Analyses and Determinants of Land Use-Land Cover Dynamics in Dimako Sub-Division, East Region of Cameroon

Abstract

The transformation of forested lands by human actions represents one of the great forces in global environmental change and one of the great drivers of biodiversity loss. Forests are cleared, degraded and fragmented through timber harvest, conversion to agricultural lands, and road construction amongst others. In this vein, this study aims at analysing land use-land cover changes as well as their determinants in Dimako. A mixed research design was used in this study with primary data obtained through the use of questionnaire, group discussions, key informant interviews and field observations in order to identify the various ways of forest exploitation. Satellites maps were downloaded and analysed with the aid of geographic information techniques to assess the extent of forest cover and land use changes in Dimako. The findings revealed a decreasing trend in forest cover change from 1986-2016 by 0.285% per year. Forest was found to be exploited by local populations and by industrial logging companies for NTFPs and timber respectively. Also, the major factors contributing to the fast disappearance of the natural forest were attributed to industrial logging, agricultural land expansion, the rising demand for tree products, and poverty which have severe negative repercussions on the human population and environment. The study recommended providing environmental education, afforestation or agro-forestry, increasing income of rural households, providing alternative form of fuel (energy), strengthening participatory forest management and community based organization initiatives, and strong law enforcement on the part of the government on those who illegally and indiscriminately exploit the forests.