Ecology and Natural Resource Development in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. Issues in Natural Resource Management: Issues in Natural Resource Management

Chapter Six. Climographic Analysis and Mapping of the Mount Cameroon Region

Chapter Six Climographic Analysis and Mapping of the Mount Cameroon Region Summary Mountain environments possess fragile ecosystems which are particularly very sensitive to climate change. Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain peak (4095m) in West Africa and the foot slopes are a microcosm of tropical plantation agriculture. It also possesses a diverse and rich biodiversity of scientific and conservation interest. The area is therefore a region with much scientific, industrial and agricultural activity. The paper analyses, collates and maps rainfall, temperature and sunshine data using a combination of observation and secondary data. It maps and presents these weather elements in climographic form for easy access to the local scientific, industrial and farming communities. Such data is indispensable for land resource evaluations and the planning of development projects. The paper concludes that the existing network of weather stations is located around the base of the mountain in the zones under Cameroon Development Corporation (C.D.C.) agro-industrial enterprises. Available data are mainly of agricultural interest with no indication on altitudinal climatic variation. Reliable long-term monitoring is needed. The range of climate over the whole mountain undoubtedly has an influence over its biodiversity, but the relationships are complex and cannot be unraveled without more climate data. These are necessary for the effective management of the natural resources of the region. Introduction Mount Cameroon region is a microcosm of tropical tree crop agricultural development and the need for agro-meteorological data has since been at the centre of the activities of the Cameroon Development Corporation (C.D.C.). Since 1947, the C.D.C. has focused on research and agro-industrial development in the area. It has always made their weather data freely and generally available to the public. However, in recent years, particularly with the 106 Ecology and Natural Resource Development in the Western Highlands of Cameroon development of the University of Buea and its outreach research projects in the area, and the development of Limbe Botanic Garden, an increasing amount of scientific activity is being carried out in the region. The University of Buea and the Limbe Botanic Garden run weather stations in their premises that do not represent a region with many scientific and agro-industrial activities. The aim of this study is to analyze and present the long and medium term rainfall, temperature and sunshine data in a cartographic form. More specifically, it seeks to present the available data in a form which is easily accessible and of value to the local scientific and industrial community. The Study Area The study area is located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in the South West Province of Cameroon. The mountain rises steeply, in as little as 18 km, from sea level to 4095m at the summit. The summit of the mountain is located at 90 10’E and 40 13’N. It is the highest mountain in West Africa. It has several unique characteristics in that it appears on a map as a single peak, almost completely ringed by the 100m contour line, when in fact it is very much the chain of the volcanoes which extend from Annabon and Principe islands in the Atlantic Ocean almost all the way to Lake Chad. As the base of the mountain lies at the sea level and the summit at 4095m above sea level, there is a climatic variation with aspect and altitude. The climate presents some unique characteristics. Local variations of rainfall and temperature are striking over short distances. The area has a rich and important biodiversity. The variation in rainfall and solar radiation together with rich volcanic and alluvial soils has made the region a microcosm of tropical plantation agriculture. The largest agricultural undertaking is the agro-industrial plantations of the Cameroon Development Corporation (C.D.C.) In addition to this para-government corporation, there also exists the PALMOL Company (Unilever Limited, London) which operates estates in Meme – Ndian River Basin. The C.D.C. operates mainly in the mountain region. Both companies are expanding rapidly and sell their products directly on the world market. The main crops include oil palm, bananas, rubber, tea, pepper and coconuts. Both companies associate small-holder 107 Climographic Analysis and Mapping of the Mount Cameroon Region production with estate production. Other commercial crops include cocoa, robusta coffee, and a variety of tuber crops. In agro-industrial plantations, supplementary irrigation is used in nurseries and banana plantations. There is...