About This Project

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Mt. Bamboutos and the
Lebialem Highlands of Southwestern Cameroon are home to many critically endangered and threatened species. A few of these include: the Cross River Gorilla, Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee, Drill, Bannerman’s Turaco, and Banded Wattle-Eye. Though these highlands are considered a priority area for conservation, they are under intense land use pressure from local people who depend upon their resources.

Realizing the need to conserve resources while maintaining local livelihoods, a partnership developed between Virginia Tech, Trees for the Future (TREES), Environmental and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF), and the Institute of Biodiversity and Non-profit Studies (IBiNS). Our joint mission is to contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources, protect endangered species, local economic development, and professional training. Virginia Tech researchers will be travelling to the project area to meet with our partners to carry out this mission.

The results of this project will drive continued conservation efforts in the Lebialem Highlands by developing our Cameroonian partners’ ability to achieve natural resources management objectives, while at the same time, enhancing the livelihoods of the local population

What is the significance of this project?

Supporting the project is particularly important because tropical forests are some of the most biologically diverse, yet poorly understood ecosystems in the world. The Lebialem Highlands provide some of the last refuge for the world’s great apes and this project will aid reforestation efforts in Cameroon.

Pertinent data will be collected and used to guide management decisions and conservation activities to protect and restore wildlife and their habitats. By supporting this research we will be able to assess and enhance monitoring programs and ensure that the Cameroonian biologists working on the front lines are equipped with the most advanced techniques for restoration, research, and conservation. In turn, these biologists can then train others in new techniques and create a self-sufficient system of education and action that will disseminate throughout the region and beyond.

What are the goals of the project?

The objectives of the trip are to:

1. Determine the success of reforestation sites. This includes examining planting success, growth rates, and synthesizing economic benefits. We will assess and refine the capacity for small scale farmers to strengthen and implement agroforestry development programs, thus supporting sustainable livelihoods and natural resource management.
2. Establish and expand monitoring and evaluation studies for conserving wildlife populations and their habitats. Examples include distance sampling point counts/transects for birds and non-invasive remote cameras trapping for mammals. With these techniques, biologists will be able to effectively monitor population level changes over time through sound and meaningful scientific methodologies.
3. Aid professional development for conservationists in Cameroon. Virginia Tech researchers will help support the mission of IBiNS by providing professional training in conservation and sustainable development. This will allow for proper data collection and synthesis tied to the agroforestry and wildlife monitoring programs.