Dja Faunal Reserve

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Dja Faunal Reserve from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• 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.

  Ilík, V., Kreisinger, J., Modrý, D., Schwarz, E. M., Tagg, N., Mbohli, D., Nkombou, I. C., Petrželková, K. J., & Pafčo, B. (2023). High diversity and sharing of strongylid nematodes in humans and great apes co-habiting an unprotected area in Cameroon. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 17(8), e0011499. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011499

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• 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.

  Kuenbou, J. K., Tagg, N., Khan, D. M., Speelman, S., & Willie, J. (2023). Socioeconomic changes influence hunter behavior in the northern periphery of Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. Animal Conservation, 27(4), 437–448. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12916

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• 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.

  Kamogne Tagne, C. T., Brittain, S., Booker, F., Challender, D., Maddison, N., Milner‐Gulland, E. J., Mouamfon, M., Roe, D., & Coad, L. (2022). Impacts of the COVID‐19 pandemic on livelihoods and wild meat use in communities surrounding the Dja Faunal Reserve, South‐East Cameroon. African Journal of Ecology, 60(2), 135–145. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12995

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• 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.

  Amin, R., Wacher, T., Fankem, O., Gilbert, O. N., Ndimbe, M. S., & Fowler, A. (2022). Status and ecology of forest ungulates in the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. Mammalia, 86(5), 444–454. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2021-0175

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• 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.

  Brittain, S., Kamogne Tagne, C. T., Roe, D., Booker, F., Mouamfon, M., Maddison, N., Ngomna Tsabong, S. D., Mfone Nteroupe, S., & Milner‐Gulland, E. J. (2022). The drivers of wild meat consumption in rural Cameroon: Insights for wild meat alternative project design. Conservation Science and Practice, 4(6). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12700

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• 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.

  Brittain, S., Kamogne Tagne, C. T., Booker, F., Maddison, N., Mfone Nteroupe, S., Mouamfon, M., Ngomna Tsabong, S. D., Roe, D., Wilson‐Holt, O., & Milner‐Gulland, E. (2022). Using scenarios‐based interviews to predict changes in wild meat hunting and consumption in response to different alternatives projects. Conservation Science and Practice, 4(9). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12777

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• 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.

  Amin, R., Klair, H., Wacher, T., Ndjassi, C., Fowler, A., Olson, D., & Bruce, T. (2021). Estimating forest antelope population densities using distance sampling with camera traps. Oryx, 56(3), 345–351. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0030605320001209

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• 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.

  Epanda, M. A., Tsafack Donkeng, R., Ngo Nonga, F., Frynta, D., Adi, N. N., Willie, J., & Speelman, S. (2020). 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. Forests, 11(9), 1019. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11091019

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• 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.

  Amin, R., Fankem, O., Gilbert, O. N., Bruce, T., Ndjassi, C., Olson, D., & Fowler, A. (2020). The Status of Forest elephant in the world heritage DJA Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. Pachyderm, 61, 78–89. https://doi.org/10.69649/pachyderm.v61i.19

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• 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.

  Bruce, T., Amin, R., Wacher, T., Fankem, O., Ndjassi, C., Ngo Bata, M., Fowler, A., Ndinga, H., & Olson, D. (2018). Using camera trap data to characterise terrestrial larger‐bodied mammal communities in different management sectors of the Dja Faunal Reserve, Cameroon. African Journal of Ecology, 56(4), 759–776. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12574

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• 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.

  Manel, S., Couvreur, T. L. P., Munoz, F., Couteron, P., Hardy, O. J., & Sonké, B. (2014). Characterizing the Phylogenetic Tree Community Structure of a Protected Tropical Rain Forest Area in Cameroon. PLoS ONE, 9(6), e98920. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0098920

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• 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.

  Sonké, B., & Couvreur, T. (2014). Tree diversity of the Dja Faunal Reserve, southeastern Cameroon. Biodiversity Data Journal, 2. https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.2.e1049

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• 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.

  Peh, K. S.-H., Sonké, B., Taedoung, H., Séné, O., Lloyd, J., & Lewis, S. L. (2011). Investigating diversity dependence of tropical forest litter decomposition: experiments and observations from Central Africa. Journal of Vegetation Science, 23(2), 223–235. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1654-1103.2011.01352.x

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