Household Wood Requirements and the Substitution Potential of Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) Available to Peasants in Forest Areas of Cameroon: A Case Study in Ebolowa 2

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study is to assess people's perceptions of bamboo's potential to replace wood. Study Design: Introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out between April and July 2022 in an agro ecological rainforest zone in Cameroon, more specifically in the Ebolowa 2 Council, where there are significant bamboo resources.  Methodology: 5 villages were chosen for the study, due to their accessibility and proximity to the urban centre. A purposive sampling based on proximity to bamboo stands was applied and 75 households were surveyed using a semi-structured questionnaire, with 30% of respondents being women. In addition, observations were made directly on the field to identify the uses made of bamboo by peasants in the various villages. Results: The results show that the collection of firewood is the second greatest anthropogenic threat to the forest after agriculture. An analysis of wood energy requirements shows that they increase with household size. 51.8% of the households sampled consume an average of 2 to 5 50-cm steres, i.e. around 1.6 to 4 m³ of firewood/week. The landscape of the study area is marked by a strong presence of tree nurseries built using bamboo as a substitute for wood.  Bamboo is used by 70.3% of the population sampled in the study area. However, the value of bamboo is still very low, given the 5 areas of use identified. Nonetheless, it is seen as a good alternative to wood by 75% of these households. Conclusion: The results of this study provide a database that can be used to help promote and develop the bamboo sector in rural forest areas of Cameroon.