Impact of Micro-Climate Change on the Forest Vegetation Resources of the Mount Cameroon Region

Mukete Beckline¹ and Vivian Ntoko^1,

¹Community Service for Environmental Protection, COSEP Cameroon, P.O. Box 76 Tiko, Fako Division, SWR Cameroon

Cite this paper:
Mukete Beckline and Vivian Ntoko. Impact of Micro-Climate Change on the Forest Vegetation Resources of the Mount Cameroon Region. American Journal of Environmental Protection. 2022; 10(2):57-66. doi: 10.12691/env-10-2-2

Abstract

Over the years, non-timber forest products have become vulnerable to climate change with consequences for their growth, maturity, harvesting and fruiting. As surrounding forest communities continuously depend on forest resources, climate change affects their livelihoods. Based on climate perception data obtained from 200 households, in 4 villages using household surveys, 12 focus group discussions and meteorological data for the period 1990 to 2020, this study examined local perception of climate change, forest vegetation resources and the various climate adaptation strategies in the Mount Cameroon Region. Results showed 73.4%, 37.3% and 68.8% of the respondents had observed an increase in temperature, rainfall and windspeed, respectively. Mean annual rainfall decreased by 1.0541 mm per year while, the mean annual temperature increased by 0.0263°C per year. This study will help policy makers educate local surrounding forest communities on climate adaptation measures, impacts, and the sustainable use of forest vegetation resources.

Keywords:
forest vegetation resources forest conservation climate change adaptation rural livelihoods mount Cameroon

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