Dynamique spatio-temporelle de l’occupation du sol dans le Parc national du Mont Cameroun et sa périphérie (Région du Sud –Ouest Cameroun), entre 1986 et 2020
Year of Publication: 2022
Authors: Mezafack Karol L., Tata Juluis N., Kana colins, Momo Solefack, Masango Sone
Abstract
Mount Cameroon (4095 m altitude), because of its specific context of biological diversity, is part of the national parks of Cameroon. The
legendary fertility of the volcano’s soils has attracted a mosaic of populations for centuries. Indeed, classified by IUCN category II as an attractive area
whose resources generate covetousness, it is an area where urban growth and the development of agro-industrial plantations, specifically in its western part, are at the origin of the conversion of the original vegetation cover. In order to reduce the human pressure on this landscape, one of the main steps is to trace the history of the land cover; hence the general objective of this study is to analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of the land cover in the area. The methodological approach was based on a mapping approach based on the analysis of multi-date Landsat images (1986, 2010 and 2020), using the classification method based on the maximum likelihood algorithm. The image processing allowed to highlight the changes observed on eleven land cover classes between 1986 and 2020. In addition, the development of a transition matrix between the different land cover forms at different dates was necessary to identify land conversion trends. The result revealed that a significant transformation of land use and land cover occurred during these years. The results show that the transformations have taken place in different ways, with regressions observed in natural vegetation formations (coastal forests, sub-montane forests and mangroves, respectively of the order of – 30.28%, -14.33% and -38.37% of the total study area) to the benefit of built up areas and agricultural plantations, which in turn have experienced respective evolution rates of 33.94% and 13.49%. Conversely, there has been a significant increase in the area of young secondary forests and dense mountain forests, due to conservation efforts and the re-vegetation of former lava flows. Spatially targeted measures are needed for this biodiversity hot spot in Cameroon.
legendary fertility of the volcano’s soils has attracted a mosaic of populations for centuries. Indeed, classified by IUCN category II as an attractive area
whose resources generate covetousness, it is an area where urban growth and the development of agro-industrial plantations, specifically in its western part, are at the origin of the conversion of the original vegetation cover. In order to reduce the human pressure on this landscape, one of the main steps is to trace the history of the land cover; hence the general objective of this study is to analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of the land cover in the area. The methodological approach was based on a mapping approach based on the analysis of multi-date Landsat images (1986, 2010 and 2020), using the classification method based on the maximum likelihood algorithm. The image processing allowed to highlight the changes observed on eleven land cover classes between 1986 and 2020. In addition, the development of a transition matrix between the different land cover forms at different dates was necessary to identify land conversion trends. The result revealed that a significant transformation of land use and land cover occurred during these years. The results show that the transformations have taken place in different ways, with regressions observed in natural vegetation formations (coastal forests, sub-montane forests and mangroves, respectively of the order of – 30.28%, -14.33% and -38.37% of the total study area) to the benefit of built up areas and agricultural plantations, which in turn have experienced respective evolution rates of 33.94% and 13.49%. Conversely, there has been a significant increase in the area of young secondary forests and dense mountain forests, due to conservation efforts and the re-vegetation of former lava flows. Spatially targeted measures are needed for this biodiversity hot spot in Cameroon.