Cameroon

Our vision: healthy ecosystems and a flourishing biodiversity to support the populations and stimulate green growth in Cameroon.

Governance

NationWIDE mobilization

LAUNCH WORKSHOP

12 November 2020

Yaoundé

The workshop brought together the General Secretaries of the sectoral ministries involved, the CSOs and the representatives of the private sector.
The meeting introduced BIODEV2030 initiative to the stakeholders (strategy, approach, objectives), before presenting the main activities and stages stages in the project’s implementation.

Cameroun-reunion lancement
Photo of the launch ceremony of the BIODEV2030 project on 12 November 2020 in Yaoundé, bringing together more than forty actors in favour of biodiversity.

Diagnosis

Cameroon is one of the most biodiverse countries in Africa, in terms of both the amount and variety of ecosystems and genetic resources. It has a high level of endemic species and hosts up to 92% of african ecosystems and almost half of its bird and mammal species. Cameroon has the second largest forest area in the Congo Basin, with 45% of its surface covered by forests.

Biodiversity is recognised as contributing to population well-being thanks to the ecosystem services it provides such as the supply of food, medicinal plants, and ecosystems key role in climate regulation, flood control, drought management, etc.. 

In recent years, intensifying economic activity and population growth have exacerbated human impact on the environment and are leading to significant deterioration in Cameroon’s biodiversity. Unsustainable use and over-use of natural resources, as well as changes in socio-economic conditions and urban development are resulting in major changes to the use of both inland and maritime areas increasing biodiversity erosion.

50%

of plant species are endangered in mountain and forest ecosystem hotspots

– 128,000 ha

of plant cover lost annually since 2018

Threats

Source: threat assessment study

Rural production
Agro-industrial plantations
Forestry
Urbanisation

Keypoints:

Although the lack of planning data made it more difficult to demonstrate sectoral correlations, land use and zoning documents very clearly show the effect of rural production (rural agro-pastoral production, logging, agro-industrial plantations) on loss of plant cover. 

Analysis of the ecological health of sensitive ecosystems in Cameroon, such as mangroves, savanna and forests, confirms their gradual deterioration. It indicates an alarming trend over the coming decades.

These findings formed the scientific basis for the stakeholder meetings to decide the two sectors for commitments.

  • Agriculture: plantations, subsistence farming
  • Infrastructure
Cloud of the most frequently used words in the report of the national biodiversity threat assessment in Cameroon
Cameroun

Reports – Recommendations to mainstream biodiversity into economic sectors in Cameroon (FR)

Cameroun

Reports – In-depth sectoral analysis and commitments’ identification for biodiversity in Cameroon (FR)

Access to all documentary resources of Cameroun