Wetlands of Cameroon

Abstract

The scope of wetlands in Cameroon in terms of habitat and species diversity and distribution, their importance given their environmental and ecological services, and their socioeconomic value to human populations as well as for wildlife conservation have been discussed. Cameroon wetlands are already threatened, degraded, and sometimes destructed as a consequence of both natural and anthropogenic causes. Maintaining a balance between the needs of the local communities and ecological integrity of the remaining wetland ecosystems has been a challenging national and regional cause for concern for governments and different development partners in the country and Central African region especially as wetland issues transcend national boundaries. This dismal situation has been recognized by the donor and development agencies and the government, but measures to address the situation so far have been inadequate. There is an evolving march toward filling policy gaps by developing a national wetlands policy within which wetlands conservation and poverty reduction issues are mainstreamed. It has also been demonstrated that site programs largely employing the ecosystem approach can contribute to strengthening mainstreaming at different levels be it national and international levels. The chapter further highlights the level of achievements of these mainstreaming strategies, processes, shortcomings, and way forward toward safeguarding livelihoods and the developmental drives in Cameroon.