Influence of Anthropogenic Activities on Climate Change in the Adamaoua Region (Cameroon)

Abstract

Numerous anthropogenic pressures, including periodic fires, influence the current functioning and structure of tropical savannas. Few scientific studies have focused on the influence of fire on carbon stock despite its impact on climate change. The objective was to contribute to the evaluation of the effects of activities on the woody cover in the high Guinean savannahs of Cameroon. The work took place in the Arrondissements of Ngan'Ha, Ngaoundéré III for the Vina and Mbakaou Departments and Ngaoundal for the Djerem Department. A socio-economic household survey was conducted among 200 people, 100 per department. The results show that 93.60% of respondents stated that the advantages of fires are the renewal of pastures, the cleaning of fields and the facilitation of hunting. As for the disadvantages, they cite the destruction of fields, the burning of houses and granaries; and environmentally, the reduction of agricultural yields, the increase in heat, diseases, and the disappearance of certain animal and especially plant species such as Lophira lanceolata, Carissa edulis, Sarcocephallus latifollius. The main endogenous knowledge developed by the populations for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change are the use of organic fertilizers, awareness against fires, tree planting, fences for the protection of concessions etc. It is urgent to take adequate measures to limit bush fires and the cutting of wood for energy.