ABSTRACT

Biodiversity has become a central preoccupation among natural scientists and increasingly amongst many social scientists as well. The exact scale of biodiversity loss is unknown, but its direct cause is well documented. The causes include pollution, habitat loss, over-exploited of species. Climate change and agricultural practices. The main objective of this study was to explore the role WWF–Coastal forest programme plays in conserving biodiversity in Tombel Sub-division. The sample size of this study was 45, and respondents were samples randomly. Questionnaires and observations were the instruments used to collect data. Data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively with the use of frequency distribution tables, bar charts and pie charts. The findings show that WWF has introduced and is encouraging various livelihood activities in Tombel Sub-division. Also many people in Tombel sub-division are benefiting both in financial and material terms from the project which has generally gone a long way to improve the economic life of the people. Hence increasing standard of living of the people thus helps in conserving biodiversity in Tombel sub-division. Some recommendations postulated include: the employment of competent staff to carry out the activities of the organization efficiently, the organization of seminars to educate the local people of the essence of sustainable development as a means to conserve biodiversity, increasing the funds allocated to the various projects. In order to facilitate community-Based organization, and more research need to be carried out on biodiversity, its causes and devastating effects on the world economy.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Biodiversity can be understand as  the variability of life in all forms, levels and combination not the sum of ecosystems, species and genetic material, but rather the variability within and among them  ( I U N, 1994 ) biologists usually consider it from three different perspective;

• Genetic diversity; refers to the frequency and diversity of different genes and or genomes, it includes variation both within a population and between population.
• Species diversity; refers to the frequency and diversity of different species.
• Ecosystem diversity; refers to the variety and frequency of different ecosystem (I U C N, 1990).

The loss of biodiversity has become a central preoccupation among natural scientist and increasingly among many social scientist as well. The exact scale of biodiversity loss is unknown, but its direct causes are well documented for example cruel agricultural practice. Other causes include;

• The global economic system (for example, Land tenure laws abilities of administration, government stance on transactional companies in forestry, etc.).
• The nature of agrarian society (for examples. Distribution of right to land, laws of inheritance, gender division).
• Local land user’s resources and practice.

The concept of human welfare relates to the provision of improved conditions of living, Human welfare is linked with the preservation of biodiversity in a verity of ways. Biodiversity forms the base of global life support system, within which human beings have traditionally fulfilled many of their needs by taking advantages of the existence of the many resources and species within the overall balance ecosystem. Many plant species for example have fulfilled crucial food, fibre and medicinal requirements throughout history. The numerous aesthetic and ethical values of plants and animals species also merit recognition it is clear that most current biodiversity production is taken place in developing countries. It is perhaps for reasons that initial attention has been given to tropical regions ( Myers, 1988 ) these are usually forest areas characterized by exceptional concentration of species with high levels of endemism, and experiencing high rate of depletion in Madagascar, Cameroon, the Atlantic rain forest of Brazil, and the peninsular of Malaysia (WWF, 1993).

However it is worth mentioning that the reasons for conserving biodiversity relates not only to human welfare and that there are other reasons for conservation as summarized among others  (Inskipp, 1992).

• Ethical reasons; the believe that every life form warrant respect which is independent of its worth to people and human welfare
• Maintaining Ecosystem; A large number of live force are essential for keeping air clean, stabilizing weather, disposing of waste, recycling nutrients, creating soils, controlling diseases and pollution.
• Material and economic benefit to people; Biodiversity contributes to agriculture fisheries, medicines and industries
• Aesthetics; many species inspire beauty and they warrant respect. Conservation literature is full of statements about the connection between biodiversity and human well-being in terms of these subjective criteria.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, the conservation of biodiversity had also become one of the central goals of international conservation organizations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature ( WWF ), the World Conservation Union ( I U C N )  and the United Nations Environment program (U N E P) (W W F, 1993) in 2000, U N member counties agreed in on a common international agenda for global development . In practical terms the focus was on eight measurable and time-limited goals for creating a sustainable society by the year 2015 of which ensuring environmental sustainability was among these goals (Sellgren et al, 2008). This is the case with Tombel sub-division where WWF ensures environmental sustainability.

 

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

The causes of biodiversity loss are varied ranging from factors such as habitat loss and over exploitation of plants and animals species, pollution, and climate change. These possess a problem which affects biodiversity negatively. The genetic of biodiversity makes up habitats and ecological process on earth. The usefulness of those species to mankind is increasing, not only as source of material but also as a new genetic resource which can contribute to the improvements and important to man, biodiversity is disappearing at a very fast rate due to over exploitation of plant and animal species which leads to habitat loss (Wilson, 1988).

Although the sources of pollution are many and varied, such as industrial and factory waste, domestic waste, and household waste, municipal sewage, laboratory waste, pesticides, goods preserving chemicals and waste from refineries petroleum. Agricultural products are gaining more influence as a major source of pollution in Tombel sub-division. In these areas when intensive agriculture is practiced, the soil may become depleted in nitrate which results to poor crop yield. The method of land preparation in shifting cultivation introduced unwanted particles into nearby Streams Rivers and lakes. This process of slash and burn, tilling and digging the soil to plant crops loosen the soil structure there by making it vulnerable to soil erosion.

These materials are carried away from the farmland into streams, rivers and lakes, these leads to pollution and siltation of these water surfaces leading to destruction of biodiversity posing a problem.

Forest conversion for agriculture purposes has climate consequences. As forest conversion occurs, carbon stored in vegetation and soil is released as carbon dioxide (CO2) through the burning and decomposition of Biomass and Oxidation of soil organic matter. The increase in CO2 is responsible for about half of the total global warming potentials. Recent estimate shows that 75% of total CO2 emission is from human activities (inter-Governmental panel on climate change 1990).

The increasing loss of biodiversity has result to an imbalance in the global ecosystem posing a problem. This is because there is a complex relationship between biodiversity and human welfare. Cameroon in general and Tombel sub-division in particular is blessed with enormous natural resources  like mountains which harbors variety of plant and animals species which are highly threatened especially by the rural poor who solely depend on these resources. Therefore there is a need to conserve biodiversity in order to ensure human welfare. The world wide Fund for nature (WWF) is the main nongovernmental organization (N G O) in the conservation of biodiversity in Tombel sub-division.

 

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main aim of this study in to examine the role of WWF in the conservation of biodiversity in Tombel sub-division.

The main objectives are;

1. To investigate the aspect of human welfare affected by biodiversity degradation and conservation.
2. To examine the strategies used by WWF to conserve biodiversity in Tombel sub-division.
3. To find out whether the local people collaborate with WWF and how receptive the people are towards WWF.
4. Suggest possible solutions and recommendations for the future.

 

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1.4.1 MAIN QUESTION

• What role does WWF play to conserve biodiversity in Tombel sub-division?

1.4.2 SPECIFIC QUESTION

1. How does biodiversity bee understood by different group of people in Tombel sub-division?
2. What aspects of human welfare are affected by biodiversity degradation and conservation?
3. Who bears the cost and reaps the benefits of biodiversity degradation and conservation?

 

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Ho-Null Hypothesis: WWF conserves biodiversity in Tombel sub-division

H1-Alternative Hypothesis: WWF does not conserve biodiversity in Tombel sub-division.

 

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study will add to already existing knowledge on biodiversity and human welfare which will go a long way to clarify the view of many people, particularly the people of Tombel sub-division on biodiversity conservation and degradation. Much has been done by non-Government Organizations in collaboration with local people to conserve biodiversity.

The study will go a long way to create awareness of the conservation efforts of WWF in Tombel sub-diviosn and how it helps to reduce biodiversity degradation and increase conservation.

The study will sensitize the public on the public on the widespread danger of biodiversity degradation in Tombel sub-division Cameroon, Africa and the World at large.

It will broaden peoples understand of what biodiversity is all about and the important of biodiversity conservation on human welfare.

 

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