burning of grazing areas, 

over grazing 

- Soil compaction, Pollution 

- Soil erosion, flooding 

- unsustainable agricultural 

practices 

- Deforestation 

- Pests and diseases, over 

Exploitation 

- Uncontrolled hunting 

- Overpopulation of Wildlife 

- Human encroachment in PA 

Faunal Biodiversity 

Agricultural Biodiversity 

Aquatic Biodiversity 

Microbial Diversity 

- Threats to faunal species 

- habitat destruction 

- Protected Areas 

encroachment 

- Introduction of invasive 

species 

- Poor yields 

- Food insufficiency 

- Reduction of certain 

fish species 

- Loss of freshwater 

biodiversity 

- Loss of aquatic habitat 

- Introduction of wetland 

Invasive species 

- Loss of microbial 

biodiversity 

- Loss of agricultural 

soils 

- Epidermis on plant 

animal vectors 

- Pests and diseases 

- Poor farming methods 

- Pre and post harvest losses 

- Pollution of water courses 

- Draught of water masses 

- Pollution 

- Soil water erosion 

- Mining 

- Herbicides, Fungicides 

Compiled from departmental reports (MINFOF, MINEPIA, MINADER) 2008 

1.3.3 Implications of observed changes 

From the previous analysis, the various changes in the status of biodiversity in 

Cameroon have resulted in some implications which can be clearly observed. The logical 

implication of the above situation is that, if some of the of the causes of the prevailing threats, 

provoking the vulnerability of various species are not addressed, Cameroon may meet with 

considerable difficulties the 2010 Biodiversity Loss Reduction Targets. Under the aggressive 

leadership of the Focal Point Institution, serious measures need to be taken to address the 

change rapidly, in particular positive actions against the factors that have lead to the 

classification of the vulnerability and threats. In some cases where direct remedy of the 

situation cannot be done for instance in rehabilitating a national park, compensation measures 

can be done by creating an equivalent reserve like in the case of the CAMPO-MAAN 

National Park which was created to compensate for the Chad Cameroon Pipeline. 

It is true that Cameroon biodiversity in general has not been quantitatively and 

qualitatively valuated nor has its importance been clearly understood by the major 

46

stakeholders. It will be important for the government to incorporate the importance of 

biodiversity in all its sectoral policies. Biodiversity employs several categories of people in 

Cameroon. Many of them are authors and victims of biodiversity degradation notably women 

whose role in various biodiversity related activities is understudied. The rate of ecosystem 

degradation, threats, extinctions and discovery of some new animal and plant species has not 

yet been properly understood. Observations made from localized studies on project and 

research stations will give us an indication of what results from a general trend. Table 34 

summarizes the major implications from changes in biodiversity components. 

Table 34. Implications from Changes in Biodiversity Components 

Changes In Biodiversity Components Major Implications 

Ecosystems 

- No observance of land management regulations 

- Destruction of vegetation cover and poor land-use systems. 

Floral Biodiversity 

- Scarcity of over-used plant species 

- Threats and eventual extinction of many plant species 

especially those that thrive in association or are symbiotic to others. 

Faunal Biodiversity 

- Disappearance of wildlife species 

- Wildlife habitat destruction 

- Reduction of wildlife biodiversity 

- Increased wildlife population will encourage ecotourism but reduce 

wildlife variety which will eventually reduce the tourism industry 

- Migration of bird species 

On the environment 

- Increased run-off of rain water due to no vegetation cover 

- Increased soil erosion through floods 

- The micro-climatic pattern will change due to the role that the 

vegetation was playing. 

On health 

- Lack of vegetation especially in P A will affect the health and 

eventually the number of faunal species 

- Soil erosion and floods can badly affect food production 

Socio-Economy 

- Cameroon’s economy which has for long depended on 

biodiversity is drastically affected by destructive practices on 

biodiversity components 

47

CHAPTER II 

CURRENT STATUS OF NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY 

STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 

2.1 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NBSAP 

The objectives of the NBSAP were to provide analysis of the status and trends in 

Cameroon biodiversity, examine its problems and then make proposals on the strategies and 

actions for addressing the problems. 

The NBSAP was based on the “Ecosystem Approach” and the following six 

ecosystems were retained: 

1. Marine and Coastal 4. Semi Arid 

2. Tropical Humid Dense Forest 5. Montane 

3. Tropical Woodland Savannah 6. Fresh Water 

There are five main sections namely: 

a) The background and rational including the methodologies used in developing 

the NBSAP. 

b) Section II describes the current status of biodiversity in Cameroon 

c) Section III is the Problem Analysis 

d) Section IV contains the National Strategy, Cameroon’s vision and the guiding 

principles, strategic goals including specific objectives. 

e) Section V is the Action Plan which spells out specific actions to be undertaken 

in each ecosystem and the monitoring and evaluating system. The Action Plan 

contains a total of 28 objectives and 228 actions in all the ecosystem. There are 

executors and partners for every action, (Table 34). 

2.1.1 PRIORITY ACTIVITIES 

Important activities were prioritized in the NBSAP document. Within all the 

ecosystems, some activities were given VHP, HP and were expected to be executed within a 

specific period followed by a corresponding monitoring programme. In Table-35 VHP 

objectives with their corresponding actions (only numbers – see NBSAP document) are given 

in this report for the sake of the brevity. 

48

Objectives 

Table 35 

Priority Activities Outlined in the Cameroon NBSAP 

Priority 

Level 

Actions Per 

Objective 

Focal 

Point 

Duration 

(Yrs) 

I Marine and Coastal Ecosystem 

VHP 13 MINEF 5 

1. Promote activities and policies that ensure the sustainable and cleaner 

exploitation of biodiversity and reduce the vulnerability of the ecosystems 

2. To build, develop and strengthen capacities at all levels for the VHP 10 MINRET 3 

management 

and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems 

3. To check uncontrolled implementation of plantations and construction of VHP 3 MINEF continuous 

infrastructure 

4. Promote traditional knowledge of the use and value of marine and coastal VHP 3 MINREST continuous 

biodiversity 

5. Reduce man-made pollution of marine and coastal ecosystems VHP 5 MINEF continuous 

6. Promote biodiversity prospecting VHP 4 MINEF continuous 

II Tropical Dense Forest 

VHP 14 MINEF continuous 

1. Promote sustainable management and exploitation of tropical dense forests 

and resources 

2. To build development and strengthen capacity at all levels of sustainable 

management and the protection of forest ecosystems 

VHP 10 MINREST continuous 

3. To promote traditional knowledge of forest biodiversity and its socioeconomic 

importance 

HP 8 MINEF continuous 

4. To promote biodiversity prospecting VHP 5 MINEF 

III Tropical Wooded Savannah 


1. To promote sustainable management and exploitation of tropical wooded 

savannah ecosystems resources 

2. To build, develop and strengthen capacities at all levels to manage HP 10 MINREST continuous 

Protected tropical wooded savannah ecosystem 

3. To promote traditional knowledge of the ecosystem HP 6 MINEF continuous 

4. Promote biodiversity prospecting HP 4 MINREST continuous 

IV Semi-Arid Ecosystem 

1. To promote sustainable management and exploitation of semi-arid 


ecosystem resources 

2. To build develop and strengthen capacity at all levels to manage and 

protect semi-arid ecosystems biodiversity and its components HP 9 MINREST continuous 

3.To promote traditional knowledge of biodiversity and its socio-economic HP 6 MINEF continuous 

importance in the semi-arid ecosystem 

4. To promote biodiversity prospecting HP 5 MINREST continuous 

V Montane Ecosystems 

1. To promote sustainable management and exploitation of montane flora and VHP 14 MINEF continuous 

fauna resources 

2. To build develop and strengthen capacity at all levels to manage and 

protect montane forest ecosystem biodiversity and its components HP 7 MINREST continuous 

3. Promote traditional knowledge of montane biodiversity and its component 

parts 

HP 8 MINEF continuous 

and their socio-economic importance and values 

4. To promote biodiversity prospecting HP 5 MINEF continuous 

VI Fresh Water Ecosystems 

1. To promote sustainable exploitation of fresh water resources HP 11 MINEF continuous 

2. To reduce man-made pollution of fresh water ecosystem VHP 5 MINREST continuous 

3. To stop degradation of fresh water ecosystem HP 6 MINEF continuous 

4. To build, develop and strengthen capacity at all levels of the sustainable 

management of the protection of fresh water ecosystem 

VHP 7 MINREST continuous 

5. To promote traditional knowledge of fresh water resources HP 8 MINREST continuous 

6. To promote biodiversity prospecting HP 4 MINREST 3 

Source: Adapted from Cameroon NBSAP Document for the 4 th National Report on Biodiversity 

49

2.1.2 NATIONAL TARGETS AND INDICATORS 

2.1.2.1 THE NATIONAL TARGETS 

Mostly built up in the policies and the method of achieving national targets are 

envisaged in the policies, legal and institutional arrangements.. Main biodiversity policies, 

legislations and institutions are outlined in Table 36. 

Table 36: Policy, Legislation and Institutional Arrangements 

Biodiversity Policy Legal Framework Corresponding Institutions 

Sector 

Agriculture Agricultural policy Agric law, Law of Seed, Planting MINADER, IRAD 

materials, Phytosanitary Law 

Fishery 

Livestock 


Wildlife 

Research 

Water 

Genetic Resources, 

GMOs and IAS 

Environment 

Fishery Policy 

Livestock Policy 

Forestry Policy 

Wildlife Policy 

Research Policy 

Water Policy * 


Conventions 

Environment 

Policy 

Law on Fisheries 

Wildlife Law of 1994 

Research Regulations 

Water Regulations 

CBD, Cartagena Protocol, CITES 

Environmental Law 1996 

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock 

Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock 

Ministry of forestry and Wildlife 

Ministry of forestry and Wildlife 

Ministry of Research and Innovations 

Ministry of Water and Energy 

Ministry of Environ. & Protection of 

Nature 

Ministry of Environ. & Protection of 

Nature 

*Water Policy under adoption 

2.1.2.2 THE NATIONAL INDICATORS 

National indicators have been summarized in the NBSAP document for each 

ecosystem Table36 (NBSAP, Section5.4). These have been examined and tabulated under 

objectives, criteria, indicators and means of verification. 

Table 37: Objectives and Means of Verification on Activities in the NBSAP 

Ecosystem Number Of Number Of Indicators Means Of Verification 

Objectives 

1. Marine Coastal 

2.Tropical Humid Dense 

3.Tropical Wooded Savannah 

4. Semi Arid 

5. Montane 

6.Fresh Water 

6 

4 

4 

4 

4 

5 

29 

21 

21 

21 

21 

26 

25 

21 

23 

22 

16 

24 

TOTAL FOR ECOSYSTEM 28 139 131 

2.1.3 GLOBAL TARGETS AND INDICATORS 

Global Targets and indicators will be measured on the country’s involvement and 

implementation of bilateral agreements and international conventions related to biodiversity 

Already, Cameroon has ratified about 36 sub regional and international 

agreements related to biodiversity: Table 38 summarizes the various agreements and 

indicators. 

50

Table 38: International Agreements and Indicators 

Agreement/Convention Objective Implementation Indicator 

Regional Agreements 

ATO 

Chad Basin Commission 

Commonwealth Association of 

West African Traditional Healers 


UNFCC 

CCD 

UNCLOS 

CITES 

OMS 

WTO 

Organization of Tourism 

RAMSAR 

ITTO 

IITA 

A united agreement on the 

marketing of wood products from 

Africa. 

Sustainable use of the lake Chad 

fishing products 

Sharing experiences on traditional 

knowledge among tradipractitioners 

Implement the UNFCC at national 

level 

To arrest the advancement of the 

Sahara desert. 

For sustainable management of 

fishing products 

Ensures protection of Endangered 

plant and animal species 

Coordinates health problems world 

wide 

Regulates international trade 

Sets out tourism regulations 

Protection of Wetlands species 

Regulation of timber trade 

Stream-lining agricultural 

principles internationally 

Cameroon is a member 

Cameroon is an active member 

There is a Cameroon chapter 

Cameroon has its UN 

representation and fully 

implements the convention 

Cameroon is a member and 

implements the CCD 

Cameroon is a member of FAO and 

UNCLOS 

Cameroon is a member of the 

CITES Convention 

Cameroon abides to OMS 

principles 

Cameroon is a member 

The Gov’t of Cameroon applies 

them 

Cameroon signed the Ramsar 

Convention 

Cameroon abides by ITTO 

principles 

There is full representation in 

Cameroon 

It should be noted that Cameroon is very advanced in the building of capacities and 

synergies for the implementation of the three related conventions of the CBD, CCC, UNCD 

2.2 ACTIVITIES IN THE NBSAP 

2.2.1 THEMATIC PROGRAMMES 

Activities within the main thematic programmes have been built in the NBSAP through 

programmes in Agriculture, Forestry, Grazing, Fishery, hunting etc. This planning has been 

done in all the ecosystems. Illustrations are shown on Table 39 with mention on some 

examples taken from the Action Plan of the NBSAP 

Table 39. Examples of Activities on Thematic Programmes 

Thematic Area Corresponding Activity In Nbsap In What Ecosystem 

Wildlife and fisheries 

Establish protected areas and develop Coastal Marine 

management plans 

Wildlife, Forestry, Fisheries 

and livestock, Agriculture 


Fisheries 

Source: NBSAP Cameroon 1999 

Identify/Survey components of biodiversity 

Assure special planning of exploitation 

and prevent/control soil erosion 

Reinforce and/or establish tree planting projects 

Restore/rehabilitate degraded marine and 

coastal ecosystem and recover 35 threatened 

species of fish 

51 

All ecosystems 

All ecosystems 

Semi Arid Tropical Wooded 

SavannahCoastal and Marine

2.2.2: ON CROSSCUTTING ISSUES ADOPTED IN CBD 

Most of the cross-cutting issues adopted in CBD are mentioned in the COP 

decisions, See Table 40. 

Table 40: Cross Cutting Issues and References on Cameroon NBSAP 

Cross Cutting Issues Corresponding Activity In NBSAP CBD Adopted 

Reference 

1. Inventorying 

Biodiversity 

components 

Objective 1 /Action 1 in all ecosystems: 

Identify/Survey components of 

biodiversity for conservation 

2. Information Sharing Objective 2/ Action 2 Semi Arid Ecosystem: Encourage 

research on conservation and sustainable use of 

biodiversity and creation of data bank on semiarid 

biodiversity. 

3. Education Objective 2/Action7 Marine Coastal Ecosystem: 

Strengthen education awareness programmes 

4. Sensitization of Objective3/Action5. Semi-Arid Ecosystems: Sensitize 

Rural Communities 

the local communities on the sustainable 

utilization of semi-arid resources 

Art 7: 

Art 12/ UNEP 

Technical 

Guidelines 

Art 13 

Art 13 

5.Capacity Building 

6. Bio-safety 

Regulations 

7.Clean Technologies 

8. Conservation 

Policies 

9 Invasive Alien 

Species/GMO 

10 Climate Change and 

Combating 

Desertification 

11. Traditional 

Knowledge 

12. International 

Cooperation 

13. Taxonomic 

Development 

Objective 2 Action 1. Resource development and capacity 

building for technical education and 

Empowerment of local communities. 

Objective 2/Action 10 of Marine coastal, Tropical 

Dense Forest, Tropical wooded savannah and 

Objective 2/Action 9 of Semi-Arid Ecosystems 

Objective 2/Action 4, Dense Forest Ecosystem: Build/ 

strengthen bodies for research technology 

acquisition 

Objective 1/Action 2: Marine Coastal Ecosystems: 

Establish Protected areas to protect species, 

habitats. 

Objective1/Action 4: Describe and monitor impact of 

exotic species and genetically modified 

organisms 

Objective 2/Action 8 of Semi-Arid Ecosystem: Develop 

early warming systems for adverse natural 

factors especially climate change 

desertification, drought and other catastrophic 

incidents. 

Objective1/Action 7 in Marine Coastal Ecosystem 

Promote relevant traditional know-how and practices 

Objective 1/Action 8 of Semi-Arid Ecosystem: 

Promote international cooperation on regional 

issues and benefits from other countries’ 

experience, expertise and exchange of information 

Objective 2/Action 5 Tropical Dense Forest Ecosystem: 

Strengthen national taxonomic capacity 

Art 12 

Decision II/5 of 

COP 

Art 16 

Art 8 a-e 

Art 8, GMO 

Technical 

Guidelines 

Article 8(i) 

Art 18 

Art 7a 

2.2.3 SPECIAL CASE STUDIES 

2.2.3.1 ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION: 

It is worth noting that twenty special case studies (using 148 indicators) by TAI- 

Cameroon where conducted under the “Access Initiative Concept” aimed at achieving 

“Sustainable Development in Cameroon (Njamnshi et al 2008). “The Access Initiative” 

closely tied up with many principles of the CBD implementation in Cameroon is based on 

52

“Principle 10” which asserts that access to information, participation in decision-making and 

access to justice in environmental matters empowers citizens to share in sustainable 

development their main findings were:- 

- The need to establish a national committee on “Principle 10” 

- The need to put up the text of application on all laws which have not been covered 

by their text of application. 

- The enforcement of environmental legal instruments for the effective 

environmental democracy in Cameroon. 

- The strengthening of national capacities of various information sharing 

mechanisms in Cameroon particularly the CHM and BCH implementation. 

2.2.4 EFFORTS BY SPECIALIZED BODIES. 

2.2.4.1 THE CAMEROON ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (CAS): 

Founded in 1990, this national organisation of distinguished scientists has been making 

encouraging strides in implementing the CBD in Cameroon. Their efforts have been 

exceptionally demonstrative in the areas of information, education, research, the valorisation 

of biodiversity components and regional cooperation. In 1999, CAS organised a Central 

African Conference under the theme “Biodiversity Conservation” in which scientists of the 

Central African sub-region made contributions to the challenges on biodiversity resource 

management in Central Africa. “The Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences is 

regularly published and highlights information on biological resources, biotechnology. 

sustainable development and biochemical research on ecology, plant and animal species. 

2.2.4.2 THE BIORESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION 

PROGRAMCAMEROON (BDCPC)/CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY 

AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTCAMEROON (CBSDC) 

Since 1994, this NGO has been working on Cameroon’s biodiversity with special 

reference on its flora and factors that affect its sustainable use. Emphasis has been on 

inventory, forest dynamics, ethno-botany, research on the 50-hectare plot in the Korup 

National Park involving tree mapping is an indication of BDCP-C’s commitment in the 

knowledge of the resource base and as a measure of implementation Article 7 of the CBD. 

The Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development-Cameroon (CBSD-C) has been 

functioning since 1999 with special interest on the protection, sustainable management use of 

biodiversity and its components. In their main focus in recent years, activities have been:- 

Preparation of projects and participation in activities involving conservation of biodiversity. 

Collaborating with public and private sectors on sensitizing Cameroonians on the 

management of genetic resources for sustainable development. These have been achieved 

through education of youths, information sharing with biodiversity stake-holders. Very 

recently they appeared on the national media to announce their innovation on “e-learning 

programs” which will facilitate biodiversity education especially in institutions. 

2.2.4.3 The OCACAM 

OCACAM is an agro-ecological establishment working seriously in promoting the 

cultivation of mushrooms, and a species of birds commonly known as Quail scientifically 

called Coturnix japoma whose eggs are largely used in Cameroon. This establishment works 

more with rural women and youths of the Centre Province. It affords alternative activities 

which forest dwellers engage themselves and has interesting programmes to alleviate poverty. 

53

The rural masses in the Mbam Division of the Central Province are now taking mushroom 

cultivation as an economic activity which is seen to be spreading, (Okotiko, 2008) 

2.2.4.4 THE BETTER WORLD ORGANISATION 

This was set up in 1996 on the principles of training for employment and sustainable 

development. Their program on Urban Agriculture is aimed at 

Improvement of productivity 

Protect the environment 

Save biodiversity 

Their future plans involve: - agro-forestry, protection of endangered species, energy for 

conservation practices and capacity building especially the rural communities. 

2.3 PROGRESS IN IMPLEMENTING PRIORITY ACTIVITIES 

2.3.1 PROGRESS ON PRIORITY ACTIONS 

Priority actions aimed at the implementation of the NBSAP have been outlined in Table 

41. The measure of achievements has not been properly studied and therefore accurate scores 

are not known. 

It will summarize whether the objectives in the six ecosystems have been attained. 

Field actions or policies will be mentioned where possible. The Progress of Priority Actions is 

found in NBSAP document. 

Table 41: Concrete Results of Priority Actions and Activities 

Ecosystem Main Objectives Priority Actions Degree Of Achievements 

1. Marine and Coastal 

2. Tropical Dense Forest 

3. Tropical Wooded Savanna 

4. Semi Arid 

5. Montane 

6. Fresh Water 

6 

4 

4 

4 

4 

6 

38 

37 

35 

41 

34 

41 

No information 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

TOTAL 28 226 

Table 41 shows that the degree of achievement of the 226 “Priority Actions” expected 

to be undertaken in the six ecosystems is not known. This is because the Monitoring System 

recommended in the NBSAP has not been applied. The common action in all ecosystems is 

“To Promote Biodiversity Prospection”. This is being achieved on a number of biodiversity 

components – plants, animals, insects, birds, fishes, micro-organisms as is evidenced in new 

discoveries of plants and insects (see Table 44). A total of 139 indicators and 131 means of 

verification have been programmed in the monitoring system, (Table 33). 

2.3.2 CONCRETE RESULTS ACHIEVED 

Information on “Results Achieved” has been contributions from various stakeholders 

in biodiversity with a variety of executors in the various domains as seen in the column of 

executing partners. Their contributions have been the current information received from field 

observations and reports from their field monitors. 

54

2.4 FUNDING DEDICATED TO PRIORITY ACTIVITIES 

2.4.1 DOMESTIC FUNDING: 

Domestic funding can be seen through: 

- Government activities through various ministries which are: MINFOF, MINFOP, 

MINADER, MINEPIA, MINREST. 

- Private Enterprises on Biodiversity - Agriculture 

- Logging enterprises 

- Fishing companies 

- Grazers 

- Hunting 

- Agro-industrial Groups : CDC, HEVECAM, PAMOL, SOCAPALM. 

- Research Bodies - Plant Pathology 

- Universities - Education programmes on Biodiversity 

- Training on Biotechnology 

- Discoveries on new species 

- Findings in micro-biology 

2.5 PROGRESS IN THE CBD IMPLEMENTATION 

The implementation and the monitoring of the CBD activities in Cameroon has been 

an important consideration to Cameroon’s resources management priorities. Biodiversity 

stake-holders have been collaborating with Government institutions to ensure the effective 

implementation of the CBD in Cameroon. Bokwe (2000) in a survey of the implementation 

rate of the CBD in Cameroon found that considerable effort was deployed by Government 

and civil society in implementing the CBD in Cameroon. This was achieved through the 

revised policies, the legal framework and the remodeling biodiversity- related institutions. 

After Cameroon ratified the CBD in 1994, 

- Laws in some biodiversity domain (forestry, fishery, wildlife and environment) were 

revised 

- The Ministry of Environment and Forestry was created 

- Strategic Action Plans were put up 

In the area of biosafety, Mbantenkhu (2007) shows in a comprehensive report, that Cameroon 

is implementing the Cartagena Protocol as required. The important area in CBD 

implementation appear in Section 2.5.1. 

55

2.5.1 CAMEROON CBD IMPLEMENTATION PLAN 

CBD 

OBJECTIVES 

CONSERVATION 

SUSTAINAINABLE USE 

EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION 

BIODIVERSITY 

ACTION PLAN 

NATIONAL 

STRATEGY ON 

RULAL SECTOR 

ENV. ACTION 

PLAN 

FOREST ACTION 

PLAN 

SECTORIAL STRATEGY 

OF LIVESTOCK, 

FISHERS & ANIMAL 

HUSBANDRY 

CONSERVATION 

EXPLOITATION –GEN-RESOURCES----MODERN BIOTEC 

INSTITUTION SETTING 

POLICY & REGULATIONS 

TRAINING & RESEARCH 

BIOSAFETY 

INFORMATION 

CHM 

BCH 

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY & LAW 

FOREST POLICY & LAW 

Cartegena Protocol 

Biosafety law 

Committee on Biosaftely 

GMO/IAS Control Board 

FOREST MANAGEMENT DECLARATION - 

COMIFAC -Yaounde Declaration 

INVENTORIES, FISHERY REGULATIONS 

MICRO-ORGANISMS 

ACTION PLAN 

ACCESS & BENEFIT 

SHARING PLAN 

1994 COP1 . DECISION 1/1-1/13 

1995 COP2 . DECISION II/1-II/23 

1996 COP3 . DECISION III/1-III/23 

1998 COP4 . DECISION IV/I-IV/19 

2000 COP5 . DECISION V/1-V/29 

2002 COP6 DECISION VI/1-VI/32 

2004 COP7 . DECISION I-36 VII/1-VII/36 

2006 COP8 . DECISION VIII/1-VIII/34 

56

2.5.2 SUCCESS IN IMPLEMENTING THE CBD 

Cameroon’s success in implementing the CBD can be assessed from the following 

achievements 

A . UNEP Implementation Obligations 

- Submitting the First, National Report …Submitted………………….…1998 

- Submitting the Second National Report ………………………………. 2003 

- Submitting the Third National Report ………………………………… 2006 

- Adoption of NBSAP using the Ecosystem Approach………..………….2002 

- Preparation of the National Biosafety Guidelines……………………….2003 

- Ratification of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.…………...……….2003 

- Enacting the National Law on Biosafety……………………………… 2003 

- First National report on Biosafety for Cameroon………………………..2007 

B. CBD Implementation-Related National Programmes 

Creation of an enabling environment for CBD implementation 

- Revision of Forestry, Fishery, Wildlife law………………………………1994 

- Designation of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as Focal 

Point CBD………………………………………………………………. 1994 

- Creation of the Ministry of Environment and Protection of 

Nature –Focal Point CBD ……………………………………………… 2004 

- Creation of the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife ……………………… 2004 

- Revised system of granting logging concession to ‘ufa’ 5 type 

- Fisheries, Livestock - Sectoral Stategy for livestock, fishery and Animal Industry 

- Agriculture – Emergency Agricultural Plan, Rural Sector Development Strategy 

- National Forestry Regeneration Programme of MINFOF 

- Programme “Villes Vertes” Ministry of Environment and Protection of Nature 

working with Local councils in promoting the planting of Environmentally Friendly 

trees within cities and towns. 

- Competition for clean cities and towns programme where biodiversity conservation 

is the principal criteria and MINEP provides incentives to the winners . 59 Divisions 

are involved. 

- Implementation of Principle 10 on Public Access to Environmental Information, 

Public participation in Decision Making in Environmental matters and Acess to 

Environmental Justice. (MOU signed with a coalition of national NGOs and some 

publications done. 

C. Public Awareness 

National Institutions are helping to disseminate the importance of biodiversity 

- Cameroon Academy of Science Workshops and publications on biodiversity 

- BDCP-C 

- CBSD-C 

- Enviro-Protect 

- LANEC 

- AEPE 

- NESDA-CA 

- BETTERWORLD 

- Musee Ecologique du Millenaire, Yaounde 

- Botanic and Zoological Gardens-Limbe, Mvog-Betsi, Saboga, etc 

5 ufa is the forest management unit term used to award logging concessions 

57

- Many national NGOs on biodiversity programmes 

- Media: Radio Environment, TV programmes 

D. Bio-Prospection 

- IMPM 

- BDCP-C with Pharmaceutical Companies abroad 

- MOCAP (Mount Cameroon Prunus Management Common Initiative Group) 

- National Cancer Institute USA 

- AIDS Free Africa 

E. Educational and Research Programmes 

Environmental Education 

- Built in school Curricular, 

- University of Buea has a Department of Environmental Sciences, 

- Development and research in Biotechnology-University of Yaounde I, University of 

Buea 

- Department of Plant Biology (Forestry-Biodiversity Unit), exists in the University of 

Yaounde I 

- University of Ngouandere – Faculty of food and Nutrition, Food Processing. 

- University of Dschang- Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry, Soil Science and Animal 

sciences. 

- IRAD – Research Unit for Biodiversity 

- Technical Institutions related to biodiversity 

• Colleges of Agriculture. 

• The School of Forestry Mbalmayo. 

• College of Wildlife Garoua 

• Schools of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 

F. Information Sharing 

- CHM of CBD created since 2000 

- BCH 2003 

G. Bilateral and Regional Cooperation 

- Lake Chad Basin Commission 

- Yaounde Declaration 

- COMIFAC 

- Economic and Monitary Community for Central African States 

- Economic Community of Central African States 

- AU Interstate phytosanitary council 

- Others 

H. NGOs and other Stake-holder participation 

- National NGOs on biodiversity… 

- International NGOs on biodiversity…. 

I. Conservation and Measures to Combat Desertification 

- Operation Sahel Vert ……… 

- Heifer Project farmers have planted 46,436 fodder trees in the North West Province 

J. Project Activities 

Several projects related to biodiversity are being undertaken in Cameroon. Some have 

been completed, others are on-going while others are planned.(see information on table… on 

Nations projects on Biodiversity 

58

K. Assistance to CBD Meetings 

Cameroon has regularly participated in the following CBD meetings: 

- All meetings of Conference of Parties - All meetings of SBSTTA; 

- All meetings of special panels and groups; Specific meetings 

L. Concrete CBD Historical Land Marks 

As a result of the implementation of the CBD in Cameroon the following structures / 

Organisations now exist: 

- A CBD Focal Point ministry delegated with a focal point recognized by UNEP. 

- A national Biodiversity Committee, a National Biosafety Committee. 

- A Clearing House Mechanism containing all national information on biodiversity 

and the CBD Processes. 

- A Biosafety Clearing House containing National information on biosafety and 

modern biotechnology: 

- The Law of Biosafety and its text of application. 

- The GMO/ IAS Movement Control Board (to be created). 

- Several studies on ethno-botany and biodiversity issues 

- Cameroon Biosafety Report for the Period 2003-2007 

Box 5: Heifer Project Capacity Building 

Project slogan: “Living Hope for Hungry World’’ 

Began since 1974 Heifer Cameroon operates in 5 provinces in the Republic. It has practically 

demonstrated at community level the appropriate techniques for conserving and managing various 

forms of biodiversity to achieve sustainable development livestock production. In 2003 they succeeded 

in assisting over 10 000 resource limited families through placements of various species of livestock 

(dairy cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, rabbits, poultry, snails, bees and fish), training, production material 

and technical support, the building of and educating grassroots organisations. Their activities are 

summarised in five main compartments:Hiefer Cameroon 2003 

Table 42 Summary of Heifer Project Activities in Cameroon 

Technical Socio-Economic 

training Development Training 

Training in 

Animal 

Farming 

Rabbits 

Administrative Educational 

Project Partners/Collaborators 

Local Collaboration 

Participative Marketing 

The Ministry of Livestock Fishery Traditional Councils 

self evaluation 

and Animal Industries 

Poultry Record Basic accounting The Ministry of Agriculture Traditional Rulers 

keeping techniques 

Goats Use of manure Pig marketing The Ministry of Scientific Mayor 

Research and Innovation 

Sheep Agro-Forestry Micro-economic dev’t INADES Formation S.D.O 

Animal 

traction 

Community 

Animal Health 

Gardening 

Institute of Agric research for 

development IRAD 

Bee farming 

(happiculture) 

Leadership 

Ethnoveterinary 

Medicine uses. 

Fruit tree Margotting 

and Grafting. Cocoyam 

treatment 

Plantain planting. 

Food storage and post 

harvest loss 

Diary cattle gender HIV-AIDS Education 

Source: Heifer Cameroon 2003 

SIRDEP Bamenda. 

Voluntary service oversears. 

Pan African Institute for Rural 

Development Buea,University of 

Dschang,University of Buea, 

Catholic University of Central 

Africa. 

The American Peace Corps, 

Cameroon 

Government 

Delegates and Urban 

Councils, 

59

Participation of Local Population: In Implementation the CBD 

Under the programme of Biodiversity Conservation in Cameroon: 1995-2003 the local 

population was involved in the management of biological resources through the following 

programmes: 

- Formation of mix-control teams comprising state Eco-guards and representatives 

of the local communities 

- Formation of Vigilance Committees as the case in Kupe, South-East, Kilim Ijim 

- Creation of the committee of Valorisation of Wildlife Resources (COVAREF) and 

Wildlife Village Committees for the management of the exploitation of Prunus 

- Creation of the “l’Union de Comités Villageois de Faune” (UCVF) for the joint 

management of the hunting zone in the savannas, the groups for exploitation of 

Prunus in Mount Cameroon and the management of community forests. 

- BetterWorld Cameroon is a strategic youth framework programme meant to be 

used for improving capacities and provide environmental education among youth 

groups with a view to reversing biodiversity loss. 

Promotion of best practices and standards that emerge from 

sustainable development programmes through the use of 

communication, case studies brochures, advocacy and study visits. 

2.5.3 CONTRIBUTION BY SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY ON CBD 

IMPLEMENTATION 

The Cameroon Scientific community has shown a lot of interest in the implementation of the 

CBD and has demonstrated this through various publications as outlined in Table 43 

BOX 6: Contribution by the Cameroon Scientific Community on CBD implementation 

Title of Document Scientific Community Nºof Scientific 

Articles. 

1. Bio-science and Biodiversity Vol.5, 1998 Cameroon Bio-science 58 

Society 

2. Bioscience and Biotechnology for Sustainable Cameroon Bio-science 58 

Development Vol.6,1999 

Society 

3. Conserving and Managing Biodiversity in Central Cameroon Academy of 18 

Africa: Global Challenges and Local Solutions. 

Sciences 

4. Towards a Bio-safety Policy, Framework for Cameroon Bio-safety 12 

Cameroon, States and Perspectives 

Committee. 

5. Quatrième Conférence Technique Internationale sur J.M. Fondoum 1 

le Ressource Phytogenetiques. 

6. PROJECT REPORTS ON : 

7. AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY. 

8 FOREST BIODIVERSITY 

9.WILDLIFE BIODIVERSITY 

10.FISHERY.BIODIVERSITY 

11.MICROBIAL DIVERSITY International network on 45 

plant Biotechnology 

(BIOVEG) 

60

BOX 7: The Limbe Botanic and Zoological Garden (LBG) 

Established in 1892, this “Biodiversity Hot Spot” near Mount Cameroon serves as Cameroon’s 

Conservation, Education and Research Centre in biodiversity. In a widened vision in 2006, it now 

promotes biodiversity education, information, research and extensive services. Presently, LBG 

focuses and responds to national biodiversity concerns and has been instrumental in the 

implementation of the CBD objectives in Cameroon. Their conference hall and a library are facilities 

where national biodiversity issues are examined. Actions of the NBSAP can be identified in the 

Garden’s mission through its programs on plant and animal surveys, horticulture, landscaping, 

conservation technology, development and extension services. Case studies on technology 

conservation are seen through their Snail Farming Demonstration, Bee Farming and the Gene bank 

on Gnetum spp from 36 provenances within five provinces in Cameroon. 

The Garden’s extension services on Prunus africanum also demonstrates their special 

emphasis on the sustainable management even at the level of species particularly those threatened 

with extinction. LBG’s new dimension envisages its expansion as a modern biodiversity education and 

research centre capable of handling and intervening on biodiversity issues in Cameroon while 

benefiting from its traditional synergies and cooperation with similar institutions world over. LBG’s 

GIS/Mapping and Spatial Analysis Database has rendered services like providing information for landuse 

coverage and the ‘ufa’ limitation in the nation’s logging zones, (Mbome et al 2005). 

2.5.4 MAIN OBSTACLES IN IMPLEMENTING THE CBD 

The following are among the main obstacles in implementing the CBD in Cameroon. 

Insufficient financial allocations 

Although CBD implementation is expected to be country driven, Government does not 

allocate sufficient finances for implementing the CBD. This greatly affects the level of 

response and attention required by the CBD organs. 

Operational Unit for Information at local level 

Due to several factors amongst which figure the lack of capacity, the young nature of 

the ministry, the national biodiversity focal point institution has experienced difficulties 

within the reporting period to coordinate and monitor other biodiversity stake-holders 

especially for the regular flow of information nation wide. 

Old Traditional Methods 

In many rural areas, old traditions and taboos in biodiversity-related activities have 

slowed down even impeded CBD implementation e.g. slash and burn farming method, 

shifting cultivation, farming along contours, etc. 

Insufficient capacities 

There is gross shortage of appropriate personnel in specialized domains like 

taxonomy, ecology, entomology, sylviculture, oceanography, molecular biology, malacology, 

etc. For the available fields, the working conditions are not encouraging. Due to economic 

crisis in the country and related adaptation measures, recruitment into the public sector was 

halted, leading to the non replacement of retiring staff. Most infrastructures deteriorated. Lack 

of funding impeded the realizations of the implementation of biodiversity and related 

activities (NBSAP). There was also insufficient public sensitization on biodiversity. For 

example in the National Herbarium, IRAD and some key institutions many retired staff was 

not replaced. For two years now, recruitment into the public service has resumed. 

Biodiversity Inventory 

Biodiversity inventory is crucial for baseline data establishment for its status and 

trends monitoring. The NBSAP of Cameroon recommended that inventory should be done on 

61

egularly basis, very few inventories have been carried out during the reporting period 

(Sunderland et al 2004, Cheek and Onana 2007). However, there is need to carry out nation 

wide inventories in the different ecological zones and fields. 

2.5.5 LESSONS LEARNT 

Among the many lessons learnt from the CBD implementation are: 

I. The need to collaborate with other nations and institutions for better principles in 

resource management. 

II. Cameroon learnt many lessons on biological resource management principles 

(especially through UNEP Guidelines) in preparation of important document-NBSAP, 

National reports, Biosafety Guidelines including the preparation and revision of 

policies and laws (sect 2.1.2, table 34). 

III. The CBD implementation activities like inventories of species show the true state of 

biodiversity in the country, the state of ecosystem, species, their habitats, rates of 

threats and new discoveries. Under-exploitation of biodiversity potentials have been 

shown in the areas of bio-fertilizers and bio-stimulants. 

IV. Coordination of stakeholder organizations\administrations is difficult due to 

overlapping roles and functions. 

V. Champions are needed within each administration/organisation 

VI. Problems of implementing the CBD have a global dimension e.g. 

• Several issues are handled at UN level through the UNEP 

• Rich countries are made to provide financial assistance notably in developing 

important activities. 

• Development of new products- bio-fertilizer as nitrogen fixing and green 

housing. 

VII. Important lessons have been learnt on the safe and peaceful ways of handling crossboarder 

biodiversity issues including delicate issues like LMO’s and IAS. 

VIII. The Convention has shown that national regulations on the management of biological 

resources are complementary to the international regulations. 

IX. The involvement of several experts at the national and international levels has led to 

exchange and sharing of experience in the field of biodiversity. 

X. There has been the creation of several civil society organizations dealing specifically 

with biodiversity in Cameroon. 

2.6 EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NBSAP 

The NBSAP came up with a comprehension assessment of the country’s biodiversity. The 

vision and the rational are being achieved because: 

• The processes expressed in the objectives and Action Plan are built on the 

existing national policies, laws and corresponding texts of application in 

various biodiversity domains in agriculture, fisheries, health, industry, 

livestock, etc. 

• The 9 objectives of the NBSAP Report (Section1.4, NBSAP) and the 

Importance of biodiversity (Section 1.5, NBSAP) are meant to inform the 

public on what exists, their expectations as well as individual and collective 

roles towards conservation and sustainable use of biological resources. 

• Through the NBSAP, all sectors in biodiversity are expected to be involved in 

management and sustainable use of their biodiversity components. The 

62

fishermen, herdsmen, hunters, exploiters, farmers… know what to expect if 

they do not conform to the regulations involving the correct use of resources. 

2.6.1 MEASURES TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE NBSAP 

Implementation of the NBSAP is implied in the execution of the activities in the 

“Action Plan” (Section 5.2 NBSAP). Section 2.3 of this Report, specifies the progress made 

in implementing the priority activities. However, most stakeholders are not yet aware of the 

existence of the NBSAP and their respective roles therein. This affects the implementation of 

the plan and conseaquently its effectiveness. 

2.6.2 CAN CURRENT NBSAP ADEQUATELY ADDRESS THREATS? 

The current NBSAP can adequately address threats in Cameroon’s biodiversity and 

has actually succeeded in doing that since: 

• The Ecosystem Approach was the underlying principle, activities in the Action Plan 

were recommended for each ecosystem. 

• It was built on a participatory approach, involving various biodiversity stakeholders. 

• The objectives of the CBD have been embedded in national policies, laws and 

regulations on biological resources management (fishery, forestry, wildlife, 

agriculture, livestock, etc). 

• There were appropriate amendments on biodiversity related laws immediately 

Cameroon ratified the CBD. 

• At sub-regional level there are cooperation ties with neighboring countries on rules 

and regulations on conservation of biodiversity especially as member countries have 

common shared resources, economic and monetary ties belong to regional biodiversity 

related conventions and are all parties to the CBD. 

• The existence of Commission on Forest for Central Africa regrouping countries of the 

Congo Basin Forest Ecosystems serves as an impulse for implementing the NBSAP. 

2.6.3 NEED TO REVISE PORTIONS OF THE NBSAP 

Ten years after the NBSAP was conceived, there is need to revise the NBSAP. The 

biodiversity status and trend and the “Action Plan” should be revised because: 

- Periods of some actions have expired; 

- Some actors in the “Action Plan” have changed titles/names and attributions; 

- Some correspondent government policies have been revised; 

- Financial allocations are not made as expected; their allocations have to be 

reconsidered especially considering Cameroon’s obligation to implement the CBD 

- In many ecosystems, priorities have changed, while COP decisions and 

Recommendations have to be adjusted to the actual situation. 

- Societal changes and economic adjustments require that some actions which were 

absolutely necessary at the time its adoption be completely revised. 

- The state of knowledge has evolved thus need for update revision. 

2.6.3.1 SUGGESTIONS TO REVISE NBSAP 

The following considerations should be made while revising the NBSAP: 

- Adaptation measures to negative trends and inclusion of new knowledge. 

- There is need to evaluate the implementation of the NBSAP by key sectors. A 

performance above 80% per sector will lead to its revision. 

- The participation of Grass-root organizations should be encouraged. 

63

- New policies and decisions on biodiversity management should be included. 

- Current demand drives and market trends of biodiversity products should be 

considered. Emphasis should be laid on need to fill up the gaps created by the lack 

of capacities. 

- Revisit actions which were not fully implemented and see how they could be fully 

implemented. 

2.6.3.2 SUGGESTIONS TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES 

Since obstacles on the execution of the NBSAP revolve on the lack of finances, 

adequate and suitable personnel, the following considerations should be made: 

- Increase budgeting allocations in all the areas of spending in biodiversity; 

- A policy statement to emphasis on the importance and need to implement all the 

activities in the NBSAP; 

- Members of Parliament should be sensitized on the importance of the involvement 

of grass-root organization and the need for corresponding budgetary allocation for 

NBSAP execution issues; 

- There is need to create a biodiversity committee separate structure which will be 

reporting to the CBD Focal Point Ministry and will be responsible in ensuring that 

the following areas are implemented: 

- NBSAP and CBD processes and decisions; 

- Monitoring, evaluating, review and reporting activities of the 

NBSAP/CBD and related services; 

- Identify any problems, gaps and propose solutions 

- Recommend on the best way of executing the NBSAP; 

- The structure should be equipped in finances and personnel 

64

CHAPTER III 

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION 

INTEGRATIONINTO OTHER SECTORS 

In Cameroon, Biodiversity conservation is integrated into eleven sectors and 

their relationship is summarised in Table 43 below: 

Operators in each sector have been sensitized on the need to sustain the services in 

each domain by:- 

- Operating in a manner to conserve or assist in sustaining the resource base. 

- Use the resource in a manner beneficial to the community 

Table 43. Biodiversity Conservation Integration into other Sectors 

Sector Integrated Activity Of Biodiversity Form ofIntegration 

Agriculture 

Health 

Rural 

Development 


Cameroon has five agro-ecological zones (Fig 11) Plantation 

agriculture in coastal marine ecosystems-rubber, banana, oil palm, 

- Peasant farming – Cocoa, coffee, food crops, vegetables in all 

ecosystems 

- Agricultural research- Five research stations 

- Microbial species and soil fertility-Mycorrhiza, Rhizobuim species 

Ethno-botanical studies - Korup, Bali Ngemba, Kupe Mwanenguba, 

Bakossi Pharmacopea Cameroon. Microbial species. 

Traditional medicine - used mostly in rural communities 

- Rural economy from sales of biodiversity products: fish, food, wood 

and medicine 

- Royalties from logging communities: benefits from community 

forestry 

- Housing and furniture manufacture, infrastructure from forest 

materials, mat, grass for 

roofing. 

- Logging in the marine coastal, tropical dense humid forest 

ecosystems 

- Firewood and NTFPs 

- Conservation through regeneration and creation of PAs 

- Sustainable use through forest management 

Use 

of 

environmentally 

sound technologies 

Use of hygienic and 

safe health practices 

Use 


environmentally 

sound technologies 

Use of sustainable 

forest resource 

management 

methods 

Fisheries - Industrial activities in the marine coastal, fresh water ecosystems – 

Conservation 

through application of UNCLOS and FAO Code of conduct for 

responsible fisheries 

- Destruction of Mangrove vegetation of Douala Estuary and Rio del 

Ray by drying fish, 

Construction and drying. 

Use of sustainable 

fishery resource 

management 

practices 

65

Mining 

Tourism 

Finance 

Trade 

&Industry 

Research 

- Destruction of biodiversity of the coastal and marine biodiversity 

- Destruction of vegetation along the 1500km Cameroon Chadian 

Pipeline 

- EIA programme before mining operations 

- Pollution in the coastal marine ecosystem 

- Biodiversity attractions-Wildlife in parks, beaches, landscape, 

botanic gardens, 

Ecotourism in all the ecosystems 

- Endemic and newly discovered species. 

- Safari hunting in the Woodland Savannah Ecosystem 

Domestic finances into biodiversity activities - Agriculture, forestry, 

fisheries livestock. 

- Finance in biodiversity related projects by foreign NGOs in 

Cameroon, WWF, GTZ, SNV, CARPE 

- Banks- ADB, Islamic Bank, WB processing and commercialising 

biodiversity 

Products-cash crops, timber. 

- Home-based industries on agriculture forests commodities 

- Wood industries, Agro-industries 

- Research in agronomy - IITA 

- Veterinary research – IRZV 

- Forest research, Research in biotechnology – University of Yaounde, 

University of Buea 

Use of land 

restoration mining 

practices 

Development and 

maintenance of 

touristic sites for 

continues and 

sustainable 

exploitation 

Financial 

investments towards 

environmental 

conservation 

projects 

Respect of 

environmental 

legislations in 

internal and external 

trade 

Research 

programmes aimed 

at sustainable use of 

environmental 

resources e.g. 

biodiversity research 

Education 

Professional schools on biodiversity related courses 

- University of Yaounde, University of Dschang, University of Buea; 

- School of Agriculture, Bambui; 

Inclusion 

biodiversity 

curricular 


in 

- Schools of Agriculture and Forestry, Mbalmayo, School of Wildlife 

Garoua 

- School of Agriculture, School of Veterinary 

Non 

conventional 

animal breeding 

The ministry of livestock now has a programme of non conventional 

animal breeding involving breeding of snails, frogs, guinea pigs, 

rabbits, cane-rats. 

Increased 

sensitization towards 

environmental 

conservation during 

the practice of this 

kind of breeding 

3.1 INTEGRATING INTO OTHER STRATEGIES AND 

PROGRAMMES 

Considerable efforts have been made to integrate biodiversity into other national plans 

and strategies. Section 3.2.1 summarises the strategies and programmes. 

66

3.1.1 POVERTY REDUCTION PLAN 

Concrete measures have been taken in the Poverty Reduction Plan on the following:- 

Efforts at National Level: 

- Promotion and strengthening of cooperative organisations – formed PNVRA, PNDP. 

644 fishermen and 2826 fish- farmers 

- PNDP manages programme the capital on natural resources (minerals, biodiversity) 

and they are financed by the world bank. 

- Professional training in the fields of agric, livestock, fisheries, with assistance of 

French Cooperation. 

Efforts at the Regional Level: 

- Building reference laboratories to analyse the quality of pesticides and pesticides 

residues to products in the sub-region. MINPLAN 2006, 

- Project on the Sustainable Management of Non-Timber forest products in Forest 

concession in Central Africa (with the technical and financial assistance of FAO) 

- Centre Africain des Recherches sur Bananiers et Plantains (CARBAP) regrouping 5 

Central African Countries, 

- Commission des Basin du Lac Chad 

- Central African Botanic Garden and Arboreta Network (CABGAN), where Limbe 

Botanic Garden is a member 

- African Botanic Garden Network (ABGN) 

- Cameroon Bio-sciences Society 

- Reseau des Aires Protégé de l’Afrique Centrale (RAPAC) 

- The Access Initiative (TAI) 

- African Network for Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute (CIAT) 

- Reseau Bioveg , Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie 

3.1.2 NATIONAL PLAN FOR ACHIEVING THE MILLENNIUM 

DEVELOPMENT GOALS: 

This is the decision on the global efforts to combat poverty, hunger, disease, 

illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women. It encourages the 

development of activities in a way consistent with achieving the objectives of the CBD and 

“The 2010 Target”. What is the specific national plan on the MGD? Table 45 summarises all 

national actions taking place towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals in 

Cameroon. 

67

3.2 THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS ACHIEVEMENT 

A summary of achievements of the Millenium Goals in Cameroon is 

summarizes in Table 44 

Table 44: Summary of Millennium Development Goals Achievement. 

Prin. Goal Government Action Period 

Hunger Food & 

Nutrition 

Developed National Plan for Food Security 

National policy for nutrition and the action plans were validated in 2005 1995-2005 

Poverty 

Strategy and Action Plan on Poverty Reduction by: 

- Stabilising the macro-economy 

- Activating the private sector 

- Developing the infrastructure 

- Regional integration 

- Improving human resources 

- Improving institutional setting and providing “Good Governance” 

2003 

Disease The Cameroon health strategy was adopted in October 2001 and was aimed at : 

- Fighting against Malaria in 2006, against HIV, Tuberculosis & Onchocerose 2001 

Illiteracy 

Environmental 

degradation 

Discrimination 

against Women 

Policy on 

Gender 

Mainstreaming 

Strategy on education was adopted with focus on the unprivileged, the girl child and the 

handicapped. 

- Programmes for basic, secondary and higher education. 

Developed two action plans and National programmes. 

- Environnemental Management Actions Plan (PNGE) 

- National plan to fight against desertification 

To cover the environmental and sustainable development sector, Cameroon has created 

three structures:- 

- National Consultative Commission for the Environment and Sustainable 

Development and (CNCDD) 

- Inter Ministerial Committees for the Environment (CIE) 

- Plan d’Action d’Urgen ce (PAU) from the ‘Yaoundé Declaration’ 

- Multi- sectoral plan of action on the judicial status of the women and girl 

child and fight against violence and discrimination practice. 

- Sub- regional plan of action against trafficking on women and girls 

- Action Plan Against Genital Mutilation 

- Policy to fight the regional inequality and obstacles against educating the girl 

child. MAEPAT 2004 

- Law on welfare, equality. Anti-poverty, the efficiency and the empowerment 

approaches, (VABI . 2001) 

2006 

1992-1995 

1999 

1999 

1998 

68


Rural 

Development 

- The National Forestry Action Plan containing 82 projects to last for 10 years, a 

Programme of Action, projects on Forest Management, Remote Sensing, Rural 

Forestry, Industrial Development, Wildlife, Development of NTFPs, etc. 

- Programme of forest management and conservation of biodiversity 

- Creation of the sectoral forest wildlife policy including the DSRP and PPTE 

programmes and using the lessons gained from PNGE of PAFN and PAU 

Government development strategy document for the rural development, aimed at 

improving rural development and improving production it focuses on 5 areas. 

- Local development, improved production, strengthen institutions, management of 

natural resources, developing financial mechanisms for the rural sector 

1995 

Tourism 

Mining 

Fishing 

- Elaboration of the Tourism Policy 

- Creation of a National Tourism Council presided by the Prime Minister; 

- An engagement by the State to ensure the security of tourists 

- Opening of tourist information offices all over the world 

- Authorisation of chartered flights from all foreign destinations 

- Encouragement of eco-tourism by identifying/improving tourist sites 

nationwide 

- Mining code developed 

- Creation of Ministry of Mines, Water and Energy. Then separated to Ministry of 

Mines in order to focus on mineral wealth 

So as to focus more on the mineral wealth. 

- Identified sites with mining potentials of : 

Class A minerals: Nickel, Cobalt, Rutile 

Class B - Iron 

Class C - Wolframite, Uranium 

Extensive exploitation of certain mineral resources 

- Hydrocarbons, Gold, Diamonds 

There is a policy on Marine Coastal Ecosystems and biodiversity conservation. There are 

fishery regulations in the law. 

Many Cameroonians earn their livelihoods on fishing and fish-farming 

80 % of 100 000 tons / year are artisans while 20 % is individual fishing . provides 

240 000 jobs 

3.2.1 NATIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PLAN 

- Creation of CNCDD and placed under the Prime Minister’s authority; 

- Expected to follow up the implementation of recommendations of Agenda 21 

- Prepare Government’s constitution towards the U.N.O’s Commission for 

Sustainable Development. 

- The Inter-ministerial Committee on the Environment (CIE) exists and coordinates 

the role of the PNGE on all environmental studies and decisions. 

69

3.2.2 NATIONAL ACTION PROGRAMME TO COMBAT 

DESERTIFICATION 

- Sensitization, training 

- Preparation and attendance of Conference of Parties meetings 

- Follow up and practicing the resolution 

- Acting on the programme of “Green Belts” 

- Follow up and putting in action the National Observatory on Desertification. 

3.2.3 NATIONAL PLAN FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE BASED ON 

NEPAD PARTNERSHIP PRINCIPLES. 

The National Good Governance Programme was structured to consist :- 

A steering committee, a national coordination, the agency for its working and 

sectoral consultative committees. Main objectives are : 

Bringing administration closer to the people, 

Consolidating the state of law 

Clean financial management and accountability, fight against corruption 

Decentralise administration to allow participation in management 

Already 360 local councils have been created in Cameroon as a major step towards 

decentralisation. 

3.2.4 FINANCIAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMME 

Undertaken in 1995/1996 to: 

Consolidate economic growth, reduce inflation rate, stabilize public finances, improve 

on external adjustment initiative. Reacted on trade restrictions by abolishing quantitative 

import restrictions, suspend administrative bottlenecks; got rid of inbalances caused by 

preferential tax regimes, introduction of VAT in 1999, introduced forest revenue 

securitization programme. 

3.2.5 NATIONAL PLAN FOR FOOD SECURITY: (NPFS) 

The new agricultural policy, the new Food and Nutritional Action Plan aims at: 

Reduction of pre and post harvest losses and improvement in food conservation; 

Improvement of food production through increase of animal and crops products; 

Improvement of marketing and processing of food products; 

Improvement of the infrastructure to ease the commercialisation of food products; 

Improve the food security of urban and rural dwellers. 

70

3.3 OTHER CONVENTION PROCESSESs 

Internationally, Cameroon has ratified over 39 biodiversity related conventions and 

put in considerable effort in implementing them. The following are among the list: CITES, 

OMS, RAMSAR, World Heritage Convention, Rio Convention, CBD, UNFCC, UNCCD, 

Information on the conventions and implementation processes are contained in Table 45. 

At national level, Government has transformed policies and international Conventions 

into 13 appropriate biodiversity related legislations, most of them with their accompanied text 

of application. Institutionally, Cameroon has created appropriate institutional structures – 

Ministerial and private sectoral organisations for the safe management of its biological 

resources. Reference is made to the creation of Ministry of Environment and Protection of 

Nature 2005, Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, Ministry of Agricultural Development, 

Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Industries, Ministry of Scientific Innovations, Ministry of 

Tourism. 

In the private sector, there are national and international institutions which play an 

important role in the management of the countries biodiversity. There are over 20 of such 

institutions. 

Table 45: Information on Convention Processes in Cameroon 

N° Convention Ratification Date Focal Point Institution 

1 Convention on biological Diversity (CBD) 19 : 10 : 94 Ministry of Environment and 

Protection of Nature 

2 Convention on International Trade on endangered 

species(CITES) 

05 : 6 : 81 Ministry of Forest and Wildlife 

3 Ramsar Convention ? : ? : 2005 Ministry of Environment and 


4 World Heritage Convention 07 : 12 :82 Ministry of Culture 

5 Convention on the Fight Against Desertification 25 : 05 : 97 Ministry of Environment and 

Nature Protection 

6 Convention on Climate Change 29 : 05 : 97 Convention on Climate Change 

7 Convention on the Conservation f Migratory Species 07 : 09 : 81 Ministry of Forest and Wildlife 

8 The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 

(UNCLOS) 

9 African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and 

Natural Resources. 

19 : 11 : 85 Ministry of Fisheries and 

Animal Industries 

29 : 09 : 78 Ministry of Environment and 


10 Kano Convention on African Migratory Locusts 27 : 07 :64 Ministry of Agriculture and 

Rural Development 

11 Convention for cooperation in Protection and Development 

of the Marine and Coastal Ecosystems 

? Ministry of Environment and 


12 The International Tropical Timber Agreement 19 : 11 :85 Ministry of Forest and Wildlife 

13 UNESCO Convention on Man and the Biosphere (MAB) ? Ministry of higher Education 

14 Montreal Protection on Substances that deplete the ozone 

layer 

30 : 08 : 89 Ministry of Environment and 


71

CHAPTER IV 

CONCLUSIONS 

4.1 PROGRESS TOWARDS THE 2010 TARGET AND 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN 

The information for this part of the report has been provided in accordance with 

decisions VII/30 of the COP of the CBD. Every effort has been made to keep to the objectives 

of the decisions (UNEP 2004). Contribution for information on sectoral strategies and plans, 

progress made in implementing the NBSAP and obstacles met (Annex II has been completed 

accordingly.) Contributions have come from stakeholders in various fields of biodiversity. 

Their submissions have been accepted as genuine on the following basis: 

The National report preparatory stage allowed them enough time to check the 

realities of the activities they were reporting. 

All the reporters are specialists in their fields of reporting and many have lived 

through the experiences of the CBD implementation requirements and processes. 

Most of their information had been cross-checked by field monitors and current 

progress reports. 

4.2 Progress towards the Goals of the Strategic Plan of the 

Convention 

Information for this sub-section has been linked up with what has already been 

supplied in previous sections .In many cases cross references from the report sections have 

been used. The model is found in Annex II. 

72

Ta ble 46. Progress Towards “The 2010 Biodiversity Target” 

Goals National Targets Incorporation into 

Sectoral Strategy 

plans 

Progress made in 

Implementing NBSAP 

Indicators for measuring 

Progress 

Obstacles Encountered 

1.Promote 

conservation 

Biodiversity, 

Ecosystems, 

Habitats 

Biomes 


and 

1.1 At least 10% of each of the 

World’s ecological regions 

effectively conserved 

Target is to conserve 

30% of national 

territory 

Former PAs exist new ones are 

being acquired 

PAs so far 9% of national territory. 

PAs under creation 2.1% of 

national territory 

Financial limitations 

Illegal exploitation 

Illegal hunting/poaching 

population pressure 

NBSAP not known to 

most stakeholders 

1.2 Areas of particular importance 

to biodiversity protected 

Formation plans on 

mountain Ecosystem 

Botanical, zoological 

gardens, wildlife 

sanctuaries 

Emphasis on protection since 

adoption of NBSAP 

15 national parks, 20 forest 

reserves, 3 zoological gardens, 

2 botanical gardens, 4 

sanctuaries 

Recruitment of control staff 

Eco-guards and forest guards for 

protected areas 

Poor application of PAs 

regulations 

2.Promote the 

conservation of 

Species Diversity 

2.1 Restore, maintain, or reduce the 

decline of species of selected 

taxonomic groups 

Wildlife, Forestry, 

Fisheries, regulations 

Strategies and Action 

Plans in agriculture 

livestock and 

fisheries, forestry 

Special attention on threatened 

spp of plants and animals like 

Tauraco persa (bird) Psittacus 

erithacus (bird) Gorilla gorilla 

(primate) Loxodanta africana 

Protection measures of classified 

species into classes A, B, C for 

wildlife and exploitation diameter 

classes for timber and quotas for 

non-timber spp 

Limited capacities and 

funds for research and 

publication of findings 

NBSAP not well known 

to stakeholders 

2.2 Status of threatened species 

improved 

Policies and laws on 

threatened ecosystem 

and species. 

Forest, Agriculture, 

Fisheries, Livestock, 

Wildlife and Land 

Policies. 

Texts limiting exploitation and 

exportation of some plant/animal 

spp 

Text of application of Law 

nº94/01 of 20 January 1994 on 

Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries 

Text of application of laws on 

fisheries, wildlife, forestry 

Information to biodiversity users 

Projects to encourage protection of 

threatened spp 

Limitation of funds for 

adequate information to 

users of biodiversity 



3. Promote the 3.1 Genetic diversity of crops, Conservation Indigenous communities have Participation in workshops related Lack of incentives 

73

conservation of 

Genetic Diversity 

livestock and of threatened species 

of trees, fish and wildlife and other 

valuable species conserved and 

associated indigenous and local 

knowledge maintained 

measures are built on 

the “Participatory 

Approach” 

Encouraging the 

participation of the 

communities in 

resource management 

(MINFOF 2008) 

always contributed in decisionmarkers 

Their knowledge used for 

programming and management 

of biological resources 

to Biodiversity conservation 

Assist in providing information for 

ethno-botanical studies 

Report of activities of stake 

holders e.g. TDCs 

Indigenous knowledge now 

considered for public health 

programmes 

Poor infrastructure 

Poverty 



4. Promote 

sustainable use 

and consumption 

4.1 Biodiversity-based products 

derived From sources that are 

sustainably managed and 

production areas managed 

consistently with the conservation 

of biodiversity 

National laws and 

regulations on 

resource management 

emphasis on 

sustainable 

availability of 

products 

All biodiversity management 

ministries, water, energy and soil 

sectors ensure external series for 

strict implementation of the laws 

Fines and sanctions including 

prison sentences to defaulters of 

resource exploitation 

Inadequate means for 

implementing regulation 

4.2 Unsustainable consumption of 

biological resources or that impact 

on biodiversity reduced. 

Texts of application 

of regulations 

Special text 

Determination of Quotas for 

heavily exploited and threatened 

spp 

There are quotas for fish 

exploiters, wildlife hunters and 

forest exploiters 

Non respect of the 

regulations 

4.3 No species of wild flora or 

fauna endangered by international 

trade 

Cameroon is a 

member of the 

CITES Convention 

The specific institution that 

applies the CITES is MINFOF 

Exportation & research certificates 

are issued for every species 

exported 

Abuse in application of 

CITES regulation 

5 Pressures from 

habitat loss, land 

use change, 

degradation and 

unsustainable 

water use reduced 

5.1 Rate of loss and degradation of 

natural habitation decreased 

Soil, water & species 

conservation policies 

exist 

CBD Focal Point Ministry 

coordinates with other ministries 

for correct application of soil, 

water & habitat conservation 

measures 

Agricultural and Livestock 

Extension Services to educate the 

farmer-grazier on best soil and 

water conservation methods 

Poor /lack of information 

and coordination 

6. Control threats 

from Invasive 

6.1 Pathways for major potential 

Invasive Alien Species controlled 

Control of IAS has 

been provided for in 

National programme underway 

to identify and control IAS 

Project on Monitoring with 

assistance of GEF 

Delay and inadequate 

finances 

74

Alien Species 

the NBSAP 

6.2 Management plans in place for 

Invasive Alien Species that 

threaten ecosystems, habitats or 

species 

Plans underway Identification and monitoring 

plans underway 

All biodiversity sectors already 

have their list of IAS 

Absence of a policy and 

regulation on IAS 

7. Address 

challenges to 

biodiversity from 

climate change 

and pollution 

7.1 Maintain and enhance 

resilience of the components of 

biodiversity to adapt to climate 

change 

CBD, CCC are 

pulling resources for 

better coordination of 

efforts of both 

conventions 

Specific Focal Points and 

Strategies for CBD and CCC 

Regular reports on the effects of 

CC on biodiversity 

Limitation 


Intervention and 

reporting/monitoring 

7.2 Reduce pollution and it’s 

impact on biodiversity 

National Policy on 

the Environment 

Application law on the 

Environment 

Law of implementation by the 

Focal Point Ministry on the 

Environment 

Poor implementation of 

the regulations 

8 Maintain 

capacity of 

ecosystems to 

deliver goods $ 

services and 

support livelihoods 

8.1 Capacity of ecosystems to 

deliver goods and services 

maintained 

NBSAP was 

developed on the 

“Ecosystem 

Approach” 

Concern of every ecosystem are 

being considered and monitored 

Economic activities on each 

ecosystem encouraged 

Poor incentives 

Lack of markets 

Increase taxation 

Poor finances for 

commercial activities 

8.2 Biological resources that 

support sustainable livelihoods 

local food security and health care 

especially of poor people 

maintained 

Agricultural Policy 

emphasis on Food 

Security and Poverty 

alleviation 

Research, agricultural inputs and 

education encouraged 

Farm to market roads and village 

health infrastructure developed 

Lack of roads and health 


Absence of food 

processing and 

conservation units 

9. Maintain socio- 

Cultural Diversity 

of indigenous and 

local communities 

9.1 Protect traditional knowledge, 

innovations and practices 

Research on 

traditional medicine 

Ethno-botanical studies 

Catalogue of medical plants 

Institute of medical-medicinal 

plants Yaounde 

Lack of funds for 

continued research 

No incentives for 

indigenous knowledge 

75

9.2 Protect the rights of indigenous 

and local communities over their 

traditional knowledge innovations 

and practices including their rights 

to benefit -sharing 

Policy on Traditional 

knowledge 

Fiscal regulations on 

exploitation rights 

Existence of indigenous 

knowledge organisation of 

Cameroon 

Communal taxes from forest and 

wildlife resources 

Benefit sharing is in 

inequitable or ignored 

Benefits do not provide 

noticeable development 

marks 

10. Ensure the fair 

and equitable 

sharing of benefits 

arising out of the 

use of genetic 

resources 

10.1 All access to genetic resources 

is in line with the CBD and its 

relevant provisions 

10.2 Benefits arising from the 

commercial and other utilization of 

genetic resources should in a fair 

and equitable way with the 

country’s providing such resources 

in line with the CBD and its 

relevant provisions 

Benefits are 

determined in all 

forms of biodiversity 

resource exploitation 

Participatory 

management of 

genetic resources 

with local population 

Laws and regulations exist 

Rural communities interest 

included in the laws of wildlife, 

fishery and forest 

Finance laws on benefit sharing 

for communal taxes 

Employment of local communities 

in projects 

Training of youths 

Government Extension Services in 

Agriculture, Veterinary and Rural 

Development 

Non application of 

regulations 

Embezzlement 

Lack of educational 


Refusal of village 

community to cooperate 

with resource managers 

11. Parties have 

improved 

Financial, human, 

scientific technical 

$ technological 

capacity to 

implement the 

CBD 

11.1 New additional financial 

resources are transferred to 

developing country parties to allow 

for the effective implementation of 

their commitments, under the 

Convention in accordance with its 

article 20 

Appropriate 

institutional legal 

framework in place 

for implementation of 

the CBD 

All biodiversity 

stakeholders involved 

at national level 

CBD implementation strategies 

achieved 

NBSAP 1,2,3 National Reports 

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety 

Cameroon attended all COP 

meetings 

See section (2.5.1) 

Government contribution 

sometimes inadequate 

11.2 Technology is transferred to 

developing country parties to allow 

for the effective implementation of 

their commitments under the 

Convention with its article 4 

Appropriate 

technologies being 

developed through 

modern 

biotechnologies 

Law on Biosafety has relevant 

articles on use of appropriate 

technologies 

The safe handling of GMOs and 

the use of existing capacities 

Limited staff and 

inadequate technological 

capacities 

76

Annex III – Goals and objectives of the strategic plan and provisional indicators for assessing progress 

Goals Objectives Progress implementing NBSAP Indicators Obstacles encountered 

1.the convention is 

fulfilling its 

leadership role in 

internal 

biodiversity 

1.1 The convention is setting the global 

biodiversity agenda. 

1.2 The convention is promoting corporation 

between all relevant international instruments and 

processes to enhance policy coherence. 

Education and sensitising all 

biodiversity stakeholders in al subregion 

and the African region 

Focal Point Ministry coordinates 

with all stakeholders on CBD 

processes 

Several international conferences in 

Cameroon on biodiversity - Yaounde 

Declaration of 1999 - COMIFAC 

Fishery, wildlife, forestry and 

Agricultural Policies in Cameroon 

are harmonised with regards to 

“sustainable use and resource 

conservation 

Lack of cooperation 

from member states 

Strict application of 

regulations 

Poor sensitisation 

mechanism 

Absence of coordination 

1.3 Other international processes are actively 

supporting implementation of the convention in a 

manner consistent with their respective 

framework. 

Cameroon has ratified over 39 

other Conventions and processes 

related to the CBD 

Focal Points of other Conventions 

work together with CBD Focal Point 

Synergies on capacity building exist 

between CBD, CCC and UNCD 

Change of policy 

managers 

Poor infrastructure at 

national level 

Conflicting Ministerial 

Mandates 

1.4 The Cartegena Protocol on Bio safety is widely 

implemented. 

Cameroon ratified the Cartagena 

Protocol since 2003 in a 

participatory manner 

Law on Biosafety since 2005 

Text of application published in 

national media and the internet 

Limited only to the 

reading public 

To many ethnic groups 

(over 250) 

Non respect of laws 

during imports of 

GMOs/LMOs by some 

stakeholders 

77

1.5 Biodiversity concerns are being integrated into 

relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, 

programming and policies at the regional and 

global levels. 

Biological Resource Ministries all 

involved in developing plans and 

policies that hinge around CBD 

objectives 

Fishing, forestry, agricultural, 

wildlife laws and regulations are 

based and amended following CBD 

objectives and obligations 

Implementation failing 

to be applied 

accordingly 

Inappropriate texts of 

application 

Instruments of regional 

cooperation not 

operational 

1.6 Parties are collaborating at the regional and 

sub-regional levels to implement the convention. 

Several sub-regional and regional 

conferences on biological resource 

management and formation of 

biotechnology for collaborative 

management 

Formation of CEMAC, COMIFAC, 

WWF, IUCN, CARPE etc 

Irregularity in 

information sharing 

Parties not being of 

same 

level 

implementing the CBD 

2. Parties have 

improved financial, 

human, scientific 

technical and 

technological 

capacity to 

implement the 

CBD 

2.1 All parties have adequate capacities for 

implementation of priority actions in national 

biodiversity strategy and action plans. 

Countries of the sub-region have at 

least ratified the CBD 

Sub-regional assessment conferences 

organised 

Financial constraints 

Lack of appropriate 

capacities 

Inappropriate 

legal/institutional 

arrangements 

2.2 Developing country parties in particular, the 

least developed and the small island developing 

states among them and other parties with 

economies in transition have sufficient resources 

available to implement the three objectives of the 

convention 

Most countries of the sub-region 

have developed their NBSAP, 

National report and developed 

appropriate strategies. 

Many of such countries have 

received assistance from developed 

countries 

Unwillingness 

recipient country 


78

2.3 Developing countries parties in particular the 

least developed and small among them and other 

parties with economies in transition, have 

increased resources and technology transfer 

available to implement the Cartegena Protocol on 

biodiversity 

Cameroon has shown capacity to 

implement the Cartagena Protocol 

Ratified the Protocol 

Developed the Biosafety law 

Means of applying the 

law 

Sensitising the rural 

communities 

2.4 All parties have adequate capacity to 

implement the Cartegena Protocol on Bio safety. 

Cameroon is planning out 

following its law on Biosafety 

Text of application already available Delay in tracing 

appropriate personnel 

2.5 Technical and scientific cooperation is making 

a significant constitution to building capacity. 

International Organisation assist 

Cameroon to build capacity 

Training underway on modern 

biotechnology – University of 

Yaounde I and university of Buea 

Poor working 

conditions 

Lack of moltivation 

3.National 

biodiversity 

strategies and 

action plan and 

their integration of 

biodiversity 

concerns into 

relevant sectors 

serve as effective 

frameworks for the 

implementation of 

the objectives of 

the CBD 

3.1 Every party has effective national strategic 

plans and programmes in place to provide a 

national framework for implementing the three 

objectives of the convention and to set clear 

national priorities. 

3.2 Every party to the Cartegena protocol on 

biodiversity has a regulatory framework in place 

and functioning to implement the protocol. 

Cameroon like all other parties was 

obliged to develop national 

framework and strategy to 

implement the CBD objectives 

Cameroon has the law on based on 

the Cartagena Protocol on 

Biosafety 

NBSAP developed since 1998 

1 st National Report 1997 

2 nd National Report 2003 

3 rd National Report 2005 

4 th National Report 2008 

Limited funds for wider 

distributed of strategy 

and plan documents 

Law has now text of application Financial and 

appropriate capacities 

for applying the law 

Problems of sensitising 

the rural communities 

Structures on the 

control of risks of 

handling GMO 

79

3.3 Biodiversity concerns are being integrated into 

relevant national sectoral and cross sectoral 

programmes and policies. 

CBD programmes involved in 

agriculture, fisheries, forestry, 

livestock and research 

All biodiversity stakeholders 

nationwide are regularly informed of 

changes and innovations on the CBD 

Absence of funds for 

wider circulation 

3.4 The priorities in national biodiversity strategies 

and action plans are being actively implemented as 

a means to achieve national implementation of the 

convention and as a significant contribution 

towards the global biodiversity agenda. 

Various actions plans are receiving 

attention nationwide 

Demonstration of actions occurs in 

various project sites and in other 

sectorial centres 

Inadequate man power 

Limited funding 

4. there is a better 

understanding of 

the importance of 

biodiversity and of 

the convention and 

this has led to 

broader 

engagements 

across society 

4.1 All parties are implementing a communication 

education and public awareness strategy and 

promoting public participation to the support of 

the conservation. 

4.2 Every party to the Cartegena Protocol on 

biodiversity is promoting and facilitating public 

awareness, education and participation in the 

protocol. 

Conservation education is wide 

spread in Cameroon 

University and research bodies 

education in GMO and modern 

Biotechnology 

Envirionmental education already 

figures in school curricular 

Department of Biodiversity included 

in University of Yaounde I 

IRAD runs research instititues in 

Agronomy, Animal science, 

Entomology 

Fishery research in Batoke 

Finances to develop 

appropriate trading 

material 

Staff to teach relevant 

issues on biodiversity 

4.3 Indigenous and local communities are 

effectively involved in the implementation and in 

the process of the convention, at national, regional 

and international levels. 

Sensitisation of all local 

communities on CBD 

implementation processes 

Field staff representation within rural 

communities 

Limited staff for 

Extension services 

4.4 Key actors and stakeholders including the 

private sector, are engaged in partnership to 

implement the convention and are integrating 

biodiversity concerns into their relevant sectoral 

and cross-sectoral programmes and policies. 

Biodiversity stakeholders have 

been widely informed about 

convention processes 

Projects on Agriculture, fisheries, 

livestock and wildlife located 

nationwide 

Poor means of 

monitoring sectorial 

activities 

80

4.3 CONCLUDING STATEMENT 

From the foregoing, it is evident that Cameroon’s implementation of the Convention 

on Biological Diversity has made a positive impact towards achieving the objectives of the 

Convention in Cameroon. This is seen from the following observations: 

4.3.1 ON CONSERVATION: 

National policies and legislations of all biodiversity-related and thematic programmes 

are regulated nationally and are backed by appropriate policies, laws and institutions. 

o Land under protected area management rose from 3.482.741 ha in 200 to 5.377.832 

ha in 2008 such that today about 30% of the national territory is under protected area 

management including 8.138,880 ha managed under “Safari Hunting”, (Table 6). 

o The tree-planting programme: “Sahel Vert” and “Operation One Billion Trees” 

Programmes are all in progress. 

o Agriculture, Aquaculture, livestock extensions services as evidenced by the 

domestication of fish, animals and plant species are measures taken towards 

biodiversity conservation throughout the national territory.( see also Section 2.2.1, 

Table 37). 

4.3.2 ON SUSTAINABLE USE OF BIODIVERSITY 

Stake-holders including rural dwellers that use and work with biodiversity have been 

regularly sensitized on the importance and the need for sustainable use of biodiversity 

products. This is shown by: 

o Information on various uses of biodiversity for food, medicine shelter, music, 

tradition, etc 

o Measures taken to avoid pre and post harvest losses. 

o Use of the land classification System (Plan de Zonage ) since 1995. 

o Resource exploitation based on the quota system e.g. forest exploitation is now based 

on the “ ufa “system; 

o Fishery is based on the FAO Code of responsible Fishing. 

o No policy/programme on biodiversity 

4.3.3 ON FAIR AND EQUITABLE UTILISATION OF GENETIC 

RESOURCES 

o Various laws on biodiversity have been revised with emphasis on access to resources 

and benefit-sharing. 

o Finance laws on council and communal royalties – the councils of the Eastern 

Province and of some areas in Manyu, South West Province have been receiving huge 

sums of monies as the forest royalties for the forest resources exploited in their areas. 

o Access and Benefit Sharing modalities have been laid down to take care of bioprospecting 

activities throughout Cameroon. 

81

o Indigenous Knowledge is highly recognised and Government collaborates with several 

national associations on IK 

o No policy on ABS 

o There is an IPR Organisation in Cameroon and Government recognises its 

recommendations. However, it is not integrated into the research activities of 

MINRESI and MINESUP, etc. 

4.3.4 LESSONS LEARNT 

Many lessons have been learnt in the Course of implementing the CBD in Cameroon. 

Among the many lessons are: 

- Policy-makers learnt much from the objectives and articles of the CBD and have seen the 

need to revise the laws and institutions associated with biodiversity management and 

sustainable use. 

- It is established that although biological resources are renewable, they can get depleted if 

not properly managed and used in a sustainable manner. 

- Village communities have now known the importance and the need for the sustainable use 

of biodiversity. 

Successes Registered: 

Among the many success in CBD implementations are: 

- The obligation to implement the CBD has added greater impetus in applying 

national laws related to biodiversity 

- There are stronger collaborative links between Government and the civil society 

since all must seek towards better resource management and sustainable use. 

- Significant awareness and advances in science and technology - Cameroon 

Academy of Science, Associations and research bodies undertake many 

programmes on biodiversity management. 

- Application of the National Biosafety Regulations 

- Advances in modern biotechnology using facilities in Yaounde, Buea 

Universities., biotechnology laboratories. 

- The inclusion of biodiversity and environment programmes in school curricula. 

4.3.5 SOME SET BACKS: 

In spite of successes and advantages CBD implementation has the following set backs: 

- Lack of infrastructure does not ensure total coverage and implementation of 

instructions and decisions on all the resources.; The Korup National Park was 

created under the IUCN National Park status but has failed to be administered as 

such since the 6 villages in the Park resettlement scheme have to date not been 

resettled out of the Park. 

- Neglect of the estuarine mangroves of Rio del Rey in South West Province has 

exposed the fishing and forest resources to uncontrolled exploitation by alien 

fishermen who plunder both the mangroves and fish for foreign markets. 

82

- NBSAP not disseminated to local communities 

- Absence of biotechnology policy/programmes 

- Difficulty in respecting biosafety regulations 

- Governance (particularly financial) problems with some related conventions (e.g 

with POP convention) which affects CBD implementation. 

4.3.6 NATIONAL ENDEAVOUR 

The Cameroon Government is sparing no effort to arrive at successful implementation 

of the CBD in Cameroon. This is why she coordinates and collaborates with national and 

international biodiversity stake-holders. These and others are assisting in making the CBD 

message go nationwide, and undertake CBD implementation through project activities. 

The media has been playing an effective role in educating the public on the best 

conservation and resource use practices. 

4.3.7 PROPOSALS: 

The following proposals should be considered to enhance the implementation of CBD 

in Cameroon: 

- There is need to re-define and re-enforce the status and role of the CBD focal Point 

rather than handling the functions as part time or subsidiary to other functions. 

This entails additional tools and resources as well as institutional strengthening. 

Focal point representation should be felt nation-wide so that the influence and 

importance of the CBD can be truly effective. 

- Dissemination of NBSAP 

- The application of the relevant article of the CBD and Action 4 of Marine and 

Coastal biodiversity in the NBSAP in respect to Invasive Alien Species (IAS) 

should be an urgent consideration. 

- Development of biotechnology policy/programme 

- The monitoring system using criteria and indicators in all six country’s ecosystem 

(recommendation in Section 5.4 of NBSAP) should be re-dynamized making sure 

that the objectives, criteria indicators and the means of verification are regularly 

reported. 

- Greater effort should be made in integrating biodiversity in other sectors 

- The obligation to implement the CBD in a country whose economy largely 

depends on its biodiversity requires that: 

• Operational mechanisms such as the CHM and BCH work poorly within the 

framework of the administration. They should therefore be located within a 

financially autonomous body (e.g. National Biosafety Authority) 

• A substantial budgetary allocation be provided for implementing the CBD 

monitoring and reporting; 

• Implementation reports should regularly reach the various biodiversity key 

players including the grass-roots; 

83

• Information on implementation should be participative and as much as possible 

come from the rural masses. It should take the bottom-top approach. 

In order to systematize and obtain a reliable data-base on the country’s biodiversity 

information, the following measures are recommended. (Solbrig 1991). 

- Organize series of workshops to recommend basic sampling methods for various 

taxa, so that data collected on the same groups will be comparable. Each workshop 

should focus on a given taxon or discipline (e.g arthropods, plankton, fungi, soil 

micro-organisms soils macro-organisms, trees, fishes, birds, mammals, insects 

etc.). 

- Geographical and taxonomically based questionnaire requesting information from 

specialists about the best sites for monitoring should be sent to all working 

systematists. 

- A workshop on special techniques to estimate species richness is required. Both 

statistical and calibration-multiplication methods should be considered. 

Participants should include systematists, ecologists and statisticians. 

- A National Biodiversity Committee and National Biosafety Authority should be 

set up which will be responsible to collect, centralize, approve and disseminate 

updated data in all areas of biodiversity in Cameroon. 

84

APPENDICES 

Appendix I. Cultivated Areas and Production of Food Crops in Cameroon 2001-2005 

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2005 

Crop 

Estimated 

Estimated 

Area (ha) Prodn (tons) Area (ha) Prodn (tons) Area (ha) Prodn (tons) Area (ha) Prodn (tons) 

Prodn Final Area(ha) Final Prodn(tons) 

Area (ha) 

(tons) 

FOOD CROP PRODUCTION 

Pine apples 3 121 44 186 3 215 45 555 3 311 46 968 3 410 48 424 3 509 49 925 3 514 100 139 

Ground nuts 284 447 203 587 290 136 210 712 295 939 218 087 301 858 225 720 307 777 233 620 292 722 353 953 

Banana 75 145 645 746 77 399 692 886 79 721 743 466 82 113 797 739 84 505 855 974 84 680 815 375 

Plantains 225 712 1 199 820 232 483 1 237 014 239 458 1 275 362 246 642 1 314 898 253 826 1 355 660 130 248 1 670 686 

Cucumber 101 412 124 686 98 095 127 429 121 887 122 306 115 214 124 997 108 541 127 747 108 397 129 373 

Ginger 1 377 7 593 1 391 7 761 1 405 7 931 1 419 8 106 1 433 8 284 1 433 8 284 

Okra 28 230 33 320 32 990 34 120 38 553 34 938 45 054 35 777 51 555 36 636 47 973 36 292 

Beans 206 727 180 793 212 929 186 940 219 318 193 296 225 898 199 868 232 478 206 663 232 701 264 795 

Palm oil 45 348 144 454 49 884 153 121 54 873 162 308 60 360 172 047 65 847 182 369 66 175 215 290 

Yams 35 175 268 387 35 877 274 292 36 595 280 326 37 327 286 494 38 059 292 796 38 076 372 524 

Coco yams 186 771 1 056 294 192 374 1 079 533 198 145 1 103 282 204 090 1 127 555 210 035 1 152 361 191 178 1 240 037 

Maize 378 708 813 461 416 579 861 456 458 237 912 281 504 060 966 106 549 883 1 023 106 552 586 1 178 921 

Cassava 237 709 1 960 503 261 481 2 003 634 287 629 2 047 714 316 392 2 092 763 345 155 2 138 804 345 790 2 776 787 

Watermelon 7 265 35 713 8 105 36 820 9 042 37 961 10 088 39 138 11 134 40 351 11 166 40 351 

Millet 342 806 511 780 383 600 541 975 429 248 573 951 480 328 607 814 531 408 523 484 353 122 764 485 

Niébé 95 809 87 503 100 599 90 478 105 629 93 554 110 910 96 735 116 191 100 024 113 281 112 501 

Onions 6 420 68 655 7 383 70 303 8 491 71 990 9 764 73 718 11 037 75 487 11 067 111 838 

Other melon varities 1 472 28 504 1 619 29 388 1 781 30 299 1 959 31 238 2 137 32 206 2 135 34 582 

Potatoes 37 336 178 059 39 947 181 976 42 744 185 980 45 736 190 071 48 728 194 253 48 795 242 481 

Hot pepper 4 968 6 685 5 507 7 287 6 104 7 942 6 765 8 657 7 426 9 436 6 359 15 209 

Irish potatoes 30 051 133 407 34 559 136 342 39 743 139 341 45 704 142 407 51 665 145 540 48 227 177 817 

Rice 39 110 42 065 39 782 44 546 39 857 47 175 40 236 49 958 40 615 52 905 39 896 84 197 

Sesame 24 202 3 050 25 572 3 157 27 021 3 267 28 552 3 382 30 083 3 500 30 123 3 630 

Soya beans 11 088 6 082 11 220 6 295 11 357 6 515 11 496 6 743 11 635 6 979 11 640 7 113 

Tomatoes 23 597 380 039 28 788 389 160 35 122 398 500 42 849 408 064 50 576 417 857 50 762 639 874 

85

Voandzou 11 508 8 784 12 084 9 082 12 688 9 391 13 322 9 711 13 956 10 041 13 976 17 979 

CASH CROP PRODUCTION 

Cocoa 121 161 138 202 414 809 518 826 174 228 

Coffee Arabica 7 824 6 580 5 281 6 401 5 083 

Coffee Robusta 72 070 61 548 76 713 49 864 41 387 

Rubber 54 260 57 233 58 634 54 523 58 483 

Cotton Fibre 96 819 102 704 95 188 96 293 141 355 

Banana 645 746 692 886 743 466 797 739 815 375 

Palm oil 144 454 153 121 162 308 172 047 215 290 

Sourc : MINADER / DESA / AGRI-STAT N°14 Avril 2008 

Appendix II : Crop Diversity in Cameroon 

Cash Food Item Fruits Vegetables Spices Ecosystem 

Crops 

Cocoa 

Coffee 

Rubber 

Banana 

Oil palm 

Tea 

Cotton 

Groundnuts 

Cassava 

Plantain 

Cocoyam 

Yams- five types 

Rice 

Sorghum 

Sweet potatoes 

Irish potatoes 

Beans- Six types 

Groundnuts 

Maize 

Pumpkin 

Egusi 

Oranges 

Lemon 

Tangerines 

Grapefruit 

Pineapple 

Guava 

Mangoes 

Plums 

Avocado Pear 

Pawpaw 

Coconut 

Cola Nuts 

Bitter Cola 

Monkey Cola 

Raffia 

fruit (Akup) 

Berries 

bamboo 

Source: MINADER, TDHF Tropical Dense Humid Forest 

Bitter leaf 

Huckle Berry 

Cassava leaves 

Sweet potato leaves 

Water Leaf 

Beans(leaf) 

Eru 

Ekongobong 

Anchia 

Cabbages 

Lettuce 

Fern spp 

Pumpkin leaves 

Tomatoes 

Garden eggs 

Cocoyam leaves 

Colocassia leaves 

Okra fruit and 

leaves 

Green (3 types) 

Elephant grass stock 

Cow pea leaves 

Onions 

Leeks 

Alligator 

pepper 

Hot pepper 

Bush Pepper 

Njangsang 

Bush Mango 

Lion Cola 

Magi leaf 

Bush Onions 

Pepper 

Tropical Humid Dense Forest 




Tropical wooded Savannah 

Tropical wooded Savannah and THDF 










Appendix III: Timber Production in Cameroon 

Year Volume (M 3 ) 

2002 - 2003 1 947 654 

2003 1 315 274 

2004 2 218 655 

2005 2 020 694 

2006 2 289 416 

2007 2 086 244 

Source: DF/MINFOF October 2008 

The species heavily exploited are: 

- Ayous – Triplochiton scleroxylon 

- Tali – Erythrophleum ivorensis 

- Adoun – Cylicodiscus gabunensis 

- Eyong – Eribroma oblongum 

- Kossipo– Entandrophragma candollei 

86

APPENDIX IV: Some Native Orchids of Floriculture Potential - Checklist for Commercial 

cultivation 

Scientific Name 

Family 


Family 

Angraecopsis sp. Vel. tenerrima Orchidaceae Brachycorythis sp 

Orchidaceae 

Brachycorythis kalbreyeri Orchidaceae Bulbophyllum bidenticulatum Orchidaceae 

Polystachya odorata var. odorata Orchidaceae Bulbophyllum renkinia 

Orchidaceae 

Disa aff. nigerica 

Orchidaceae 

Nervilia bicarinata 

Orchidaceae Bulbophyllum schinizianum Orchidaceae 

Angraecum birrimense 

Orchidaceae Callanthe sylvatica 

Orchidaceae 

Aeangis biloba 

Orchidaceae Calyptrochilum emaginatum Orchidaceae 

Chamaengis odoratissima Orchidaceae Diaphananthe fragrantissima Orchidaceae 

Cyrtorchis chailluana 

Orchidaceae Eulophia alta 

Orchidaceae 

3 undertermined Orchids Orchidaceae Eulophia bouliawongo 

Orchidaceae 

Polystachya laxiflora 

Orchidaceae Eulophia buettneri 

Orchidaceae 

Eulophia cristata 

Orchidaceae 

Polystachya odorata 

Orchidaceae 

Eulophia cucallata 

Orchidaceae 

Habenaria buntingii 

Orchidaceae 

Eulophia euglossa 

Orchidaceae 

Habenaria macrandra 

Orchidaceae 

Rhipidoglosum kameruneensis Orchidaceae 

Habenaria macrantha 

Orchidaceae 

Eulophia flavopurpurea 

Orchidaceae 

Habenaria malacophylla Orchidaceae 

Eulophia gigantea 

Orchidaceae 

Habenaria manii 

Orchidaceae Eulophia horsfallii 

Orchidaceae 

Habenaria sp 

Orchidaceae Eulophia milnii 

Orchidaceae 

Habenaria weilerana 

Orchidaceae Eulophia oedaplection 

Orchidaceae 

Diaphananthe fellucida 

Orchidaceae Eulophia sp1 

Orchidaceae 

Calamthe sylvatica 


Orchidaceae 

Aerangis Luteo 


Orchidaceae 

Aerangis stelligera 

Orchidaceae 

Ancistrochilus rothschildienus Orchidaceae Eulophia sp5 

Orchidaceae 

Ancistrochilus thomsonianus Orchidaceae Eulophia sp6 

Orchidaceae 

Angraecum birrimense 


e farmer, gr 

Angraecum eichleranum Orchidaceae Habenaria englerana 

Orchidaceae 

Angraecum sp 

Orchidaceae Habenaria gaboneensis 

Orchidaceae 

Ansellia africana 

Orchidaceae Habenaria procera 

Orchidaceae 

Brachycorythis macrantha Orchidaceae 

Brachycorythis sceptrum Orchidaceae 

Source : Fominyam C. Limbe Botanic Garden 2008 

87

APPENDIX V: Some Native Species of Floricultural potentials 


Microdracoi.des squamosus 

Impatiens Spp 

Palisota sp 

Palisota pynaertic 

Palisota sp(Variegated) 

Crinum zeylanicum 

Scadoxus multiflorus 

Scadoxus cinnabarenus 

Antigonum leptopus 

Polygonum nepalense 

Clerodendrum buchholzii 

Clerodendrum bipindense 

Clerodendrum buettneri 

Clerodendrum melaneraler 

Clerodendrum scandens 

Clerodendrum dusenii 

Clerodendrum thomsonae 

Clerodendrum splendens 

Clerodendrum SP.(White flowers, 

grows in the wild) 

Clerodendrum inaequipetiolatum 

Clerodendrum melanocrater 

Clerodendrum violaceum 

Clerodendron alatum 

Clerodendron thomsonae 

Pararistolochia goldieana 

Cycnium adonense subsp. 

camporum 

Cynanchum codifolium 

Pentas schimperiana 

Gardenia nitida 

Craterispermum Cerinanthum 

Dracaena fragrans 

Dracaena phrynioides 

Dracaena goldieana 

Dracaena aubryana 

Dracaena braunii 

Dracaena camerouniana 

Source : Fominyam C. Limbe Botanic Garden 2008 

Family 

Cyperaceae 

Balsaminaceae 

Commelinaceae 

Commelinaceae 

Commelinaceae 

Amarylliddaceae 



Polygonaceae 

Polygonaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Verbanaceae 

Aristolochiaceae 

Scrophulariaceae 

Asclepiadaceae 

Rubiaceae 

Rubiaceae 

Rubiaceae 

Dracaenaceae 

Dracaenaceae 

Dracaenaceae 

Dracaenaceae 

Agavaceae/ 

Liliaceae 

Agavaceae/ 

Liliaceae 


Dracaena Thalioides 

Dracaena deisteliana 

Dracaena sanderiana 

Dracaena reflexa 

Amorphophallus abyssiniccus 

Culcasia striolata 

Rektophyllum mirabile 

Begonia paculifera 

Begonia Spp 

Afrocalathea rhizantha 

Afenidia conferta 

Maranthe leuconeora 

Megaphrynum brachystachyum 

Ensete gillettii 

Rosa sp. 

Rubus fellatae 

Rubus rigidus 

Costus schtechteri 

Costus spectabilis 

Zephyranthes grandiflora 

Chlorophytum comosum 

Leptonychia sp 

Campilospermum flavum 

Costus dinklagei 

Crassula vaginata 

Sature robusta 

Helichrysum cymosum 

Helichrysum camerooneunse 

Rumex abyssinicus 

Ipomoea alba 

Podococcus barteri 

Sclerosperma manii 

Family 

Agavaceae/ 

Liliaceae 

Dracaenaceae 

Dracaenaceae 

Dracaenaceae 

Araceae 

Araceae 

Araceae 

Begoniaceae 

Begoniaceae 

Maranthaceae 

Maranthaceae 

Maranthaceae 

Maranthaceae 

Maranthaceae 

Rosaceae 

Rosaceae 

Rosaceae 

Zingiberaceae 

Zingiberaceae 

Zingiberaceae 

Liliaceae 

Sterculiaceae 

Ochnaceae 

Costaceae 

Crassulaceae 

Labiatae 

Compositae 

Compositae 

convolvulacea 

e 

Arecaceae 

Palmae 

88

WORKSHOP ON THE FOURTH NATIONAL REPORT ON 

BIODIVERSITY FOR CAMEROON HELD IN THE CHAMBER OF 

COMMERCE: 17-18 July 2008 

List of Participants 

N° Drivers of Names 

biodiversity loss 

Coordination team (5) 

1. General Supervisor H.E. HELE Pierre 

2. Assistant General Dr Aboubakar Djalloh 

Supervisor 

3. Moderator Mr AKWA Patrick Kum 

4. Coordinator Mrs Fosi MBANTENKHU 

Mary 

5. Assistant Coordinator Dr WASSOUNI 

6. National Consultant (1) Chief BOKWE Augustine 

Provenance 

7. Resource persons (6) Dr MBAH David 

8. // Dr NWAGA Dieudonné 

9. // Dr MOHAMADOU Hamidou 

10. // Mr Chris Fominyan 

11. // Mr. Mahamat Habibou 

12. // Mr. Neckmen Samson 

Key Ministries (9) 

13. MINTOUR 01 representative YAOUNDE 

14. MINFOF 01 representative/CITES Focal YAOUNDE 

Point 

15. MINADER Mme Ekobo Colette YAOUNDE 

16. MINEPIA Dr Mohamadou YAOUNDE 

17. MINRESI Mr Mohamadou Habidou YAOUNDE 

18. MINCOMMERCE 01 representative YAOUNDE 

19. MINPROFF 01 representative YAOUNDE 

20. MINREX Mr BOUM BISAI YAOUNDE 

21. MINEPAT 01 representative YAOUNDE 

Convention Focal 

Points (9) 

22. CBD Mrs Fosi MBANTENKHU YAOUNDE 

23. RAMSAR Mr ONDOUA Serge Hervé YAOUNDE 

24. Climate Change Dr AMOUGOU Joseph YAOUNDE 

25. Desertification Mr EBWELLE Fils Leroy YAOUNDE 

26. Ozone Mr ENOH Peter AYUK YAOUNDE 

27. Stockholm Mr HAMANI ANATOLE YAOUNDE 

28. CITES DFAP/MINFOF YAOUNDE 

29. GEF Mr NANTCHOU NGOKO YAOUNDE 

30. Golf of Guinea Large Dr Wassouni 

YAOUNDE 

Marine Eco. 

Provincial Chiefs of 

Services 

for 

89

Environment (10) 

31. North West Chef de Section MINEP BAMENDA 

32. West Chef de Section MINEP BAFOUSSAM 

33. Centre Chef de Section MINEP YAOUNDE 

34. Littoral Chef de Section MINEP DOUALA 

35. East Chef de Section MINEP BERTOUA 

36. North Chef de Section MINEP GAROUA 

37. Far North Chef de Section MINEP MAROUA 

38. South Chef de Section MINEP EBOLOWA 

39. South West Chef de Section MINEP BUEA 

40. Adamaoua Chef de Section MINEP NGAOUNDE 

RE 

Research institutions 

(03) 

41. IRAD 01 representative YAOUNDE 

42. CIRAD 01 representative YAOUNDE 

43. CAS 01 representative YAOUNDE 

Herbaria (03) 

44. National Herbarium 01 representative YAOUNDE 

45. Limbe Botanic & Zool. 01 representative LIMBE 

Garden 

46. Mvog Betsi Zool. & Bot. 01 representative YAOUNDE 

Garden 

NGOs (8) 

47. CBSDC 01 representative YAOUNDE 

48. BDCPC 01 representative YAOUNDE 

49. Enviro-Protect 01 representative YAOUNDE 

50. Save nature Reverend Ayuk YAOUNDE 

51. Betterworld 01 representative YAOUNDE 

52. ASANEEF 01 representative MBALMAYO 

53. STANFAM 01 representative BAMENDA 

54. ACWITD 01 representative BAMENDA 

Business (5) 

55. CHOCOCAM 01 representative DOUALA 

56. Cameroon Tea Estate 01 representative LIMBE 

57. HEVECAM 01 representative KRIBI 

58. SOSUCAM 01 representative MBANJOCK 

59. MAISCAM 01 representative DOUALA 

Parliamentarians (03) 

60. Honourable Angeline 

Ndo 

90 

YAOUNDE 

61. Urban & Local councils 

YAOUNDE 

(1) 

62. Universities (5) 

63. BUEA 01 representative BUEA 

64. YAOUNDE 1 01 representative YAOUNDE 

65. DSCHANG 01 representative DSCHANG 

66. NGAOUNDERE 01 representative NGAOUNDE 

RE 

67. YAOUNDE II 01 representative YAOUNDE 

International Organs.

(22) 

68. SNV 01 representative YAOUNDE 

69. CARPE 01 representative YAOUNDE 

70. African Development 01 representative YAOUNDE 

Bank 

71. CIFOR 01 representative YAOUNDE 

72. ICRAF 01 representative YAOUNDE 

73. IITA 01 representative YAOUNDE 

74. IUCN 01 representative YAOUNDE 

75. FAO 01 representative YAOUNDE 

76. SNV 01 representative YAOUNDE 

77. GTZ 01 representative YAOUNDE 

78. UNDP 01 representative YAOUNDE 

79. UNICEF 01 representative YAOUNDE 

80. WWF 01 representative YAOUNDE 

81. World Bank 01 representative YAOUNDE 

82. UNICEF 01 representative YAOUNDE 

83. UNESCO 01 representative YAOUNDE 

84. WCS 01 representative YAOUNDE 

85. Global Water Initiative 01 representative YAOUNDE 

86. Living Earth 01 representative YAOUNDE 

87. Birdlife International 01 representative YAOUNDE 

88. COMIFAC 01 representative YAOUNDE 

89. Technical Team (3) NGALA Israel MINEP 

90. // Adele Zaboya MINEP 

91. // Ms KIKA Delphine MINEP 

92. Support staff (6) Mr. NGUIMGOU Bienvenu MINEP 

93. // Ms. Constance Akwa MINEP 

94. // Mr. Walters Tafor MINEP 

95. // Mr. MUBE Peter MINEP 

96. // M. CHE Cyprine MINEP 

97. // Mme Wassou MINEP 

91

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