Western Highlands Research Articles

Human and Environmental Health Implications of Pesticide Utilization by Market Gardeners in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Aims: Assessment of human and environmental health implications of pesticide use by farmers in the western highlands of Cameroon, the case of Fotouni.
 Study design: Descriptive Cross-Sectional
 Place and Duration of Study: This work was done between November 2016 and March 2017 in Fotouni (West Region of Cameroon).
 Methodology: A structured questionnaires randomly administered to 76 markets gardeners owning a farm and willing to take part in the survey.
 Results: The survey revealed that secondary school was the highest level of education achieved by most of the respondents (68.4%). Farmers were aged between 19 and 63 years, the highest percentage (47.4%) being in the 31 to 40 years range. Five pesticide families were used in the study area with a predominance of insecticides. Thirty-one commercial names were recorded corresponding to 18 active ingredients. Chlorothalonil was the most used active ingredient. Beauchamp and Dimethoate were two illegally used compounds recorded. Most farmers (89%) mixed pesticide before application while others (31.6%) changed dosage per crop season. Furthermore, prescribed doses were not followed by 34.2% of respondents and 60.5% of farmers hadn’t receive any training on pesticide application. Market gardeners chose pesticides to apply mainly from information on labels (71%). Farm water was used by 92.1% of respondents for domestic purposes; 28.9% of respondents testified active pesticide poisoning while 47.4% failed to use protective equipment during application. Seven post-application symptoms were recorded, the main one being impaired vison and nausea. The farm house was the main pesticide storage site (56%). Empty sachets were poorly managed as respondents burned (42%) or buried (10%). The Restricted Entry Interval was a mystery for the majority of respondents (70%) who declared they re-entered the farms less than 24h after application.
 Conclusion: Farmers were highly exposed to pesticides due to ignorance and poor legislation.

The species composition of rotifers in three hydroelectric reservoirs of western highlands, Central Vietnam

The rotifer fauna in three hydroelectric reservoirs of western highlands, central Vietnam were studied. Among a total of 63 identified species and subspecies, beloging to 23 genera in 15 families, Brachionidae was the most diverse family with 15 taxa recorded (23.81%) followed by Lecanidae (14 taxa, 22.22%), and Synchaetidae (8 taxa, 12.7%). Species accumulation curve and species richness estimators suggested a relatively high level of biodiversity of rotifera assemblages in the studied area. Besides, results on species composition of rotifera community in this study were compared to those of other freshwater bodies in Vietnam using Jaccard similarity index. In particular, the highest similarity was found between reservoirs in western highlands and Phu Ninh lake, Quang Nam Province while the largest difference in species composition was observed between western highlands and Bau Thiem lake, Thua Thien Hue Province.

Solutions to attract investment in Western mountainous districts of Nghe An Province

Although investment activities in the western mountainous region of Nghe An Province in recent years have not commensurated with the regional resources, they have made a significant contribution to the local socio-economic development of the local region. The article analyzes investment projects in the western highland districts of Nghe An Province in the period from 2016 to 2019, in order to identify the causes and to propose feasible solutions. Through the analysis of secondary data extracted from the Department of Planning and Investment of Nghe An Province, it can be seen that the number of investment projects and the scale of capital invested in the western region of Nghe An Province are too modest compared to their potential. After finding out the causes, the authors propose a number of solutions, which focus on improving infrastructure, the state management of investment activities and investment promotion to attract more investment projects to this area

Modeling the spatial distribution of anthrax in southern Kenya.

BackgroundAnthrax is an important zoonotic disease in Kenya associated with high animal and public health burden and widespread socio-economic impacts. The disease occurs in sporadic outbreaks that involve livestock, wildlife, and humans, but knowledge on factors that affect the geographic distribution of these outbreaks is limited, challenging public health intervention planning.MethodsAnthrax surveillance data reported in southern Kenya from 2011 to 2017 were modeled using a boosted regression trees (BRT) framework. An ensemble of 100 BRT experiments was developed using a variable set of 18 environmental covariates and 69 unique anthrax locations. Model performance was evaluated using AUC (area under the curve) ROC (receiver operating characteristics) curves.ResultsCattle density, rainfall of wettest month, soil clay content, soil pH, soil organic carbon, length of longest dry season, vegetation index, temperature seasonality, in order, were identified as key variables for predicting environmental suitability for anthrax in the region. BRTs performed well with a mean AUC of 0.8. Areas highly suitable for anthrax were predicted predominantly in the southwestern region around the shared Kenya-Tanzania border and a belt through the regions and highlands in central Kenya. These suitable regions extend westwards to cover large areas in western highlands and the western regions around Lake Victoria and bordering Uganda. The entire eastern and lower-eastern regions towards the coastal region were predicted to have lower suitability for anthrax.ConclusionThese modeling efforts identified areas of anthrax suitability across southern Kenya, including high and medium agricultural potential regions and wildlife parks, important for tourism and foreign exchange. These predictions are useful for policy makers in designing targeted surveillance and/or control interventions in Kenya.We thank the staff of Directorate of Veterinary Services under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, for collecting and providing the anthrax historical occurrence data.

Stingless Beekeeping in Uganda: An Industry in Its Infancy

Stingless bees are important resources for pollination of crops, production of medicinal honey and other products. However, throughout the developing countries in Africa, meliponiculture has received less attention in beekeeping development programmes. Here, the current situation of stingless beekeeping in Uganda is assessed. First, stingless bee species utilised for their products were collected and identified. Thereafter, the economic benefits derived from stingless beekeeping in the Western Highlands agro-ecological zones of Uganda with anecdotal reports of meliponiculture were analysed. The findings reveal that stingless beekeeping is in its early stages of development in Uganda. Four stingless bee species were identified: Meliponula bocandei, Meliponula nebulata, Meliponula ferruginea and Plebeina hildebrandtii that are currently used for honey and propolis. These stingless bee species can be selected for domestication, targeting different products such as honey, propolis and pollen to make meliponiculture more profitable. Indigenous knowledge of beekeepers that can assist in locating wild stingless bee nests for domestication was documented as it is essential for the preservation of this practice. In order to transform the stingless beekeeping industry in Uganda, training needs such as hive making, colony management, product harvesting and processing will have to be addressed.

Possibilities of Advancing Police Reform in Guatemala through Community -Oriented Policing

The paper describes the process of security sector reform in Guatemala with reference to the efforts to implement community-based policing practices. The results point to the difficulties of shaking-off public understandings of security honed during the armed conflict and underscore the efforts of a still young police institution to position itself in a democratic context. The study posits that community-oriented policing strategies open opportunities to forward police reform in the high-violence, low-trust, weak-institutions, and post-conflict context of Guatemala. The argument is supported by field data gathered in indigenous territories in the Western Highlands, where traditional forms of social organization persist, and in metropolitan Villa Canales municipality, an urban, high-violence site of research.

Possibilities of Advancing Police Reform in Guatemala through Community -Oriented Policing

The paper describes the process of security sector reform in Guatemala with reference to the efforts to implement community-based policing practices. The results point to the difficulties of shaking-off public understandings of security honed during the armed conflict and underscore the efforts of a still young police institution to position itself in a democratic context. The study posits that community-oriented policing strategies open opportunities to forward police reform in the high-violence, low-trust, weak-institutions, and post-conflict context of Guatemala. The argument is supported by field data gathered in indigenous territories in the Western Highlands, where traditional forms of social organization persist, and in metropolitan Villa Canales municipality, an urban, high-violence site of research.

Integrating Satellite Rainfall Estimates with Hydrological Water Balance Model: Rainfall-Runoff Modeling in Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

Hydrologic models play an indispensable role in managing the scarce water resources of a region, and in developing countries, the availability and distribution of data are challenging. This research aimed to integrate and compare the satellite rainfall products, namely, Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM 3B43v7) and Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record (PERSIANN-CDR), with a GR2M hydrological water balance model over a diversified terrain of the Awash River Basin in Ethiopia. Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), percent bias (PBIAS), coefficient of determination (R2), and root mean square error (RMSE) and Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) were used to evaluate the satellite rainfall products and hydrologic model performances of the basin. The satellite rainfall estimations of both products showed a higher PCC (above 0.86) with areal observed rainfall in the Uplands, the Western highlands, and the Lower sub-basins. However, it was weakly associated in the Upper valley and the Eastern catchments of the basin ranging from 0.45 to 0.65. The findings of the assimilated satellite rainfall products with the GR2M model exhibited that 80% of the calibrated and 60% of the validated watersheds in a basin had lower magnitude of PBIAS (<±10), which resulted in better accuracy in flow simulation. The poor performance with higher PBIAS (≥±25) of the GR2M model was observed only in the Melka Kuntire (TRMM 3B43v7 and PERSIANN-CDR), Mojo (PERSIANN-CDR), Metehara (in all rainfall data sets), and Kessem (TRMM 3B43v7) watersheds. Therefore, integrating these satellite rainfall data, particularly in the data-scarce basin, with hydrological data, generally appeared to be useful. However, validation with the ground observed data is required for effective water resources planning and management in a basin. Furthermore, it is recommended to make bias corrections for watersheds with poorlyww performing satellite rainfall products of higher PBIAS before assimilating with the hydrologic model.

Ecological distribution of Stephanodiscus niagarae Ehrenberg in central Mexico and niche modeling for its last glacial maximum habitat suitability in the Nearctic realm

Stephanodiscus niagarae Ehrenberg is currently restricted to specific regions of central Mexico, however, during the late Pleistocene, it had a wider distribution in the country. This change in distribution is similar to those observed for several organisms that migrated southwards during cold, glacial climates, supporting the hypothesis that central Mexico acted as glacial refugia for these species. This study aims to support this hypothesis for S. niagarae as well as to analyze its ecological distribution in modern environments in central Mexico. For this purpose we studied 18 samples from 16 lakes located around Mexico City, selected among 46 lakes along the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. Diatom assemblages in superficial sediments, and climatic, hydrochemistry, and nutrient parameters of each lake were analyzed by means of canonical correspondence analyses. Additionally, we created an ecological niche model (ENM) with modern occurrence data (n = 47) and environmental variables (WorldClim) to produce potential distribution maps of S. niagarae during the present time and under the LGM conditions in the Nearctic realm. S. niagarae was recorded only in 4 sites in central Mexico (abundances < 10%) associated with temperate, subhumid conditions in freshwater lakes with [Mg2+] − [Ca2+] − [HCO3−] ionic dominance and high turbidity, mesotrophic to hypertrophic systems (based on chlorophyll a values), but with a tendency to P-limitation. In our study sites S. niagarae showed low abundances in diatom assemblages dominated by Aulacoseira spp. Temperature (annual mean, coldest and warmest quarters means) was identified by ENM as the main environmental variable controlling its distribution, with its highest modern support in the USA, southern Canada, and a restricted distribution in the highlands of western and central Mexico. Whereas, the LGM scenario (− 5.5 °C) identified the western and central highlands in Mexico and southern USA as the highest probability distribution areas supporting the approach that the Sierra Madre Occidental could have acted as a migration corridor offering suitable habitats for a southward migration into central Mexico during colder (glacial) periods. In conclusion, S. niagarae distribution in the central and western mountains of Mexico is controlled by temperature changes and its presence may be associated with colder (glacial) periods.

Integrated Soil Fertility Management Options for Maize Production and Sustainability in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Background: Continuous cultivation without fertilizer application and soil erosion are responsible for plant nutrient depletion and yield decline of major food crops in Sub-Saharan Africa.Methods: Nutrient status of Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia angustissima and Cassia spectabilis were characterized. Field experiments were conducted over two years in the Western Highlands of Cameroon to evaluate the effects of the application of leaf biomass of agroforestry tree species and mineral fertilizers on maize yield performance. The residual effects on soil physicochemical properties were also investigated for umbric Cambisols of Babungo and ustic Oxisols of Bansoa. Ten treatments encompassing; sole leaf biomass of Calliandra calothyrsus, Leucaena leucocephala, Acacia angustissima and Cassia spectabilis, leaf biomasses combined with NPK fertilizer, sole NPK fertilizer and absolute control were laid in a randomized complete block design and replicated three times. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Duncan Test (p &lt; 0.05) used for mean separation.Results: All the species characterized had nitrogen, polyphenol and lignin contents greater than 2.5 %, 5 % and 15 % respectively. Significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) were observed among treatments on maize growth, productivity parameters and soil chemical properties for both soil types. The highest maize grain yields were recorded in plots amended with 1 t/ha of biomass of Calliandra calothyrsus or Leucaena leucocephala as well as1.5 t/ha of biomass of Acacia angustissima and Cassia spectabilis plus mineral fertilizer (50 N+ 37.5 P2O5 + 45 K2O) on both soils compared to other treatments.on umbric Cambisols and ustic Oxisols respectively. The residual effects of treatments on soil chemical properties showed severe nutrient depletion in control plots and those amended with sole inorganic fertilizer.Conclusions: Combined application of agroforestry tree biomass and inorganic fertilizers remains an appropriate technology to enhance maize yield and sustain production of resource-limited farmers of acid tropical soils..

Using Diatom Assemblages and Physicochemical Parameters to Characterize Waterfalls in Western Highlands of Cameroun, West Africa

Diatoms are mostly aquatic plants, growing in various environmental conditions and habitat. Because of their high sensitivity to environmental variations and rapid response to degradation, they are used as biological indicators. This study aimed to analyses the physicochemical parameters and diatoms assemblages of waterfalls. This will allow determining the key environmental factors that are responsible for both diatoms and Podostemaceae spatial and temporal distribution in the studied area.Water and diatoms samples were taken respectively for the physicochemical and biological analysis. Diatoms samples were collected by scraping the bedrocks and submerged plants; diatoms were subsequently identified to the species level using a light microscope. For physicochemical data analysis, a principal component analysis approach was used while diatom’s data were submitted to a correspondence trophic analysis. A total of 169 diatom species were identified in both waterfalls. Podostemaceae poor waterfalls were more species-rich (127) than the rich ones (110). Podostemaceae poor and Podostemaceae rich waterfalls were characterized with low mineralization, low values of pH and oxygen saturated water. The observed assemblages were composed of oligotrophic to eutrophic species, acidophilic, neutrophilic and high to moderate oxygen saturated water taxa. The ecology of different species revealed that dissolved oxygen was the main parameter which controls the distribution of diatoms, and probably the Podostemaeceae one in the two type of waterfalls Podostemaceae poor waterfalls are characterized by Fragilariacapucina and Gomphonema gracile. Podostemacea rich waterfalls were characterized by Eunotiafaba, Eunotiarhomboïdea, Pinnularia microstauron, Gomphonema procerum and Gomphonema clavatum.

Distinct Changes Occur in the Human Breast Milk Microbiome Between Early and Established Lactation in Breastfeeding Guatemalan Mothers.

Human breast milk contains a diverse community of bacteria, but as breast milk microbiome studies have largely focused on mothers from high income countries where few women breastfeed to 6 months, the temporal changes in the breast milk microbiome that occur during later lactation stages have not been explored. For this cross-sectional study, microbiota from breast milk samples of Mam-Mayan mothers living in eight remote rural communities in the Western Highlands of Guatemala were analyzed. All mothers delivered vaginally and breastfed their infants for 6 months. Breast milk from 76 unrelated mothers was used to compare two lactation stages, either “early” (6–46 days post-partum, n = 33) or “late” (109–184 days post-partum, n = 43). Breast milk microbial communities were assessed using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing and lactation stages were compared using DESeq2 differential abundance analysis. A total of 1,505 OTUs were identified, including 287 which could be annotated as putative species. Among several maternal factors, lactation stage explained microbiome variance and inertia in ordination with the most significance (p < 0.001). Differential abundance analysis identified 137 OTUs as significantly higher in either early or late lactation. These included a general shift from Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species in early lactation to Sphingobium and Pseudomonas species in late lactation. Species enriched in early lactation included putative commensal bacteria known to colonize the infant oral and intestinal tracts whereas species enriched in late lactation had a uniform functional trait associated with aromatic compound degradation. Differentially abundant species also included several species which have not previously been reported within breast milk, such as Janthinobacterium agaricidamnosum, Novosphingobium clariflavum, Ottowia beijingensis, and Flavobacterium cucumis. These discoveries describe temporal changes to the breast milk microbiome of healthy Guatemalan mothers from early to late lactation. Collectively, these findings illustrate how studying under-represented human populations might advance our understanding of factors that modulate the human milk microbiome in low and middle income countries (LMIC).

Maize intercropping in the milpa system. Diversity, extent and importance for nutritional security in the Western Highlands of Guatemala

We present an assessment of the extent, diversity, and nutritional contribution of the milpa through a quantitative analysis of data from a survey conducted in 989 small scale farm households in the Western Highlands of Guatemala (WHG). The milpa is a traditional agricultural system in which maize is intercropped with other species, such as common beans, faba beans, squashes or potatoes. Our study shows that more than two-thirds of the 1,205 plots recorded were under the milpa system, with a great diversity of crop combinations. As shown with the 357 plots for which specific yields were available, milpa systems present higher total productivity than monocropped maize, expressed as total energy yield of the harvested crops in the respective system, and were also better at providing the recommended daily allowances of fourteen essential nutrients, based on a Potential Nutrient Adequacy (PNA) indicator. Maize-bean-potato, maize-potato, and maize-bean-faba intercrops had the highest PNAs, and monocropped maize, the lowest. These results support the implementation of milpa systems tailored to different agro-ecologies in order to improve nutrition in the WHG and a variety of similar regions.

Community-Based Actors and Participation in Rangeland Management. Lessons from the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Participation is a key component in socioecological systems (especially rangeland) governance. Yet, in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), this attribute is yet to be fully understood and/or mainstreamed in natural resource management. This suggests the need for renewed learning on how actors are (dis)engaged in rangeland governance. With a litany of studies focusing on rangeland transformation, complementary evidence which unpacks actor’s participation in rangeland management are required in SSA. Through a survey of 333 households from 12 pastoral communities in Cameroon’s Western Highlands, this paper (i) maps the interactions of rangeland actors, (ii) analyzes actors’ participation in rangeland institutions and in the implementation of management approaches, and (iii) discusses their potential implications for rangeland governance. Using the socioecological coevolution approach as analytical lens, the study revealed the following: (1) state and non-state actors demonstrate overlapping interests, and form temporary alliances to pursue these interests, (2) pastoral households’ participation demonstrate a wavy tendency—with activity-specific participation in decision making and grazing activities (facilitated by catalyzing agents) as opposed to nominal and passive participation in arbitrary boundary setting. (3) The wavy participation spectrum translates to suboptimal resource use, differential and fragmented engagements, and adaptation to changing resource circumstances. The results enhance our understanding of actor dynamics in socioecological systems, and provides relevant information to support Cameroon’s environmental management policy with emphasis on her cattle rearing kingdoms.

Diversity of honey bee Apis mellifera subspecies (Hymenoptera: Apoidae) from the Western Highlands of Cameroon based on morpho-biometry

The study was carried out from August to September 2016 in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. The main objective was to contribute to a better understanding of biodiversity of honeybees for their preservation and genetic improvement. To attain this, samples of 420 workers bees belonging to Apis mellifera subspecies were obtained from 14 localities in the study zone. Body measurements in mm gave the following values: honey bee length (10.98 ± 0.06), abdomen length (6.71 ± 0.03), width of the yellow band on the second (2 nd ) abdominal tergite (1.48 ± 0.01), width of fourth (4 th ) abdominal tergite (1.32 ± 0.01), length of cover hair on the fifth (5 th ) abdominal tergite (0.29 ± 0.00), antenna length (4.27 ± 0.02), proboscis length (4.39 ± 0.11), length of nervure A (0.60 ± 0.00), length of nervure B (0.25 ± 0.00), discoidal shift (-0.13 ± 0.01), anterior right wing length (9.31 ± 0.03), anterior right wing width (3.14 ± 0.01), posterior right wing length (6.38 ± 0.03) and posterior right wing width (1.69 ± 0.01). A correlation coefficient significantly ( p <0.01) higher (0.72) was obtained between the length of posterior right wing and the length of the anterior right wing. The cubital index is 2.36 ± 0.04. Populations of honeybees studied consist of three genetic types; genetic types 2 and 3 are closer together. The observed biodiversity suggests that honeybees constitute a natural resource with genetic variability needed for preservation and genetic improvement.

Effect of Continuous Intensive Cultivation on the Chemical and Microbiological Properties of Oxic Dystrandept Soils in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Soil fertility indices are well documented as they are directly related to land use and productivity. However, the effect of continuous intensive cultivation on the evolution of soil fertility is still poorly documented. The aim of this study was thus to assess the effect of continuous intensive cultivation on the chemical and microbiological properties of Oxic Dystrandept soils in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Composite soil samples were taken between 0-15 cm depths on farmlands that have been subjected to continuous intensive cultivation for one, five and ten years meanwhile samples from plots that have never been cultivated served as control. The main results revealed that the ammonium contents dropped abruptly (86%-wt) from the first year of cultivation. The organic carbon (OC) content decreased from 1.81 ± 0.14 %-dm (in control) to 1.69 ± 0.09 % after one year, 1.66 ± 0.10 % after 5 years and 1.58 ± 0.07 % after 10 years. Compared to the control, available phosphorus (P) showed a 13 %-wt drop after one year, 46 % after 5 years and 85 % after 10 years. Dehydrogenase activity showed a 42 % decrease after one year, 50 % after five years and 73 % after 10 years. The other parameters were not significantly different (P&lt;0.05) amongst treatments. Decline of soil productivity was undoubtedly related to the decrease of OC, P, microbial activity and ammonium with continuous intensive cultivation. Thus, management strategies for improved crop production should include selection suitable cropping systems and chemical methods. Keywords: Continuous intensive cultivation, enzymatic activities, soil chemical properties, Oxic Dystrandept, Cameroon western highland

Farmers’ Knowledge of Potato Viruses and Management Strategies in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), important staple food and a source of income to small-scale farmers, is mostly cultivated in Cameroon in the Western Highlands. Production constraints are exerted on this crop by many pathogens including viruses responsible for considerable yield losses. This study aimed at assessing the perception of farmers on the virus diseases that can affect potatoes, and to identify the control methods adopted against them. A semi-structured survey was carried out among 230 farmers in 24 villages of the Western Highlands zone of Cameroon. Out of these farmers, 80.87% had never heard of potato viruses. Those having pre-knowledge about potato viruses were 19.13%. Among the latter, 16.52% had heard of potato viruses and transmission mode during capacity building workshops while 2.61% didn’t know about the means of transmission. Insect control is essentially chemical (100%). However, few farmers use biological methods such as intercropping (7.39%) and application of plant extracts (4.78%) to control insects. Twelve plant species, belonging to nine families, were mentioned for insect control. In addition to plants, farmers also use wood ash and rabbit urine for insect control. These results show the knowledge gap possessed by farmers with respect to potato viruses and their transmission mode. It is thus speculated that this spans to other crops in Cameroon settings. This finding can serve as a base and a working document for policymaking to ameliorate teaching, research and devilment related to plant viruses for better sustainable food production.

Phytosanitary Situation of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Maize streak virus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; in the Main Maize Production Zones of Cameroon

Maize streak caused by the Maize streak virus (MSV, genus Mastrevirus) is transmitted by Cicadulina spp., and is responsible for considerable maize yield losses in all maize production zones in Africa, including Cameroon. A survey was conducted in 3 agro-ecological zones (AEZ) of Cameroon (Sudano-Sahelian: zone I, Western Highlands: zone III and Bimodal Rainforest: zone V) between November 2017 and November 2019 to determine the status of streak disease in maize farms. The incidence and severity were determined in 90 maize fields, 30 fields per AEZ; the effect of lightning on the disease was also assessed using 15 fields under shade and 15 opened fields per AEZ. The highest streak disease incidence (60%) was found in AEZ I, whereas the lowest incidence was 10% in AEZV. The highest disease incidence and severity (80% and 4.5 respectively) were observed in maize fields under shade as compared to open fields (70% and 4.5 respectively). The phylogenetic analysis of MSV sequences from symptomatic plants indicated it as MSV-A strain identical to be previously reported to determine the virus diversity in relation to the other characterization isolates. This information is important for the development of control strategies to limit yield losses due to MSV.

The Degradation of the Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve Revisited: A Spatio-temporal Analysis of Forest Cover Change Dynamics

Globally, forest reserves are created with a premier objective to conserve important biodiversity and to ensure ecosystems services provision. Unfortunately, forest reserves in the global south are threatened by the tremendous rise in human numbers and the unsustainable exploitation of forest resources. This is the problem facing protected areas (PAs), including forest reserves in Cameroon. The Bafut-Ngemba Forest Reserve (BNFR) is just a case in point of the many transformed and ecological twisted forest reserves in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. The BNFR is no biodiversity paradise as the humanisation of the reserve has taken an unprecedented toll in recent times. The study updated forest cover changes within the reserve from previous studies spanning across 2010-2021 as a baseline data towards the effective design of sustainable forest conservation planning. Satellite remote sensing employing high resolution ASTER (15m) and real-time Google Earth images were used to assess the forest cover dynamics. Between 2010 and 2015, forest loss was mild, either -27.135ha. From 2015-2021, in just less than 6 years, 696.397ha of forest cover was lost. For the entire study period (2010-2021), at total of 723.532ha of forest is estimated to have been lost. Forest loss in the BNFR is linked to some four anthropogenic stressors; farmland encroachment, eucalyptus colonisation, wood harvesting and cattle grazing alongside inter-annual fires used for pasture regeneration and rangeland management. Conservation efforts are urgently needed should the remaining threatened biodiversity, mostly avifauna is to be protected in line with monitoring progress to global targets and SDG 15.1.1.

Effect of feeding different levels of protein supplementation on the growth performance of young snails (Archachatina marginata) in the western highlands of Cameroon

Effect of feeding different levels of protein supplementation on the growth performance of young snails (Archachatina marginata) in the western highlands of Cameroon