Publications
Population structure and natural regeneration of the threatened medicinal tree Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman in an Afromontane forest reserve of Cameroon
A severely truncated population structure of the threatened medicinal tree Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman, indicative of compromised regeneration and high vulnerability to extinction, has been documented within the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. The study revealed an inverse-J distribution with critically low density—60 seedlings/ha, 22 saplings/ha, 11 poles/ha, and only 3 mature trees/ha—alongside widespread bark-harvesting damage (81% of mature trees affected). Analysis further demonstrated a sharp decline in stem density and seedling recruitment within 200 meters of the forest edge, correlating with heightened damage intensity. These findings underscore the urgent need for a harvesting moratorium and targeted conservation interventions to restore P. africana populations in Afromontane forests.
Ropalidia crassipunctata Giordani Soika 1981
A rare wasp species, Ropalidia crassipunctata Giordani Soika 1981, has been documented within the Dja Faunal Reserve. The study highlights the discovery of a single female specimen with a distinctive black nest featuring masticated green and reddish-brown chips, mimicking the wasp's coloration. The nest, observed in Cameroon, exhibited up to ten cells with vertical cell direction and downward openings, suggesting an adaptive camouflage strategy. This finding contributes to the understanding of wasp nesting behavior and biodiversity within protected areas.
Habitat Selection and Seed Dispersal by the Great Blue Turaco ( Corythaeola cristata ) in the Rainforests of Southern Cameroon
A first-of-its-kind study reveals significant individual variation in habitat selection and seed dispersal patterns among great blue turacos (Corythaeola cristata) in the Dja Faunal Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southern Cameroon. Using GPS tracking and LiDAR-derived vegetation data, researchers found that while some individuals prefer tall canopy areas, others avoid swamps and complex vertical structures. Seed dispersal was predicted to be more diffuse for turacos with larger home ranges, with local maxima nearly ten times smaller than those with smaller territories. This research highlights the need for broader telemetry studies in central African forests, which face growing threats from hunting, logging, habitat loss, and climate change.
Spatio-temporal variation in the distribution of great apes in the Dja-Ngoyla Complex in Cameroon, and implications for conservation
A recent study estimates that the Dja-Ngoyla Complex in Cameroon, a critical part of the Tri National Dja-Odzala-Minkébé (TRIDOM) landscape, supports approximately 11,787 great apes, including chimpanzees and western lowland gorillas. The research, conducted through 1,096.64 km of line transects using the standing-crop nest counts method in 2021, reveals that chimpanzee abundance is significantly higher in Dja Faunal Reserve, while Ngoyla-Mintom holds 71% of the gorilla population. Notably, logging concessions within the complex harbor 37% of gorillas and 17% of chimpanzees, with those under management certification schemes showing higher great ape densities. The study also underscores the potential isolation risk for Dja's great ape population and emphasizes the urgent need for forest management certification to bolster wildlife protection across all concessions in the complex.
Subsistence hunting impacts wildlife assemblages and functional ecology in tropical forests
Subsistence hunting by sedentarised Baka communities, even when spatially managed with no-take zones, significantly alters the abundance and composition of wildlife assemblages in tropical forests. While species richness remains relatively stable, the study found marked reductions in carnivores, seed dispersers, and granivores compared to non-hunted reference areas within the Dja Faunal Reserve. This suggests that spatial hunting management may not fully mitigate ecological impacts on key functional groups, raising concerns about the sustainability of Indigenous livelihoods and forest ecosystems. The research employed extensive camera trap surveys across 10 Baka hunting zones to assess species occupancy, abundance, and community dynamics.
Vanishing giants: Assessing forest elephant status and conservation strategies in Cameroon's Dja-Ngoyla Complex
A recent study estimates that the forest elephant population in Cameroon's Dja-Ngoyla Complex, a critical UNESCO World Heritage Site, has declined to approximately 509 individuals (95% CI: 352–736), with densities similar to other threatened Central African sites. Using standing-crop dung counts across 1,096.64 km of line transects in 2021, researchers found elephants are increasingly restricted to core areas far from boundaries and anthropogenic development, particularly within the World Heritage-listed Dja Faunal Reserve (5260 km²), where the population remained stable at 230 individuals (95% CI: 144–368). The study underscores the urgent risk of isolation for this population and calls for forest management certification to protect wildlife and habitats across logging concessions, ensuring both conservation success and community benefits. These findings highlight the vulnerability of Central African forest elephants and the need for transboundary conservation strategies in the 178,000 km² TRIDOM landscape.
Divergent seed dispersal outcomes: Interactions between seed, disperser, and forest traits
Research in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, reveals that duikers—African forest antelopes—differentially disperse seeds based on size and toughness, with smaller seeds (<3 mm) primarily dispersed via defecation and larger, tougher seeds (>10 mm) regurgitated. This process, particularly regurgitation at nesting sites, significantly influences seed deposition in dense understory habitats dominated by lianas, palms, and fallen trees. The study found that nocturnal bay duikers (Cephalophus dorsalis) deposit larger seeds 3-4 times more frequently than other species due to their nesting habits. These findings underscore the critical yet understudied role of regurgitation in seed dispersal, with potential implications for forest succession and structure worldwide.
Defaunation is known to have pervasive, negative effects on tropical forests, but this is not the whole story
Tropical forests, particularly those with less partitioned ecological niches, may exhibit resilience to defaunation pressures contrary to common assumptions. A study in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, revealed that stem density remained unchanged across defaunation gradients, while woody plant diversity was highest in the most defaunated site. Surprisingly, the abundance of animal-dispersed species and other dispersal modes showed negligible differences, suggesting functional compensation by extant taxa, such as small animals and humans, who may play a role in fruit dispersal. The research used rectangular plots along transects and wedge-shaped plots under focal trees to compare sites representing varying levels of defaunation. These findings challenge traditional conceptual models that exclude human impacts and highlight the potential for less iconic species to sustain ecological services in defaunated forests.
Giant pangolin and white-bellied pangolin observations from a World Heritage site
A comprehensive camera-trap survey in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroonrevealed critical insights into the distribution and behavior of two highly threatened pangolin species. The study recorded 768 images of giant pangolins (Manis gigantea) across 57 sites and 2282 images of white-bellied pangolins (Phataginus tricuspis) across 137 sites, indicating distinct yet overlapping spatial patterns. Giant pangolins were largely confined to the reserve's core, while white-bellied pangolins dominated the northeast, east, and south regions, with lower occupancy in areas near human settlements like the Hydromekin Dam and Sud-Cameroun rubber plantation. Both species exhibited high diel activity overlap but differed in peak activity times, with evidence suggesting fine-scale behavioral avoidance by white-bellied pangolins. This research highlights the vulnerability of these species to habitat fragmentation and anthropogenic pressures, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts within protected areas.
High diversity and sharing of strongylid nematodes in humans and great apes co-habiting an unprotected area in Cameroon
Research reveals significant overlap of strongylid nematode communities between humans and great apes (western lowland gorillas and central chimpanzees) in an unprotected area near Cameroon's Dja Faunal Reserve. Using high-throughput amplicon sequencing, scientists identified 65 strongylid ITS-2 variants, with great apes exhibiting higher diversity than humans. Shared infections included four Necator americanus variants, two N. gorillae variants, one Oesophagostomum stephanostomum, and a Trichostrongylus species, highlighting bidirectional parasite transmission facilitated by close spatial overlap outside protected zones. The study underscores the risks of increased human-wildlife contact, challenging assumptions about host specificity in pathogen dynamics.
Socioeconomic changes influence hunter behavior in the northern periphery of Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon
A study on the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, reveals that reciprocal environmental agreements can significantly alter hunter behavior by reducing bushmeat offtake and shifting livelihoods away from natural resource dependence. Researchers found that hunters who participated in these agreements were older, had larger households, earned more income from cocoa sales, and spent less time hunting compared to non-participants. Additionally, signatory hunters used firearms less frequently, consumed more of their catches, and sold less bushmeat. The 15-month study, spanning three years, tracked socioeconomic changes in hunters alongside hunting effort parameters, demonstrating the potential of incentive-based conservation strategies to promote sustainable livelihoods and benefit wildlife conservation.
Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on livelihoods and wild meat use in communities surrounding the Dja Faunal Reserve, South‐East Cameroon
A study conducted around the Dja Faunal Reserve, Southeast Cameroon, revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered wild meat use and livelihoods of surrounding communities. The research validated and expanded upon a pre-existing causal model by McNamara et al., identifying additional pathways through which the pandemic impacts wild meat hunting and consumption. These findings provide critical insights for developing mitigation strategies to address the pandemic's broader socio-economic and ecological consequences in sub-Saharan Africa.
Status and ecology of forest ungulates in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon
A comprehensive camera-trap survey of the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon’s largest protected area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reveals critical insights into the status and ecology of its forest ungulates. The study recorded 30,601 independent detections of 12 species over 28,277 camera-trap days, with blue and Peters’ duikers being the most abundant, accounting for 82% of all detections and occupying over 85% of survey grids. This suggests ecological partitioning among these species based on activity patterns and body size. However, other species like sitatunga, forest buffalo, and bongo were rarely detected, indicating potential threats to their populations. The reserve faces significant pressures from illegal hunting, both subsistence and commercial, which could jeopardize its biodiversity and World Heritage status. Community surveillance and improved law enforcement are being implemented to mitigate these threats.
The drivers of wild meat consumption in rural Cameroon: Insights for wild meat alternative project design
In rural Cameroon, wild meat is preferred over domestic livestock or fish, driven by taste and perceived health benefits, not just availability. A study of 542 people across four villages near the Dja Faunal Reserve revealed that while some favored species like porcupine and blue duiker are abundant, others, such as endangered pangolin, are sought for their flavor despite conservation risks. Taboos, appearance, and health concerns deter consumption of certain species, particularly great apes and large ungulates. Village-level variations in preferences suggest factors like proximity to markets, reserve access, and law enforcement influence behavior. These findings challenge assumptions about alternative meat projects, emphasizing the need to tailor interventions to local drivers—taste and health—to balance conservation and food security goals.
Using scenarios‐based interviews to predict changes in wild meat hunting and consumption in response to different alternatives projects
Wild meat alternatives projects that combine food provision with income-generating opportunities are most effective at reducing hunting and consumption rates, but only when implemented at the household level. A study using scenario-based interviews across four villages near Cameroon's Dja Faunal Reserve found that community-level projects yielded minimal reductions in hunting behavior compared to baseline levels. This highlights the importance of tailored project design and community engagement in achieving conservation goals. The research provides actionable insights for practitioners developing similar initiatives, emphasizing the need for dialogue on both preferences and project characteristics before implementation.
Estimating forest antelope population densities using distance sampling with camera traps
A novel approach using distance sampling with camera traps has proven effective for accurately estimating population densities of forest antelopes, addressing the limitations of traditional transect surveys. The study, conducted in Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, demonstrated that integrating an estimate of animal activity time into 24-hour camera-trap datasets mitigates negative bias in density estimates. Additionally, multiple covariate distance sampling with body weight as a covariate improved detection probabilities for rarer species, providing a robust tool for monitoring both individual and community-level antelope populations. This method offers critical insights for conservation planning and action, particularly in forest habitats where traditional survey techniques fall short.
Contribution of Non-Timber Forest Product Valorisation to the Livelihood Assets of Local People in the Northern Periphery of the Dja Faunal Reserve, East Cameroon
Non-timber forest product (NTFP) valorisation significantly enhances the livelihood assets of local communities around the Dja Faunal Reserve (DFR) in East Cameroon, though NTFP revenue alone does not predict long-term improvements. A study analyzing data from 215 households across 32 villages found that individuals receiving training in efficient collection, drying, and conservation techniques earned higher revenues with greater livelihood impacts than untrained peers. These findings suggest that improving product quality and market access is critical for sustainable NTFP valorisation. The research employed factor analysis, Mann–Whitney U tests, and structural equation modelling to assess the relationship between NTFP practices, training, and livelihood outcomes.
Dja Faunal Reserve A natural treasure with diversesocial representations
The Dja Faunal Reserve stands out as the only protected area in Cameroon with triple status: wildlife reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and World Heritage site. This unique designation subjects it to stringent requirements under the Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB) and the World Heritage Convention, highlighting its global significance. The study emphasizes the diverse social representations tied to this natural treasure, underscoring its ecological and cultural importance.
The Status of Forest elephant in the world heritage DJA Faunal Reserve, Cameroon
A significant decline of Central African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) by 62% between 2002 and 2011, primarily due to poaching for illegal ivory trade, has been confirmed in the UNESCO World Heritage Dja Faunal Reserve (DFR), Cameroon. Using dung-based distance-sampling surveys covering 5,260 km², researchers estimated a population of just 219 individuals (95% CI: 150–319) with a density of 0.042 individuals/km², reflecting severe losses similar to those in Korup National Park. Elephants persist mainly in the northern DFR, where community partnerships and increased patrols are being implemented, while the southern sector remains vulnerable to organized wildlife crime. The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced security, community engagement, and SMART-based patrolling to protect the remaining population and restore its expansion across the landscape.
Using camera trap data to characterise terrestrial larger‐bodied mammal communities in different management sectors of the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon
A camera trap survey in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, revealed significant differences in mammal communities between two sites 32 km apart. One site exhibited lower species richness, the absence of disturbance-sensitive felids and white-bellied duikers, higher abundance of disturbance-tolerant species, and reduced presence of larger-bodied mammals. These patterns suggest elevated hunting pressure at this site, potentially driving shifts in community structure. The study employed two 40-trap grids over a minimum of 100 days to assess mammal richness, diversity, guild structure, body-size patterns, and relative abundance, providing critical insights into the impacts of anthropogenic pressures on Central African forest ecosystems.
Characterizing the Phylogenetic Tree Community Structure of a Protected Tropical Rain Forest Area in Cameroon
A study of the Dja Faunal Reserve, a protected tropical rainforest in Cameroon, reveals that neutral dispersal limitation is a major driver of community assembly, with weak environmental variation contributing to a lack of significant phylogenetic structure across transects. While habitat types show minimal influence on overall phylogenetic diversity, finer analyses detected subtle clustering in species from the Annonaceae family and overdispersion in Apocynaceae, suggesting niche-based processes at play. The research re-analyzed data from 372 taxa to partition phylogenetic diversity, providing insights that could enhance conservation efforts in this hyperdiverse yet threatened ecosystem.
Tree diversity of the Dja Faunal Reserve, southeastern Cameroon
A comprehensive inventory of tree species within the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon's largest and best-preserved rainforest, reveals remarkable diversity and abundance. Researchers recorded 11,546 individuals across nine transects, identifying 312 species from 60 genera, with Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Malvaceae being the most species-rich families. Notably, Tabernaemontana crassa emerged as the most abundant species. The dataset, now publicly available, provides unprecedented insights into the tree diversity of this UNESCO-listed site, highlighting its ecological significance.
Investigating diversity dependence of tropical forest litter decomposition: experiments and observations from Central Africa
Research in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon, reveals that litter decomposition rates in tropical forests are more influenced by the quality of dominant litter species than by forest diversity itself. The study found that decomposition in mixed-species forests was four times faster than in monodominant forests, primarily due to the prevalence of low-quality Gilbertiodendron dewevrei litter. While high-quality bay leaves decomposed significantly faster than low-quality G. dewevrei leaves, mixing litter types accelerated decomposition for G. dewevrei, suggesting a diversity-dependent effect. The findings challenge the assumption that tree species diversity alone drives decomposition rates, highlighting the critical role of litter quality in ecosystem functioning.
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