"The multiple functions of forest ecosystems are of vital importance to humans, at the global level for climate regulation, at the state level for maintaining biodiversity and improving the economy, and at the rural level for the livelihood needs of communities.
The mission of the Biodiversity, Environment and Forestry Division (DBEF) is to conduct forestry research activities (biodiversity, environment, resource management and development) within the framework of the implementation of a scientific action plan based on priorities defined from the real needs of users and the challenges of the Cameroonian government as they appear in the sectoral development strategies
Missions of the DBEF
As a reference structure in institutional forestry and environmental research, the DBEF has the following missions
Improvement of knowledge on biodiversity and natural environments;
Sustainable management of biological, soil and water resources
Conservation of the environment and biodiversity;
Taxonomic study and constitution of herbarium collections;
Valorisation of research results by providing users with technologies that meet their needs;
Ensuring the collection, processing and dissemination of scientific and technological information;
Development and maintenance of scientific cooperation relations with specialised national and international institutions;
Production and management of knowledge and information useful for government action on biodiversity, soils, forests, fauna and the environment;
Facilitating the forest to perform its ecosystem functions (economic, ecological and socio-cultural) in a participatory approach that preserves the interest of all stakeholders;
Ensuring sustainable management of soil and water resources for the preservation of their productivity potential;
Contributing to the permanent maintenance of the environmental goods and services provided by forests;
Ensuring the conservation of forest soils as well as carbon stocks and groundwater reserves;
Increasing the capacity of forest stakeholders to manage and benefit from their resources.
ORGANISATIONAL PLAN
DBEF operates through four research sections, namely
Biodiversity and Climate Change Section
This section aims at :
- knowledge of floristic and faunal diversity
- the means of biodiversity conservation; and
- the development of knowledge and strategies for land management within the framework of better land use;
- the preservation of ecological balances, as well as mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Achievements of this Section
- Enrichment of the collection of the flora of Cameroon with numerous described species;
- Identification of 400 threatened plants of Cameroon (IUCN Red List available online);
- Publication of four (04) checklists for the conservation of the Forest Reserves of Mount Cameroon, Bali Ngemba, Mount Oku, Mount Bakossi National Park, Mount Kupé and Manengouba Ecological Reserves (with information on the fauna of the Atlantic forest);
- Monitoring and improving knowledge of the five marine turtle species that frequent the coastal waters of Cameroon;
- Identification of 96 endemic fish species in the rivers of the South West region, including 9 species of Tilapia in Lake Mbeme (Mts Bakossi);
- Improvement of knowledge on the macrofauna of forest soils: 80 species of ants, 36 species of earthworms and 235 species of termites of agricultural interest;
- Development of mitigation and adaptation mechanisms to climate change.
Subsection Pedology
This section aims at :
- knowledge of the diversity of soil units ;
- the collection and analysis of soil samples in order to classify them according to the world soil method (WRB) and its American and French equivalents (Référentiel pédologique);
- the elaboration of thematic soil maps for the country's planning on a regional scale;
- the implementation of techniques for the protection, improvement and conservation of land productivity through integrated soil fertility management;
- implementation of actions aimed at the rational use of inputs (chemical fertilisers and pesticides) according to the types of land use.
Achievements of the Section
Soil, fertiliser and water analysis laboratories certified (ISO);
A database of soil data available;
Qualified staff;
Basic soil maps on a national scale available;
Soil conservation and soil enrichment techniques;
Soil conservation and soil enrichment techniques