Aspire Grant Program Awardee

Mirrande Mafo Azai

Study of the Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation Around the Forest Reserve Melong, Littoral Cameroon

<p>Cameroon has a net deforestation rate relatively low, estimated at 0.14% between 1990 and 2000 (from Wasseige et al. 2009). Nevertheless, the future development prospects probably will cause various increasing pressures. Anxious to establish a green and inclusive economy, Cameroon embarked on REDD +.</p><p>The R-PP validated in 2013 identifies the slash and burn agriculture as one of the main causes of deforestation in Cameroon. This is mainly the case of the Forest Reserve Melong (RFM) in the Littoral Region, which is subject to various pressures from its neighbors.</p><p>The overall objective of this study is to contribute to the formulation of a robust REDD + strategy in Cameroon. More specifically it will measure the extent of deforestation and degradation (DD) of forests in RFM through an analysis of satellite images and to determine the factors associated DD, to propose relevant measures correct and sustainably manage the RFM.</p>