systematic and chronological cartography of a three century (1700
TRANSCRIPT
Proceedings of the 21st International Cartographic Conference (ICC) Durban, South Africa, 10 � 16 August 2003�Cartographic Renaissance� Hosted by The International Cartographic Association (ICA)ISBN: 0-958-46093-0 Produced by: Document Transformation Technologies
SYSTEMATIC AND CHRONOLOGICAL CARTOGRAPHY OF ATHREE CENTURY (1700-2000) ECO-DYNAMISM OF THE
BAMILEKE REGION, WEST CAMEROON
Tchindjang, M.1, Nziengui, M.2, Nji. Fogwe, Z.3, Mbom, A.M.4, Fodouop, K.5 andLambi, C.M.6
1University of Yaounde I, Department of Geography, PO Box. 30464,Yaounde, Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] Adie, PO Box 3960, Libreville, Gabon. E-mail: mziengui@assala,com and [email protected]
3University of Douala, Department of Geography, PO Box 3132, Douala, Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] of Yaounde I, ENS P.O.Box 45, Yaounde, Cameroon. E-mail:[email protected]
5University of Yaounde I, PO Box 8297, Yaounde, Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] of Buea, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Within the 2nd Millennium, world vegetation changed. This dramatic dynamism (evolution) was greatly felt within thepast three centuries of the second Millennium. These changes originated from anthropic activities whose impact hasaffected the biodiversity, water and soil resources and also biogeochemical cycles.
The Bamileke country in Cameroon also falls in line with this rule. This fragile mountains environment of extremelyhigh population density (reaching 1000inh/km2) in some areas has witnessed a rapid transformation of the vegetationwithin the past three decades of the last century. This ecological twist over is directly related to exponential populationgrowth since 1976, implying a sprawl of population and myriad of anthropic activities on the fragile and vulnerable,high altitude and mountainous landscape and ecology.
This paper makes a chronological cartography of the biodiversity changes that have occurred in the Bamileke land ofWestern Cameroon within the past three centuries. This period corresponds to that of installation of man in this area tothe present.
Five chronological steps shall be made:! A cartography of the first human implantation by the Bamileke and the first modifications of the landscape from
the 18th to 19th centuries.! A cartography of the key changes that have occurred on the pioneer vegetation and the introduction of cash crops
as well as eucalyptus trees on the Bamileke highland by colonial authorities between the 19ty and 20th centuries.! A cartography of the political crises years of the 1950s.! A cartography of the demographic evolution of the 1976, 1987 census and 2000 projection.! A cartography of the modification of landscape link to the demographic pressure and the abandonment of hedges.
This chronological and systematic cartographic approach is important in the education and sensitisation of theinhabitants of this region on the potentials risks of landscape degradation if the population were to double within thenext 20years as currently projected. By analysing the processes that result in the changes, policies that limit the negativeimpact of evolutions and those that encourage sustainable anthropic actions should be implemented. There is also needto promote the different strategies of the demographic transition and the development of the biodiversity of this fragilemountain region.
Keywords: biodiversity, Cameroon, cartography, demographic evolution, eco-dynamism.
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 LocationBamileke country is a mountainous and plateau region located at the heart of West Cameroon Highlands. It stretchesfrom the latitude 4°55 to 5°57 North and the longitude 9°50 to 10°55 East.
These highlands have been volcanized in its major parts. It covers an area of 6200km² and have an approximate
estimated population of 1555108 inhabitants in 2000 (Equation 1: : ( )tot rPP 100/1+= with t
o
t
PPr 1−
= (1).
1.2 ContextThe land cover of the Earth has changed dramatically in the last Millenium. In the particular case of Cameroon, thechange occured on the past two decades of 20th century. The modifications of the biodiversity of West CameroonHighlands are the results of human activities through the increased parcelling of landscape. These changes haveimplications on water resources the reduction of spring level, not less than 20 to 30m (1) as well as the soilmanagement. So, the initial fences landscape become an openfield one. These disruptions have also impacts onbiogeochemical cycles. (2 and 3).
2. GENERAL PRESENTATION OF BAMILEKE AREA.
Bamileke region is the most humanised area of Cameroon. It occupies the third rank of urbanisation of the wholecountry (35% of urbanisation rate) after Douala, the first economic and industrialized city and Yaounde, the headquarterof political institutions.
The physical milieu is made up of series of tectonised granitic plateaus, deeply dissected and covered by basaltic trappthat have being hardened in some places. The Bamileke plateau is a galaxy of various size and slope ranges of massifsoriginated from different rocks substrat as : Pou granitic mountain (1724m), Bani granitic massif (1921), Banaanorogenic massif (2097m), Bangou volcanic massif (1924m), Bamboutos caldera mountains (2740m). This vastdissymetric (4) plateau edge is surrounded by great fault scarp. West and Southward, surrounds are lifted up andoverhanged the coastal region by a tectonic escarpment of 700 to 1000m height. Eastward the Bamileke plateau end onthe Nun plain by a fault scarp of 200-300m of command. Northward, the plateau bump against the foothills of HighGrassfields (1800-3011m)of Bamenda region that overlook the breaking Ndop basin by a fault scarp of more than 500mheight. Table 1 outlines the great features of Bamileke physical milieu.
Table 1. Natural physical landscape of Bamileke milieu.
Landscape Landform > 1000m Unit landform100-1000m Facet 0.010-100mPlain and pediplain (1000-1200m of altitude) galleryforest and savanna ofaltitude
1a- Alluvial plain2a- CrystallinePediplain
1b-River terraces, alluviallevees.2b- rocky pediments,cleared domes, deepimprinted valleys
1c-Undermining of riverbanks, squeezing hollowcavities, river bank ravinesand pebbles.2c-Boulders, rocky blockspenitents, colluvia.
Plateau edges or surrounds 3a-Fault scarp 200�300m of height4a-Plateau surroundwith montane feature(300-1000m )
3b-Rocky gorges, alluvialcones, scree-coveredslopes, chaotic boulders,,steep slopes.4b-Flank domes, tors,steep slopes.
3c-Ravines, isolatedboulders, spoon mark blow,rocky pinnacle, landslip, cliffof hardened slopes, scratchdrain.4c- Avalanches, debris-slip,clear slopes, bad-lands.
Granitic and basalticplateaux (1300-2400m),grassland with Sporobolus,lawn field with Loudetiasimplex and Cteniumnewtionii on hardenedlandscape.
5a- Granitic plateau(1300-1800m)6a- Basaltic plateauand hardened orcuirassed basalticplateau.
5b-Heavy convex croups,bared and cleared domeshalf-orange hills.6b-Convex croups, cradleand dry valleys, basalticand pyroclastic cones,landslip, rock fall, slump,hardened hillock.
5c-Scouring area, graniticstrips, parallelepipedicblocks, tors, rocky pinnacle,dissolution hollow, striation,lavakas.6c- Lavakas, , dry valleysmall pyroclastic cone,channel, gullying, cliff oncuirassed plateau, cirque.
Moutains 1700-2740m ofaltitude). Grassland withSporobolus, submontaneand montane forest.
7a-Granitic mountainsand anorogenicmassifs.8a-Volcanicmountains, caldera.
7b-Landslide and pseudoglacial forms.8b-Steep slopes.
7c- Ravines, boulders field,tors, avalanches, tightenedslopes.8c-Rock-fall, tightenedslopes.
The Bamileke culture through it bocage landscape have been considered as the most famous and beautiful agrariancivilization of black tropical Africa (5). However, the system is very degraded today. The natural vegetation have beendestroyed all over the plateau, and just some relictual forest remained in the south margins areas. This cartographicstudy aims to analyse and evaluate the successive dynamisms that affected this fragile mountain ecosystem.
3. MATERIAL AND METHODS
Data used for this cartographic matter originated from three mains and complementary sources.
First of all, iconographic data are maps and aerial photographs of 1955 (AEF), 1961-1964 (Mission NB-32-XI, 1a, 1b,1c, 1d, 2a, 2ab, 2c, 3b, 3c, 4ab, 4cd etc.) and lastly those of 1974-1983 focussed on Bamileke cities.
Demographic available data come from official census of 1976 and 1987 collected to the Population and Habitat censusOffice. These data have been completed by a population estimation calculated in the year 2000. Other sources arebibliographic data based on the Letouzey (6) research on the whole Cameroon vegetation and also documents dealingwith the history of Bamileke migrations from Adamawa towards the actual plateau (Fig. 1a).
Figure 1a. Bamileke migrations from Adamawa plateau.
Thirdly, those data have being correlated, compared, verified, modified and also actualised with 20 years field tripobservations.
For data treatment, we used EXCEL for calculation of population estimation with graphism and MAPINFO forcartography after georeferencement and actualization of existing maps. For the subject is vast, we go through the basicessentials.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS.
4.1 Results4.1.1Bamileke settlement steps and changes recorded.The former Bamileke territory was cover by a thick montane forest (1800-2800m of altitude), a submontane forest (800-1800m) and also an atlantic semi deciduous forest. This primary atlantic forest, with Sterculaceae and Ulmaceae speciesis found in the Bamileke meridional appendage (1) in contact with the cameroonian sedimentary littoral basin. Thishumid, subhumid and densely forested plateau carries various diversified fauna species like elephants (Loxodontaafricana), gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), chimp (Pan troglodyte), lion (Panthera leo), panther (Panthera pardus), buffalo(Syncerus cafer) etc. (7). Some of these animals run away southwads borders of West Cameroon Highlands.
Bamileke people reached the plateau in successive influxes, running in front of Tikars groups who are repulsed fromAdamawa plateau by islamized Fulani (Fig.1a). So, they crossed the river Nun and settle on the actual mountainousterritory that constitute a refuge for them aganist Tikars invaders (Bamoun groups of Fig.1a are descendants of Tikars).After settelement and through conquest, these warrior and hunter people built and materialised their land. Theyorganised each piece of land in chiefdom, surrounding and fortified it by strong vivid fences. Those fences were the firstway of delimitation of chiefdom. Latterly, administrative and public authorities recognize it and classified all chiefdomsin first and second degree chiefdoms (Fig.1b). Nowadays, in the seven administrative departments of Bamileke plateau,one can count 107 chiefdoms that 10 are first degree and 97 of second degree. Consequently, one can understand theextreme high parcelling of land in Bamileke country.
Figure 1b. Chiefdoms� foundation and classification.
After the founding of chiefdom, each notable and each social class built and materialised their land boundaries bystrong hedges that are renew each very often. The natural vegetation has been destroyed and replace by bocage. Bocagewith it features like sacral wood, fences or baobab of chiefdom entrance appears as a vegetal stamp or a landscapemarker. The role of bocage landscape in farmers mentality and the Bamileke�s conception of land concerns manydomains. The evolutive functions of this practice have allowed it strengthening in the empirical point of view. Thebocage landscape of Bamileke milieu carries five main functions namley : juridical, protective, socioeducative, aestheticand religious (cultual).
Hedges are planted with vegetal species carefully selected by mankind for it nutritive, food and fodder value (pear treeor Persea americana, mangoes tree or Mangifera indica, banana tree or Musa sapientium) ; for it religious or culturalvalue (tree of peace or costus afer, kola tree or Cola verticillata etc). Inside the hedges, yield crops (macabo, taro,beans, cassava, cocoyam etc.) are cultivated. Raffia trees contributing for wine drinking, grew in river valleys. In allcase, between 1900 and 1950, fences were established in the major parts of the Bamileke area giving a such beautifuland organised landscape that is qualified as domesticated landscape by Letouzey (6). Bocage landscape as describe,bring out the retreat of the original montane vegetation. However, it was equilibrated.
4.1.2 European penetration and african resistancesEuropean penetration bring in this milieu a variety of exotic plants in the hedges (papaw and guava trees, sugar cane).One can add to these, shade trees, ornamental trees like Pine or Eucalyptus and commercial plants such as coffee trees.The last three plants of the list contribute conclusively as deciding factors of Bamileke landscape transformation. For,Pine acidified the soils ; Eucalyptus at the Bamileke cities entrance consume a lot of water and transpire more than1000l water/year; coffee extrovert rural economy. Moreover, in 1970, conditionned Eucalyptus wood become the rawmaterials of electric posts, replacing the former concrete posts. Those are the deciding elements that generated the slowacting decomposition of the natural initial landscape.
The 1950s is known in the history of black francophone Africa as decade of African resistance independencemovements against european domination. The Bamileke country was a stronghold of the movements in Cameroon. Itssouthern parts were very organised for this matter and its population suffered the diaspora link to the vigorousrepression of the movement. Consequently, population abandoned hedges and habitations and create war trench as truerefuge for combatant. The non warrior population classes (youth, child and women) run to urban cities and plantations�areas of Littoral division. In 1975, when those movements were neutralized, hedges are destroyed, coffee economic wasprosperous and people forgot to built up again fences where there were destroyed or broken by war. Definitely, thedomesticated bocage landscape become modified, altered at 50% rate despite 1980s timid return migrations of exiledpopulation from great urban cities where they were established during the period of trouble.
4.1.3 Post colonial failureThe 1980-1990 decade began by an intensive and large deforestation on escarpment accompanied by bush fire andforest burn. These actions are combined to the occupation and exploitation of forest reserves, multiplication of concretebuildings, road buildings, social recomposition and openfield landscape.
From 1990 to 2000, the socio political crisis with the establishment of democratic measures in black francophone Africareinforce the previous situation. Administrative measures of 1993 shattered the former Mifi department (1170km²) intothree departments namely Higher Plateaus, Koung Khi and Mifi (Figs. 2a,b,c). This administrative splitting took placein the most essential and protective bastion of bocage in the Bamileke country. This reform causes the increase of landparcelling and the intense use of concrete. Increase of land splitting established the opening and multiplication of gravelpits and sand pits exploitation pionneers fronts on the granitic hills and pyroclastic cone flanks.
4.2 Interpretations and discussions of results4.2.1 Causes and consequences of biodiversity changes in Bamileke regionInitially, the construction of fences has taken away wildlife because hedges symbolize a triple protection againstinvaders, wild animal and juridic protection of population and theirs goods (yield crops). The construction of fencesobliged wild beast to take refuge in the southern part of the the plateau that preserve some remnants of primary climacicforest (Figs. 3a,b,c ). Nevertheless, fences help to maintain a precary equilibrium situation of this mountainous milieu,because it furthered humidity around the top soils and keep soils fertility against erosion processes. The removal of bothparaclimacic vegetation and bocage pratices increase strongly soils erosion.
Demographic growth provoke hunger for farming land and multiplication of cultivated areas. Furthermore, we notice agreat splitting of land and a regressive transformation of property ownership. This aspect have being illustrated in 2000(8) in a piece of land of 300 x 300m in Bamendjou subdivision (Fig. 4a and b). Figure 4b shows that the principle ofjoint possession legacy, which was a great feature of former Bamileke milieu has being removed from its pedestal.Thus, some structures have disappear, fences have been destroyed,and a path is create through the property (Fig.4b)with a new builded parcelling piece of land. Conclusively, demographic growth brings land need. More a newbourgeoisie have been substitute to traditional castes and so, new detached houses settled anywhere on the hills� top thatformerly were reserved to cattle rearing.
Figure 2a. The former Mifi Department. Figure 2b. Mifi Department from 1980 to 1992.
Figure 2d. Great Mifi Densities 1953 � 2000. Figure 2e. Great Mifi Densit
Figure 2cinto
Departmental boundary
Subdivision boundary
District boundary
ies 1953 � 2000.
. The splitting of former Mifi 3 divisions after 1993
Figure 3a. Vegetation 1700- 1900.
Figure 3b. Vegetation 1900- 1980.
Figure 3c. Vegetation 2000.
0 5 0
m e t e r s1 0 0
The strong average demographic density >245inh/km² conceals very high disparities becausethere are departments with densities higher than700 or 1000 inh/km² in 2000 (Fig. 5a,b,c).Furthermore, population density trends of 1976-2000 (Table 2) in the whole Bamileke country(Figs. 5a, 5b, and 5c) or that of 1953-2000reconstituted in the former Great Mifi Division(Figs. 2d and 2e) shows that the Bamileke regionis caracterized by very high densities (Figs. 5a,5b, and 5c). Moreover, Bamileke cities are veryclosed one another, separated only by 12 to 60km.
Finally, the new administratives splittingmeasures not going to make things easier. Thebuildings in concrete and final material and also,the construction of roads have increaseddestroying raffia trees, which played a first role instraightening and stabilization of valley andrivers� banks. Quarry, gravel and sand pitsincreased either on pyroclastic slopes (gravelpits), in bowe and croups flanks with basaltcolumns (quarry) or in the hill croup andescarpment flanks (sand pits). The laboratorystudy of water samples we collected on field in2000 (in Higher Plateaus) shows an increase ofwater turbidity in the area of sand digging. Werecorded the increase proportion rate of 200 to500%. Really, the water rivers turbidity of 40-60g/l in dry season and 610g/l in rainy season ongranitic slopes without sandpits go through 2870to 12280g/l respectively in rivers close to sandpits exploitation sites.
Department ordivision
A
Bamboutos 1Haut Nkam 9Menoua 1Hauts Plateaux 4Koung Khi 3Mifi 4Nde 1Total 6
Figure 4a. A view of a piece of land in Bamendjou in 1950 � 1970(300x300m)
Table 2. Demographic densities in Bamileke departments from 1976 to 2000.
rea in km² Populationof 1976
Densities in1976
Populationof 1987
Densities in1987
Populationof 2000
Densitiesin 2000
170 155193 141.73 215523 184.20 337068 288.0960 104467 116.37 137389 143.11 196726 204.92380 201409 155.95 251626 182.33 333900 241.9513 64232 155.52 79369 192.17 122579 296.8055 77242 217.58 76391 215.18 117980 332.3302 117575 292.47 202193 502.96 312272 776.79520 67942 47.79 83588 54.99 108129 71.13200 771327 132.97 1046066 168.72 1555108 246.55
Figure 4b. The same piece of land in 2000.
Figure 5a. Department Densities 1976.
Figure 5b. Department Densities 1987.
Figure 5c. Department Densities 2000.
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4.2.2 Challenge of this cartographyDemographic transition or the control of demographic growth is the first challenge of the Bamileke population, for themountainous ecosystem is fragile. Therefore, the extreme territorial splitting of Bamileke milieu is a factor that give riseto land hunger and competition for populating. The Western Administrative Province (Bamileke and Bamoun region,Fig.1a) is the most smaller of Cameroon. But it is the most populated and the most splitted on administrative level. Thiscutting out of territory concerns a very densely populated zone. It is in the same region too that we observed a verypronounced poverty index of Cameroon, 66% in the Higher Plateaus division (9).
Forestry conservation, agroforestry, afforestation and boosting of bocage are the second challenge. Publics authoritieswith NGOs support have to improve and to encourage the reconstruction of fences. In fact, a field investigation by theyear 2000 reveals that only 2 concessions over 10 are surrounded by fences relatively degraded. In the poor areas, 5houses over 10 has no hedges while in the rich one, 5 pieces of land over 10 have concrete surrounds. Moreover, thelack of hedges brought changes on farming systems. These modifications have impacts on biogeochemical cycles. Thus,the results of National Communication on climatic changes in Cameroon prove that the bocage contribute in a marginalway to nitrogen oxide emission. Because one of the advantages of fences is the lack of fire. Another benefit is thefarming by burying and according to contour line that reduced soils leaching and soils erosion by run-off. So the resultsattribute to burning and bush fire the emission of 12% of nitrogen oxide (N2O) and 73% of methane (CH4) ; whilefarming waste issued only 5.3% and 11% respectively. Conclusively, the former bocage was a sustainable agriculturalpractice. Its stimulation combined to agroforestry as well as maintenance of sacral wood (sacral forest) would havebenefit effects at middle and long-term in this milieu that is the main garret (granary) of Cameroon Republic. Thebocage relaunching will contribute too to the reduction of total green house gas emission in Cameroon.
The third challenge is the setting of strategies of reduction of environmental impacts costs. Instead of increasing thecultivated areas, one could increase the output by hectare. Instead of multiplying individual buildings, one can promotecollective buildings for numerous families who have a lot of descendants; this will be able to preserve the principle ofjoint ownership legacy and to devote the useful green land to farming and agroforestry or selected afforestation.
It is necessary to prevent soil leaching and soils erosion by reducing gravel and sandpits areas that creation results frompoverty and idleness. Thus, fighting against poverty by substantial improvement of standard of living of ruralpopulation is important. By making this improvement a priority, one could avoid the population pressure on naturalresources. Lastly, public authorities have to make easier population access to resources.
5. CONCLUSION
The systemic sketch (Fig. 6) that conclude this paper outlines three centuries of human presence in Bamileke milieu.One can observe in this figure the different successions of vegetal landscape. Surely, the motives of degradations of thislandscape are demographic growth as well as fences destructions. Administratives measures are worsening factors,which found echo on the former situation of fences depletion. The systematic cartography we realised calls out allactors (local populations, public authorities, NGOs) for a restoration of this fragile milieu.
Of course, processes that underlying these changes are mostly known. Policies that control the successive evolutions ofvegetal cover and demographic growth shall strive to improve and incite the sustainable development and managementpractices such as : sustainable agriculture, sustainable management of water resources. Indeed to succed in these ways,politicians shall deeply explore the above processes underlying these changes.
6. REFERENCES
[1] Tchindjang Mesmin.,(1996). Le Bamiléké central et ses bordures : morphologie régionale et dynamique desversants. Etude Géomorphologique. Thèse, Université de Paris VII, 3 vol. 144 fig., 65 tab., 65 photos, 867p.Paris.
[2] Mannion A.M. (1998). Global environmental changes: the causes and consequences of disruption tobiogeochemical cycles. . The Geographical Journal. Vol.164, N° 2, pp. 168-182. London.
[3] Lambi Cornelius Mbifung (2001).- The impacts of human activities on land degradation in some highlandregions of Cameroon: implications for development in Environmental Issues, Problems and Prospects ; pp. 45-66, Unique Printers, Bamenda.
[4] Morin Serge. (1989).- Hautes terres et bassins de l�Ouest Cameroun. Etudes Géomorphologiques. Institut deGéographie et d�études Régionales. Thèse d�Etat, Université de Bordeaux III, 2t., 1190p., Bordeaux
[5] Barbier J.C. (1983). Paysages Bamiléké au pluriel sur les hauts plateaux de l�Ouest Cameroun. ISH, 39p.Yaoundé.
[6] Letouzey R. (1985) Etude phytogéographique du Cameroun.[7] Ghomsi E (1972). Les Bamiléké du Cameroun : essai d�étude historique des origines à 1920. Thèse de 3ème
cycle. 302p. Université de Paris - Sorbonne
[8] Faha Kamdem G. (2001: Mutations Socio-Spatiales et Dynamique des Milieux au C�ur des hautes terres del�Ouest-Cameroun Esquisse Théorique et Empirique 100 pages Mémoire de DEA. 2000/2001.
[9] 9 � PNUD (1998), La pauvreté au Cameroun, 100p.
SYSTEMATIC AND CHRONOLOGICAL CARTOGRAPHY OF ATHREE CENTURY (1700-2000) ECO-DYNAMISM OF THEBAMILEKE REGION, WEST CAMEROON
Tchindjang, M.1, Nziengui, M.2, Nji. Fogwe, Z.3, Mbom, A.M.4, Fodouop, K.5 andLambi, C.M.6
1University of Yaounde I, Department of Geography, PO Box. 30464,Yaounde, Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] Adie, PO Box 3960, Libreville, Gabon. E-mail: mziengui@assala,com and [email protected]
3University of Douala, Department of Geography, PO Box 3132, Douala, Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] of Yaounde I, ENS P.O.Box 45, Yaounde, Cameroon. E-mail:[email protected]
5University of Yaounde I, PO Box 8297, Yaounde, Cameroon. E-mail: [email protected] of Buea, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon.
E-mail: [email protected]
Biography
Dr Mesmin Tchindjang was born in Douala Cameroon on August 26, 1961.
I defend a Doctorate Thesis �New Regime� in France, University of Paris 7 in 1996 in Geomorphology. The thesisuntitled �The Central Bamileke Plateau and its surrounds: Regional morphology and slopes dynamic. Geomorphologicstudy�� dealed with Relief, Surface dynamic and Natural Risks.
I am a Senior Lecturer in University of Yaounde I Cameroon, Department of Geography. As experiences, I am theGeneral Secretary of The National Geography Committee of Cameroon. I am training now in University Omar Bongo(Gabon) for a Master of Sciences in GIS domain (Methods and Techniques of Management of EnvironmentalInformation).
My teaching domains in University of Yaounde concern: Geomorphology, Cartography and Remote Sensing,Environment, Tourism and Eco tourism.
I have published more than 12 scientific articles focussed on: The weathered pebble of the Bamileke plateau, Thegeological rock strata in Cameroon, Mining Sand exploitation on the Pan African granite rock of Batie Region, CentralBamileke maars, inundation risks in the Lake Nyos Valley, Erosion and Dissolution potholes on the Lake Nyospyroclastic dam, Lake Nyos Dam: an imminent catastrophe.
I attend the IGU Regional Conference of August 2002 in Durban with 3 communications based on tourism (Cameroon,a country with a touristic potential under exploited); on eco-tourism (The difficulty of the development eco tourism onprotected areas of Cameroon) and Geomorphology (The geomorphic risks in the West Cameroon region: a challenge forthe 21st Century).
Finally, I supervised (students research works) almost 9 Master of Sciences thesis in Geomorphology, Management ofnatural and touristic resources, Environment with tourism and Eco tourism, Farming transformation in West Cameroon,Sustainable Management of Fauna specimen (CITES Case) in Cameroon, Inundation and risks linked with shallow�soccupation in Yaounde town, Remote sensing and ecological prospect of biodiversity on Cameroon Mountains after1999-2000 eruptions.