global forest watch world resources institute interactive...

World

Resources

Institute

A G L O B A L F O R E S T W A T C H R E P O R T

Interactive ForestryAtlas of Cameroon

Version 1.0

Ministry of Environment and Forests of Cameroon

Global Forest Watch

World Resources Institute

W or l d

Resources

I n s t i t u t e

www.globalforestwatch.org www.wri.org An Overviewwww.minef.cm

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Interactive Forestry Atlas of CameroonInteractive Forestry Atlas of CameroonInteractive Forestry Atlas of CameroonInteractive Forestry Atlas of CameroonInteractive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon(version 1.0)

An OverviewAn OverviewAn OverviewAn OverviewAn Overview

A Global Forest Watch Report 2005

MINEF

ii INTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

Karen HolmesEditor

Hyacinth BillingsPublications Director

Maggie PowellLayout

Design by Papyrus Design Group, Washington, DC

Cover photographs (top to bottom)

1. © 2003 Maria Jacoba Van de Pol2. © 2003 Maria Jacoba Van de Pol3. © 2004 James Beck

Each World Resources Institute report representsa timely, scholarly treatment of a subject of public conern.WRI takes responsibility for choosing the study topics and

guaranteeing its authors and researchers freedom of inquiry.It also solicits and responds to the guidance of advisory panels

and expert reviewers. Unless otherwise stated, however,all the interpretation and findings set forth in WRI publications

are those of the authors.

Copyright © 2005 World Resources Institute. All rights reserved.ISBN 1-56973-585-9 ENGLISHISBN 1-56973-586-7 FRENCH

Printed in the United States of America on chlorine-free paper with recycled content of 20%.

iiiINTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUTHORS .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... v

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................................................................................................................................... vi

FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. vii

ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. viii

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ ix

1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 11.1 Current Situation ................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11.2 MINEF-GFW Memorandum of Understanding ................................................................................................................................................................. 11.3 Products and Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21.4 Atlas Overview ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21.5 Overall Methodology and Baseline Validation of Boundaries .......................................................................................................................................... 41.6 Scope and Limitations ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5

2 ATLAS THEMES .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 62.1 Roads .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 62.2 Timber Extraction Areas .................................................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Timber Extraction Zoning ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 9Year of Title Allocation .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 15FMU Management Status ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 17Annual Wood Volume Production ............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20

2.3 Biodiversity Protection and Wildlife Management Areas ............................................................................................................................................... 222.4 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 25

3 CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS ................................................................................................................................................................................ 28Distribution ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28Training .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28Updating ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 29

NOTES ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 30

APPENDIX 1 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 32

APPENDIX 2 .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 34

iv INTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

List of BoxesList of BoxesList of BoxesList of BoxesList of BoxesBox 1 Summary of Logging Titles in Cameroon

Box 2 The Roads Dataset: Methodological Details,including Specifications and Limitations ofLandsat 7 ETM+ Imagery

Box 3 Forest Zoning and FMU Classification inCameroon

Box 4 Logging Permit Allocation Process inCameroon

Box 5 Timeline and Requirements for Preparation ofForest Management Plans

Box 6 Selected Legislative Provisions onBiodiversity Protection and Wildlife Manage-ment Zones in Cameroon’s Forest Code

List of FList of FList of FList of FList of FiguresiguresiguresiguresiguresFigure 1 Surface Area Distribution of SSVs Allocated

Since 1999

Figure 2 Trends in FMU Wood Production by YearFollowing Allocation

Figure 3 Annual Wood Production by Type of LoggingTitle (1998 – 2003)

List of MapsList of MapsList of MapsList of MapsList of MapsMap 1 Comparison of Satellite Imagery with Atlas

Map Features

Map 2 Status of Logging Concessions

Map 3 Roads Visible at Finer Map Scales(Abong Mbang Area)

Map 4 Detailed Perspective of Road Usage

Map 5 Management Plan Status of FMU LoggingConcessions

Map 6 Fine-Scale Map of Wood Production Levelsby Forest Management Unit (1998 – 2003)

Map 7 Biodiversity Protection and Wildlife Manage-ment

Map 8 Identification of Road Building OutsidePermitted Areas

Map 9 GLC 2000 Vegetation for Cameroon(1 km resolution)

Map 10 MINEF Forest Stratification

Map A Landsat Images Available for the Forest Zoneof Cameroon

List of TList of TList of TList of TList of TablesablesablesablesablesTable 1 Atlas Themes and Contents

Table 2 Road Categories and the Total Length ofRoads Digitized (1999 – 2003)

Table 3 Summary of Forest Management Zones (2004)

Table 4 Largest Holders of Logging Concessions bySurface Area (2004)

Table 5 Distribution of FMU and SSV Allocations byYear (1996 – 2004)

Table 6 Summary of Management Status of AllocatedFMUs, as of May 14, 2004

Table 7 Summary of Protected and Wildlife Manage-ment Areas in Cameroon

Table A Atlas Datasets and Sources

Table B Landsat Satellite Images Used to DigitizeRoads

vINTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

AUTHORS

MEDJO Frederic (2, 3, 4, 6)Frederic Medjo was the sub-director of the Sub-Department of Inventories and Forest Management(SDIAF) and MINEF focal point for the MINEF-GFW Memorandum of Understanding.

MINNEMEYER Susan (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)Susan Minnemeyer is head of the GIS-RS labora-tory of Global Forest Watch in the World Re-sources Institute.

NGOUFO Roger (2, 3, 4, 6)Roger Ngoufo is a lecturer at the GeographyDepartment of the University of Yaoundé anddirector of Cameroon Environmental Watch.

NSOYUNI Lawrence Ayenika (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)Lawrence Nsoyuni is the assistant coordinator forGlobal Forest Watch in Cameroon. He was previ-ously head of the GIS-RS laboratory at the LimbeBotanical and Zoological Garden in Cameroon.

VAN DE POL Maria Jacoba (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)Maria Jacoba (Jacqueline) Van de Pol was theadvisor for Global Forest Watch in Central Africaand is currently a researcher with Wageningen URAlterra.

Project Development and Mapping:

Maria Jacoba VAN DE POL, Lawrence AyenikaNSOYUNI, Susan MINNEMEYER, and RogerNGOUFO

Text and other contributions from:

James BECK, KEDE OTODO, Frederic MEDJO,Susan MINNEMEYER, Roger NGOUFO,Lawrence Ayenika NSOYUNI, and Maria JacobaVAN DE POL

Numeric references in parentheses refer to therespective contribution(s) of each author to the sixproducts that make up the atlas.

BECK James (4)James Beck is the assistant program manager forthe Central Africa region of Global Forest Watch inthe World Resources Institute.

KEDE OTODO (2, 3, 4, 6)Kede Otodo (late) was the director of the ForestDepartment (DF) within MINEF and the coordina-tor of the MINEF-GFW Memorandum of Under-standing.

vi INTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Africa (Conservation et Utilisation Rationnelledes Ecosystèmes Forestiers d’Afrique Centrale -ECOFAC), the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), theIntegrated Forest Monitoring System for CentralAfrica project of the U.S. National Aeronauticsand Space Administration (NASA-INFORMS),the National Institute of Cartography of Cameroon(Institut National de Cartographie - INC), NaturePlus, the International subsidiary of the NationalOffice of Forests (Office National des ForêtsInternational - ONFI), the Dutch DevelopmentOrganization (SNV), the Tropenbos CameroonProgramme (TCP), the Wildlife ConservationSociety (WCS), and the World Wide Fund forNature (WWF).

Special thanks go to the U.S. Agency for Interna-tional Development’s Central Africa RegionalProgram for the Environment (USAID-CARPE)for providing the bulk of financial support neces-sary to produce this atlas and associated docu-ments. The World Bank played an important role insupporting the development and implementation ofthe Memorandum of Understanding betweenMINEF and Global Forest Watch (GFW) that madethe project possible. Key financial and technicalassistance was also provided by the John D. andCatherine T. MacArthur Foundation, EuropeanUnion (EU) and the German technical cooperationagency (GTZ). The Environmental SystemsResearch Institute (ESRI) and Leica Geosystems(ERDAS) supported the effort by providingsoftware licenses at reduced cost for the collabora-tors in Cameroon.

We also thank the staff of World ResourcesInstitute (WRI) in Washington, DC, for theirinvaluable assistance with this first version of theInteractive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon. RalphRidder of GFW played a leadership role in projectconception and development and helped guide itsimplementation. David Jhirad, Yumiko Kura, BillLaRocque, Jon Maidens, Pierre Méthot, CarmenRevenga, and Fred Stolle reviewed draft versionsof the atlas and provided helpful comments.Lauriane Cayet helped review the data and statis-tics.

We also thank the external reviewers—LynaBelanger, Mathias Heinze, Nadine Laporte, SergeMenang Evouna, and Benoit Mertens—for theiruseful input. Many others, too numerous to name,also contributed to the development and productionof this atlas.

The authors would like to thank the staff of theMinistry of Environment and Forests (MINEF) ofCameroon—in particular Abena Joseph Claude,Tabi Tako-Eta Philip, Nti Mefe Solomon, PettangJules Blaise, Samba Dagobert and NtsengueLevodo — for their fruitful and ongoing collabora-tion. Without their vision and assistance, thisproject and the resulting atlas would not have beenpossible. Likewise, we recognize the staff of theproject’s core Cameroonian partner agencies: JeanSylvestre Makak and Kenneth Mbinkar ofCameroon Environmental Watch (CEW) and JayMeehl and Patrice Ngalla of Limbe Botanical andZoological Garden (LBZG, a Technical Opera-tional Unit under MINEF). We also thank theWorld Conservation Union’s Regional Office forCentral Africa (IUCN-ROCA) for facilitating GFWactivities in Cameroon.

Assistance with data collection, quality control,and other aspects of the development of this atlaswas provided by numerous private companies,such as: La Forestière de Campo, Pallisco, theForestry and Industrial Society of Doumé (SociétéForestière et Industrielle de la Doumé - SFID),the Industrial Society of African Timber (SociétéIndustrielle des Bois Africains - SIBAF), Thanry/Vicwood, and Wijma; as well as organizationsand institutions, including: the Bushmeat CrisisTask Force (BCTF), the Central Africa ForestsCommission (Commission des Forêts d’AfriqueCentrale - COMIFAC), the Conservation andRational Use of Forest Ecosystems in Central

viiINTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

FOREWORD

with nongovernmental organizations, experts, andthe governmental authorities of the forest sector.

In 2004, GFW’s interest in Cameroon and its contin-ued presence in this country has been demonstrated ina much more meaningful manner with the productionof this Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon. Thisfirst version of the interactive atlas is the product of aclose collaboration between GFW, forest manage-ment authorities, and all the stakeholders seekingsustainable forest management in the country.

The current initiative is unique in that it gathers forestrydata and information, presents them in a visual manner,and combines data and information that have hereto-fore not been connected nor easily accessible. Theimprovement in quality and accessibility of informationpertaining to the forestry sector through the use ofmodern tools such as RS and GIS may contributesignificantly to the improvement of the managementand rational, sustainable, and responsible use of forests.

By contributing to this atlas, the Government ofCameroon confirms its commitment to increasedtransparency and good governance. The Govern-ment of Cameroon hopes that the informationproduced by the partnership with GFW will bemade available to the greater public via the Internetwebsites of the GFW and the current Ministry ofForests and Wildlife (MINFOF). All of the partiesinvolved recognize that this version of the atlasconstitutes a first step. Subsequent efforts will befocused on keeping this tool up to date as well as

As the institutional, regulatory, and administrativereforms initiated since the 1990s have shown,Cameroon is resolutely engaged in a process ofsustainable forestry management, adopting—amongother measures—a zoning plan for the southernforestry region; reinforcing community participationin the management of forestry resources; improvingallocation procedures for forestry operation titles;reinforcing monitoring and control of forest use, andparticipating in regional processes (e.g. CEFDHAC,Yaoundé Summit, COMIFAC, and AFLEG).

To further transparency in the forestry sector and battleillegal practices, the Ministry of the Environment andForests (MINEF) has chosen to develop multiplepartnerships, particularly in the area of control andmonitoring of the forestry sector. To this end, a coopera-tion agreement was signed on June 6, 2002, betweenMINEF and Global Forest Watch (GFW), aiming tosupport MINEF’s forest monitoring functions. Theagreement focuses on utilizing remote sensing (RS) andgeographic information systems (GIS) technologies todevelop a cartographic and statistical database for usersand managers of forest resources of the Republic ofCameroon. This database will serve as a reference toolfor MINEF in order to facilitate monitoring for sustain-able forest management.

GFW was well positioned to engage in this collabo-ration as evidenced by its publication in 2000 of adocument entitled “An Overview of Logging inCameroon (Aperçu sur la situation de l’exploitationforestière au Cameroun),” produced in collaboration

training key practitioners in its use and integrationin decision-making processes. These efforts willcontinue within the MINFOF-GFW collaborativeframework.

For all of these efforts and the significant outcomesthey have produced, I would like to thank WRI, GFW,and their network of partners, as well as the interna-tional donor agencies that have supported this work, inparticular the United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment’s Central Africa Regional Program forthe Environment program (USAID-CARPE) for theirconstant support, along with the World Bank, the JohnD. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, theEuropean Union (EU), and GTZ (German agency fortechnical cooperation). On behalf of the Government ofCameroon, I invite these partners to continue theircollaboration with the Government of Cameroonconcerning the challenge of sustainable management ofCameroon’s forestry resources.

Yaoundé, January 20, 2005The Minister of Forests and Wildlife

viii INTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

ABBREVIATIONS

FMU Forest Management Unit (see UFA)

GFW Global Forest Watch

GIS Geographic Information System

GLC Global Land Cover

GPS Global Positioning System

GTZ German Technical Cooperation (Gesellschaftfür Technische Zusammenarbeit)

Ha Hectares

IFIA InterAfrican Forest Industries Association

INC National Institute of Cartography (InstitutNational de Cartographie)

IRS Indian Remote Sensing

ITTO International Tropical Timber Organization

IUCN- World Conservation Union - Regional ROCAOffice for Central Africa

JGI Jane Goodall Institute

JRC Joint Research Centre

LBZG Limbe Botanical and Zoological Garden

MINEF Ministry of Environment and Forests

MINEP Ministry of Environment and Protection of Nature

MINFOF Ministry of Forests and Wildlife

NASA- National Aeronautics and SpaceINFORMS Administration - Integrated Forest

Monitoring System for Central Africa

NGA National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

NGO non governmental organization

ONFI International subsidiary of the National Officeof Forests (Office National des ForêtsInternational)

PSFE Forest Environment Sector Program(Programme Sectoriel Forêts Environnement)

PSRF Forestry Revenue Enhancement Program(Programme de Sécurisation des RecettesForestières)

RS Remote sensing

SDIAF Sub-Department of Inventories and ForestManagement Management (Sous Directiondes Inventaires et Aménagements Forestiers)

SFID Forestry and Industrial Society of Doumé(Société Forestière et Industrielle de laDoumé)

SIBAF Industrial Society of African Timber (SociétéIndustrielle des Bois Africains)

SIGIF Automated Forestry Information ManagementSystem (Système Informatisé de Gestion desInformations Forestières)

SLC Scan Line Corrector

SNV Dutch Development Organization

SSV Sales of Standing Volume (see VC)

TCP Tropenbos Cameroon Programme

TREES Tropical Ecosystem Environment observa-tions by Satellite

UCC Central Control Unit (Unité Centrale deContrôle)

UCECAF Central Forestry Cartographic Unit (UnitéCentrale de la Cartographie Forestière)

UFA Unité Forestière d’Aménagement (see FMU)

USAID United States Agency for InternationalDevelopment

VC Ventes de Coupe (see SSV)

WCS Wildlife Conservation Society

WRI World Resources Institute

WWF World Wide Fund for Nature

ZIC Safari Hunting Zones (Zone d’intérêtcynégétique)

ZICGC Community Hunting Zones (Zone d’intérêtcynégétique à gestion communautaire)

AAC Annual Allowable Cut (Assiette Annuelle deCoupe)

AFLEG Africa Forest Law Enforcement and Gover-nance

ATO Africa Timber Organization

AVHRR Advanced Very High ResolutionRadiometer

BCTF Bushmeat Crisis Task Force

CARPE Central Africa Regional Program for theEnvironment

CBFP Congo Basin Forest Partnership

CEFDHAC Conference of Humid and Dense Forest ofCentral Africa (Conférence sur lesEcosystèmes de Forêts Denses et Humidesd’Afrique Centrale)

CEW Cameroon Environmental Watch

CFC Community Forestry Unit (Cellule deForesterie Communautaire)

CIDA Canadian International Development Agency

COMIFAC Central Africa Forests Commission (Commis-sion des Forêts d’Afrique Centrale) - formerlyknown as the Conference of Forests Ministersof Central Africa (Conférence des Ministresen Charge des Forêts de l’Afrique Centrale)

DCP Division of Cooperation and Projects

DF Department of Forests

DFAP Department of Wildlife and Protected Areas

ECOFAC Conservation and Rational Use of ForestEcosystems in Central Africa (Conservation etUtilisation Rationnelle des EcosystèmesForestiers d’Afrique Centrale)

ERDAS Leica Geosystems

ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute

ETM Enhanced Thematic Mapper

EU European Union

ixINTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Six specific products are contained in the Interac-tive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon CD-ROM:

1. The welcome and users guide – providesinstructions on the installation and viewing ofthe atlas and its content.

2. The Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon –includes a map-viewing application that allowsusers to view maps in detail, pan and zoom toareas of interest, view data layers individuallyor in combination, query datasets, and printmaps of their choice. Free and easy-to-use map-viewing software (ESRI ArcReader) is alsoincluded.

3. The GIS data and metadata – includes originalshape files and attributes, including informationon how the datasets were created. See Appendix1 for a list of datasets found in this atlas.

4. This overview report – provides an overview ofthe purpose, content, and methodology of theatlas, including examples of useful potentialapplications for key decision-makers andtechnicians in government, industry, and civilsociety organizations.

5. The technical roads report – provides a detailedtechnical description of the methodologyutilized to create the roads dataset.

6. Poster – presents the overall situation concern-ing forest exploitation in Cameroon.

By using this interactive atlas, key decision-makersand all stakeholders are able to easily access andmanipulate the most current and critical informa-tion for forest monitoring in order to produce andview maps. Through the MINEF-GFW collabora-tion, this atlas contains the most up-to-date, veri-fied information on the forest sector, including theboundaries of timber extraction areas and usefuldata on their attributes, such as the status of man-agement plans, the year in which logging titleswere allocated, and annual timber-productionvolumes. Information is also presented onbiodiversity and wildlife protection areas, and adataset of digitized roads information was devel-oped especially for this atlas.

Examples of potential uses of the atlas discussed inthe following report include:

● Supporting the prioritization of field missionsfor monitoring and enforcement of forest lawsand regulations;

● Helping to determine whether road constructionis taking place within the boundaries of legallyattributed logging areas and/or in compliancewith approved management plans;

● Helping to resolve conflicts by providing asource of objective information on the bound-aries of various forest zones, such as ForestManagement Units (FMU), Sales of StandingVolume (SSV), Council Forests, CommunityForests, protected areas, etc;

The tropical forests of Cameroon generate impor-tant economic, social, and environmental benefitsfor the country. Given the vast, remote nature ofthese forests, the Government of Cameroon hasmade significant commitments and notable stridesin monitoring forest-based activities to strengthenplanning and management for sustainable forestuse. This commitment has spawned many programsaimed at producing and/or compiling forest-monitoring data, creating an opportunity to bringrelevant datasets together in a single GIS-baseddecision-support tool that integrates satelliteimagery and other spatial data from varioussources. As part of a series of efforts aimed atimproving forest monitoring, the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests of Cameroon (MINEF)and the Global Forest Watch (GFW) initiative ofthe World Resources Institute have formallypartnered to create such a tool.

Within the framework of Cameroon’s ForestEnvironment Sector Program (ProgrammeSectoriel Forêts Environnement - PSFE), theMINEF-GFW collaboration aims to enable betterdecision-making by improving the quality andavailability of geographic information relevant tothe forest sector. Through this Interactive ForestryAtlas of Cameroon (Version 1.0) and related dataproducts (listed below), these partners seek toprovide relevant spatial data and information on theforest sector in accessible forms for use by govern-ment, industry, and the public.

x INTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

● Informing the application process for newlogging titles, including by assisting localcommunities in their efforts to identify areasavailable for establishing and harvesting timberfrom Community Forests, thus minimizing theconfusion that has previously plagued thisprocess;

● Supporting the key local authorities (e.g., theMinistry of Agriculture, the Ministry of PublicWorks, local councils, and members of parlia-ment) in their land use and regional planningactivities, including the identification of roadscritical to the travel and market access of someremote rural communities; and

● Supporting the relevant authorities and partnersin the design of new protected areas and conser-vation corridors.

The Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon alsosupports ongoing efforts of non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs), donors, inter-governmentalorganizations, research institutes, and progressivecompanies towards improved forest governanceand management. Training sessions tailored to theneeds of various target user groups are beingundertaken in order to ensure maximum awarenessof the atlas and its potential applications. Morespecifically, the atlas and related products canprovide support to many regional programs and

processes, most notably the Africa Forest LawEnforcement and Governance (AFLEG) process,execution of the Plan of Convergence of theCentral Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC),the Conference on Humid and Dense ForestEcosystems of Central Africa (CEFDHAC), theefforts of the International Tropical Timber Organi-zation (ITTO) and the Africa Timber Organization(ATO) to promote sustainable forest management,and the activities of the Congo Basin ForestPartnership (CBFP).

While this atlas presents all the latest data concern-ing the forest sector that could be located, created,and/or provided by MINEF, it does have certainlimitations. It should be understood as a work inprogress that will evolve and improve with periodicupdates and/or the expansion of the scope of data.Evidence drawn from this atlas should not beconsidered sufficient for a definitive judgment oflegality or illegality of specific activities, which canonly be determined with further field investigationby MINEF.

The atlas is available on line (atwww.globalforestwatch.org and www.minef.cm) topromote transparency and make informationaccessible to all stakeholders with Internet capabili-ties. Likewise, CD-ROMs are disseminated to keydecision-makers and other forest sector stakeholders.

1INTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIEW

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Current Situation1.1 Current Situation1.1 Current Situation1.1 Current Situation1.1 Current SituationWith more than 20 million hectares of moisttropical forest, the forest sector of Camerooncontributes significantly to its national and localeconomies, providing employment and associ-ated roads, schools, and health clinics as well asimportant environmental services.1 The chal-lenging task of guiding and monitoring theforest sector falls on the Government ofCameroon, which, along with its donor partners,has committed significant resources to forestsector monitoring.2 Some of its most notableachievements and efforts are:

● Adopting and implementing the forest code(Law Number 94/01 of 20 January 1994) toimprove sustainable forest management;

● Creating the Automated Forestry InformationManagement System (Système Informatisé deGestion des Informations Forestières -SIGIF) database;

● Operationalizing the Forestry RevenueEnhancement Program (Programme deSécurisation des Recettes Forestières -PSRF);

● Inviting and cooperating with an independentobserver (the UK-based non-governmentalorganization, NGO, Global Witness); and

● Launching of the Forest Environment SectorProgram (Programme Sectoriel ForêtsEnvironnement - PSFE).

These programs and collaborations signalCameroon’s serious commitment to strong forestgovernance and management.

The forest industry plays an important role inforest management and in generating economicbenefits from the forest. However, the specificcontributions of private-sector forest operatorsto national economic growth—and to theconservation and responsible use of the forestresources allocated to them—vary considerably.These operators can be characterized along aspectrum, ranging from progressive forestconcessionaires fully committed to sustainableforest management and value-added woodprocessing, to short-sighted operators withlimited regard and respect for the well-being oflocal populations, forest resources, and nationallaws and regulations. This situation has led to—and continues to produce—a number of seriousproblems, such as illegal logging, unsustainableuse of forest resources, reduced fiscal revenues,and limited benefits for local populations.

Given the vast and remote nature of much ofCameroon’s forest, combined with theGovernment’s limited financial resources andskilled personnel, there is a clear need foradvanced information technologies and deci-sion-support tools to strengthen planning forfield monitoring and control missions. Aspreviously noted, Cameroon has already placedsignificant effort into improving its capacity forforest governance and management. However,the integration of remote sensing (RS) andgeographic information systems (GIS) technolo-gies provides an important opportunity tostrengthen the coordination of these initiatives

as well as to improve their functionality. Deci-sion- support tools that integrate RS and GISapproaches can provide a comprehensive sourceof accurate, objective, up-to-date, and timelyinformation that is spatially linked to the site offorest operations. Such monitoring tools areessential to enable sound decision-making andconsequently better governance and manage-ment in the forest sector.

1.2 MINEF1.2 MINEF1.2 MINEF1.2 MINEF1.2 MINEF-----GFW MemorandumGFW MemorandumGFW MemorandumGFW MemorandumGFW Memorandumof Understandingof Understandingof Understandingof Understandingof UnderstandingResponding to the previously described situa-tion, and with the facilitation of the World Bank,the Ministry of Environment and Forests(MINEF)3 of Cameroon and the Global ForestWatch (GFW) initiative of the World ResourcesInstitute signed a Memorandum of Understand-ing (MOU) in June 2002, which formalized theirrespective responsibilities in collaborating on aneffort to improve the quality and availability ofgeographic information relevant to the forestsector.4 MINEF agreed to provide GFW withdata on forest sector activities in Cameroon,while the Cameroonian institutions partneringwith GFW would create and compile furtherdata necessary to produce map-based tools. (SeeSection 1.5 for more details on how this collabo-ration has been operationalized, includingvalidation methodology.) The collaboration wasdesigned to support MINEF in its effort toimprove forest governance, while promotingtransparency and access to information amongdiverse stakeholders concerned with conserva-tion and use of forest resources in Cameroon.

2 INTERACTIVE FORESTRY ATLAS OF CAMEROON (version 1.0): AN OVERVIE W

1.3 P1.3 P1.3 P1.3 P1.3 Products and Products and Products and Products and Products and PurposeurposeurposeurposeurposeThis Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon isone of the principal outputs of the ongoingMINEF-GFW collaboration. Six specific prod-ucts are contained in the Interactive ForestryAtlas of Cameroon CD-ROM:

1. The Welcome and User’s Guide – providesinstructions on the installation and viewingof the atlas and its content.

2. The Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon– includes a map-viewing application thatallows users to view maps in detail, pan andzoom to areas of interest, view data layersindividually or in combination, querydatasets, and print maps of their choice. Freeand easy-to-use map-viewing software (ESRIArcReader) is also included.

3. The GIS data and metadata – includesoriginal shape files and attributes, withinformation on how the datasets were cre-ated. See Appendix 1 for a list of datasetsfound in this atlas.

4. This overview report – provides an overviewof the purpose, content, and methodology ofthe atlas, including examples of usefulpotential applications for key decision-makers and technicians in government,industry, and civil society organizations.

5. The technical roads report – provides adetailed technical description of the method-ology utilized to create the roads dataset.

6. Poster – presents the overall situation con-cerning forest exploitation in Cameroon.

The atlas is designed to support MINEF and theForest Environment Sector Program (PSFE) byidentifying problem areas, facilitating discus-sions with stakeholders, and improving thedecision-making process with regard to forestmanagement and governance. There are awealth of potential applications of the atlas,some of which are highlighted in Section 2.

For example, the atlas will support MINEF inidentifying areas where logging has taken placeand locating where questionable practices mightbe occurring. This information could assistMINEF in its planning for field monitoring andcontrol missions. Training programs, for MINEFand other key users, on how to best use the atlasto support decision-making are underwaythrough a Cameroonian GFW expert in GIS/RS.To ensure continued usefulness for such pur-poses, updated versions of the atlas will beprepared and distributed on a regular basis.

Via the MINEF and GFW websites, this Interac-tive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon will be acces-sible to all interested stakeholders. It will alsosupport ongoing efforts of NGOs, donors, inter-governmental organizations, research institutes,and progressive companies towards improvedforest governance and management. Morespecifically, the atlas and related products canprovide strong support to many regional pro-grams and processes, most notably the AfricaForest Law Enforcement and Governance

(AFLEG) process, execution of the Plan ofConvergence of the Central Africa ForestsCommission (COMIFAC), the Conference onHumid and Dense Forest Ecosystems of CentralAfrica (CEFDHAC), the efforts of the Interna-tional Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) andthe Africa Timber Organization (ATO) topromote sustainable forest management, and theactivities of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership(CBFP).

Moreover, the atlas could be used as a model toolfor forest monitoring in other forested regions.GFW has provided leadership in the elaborationof a similar interactive atlas product in Russia,which is available on the GFW interactive mapserver (www.globalforestwatch.org).5 Similarinitiatives are underway in Canada and Alaskaand are being developed in Republic of Congoand Indonesia. These atlases will also be avail-able on the GFW website.

1.4 Atlas Overview1.4 Atlas Overview1.4 Atlas Overview1.4 Atlas Overview1.4 Atlas OverviewThis interactive atlas brings together for the firsttime, in a user-friendly, accessible format, keydatasets on forest governance and managementin Cameroon. It encompasses data from varioussources, including new data, older and/orupdated data that had not previously been madepublicly available, and pertinent previouslyreleased data. The major data layers included inthe atlas are listed in Table 1, and the corre-sponding datasets and their sources are outlinedin Appendix 1.


Box 1. Summary of Logging Titles in Cameroon

● FMU – Forest Management Unit: Created underthe 1994 forest code, FMUs are forest manage-ment units zoned within the Permanent ForestDomain (i.e., forests that are zoned forbiodiversity conservation and sustainablemanagement). They are allocated by a competi-tive bidding process for a 15-year period andrequire a forest management plan approved bythe relevant administrative authority. (Thecorresponding term in French for FMU is UnitéForestière d’Aménagement - UFA).

● Forest Concessions: Singly managed units,which may include one or more FMUs, not toexceed 200,000 hectares (ha).

● SSV – Sales of Standing Volume: SSVs arezoned within the Non-Permanent Forest Domain(i.e., communal, community, and private forestszoned for timber extraction, agricultural, mining,and other uses) or can also be allocated tonationals within the Permanent Forest Domain.SSVs are allocated by a competitive biddingprocess for a maximum of three years, are not toexceed 2,500 ha, and do not require a manage-ment plan. (The corresponding term in French forSSV is Ventes de coupe - VC).

● Community Forests: Established under the 1994forest code, community forests are areas withinthe Non-Permanent Forest Domain zoned for useby village communities. With technical assis-tance from MINEF’s Community Forestry Unit

(Cellule de Foresterie Communautaire - CFC), avillage community seeking a forest title identi-fies a zone not exceeding 5,000 ha and drafts asimple management plan for approval byMINEF. Proceeds from community forestmanagement are used for community develop-ment projects.

● Council Forests: Areas zoned within the Perma-nent Forest Domain and managed according toan approved management plan. The objectivesof the Council Forest, along with its finalboundaries, are established during the officialclassification process. Once allocated, theseforests become the private property of a council;however, the commune must abide by themanagement plan in order to retain title to theforest area.

● Licenses (Licences): Allocated prior to imple-mentation of the 1994 forest code, Licenses werein effect a type of concession that did notinclude some of the more advanced forestmanagement requirements (e.g. managementplan) put in place by the 1994 code and support-ing regulations. As of 1998, all of these Licenseshad expired.

Sources: Bikié, H., J. G. Collomb, L. Djomo, S.Minnemeyer, R. Ngoufo, and S. Nguiffo. 2000. AnOverview of Logging in Cameroon. Global Forest Watch /World Resources Institute. Washington DC.; Law 94/01 ofJanuary 20, 1994; and Decree 94/436 of August 23, 1994.

The atlas is organized according to severalthemes:

● The roads theme is based on a new dataseton logging roads, created specifically for thisatlas through the interpretation of satelliteimagery, which was incorporated withexisting data on public roads. The integratedroads dataset was then overlaid within theother themes.

● Newly released data from MINEF, notpreviously made public in this format, arepresented in five themes, including timberextraction zoning, year of title allocation,volume of wood harvested, status of man-agement plan for specific Forest Manage-ment Units (FMU), and biodiversity protec-tion and wildlife management zoning plan.(Key terminology related to logging titles inCameroon is summarized in Box 1.)

● Previously released data are assembled intwo themes — vegetation and basic mapfeatures (e.g., settlements, water bodies, etc.)— and are included to make the atlas acomprehensive source of currently availableinformation on the forest sector inCameroon.


1.5 Overall Methodology and1.5 Overall Methodology and1.5 Overall Methodology and1.5 Overall Methodology and1.5 Overall Methodology andBaseline VBaseline VBaseline VBaseline VBaseline Validation of Boundariesalidation of Boundariesalidation of Boundariesalidation of Boundariesalidation of BoundariesAs stipulated in the MINEF-GFW MOU, MINEFprovided GFW with officially approved docu-ments, information, and statistics on the man-agement and use of forest resources inCameroon, including information on bound-aries, allocation and classification status, andmanagement status, as well as annual woodproduction statistics for the various forestterritories.6 GFW and its local partners,Cameroon Environmental Watch (CEW) andLimbe Botanical and Zoological Garden (LBZG,a Technical Operational Unit under MINEF),provided technical support to MINEF by creat-ing new datasets (e.g., on roads), updatingexisting spatial data, and integrating datasets toproduce map-based tools, such as this atlas.

To operationalize the agreement betweenMINEF and GFW, a steering committee wasestablished to identify specific activities andcorresponding leads, and develop a workplan.7

To build the GIS database, GFW in collabora-tion with MINEF developed the database struc-ture, defined its content, and harmonized thecodes with SIGIF to simplify integration ofdatasets. GFW systematically reviewed theexisting spatial data provided by MINEF toensure that it followed pre-defined standards.8

CEW digitized the boundaries of newly attrib-uted timber extraction areas as described on thefinal public notice documents (avis au public) orclassification decrees (for FMUs), where appli-cable.9 All the boundaries were digitized withreference to National Institute of Cartography’s

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(INC) topographic maps (see Appendix 1 forfull references to the datasets utilized). LBZGdigitized the road network using satellite imag-ery and following the procedures developed byGFW and summarized in Section 2.1.10 GFWassembled these datasets and systematicallyreviewed, verified, and made corrections wherenecessary, to ensure agreement with public/legaldocuments and topographic base maps prior tointegration into the GIS database for the atlas.

Validation of the GIS database required input frommultiple partners, including MINEF, loggingcompanies, bilateral and multilateral agencies, andNGOs. GFW, its partners, and the technical staff ofMINEF held working sessions during whichcriteria were elaborated for incorporating forestterritory boundaries into the GIS and for modifica-tions to these boundaries as needed.

For example, in the case of FMU boundaries, ifthe boundaries of different exploitation areaswere found to overlap, then the boundaryspecified by the more advanced stage of theclassification process was given priority. If theoverlapping boundaries emerged from the samestage of the classification process, then theboundary with the earlier date of allocation isgiven priority. For any other overlaps, MINEFresolved the discrepancy on a case-by-casebasis. Particular attention was paid to validatingthat the boundaries for timber extraction areasdepicted in this atlas were the best available andwhere possible were based on the finalizedclassification decrees as of August 2004. Thus,the MINEF-GFW collaboration ensured that thisatlas presents the most up-to-date, revised, andverified information on boundaries.

1.6 Scope and Limitations1.6 Scope and Limitations1.6 Scope and Limitations1.6 Scope and Limitations1.6 Scope and Limitations

Following the previously described protocol,this atlas includes all the up-to-date boundaryand attribute information released by MINEF.This version of the atlas focuses on the roadsdataset, timber extraction areas (specificallyFMUs, SSVs, and Community Forests), andrelated attribute information. The information onprotected areas and wildlife management areasis based on the best data available from GFWpartners at the time of publication. However,incorporating additional attribute informationand further boundary refinements will signifi-cantly improve this theme in subsequent ver-sions of the atlas.

While this atlas reflects the latest forest-sectordata that could be located, created, and/orprovided by MINEF, it does have certain limita-tions. For example, the datasets included in thisatlas are based on official 1:200,000 topo-graphic maps, which themselves are dated andknown to contain certain inaccuracies, thussignificantly limiting the spatial accuracy ofthese datasets. Therefore the atlas should beconsidered a work in progress, which willevolve and improve with periodic updates and/or expansion of the scope of data.

Consequently, evidence drawn from this atlasshould not be considered sufficient for a finaljudgment on the legality or illegality of activitiesdetected in specific forest areas. For example,overlaying datasets on logging area boundarieswith the roads dataset can help identify irregularactivities occurring in specific locations; how-ever, further field investigation by MINEFwould be needed to properly determine whetherany irregular activity was indeed illegal.


2 ATLAS THEMES

This section provides a detailed description ofeach of the themes composing the atlas. Itincludes summary data tables and examplesillustrating potential uses of the atlas as a deci-sion-support tool for targeted groups of users.Particular attention is given to the overlay of thenewly created roads dataset with datasetscomposing other atlas themes (e.g., timberextraction, biodiversity conservation and wild-life management, etc.).

2.1 Roads2.1 Roads2.1 Roads2.1 Roads2.1 RoadsThe existence and location of logging roads isimportant evidence of the extent of historic andcurrent industrial logging activities. Satelliteimagery can be used relatively easily andeffectively to identify logging roads and infra-structure, and thus facilitate the monitoring ofindustrial forest activities.11

For this atlas, GFW partner LBZG created aroads dataset. This dataset can support monitor-ing of compliance of with forest laws, specifi-cally concerning the geographic location offorest exploitation, when combined with otherdatasets on forest management.12

Data Sources and Methods

The roads dataset includes information on the dateof origin, road type, and intensity of use for eachroad by logging season on an annual basis from1999 to 2003.13 Using satellite imagery from

Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM+),LBZG mapped roads throughout the forested zoneof Cameroon (see Map 1 for an example). Satelliteimages were enhanced to improve the visibility ofolder, fainter, and more infrequently used loggingroads (see details in Box 2).

Road type could not be identified from satelliteimagery alone. Instead, road type was assignedby overlaying the digitized road data ongeoreferenced 1:200,000 topographic mapsproduced by the National Institute of Cartogra-phy of Cameroon. This allowed the identifica-tion of national, provincial, and departmentalroads as well as most airstrips.

Logging roads were primarily identified by theirpresence within the boundaries of FMUs orSSVs, combined with their distinctive appear-ance on satellite images (i.e., a network of manysmall roads in a forested area as distinguishedfrom single roads connecting settlements orother roads). However, some roads that appearto be logging roads were detected outside theboundaries of valid permit areas. In this atlas,the term “forest road” is used to denote suchpossible logging roads located outside validpermit areas.

To validate the spatial accuracy of the roadsdataset created for this atlas and confirm theidentification of road types, GFW and partnersdrove and tracked a sample (seven percent) ofthe mapped roads using a GPS. Comparison offield-tracked roads with those mapped fromsatellite imagery determined the average accu-racy to be plus or minus 41.7 meters.

The resulting roads dataset includes over 40,000kilometers (km) of roads. Of these, about10,000 km are primary or secondary loggingroads located inside valid logging areas (seeTable 2 for details). Nearly 2,000 km are roadsin forest areas outside the boundaries of knownvalid logging titles.14

(For a more detailed treatment of the methodol-ogy used to create and validate the roadsdataset, please refer to the technical report.)

Useful Applications and Recommendations

● Prioritize field monitoring missions. Theroads dataset developed for this atlas couldhelp MINEF determine whether loggingroads are located within legally attributedlogging areas and/or in compliance withapproved management plans. Field monitor-ing is a costly but critically important exer-cise. Given the limited budget at MINEF’sdisposal for this purpose, use of this roadsdataset could provide valuable guidance asto where to spend limited field time. Forinstance, this atlas identifies about 1,900 kmof active forest roads outside known autho-rized logging areas (see Table 2). MINEFcould consider conducting field checks onsome or all of these roads to determinewhether they were used for logging purposesand if this logging was legal or not. Simi-larly, MINEF could consider monitoringpriority areas within the more than 6,600 kmof abandoned logging roads identified in thisatlas, to ensure that these roads are not beingused for poaching and other illegal activities


Box 2. The Roads Dataset: Methodological Details, including Specifications and

Limitations of Landsat 7 ETM+ Imagery

To create the roads dataset used in this atlas, a totalof 46 medium- to high-resolution (28.5 m) ortho-rectified Landsat 7 (ETM+) satellite images wereused. A list of these images, along with a map of theavailable Landsat images for the Forest Zone ofCameroon, is presented in Appendix 2.

Landsat imagery has been the most desirableplatform to date for digitizing logging roads. It isrelatively inexpensive, of medium to high resolution,and free of copyright constraints, allowing imageryto be shared among organizations. Landsat ETM+satellite imagery has a spatial resolution of 28.5meters per pixel (bands 1-5 and 7) and 14.5 metersper pixel (panchromatic band) and a view range of183 km x 170 km.

Bands were selectively combined to form colorcomposite images to enhance the contrast betweenvegetation and bare ground, making the roads morevisible. Different band combinations were used tomaximize the visibility of roads under a range ofconditions and ages; the prominent band combina-tions used included 7-5-3, 7-5-4, and 5-4-3. To

improve the detection of narrow roads, the panchro-matic band (14.5 m resolution) was merged with theother bands (28.5 m resolution) to create a “pan-sharpened” image. This image enhancementespecially improved the visibility of older, fainter,and more infrequently used logging roads.

Unfortunately, the Landsat satellite’s scan linecorrector (SLC) malfunctioned in May 2003,creating data gaps. SLC-off Landsat images arebeing made available, but these images have beencorrected using previously captured data, renderingthem unsuitable for detecting and monitoring roadsover time. Since this malfunction, the scientificcommunity has been searching for a replacement.Other types of imagery, including ASTER and theIRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellite, are beinginvestigated as possible alternatives. High-resolu-tion imagery, such as IKONOS or Quickbird, can beuseful tools for verifying datasets derived fromLandsat TM 7 (or other medium- to high-resolutionimagery), but the high cost of this imagery is alimiting factor.

that could degrade forest ecosystems. SinceMINEF can realistically conduct field checkson only a portion of these thousands of kmof roads, the use of this dataset to determinepriorities in the field should prove valuable.

● Identify roads critical to remote rural com-munities. This dataset could also provideneeded information to support MINEF in

working with the Ministry of Public Works,local councils, and members of parliament toidentify roads critical to travel and marketaccess for remote rural communities.

● Assist development planning. The roadsdataset could also be of interest to governmentministries charged with development planningfunctions (e.g., Ministries of Transport, Trade

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Map 1. Comparison of Satellite Imagery with Atlas Map FeaturesMap 1. Comparison of Satellite Imagery with Atlas Map FeaturesMap 1. Comparison of Satellite Imagery with Atlas Map FeaturesMap 1. Comparison of Satellite Imagery with Atlas Map FeaturesMap 1. Comparison of Satellite Imagery with Atlas Map Features


& Industrial Development, Economic Affairs,Planning, & Territorial Development, PublicWorks, Agriculture, etc.).

● Advance understanding of the ecologicaland social impacts of forest exploitation.Another possible use of the atlas and theroads dataset developed for it is to furtherecologists’ understanding of the dynamicsand impact of forest exploitation on forestecosystems. Social scientists could also usethe roads dataset to gain insight on therelationship between human wellbeing andforest exploitation.

● Minimize costs and environmental impacts ofnew road construction. Private-sector forestoperators could use this atlas to identify waysto benefit from existing road infrastructuredepicted in the roads dataset. Such uses ofthe atlas would help limit infrastructure costsand minimize the environmental impacts ofroad construction.

2.2 T2.2 T2.2 T2.2 T2.2 Timber Extraction Areasimber Extraction Areasimber Extraction Areasimber Extraction Areasimber Extraction Areas

Timber Extraction ZoningTimber Extraction ZoningTimber Extraction ZoningTimber Extraction ZoningTimber Extraction Zoning

This theme focuses on Cameroon’s system offorest zoning, particularly as it relates to loggingtitles. Following adoption of the forest code of1994, MINEF began to authorize new types oftitles for timber extraction activities and phasedout the previously utilized system of Licenses.15

The architecture of the forest zoning system inCameroon, including a summary of classifica-tion procedures for the national forest estate ofCameroon, is described in Box 3.

Box 3. Forest Zoning and FMU Classification in Cameroon

The diagram below describes the architecture of the forest zoning system in Cameroon as articulated in theforest code, developed by Tecsult Inc., and utilized in this atlas. Article 22 of the forest code requires that thePermanent Domain cover at least 30 percent of the national territory, represent ecological diversity, and bemanaged sustainably according to management plans approved by the relevant administrative authority. TheNon-Permanent Domain—including the Communal, Community Forests, and Private Forests—is zoned forother purposes/uses.

FMUs are allocated by public auction and under a selection process summarized in Box 4. Prior to the auction,public notices (avis au public) are issued to invite offers. These notices include, among other details, theinitial boundary and area descriptions. The classification process should be completed prior to allocation;however, that is not normally the case. For most FMUs, after allocation the classification process begins,during which MINEF provides the technical information necessary for a commission directed by the PrimeMinister (Première Ministre) to make the final classification decision. This decision may result in final FMUboundaries that differ from the public notice (avis au public).

Source: Forest Code 94/01 of January 20, 1994.


Of particular interest for this theme are theFMUs contained within Cameroon’s PermanentForest Domain (see Box 3) and the SSVs andCommunity Forests zoned within the Non-Permanent Domain. This atlas includes all of themost recent information released by MINEF onforest territory attributes and boundaries.16

However, in some cases, data were incompleteor missing altogether, including data on 179SSVs (out of a total of 311) and 12 allocatedCommunity Forests (out of a total of 67).17

Likewise, data on several important loggingzones were not yet available for this edition ofthe atlas, including the 5-year operational blocks(blocs quinquennaux) and their annual allow-able-cut areas (Assiette Annuelle de Coupe -AAC).18

FMUs, protected areas, SSVs, and CommunityForests are the most important forest titlesallocated in the southern forested zone ofCameroon (see Map 2). Map 3 displays azoomed-in view of this same area, in whichlogging roads are clearly visible.

Table 3 presents information on the number andtotal surface area of various types of forestzones with the national forest estate ofCameroon. FMUs account for approximately 7million ha, or about half of the land area withinthe Permanent Domain, with another 3.8 millionha (about one third of total land area) containedin protected areas. Active FMUs cover morethan eight times as much surface area as SSVsand Community Forests combined. Note that the

statistics presented in Table 3 indicate that thetotal land area of the Permanent Domain (12.7million ha) makes up 27 percent of the nationalterritory of Cameroon (46.9 million ha), whichis less than the 30 percent minimum required bythe 1994 forest code.19

Figure 1 depicts the size distribution of SSVsallocated since 1999. Note that the surface areaof a significant number of SSVs surpasses thelegal maximum of 2,500 ha.20

Table 4 presents information on logging conces-sionaires by total land area held. These statisticsindicate a high degree of consolidation in theforest industry sector of Cameroon. In 2003,nine groups of concession holders (multina-tional corporations) collectively held more than60 percent of active FMUs by land area. Thus, itmay be possible to achieve significant improve-ments in the management of the forest territoryof Cameroon by engaging these key groups.21

Figure 1. Surface Area Distribution of SSVs Allocated Since 1999*

* The dotted line indicates the maximum allowable size of SSVs, as specified by the 1994 forest code.


Map 2. Status of Logging ConcessionsMap 2. Status of Logging ConcessionsMap 2. Status of Logging ConcessionsMap 2. Status of Logging ConcessionsMap 2. Status of Logging Concessions


Map 3: Roads Visible at Finer Map Scales (Abong Mbang Area)Map 3: Roads Visible at Finer Map Scales (Abong Mbang Area)Map 3: Roads Visible at Finer Map Scales (Abong Mbang Area)Map 3: Roads Visible at Finer Map Scales (Abong Mbang Area)Map 3: Roads Visible at Finer Map Scales (Abong Mbang Area)



● Resolve conflicts over boundaries. Manystakeholder disputes continue to result from alack of clarity in the actual boundaries ofvarious forest titles. The information con-tained in this atlas concerning the boundariesof specific forest-use zones (e.g., FMUs,SSVs, Community Forests, protected areas,etc.) could help resolve potential conflictsover the boundaries of timber exploitation,mineral extraction, biodiversity conservation,and agro-industrial land uses. Via theMINEF-GFW collaboration, this atlas pre-sents the most up-to-date, revised, andverified timber extraction area boundaries asof May 2004, which in certain cases werefound to be overlapping.22 The atlas providesan objective reference and decision-supporttool that could be valuable for informingparticipatory boundary-negotiation processesinvolving all relevant stakeholders prior tothe classification and gazettement of thedifferent land use zones.

● Enhance the usefulness of future versions ofthis atlas. The atlas’s future utility for help-ing to resolve conflicts over forest-zoneboundaries depends on its regular updatingand proven accuracy. MINEF could continueto make data publicly available according tothe MOU for the MINEF-GFW collabora-tion—specifically, information on AAC and5-year parcels, as well as more completeinformation on Community Forest bound-aries and attributes. These missing datawould greatly strengthen the utility of thenext edition of the atlas and ensure its value

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as a tool for discussion and resolution ofconflicts. 23

● Investigate irregularities. Map-based toolsconcerning forest-zone boundaries couldhelp direct attention to irregularities thatmight merit further investigation by MINEF.For instance, MINEF could investigatesituations, such as that identified in Map 3, touncover the cause of road constructionoutside an authorized logging area andidentify solutions to prevent such activities inthe future. Likewise, MINEF could clarifywhy a significant number of SSVs surpassthe maximum area permitted under the forestcode.

● Support planning for protected areas. Theinformation contained in this atlas themecould also be of interest to the Department ofWildlife and Protected Areas (DFAP), re-search institutes, and biodiversity conserva-tion NGOs to support planning and manage-ment of wildlife habitat as well as design ofcorridors within the larger landscape ofproduction forests.

● Inform the application process for newlogging titles. With its integrated historiclogging information drawn from multiplesources, this dataset on forest-zone bound-aries could inform forest companies seekingnewly advertised forest exploitation titles(FMUs, SSVs, etc.). Moreover, communitiesseeking to establish and exploit CommunityForests could use this particular dataset toidentify areas within the Non-PermanentDomain that are free of current legal title,

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thus minimizing the confusion that hasplagued this process in the past.24 TheCommunity Forest Unit within MINEF coulduse this dataset to provide guidance tointerested parties in accordance with theirmandate to provide free assistance to inter-ested communities (Article 37-1 of the forestcode).

YYYYYear of Title Allocationear of Title Allocationear of Title Allocationear of Title Allocationear of Title Allocation

This theme highlights a specific attribute—theyear in which forest titles (FMUs, SSVs) wereallocated. Box 4 provides a synopsis of theallocation process in Cameroon. The atlascontains data on the allocation of FMUs andSSVs since 1996 (see Table 5 for a summary ofyearly allocations). (For further information onthe availability of data, refer to the TimberExtraction Zoning in Section 2.2.)

Maps created by overlaying this dataset on theyear of title allocation with the roads dataset canprovide information on questionable forestactivities in specific forest areas. For instance,Map 4 reveals an extensive network of recent,intensively used roads within a currentlyunallocated FMU.

Although the forest code (Article 55-1) requiresthat SSVs remain open for exploitation for amaximum of three years, 32 of the 132 SSVslisted in Table 5 are known to have been allo-cated more than three years ago, that is in 1999(6) or 2000 (26). Of these 32 SSVs, only 28 arelisted expired, leaving four SSVs that might beoperating beyond the allowed period.

(Map 6, discussed in the Annual Wood VolumeProduction section below, incorporates informa-tion on the year of title allocation to analyzetrends in wood production.)

Useful Applications and Recommendations:

● Prioritize field monitoring missions. MINEFand its Central Control Unit (Unité Centralede Contrôle - UCC) can use this atlas toprioritize their field monitoring and controlmissions, specifically in areas such as thoseidentified in Maps 3 and 4 as well as othersuch areas with potentially questionableactivities. Moreover, this dataset togetherwith logging roads data can be used tomonitor and control compliance with themanagement plan elaboration requirements.

● Identify SSVs remaining open for exploita-tion in violation of Article 55-1 of the forestcode. In order to monitor compliance withthe forest code (Article 55-1), MINEF couldalso verify and take appropriate actionconcerning SSVs that may still be activebeyond the legally mandated maximum ofthree years.

Box 4. Logging Permit Allocation

Process in Cameroon

The allocation of SSVs and FMUs is determinedby a governmental body called the Inter-Ministe-rial Commission for Forest Concession Alloca-tion (Commission interministerielle d’attributiondes concessions forestières). It includes represen-tatives from different ministries (e.g., MINEF,Economy and Finance), specific departments ofMINEF, unions, experts called on an individualbasis, and an independent observer. The selectioncriteria and procedures are ruled by an order(Arrêté) that is circulated whenever the annualallocations occur (i.e., 0293/MINEF dated March21, 2000). These criteria considered the follow-ing: investments, financial capacity, technicalcapacity, and respect for both prior commitmentsand the environmental legislation. A technicalscore and a financial score were given. Thefinancial score was calculated by the followingformula: financial bid x 100 / highest financialbid offered for that particular FMU or SSV.

Updated excerpt from: Collomb, J.G. & H. Bikie.2001. 1999 - 2000 Allocation of Logging Permitsin Cameroon: Fine-Tuning Central Africa’s FirstAuction System. Global Forest Watch-Cameroon.


Map 4. Detailed Perspective of Road UsageMap 4. Detailed Perspective of Road UsageMap 4. Detailed Perspective of Road UsageMap 4. Detailed Perspective of Road UsageMap 4. Detailed Perspective of Road Usage


FMU Management StatusFMU Management StatusFMU Management StatusFMU Management StatusFMU Management Status

This theme highlights the current status of themanagement plan process (drafting, submission,and approval) for each allocated FMU. (Themanagement plan process, as stipulated in theforest code and supporting decrees, is summa-rized in Box 5.)

Map 5 displays the forest management status ofFMUs as of May 14, 2004, with related datasummarized numerically in Table 6. About onethird (15 of 49, or 31 percent) of FMUs allo-cated in or before 2000 has an approved man-agement plan.25

Therefore, the majority of active FMUs continueto be managed under the provisions of thetemporary agreement (convention provisoire).


● Provide an overview of the managementstatus of allocated logging areas. Informationon the management status of allocated loggingareas is often to difficult to find and/or inter-pret. The map-based information provided inthis atlas is likely to be of interest to MINEF,members of parliament (and their constitu-ents), and private forest-sector operators, whooften find it difficult to obtain such informa-tion, especially in an accessible format.

● Support development of solutions to delaysin the management planning process. Asindicated in Table 6, less than one third ofallocated FMUs has an approved manage-ment plan in place. While there are manypossible explanations for this delay, it is a

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Map 5. Management Plan Status of FMU Logging ConcessionsMap 5. Management Plan Status of FMU Logging ConcessionsMap 5. Management Plan Status of FMU Logging ConcessionsMap 5. Management Plan Status of FMU Logging ConcessionsMap 5. Management Plan Status of FMU Logging Concessions


clear sign that an improvement to the processis needed. This dataset informs key decision-makers and their constituents as to themanagement status of various logging areas,and could support the development ofsolutions to these delays.

● Identify specific locations of logging com-pany operations. The information presentedunder this theme could assist the Departmentof Wildlife and Protected Areas (DFAP),conservation NGOs, and research institutesby identifying the companies operating inspecific locations—information that theseentities could use to support joint implemen-tation of projects and activities as well asconflict resolution and other purposes.

Box 5. Timeline and Requirements for Preparation of Forest Management Plans

After selection through the public bidding process, aconcessionaire chosen for allocation of a FMU signsa temporary agreement (convention provisoire) withMINEF. This agreement allows the concessionairelimited exploitation over a maximum of three years(one AAC per year). During this 3-year period, thecompany must:

● Complete the pre-inventory/sampling phase(sondage ), including Sampling Plan (cartogra-phy and pre-inventory, with sampling rate)

● Complete the inventories and study phase,including reports on

– Management inventory and forest maps(Rapport d’inventaire d’aménagement etcartographie forestières), with identificationand mapping of 5-year operational blocks(blocs quinquennaux) and the annual allow-able cut (AAC) areas

– Socio-economic studies (Rapport d’étudessocio-économiques)

– Consultations with local populations onusage rights (Rapport de consultation avecles populations locales sur le droit d’usage)

– Wildlife and biodiversity studies (Rapportd’études sur la faune et la biodiversité)

– Environmental impact study (Rapportd’étude d’impact environnemental)

● Prepare a draft management plan, incorporatingall relevant information

● Submit draft management plan to MINEF forapproval.

MINEF then accepts or rejects (requests modifica-tions) the draft management plan. If MINEF accepts,the concessionaire can sign a 15-year renewableforest concession agreement (convention definitive)with MINEF. The forest management plan isreviewed every five years, when the boundaries ofthe FMU and its subdivisions may be adjusted asnecessary.

Source: Order (Arrêté) n0 0222/A/MINEF/25mai2002

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Based on the Automated Forestry InformationManagement System (Système Informatisé deGestion des Informations Forestières - SIGIF)database, this theme includes annual productiondata by volume (m3) for five logging seasons(1998-2003).

Map 6 depicts a zoomed-in view of forestexploitation areas (FMUs and SSVs), with woodproduction figures superimposed with the roadsdataset. This juxtaposition reveals correlationsof production levels with intensity of road use.26

However, the map also shows areas of signifi-cant road development with little reported woodproduction, as well as areas with considerablewood production but few observable roads. Theformer could represent under-reporting ofproduction, while the latter could indicate timber“laundering,” that is, improper reporting oftimber harvested elsewhere as originating fromthe forest territory in question. Again, the datapresented in the atlas can inform the necessaryinvestigations, but should not be considereddefinitive proof of irregular activities.

Examining wood volume production levels byFMU over time reveals distinctive trends. Asshown in Figure 2, many companies tend toharvest more wood during the first and secondyears following FMU allocation than in subse-quent years. (Note, however, that the analysis isbased on only eight FMUs for which fiveconsecutive years of production data wereavailable.)27 Several factors could explain suchan observation. One potential reason for theobserved trend is that companies might harvest

intensively in the early years of the FMU agree-ment in order to recoup their initial investments.Another plausible explanation is that the final,approved versions of forest management plansmight stipulate lower production levels thanoriginally anticipated under provisional forestagreements (convention provisoire).

In contrast, SSVs exhibit less regular trends inproduction levels over time than do FMUs.28 ForSSVs, it appears that the second year of produc-tion is the highest of the three years duringwhich a company in principle could harvest.Among the possible explanations for thisobserved pattern is delays that cause companiesto begin harvesting a year or two later than theSSV was allocated. Such delays might be due todifficulties in obtaining the necessary papers tobegin logging or other start-up challenges (e.g.,financing, road construction, etc.).

Figure 3 shows relative levels of annual woodproduction by type of logging title since 1998.Note that output from the former system ofLicenses finally faded out in 2000. For the 5-year period from 1998 to 2003, about one thirdof total wood production (34 percent) originatedin “unmanaged areas”—that is, SSVs andvolume-based permits (Wood Recovery Autho-rization Permit (Autorisation de Récupération deBois).29 Even as late as 2003, such areas ac-counted for a significant share (14 percent) of

Figure 2. Trends in FMU Wood Production byYear Following Allocation*

* Based on data from SIGIF, 1998-2003 (n=8).

Figure 3. Annual Wood Production by Type of Logging Title (1998–2003)*

*Source: SIGIF


Map 6. FineMap 6. FineMap 6. FineMap 6. FineMap 6. Fine-----Scale Map of WScale Map of WScale Map of WScale Map of WScale Map of Wood Production Levels by Forest Management Unit (1998–2003)ood Production Levels by Forest Management Unit (1998–2003)ood Production Levels by Forest Management Unit (1998–2003)ood Production Levels by Forest Management Unit (1998–2003)ood Production Levels by Forest Management Unit (1998–2003)


wood production. It should be noted, however,that these areas are by definition zoned withinthe Non-Permanent Domain and thus are notexpected to be managed for long-term produc-tivity and/or sustainability. Rather, by virtue oftheir zoning, they are ultimately slated for landuses other than standing forest.


● Investigate questionable reporting of woodproduction levels. MINEF and other relevantstakeholders could use the atlas for generalmonitoring of wood production on a spatiallyexplicit basis. Such monitoring could be usefulfor detecting discrepancies between the re-ported volume of wood production in a givenarea and the level of road network develop-ment in that area, which would assist MINEF inmaking decisions about where to commit itslimited resources for field-level investigations.

● Support forest management planning. Asdiscussed above, this dataset indicates that asignificant portion of total wood production stillderives from unmanaged areas, including SSVsand other volume-based titles. The spatiallyexplicit data on wood production volumescontained in this could help inform discussionsabout the long-term sustainability of productionin the forestry sector. MINEF and interestedprivate-sector operators could further investi-gate this matter and take these time-series datainto consideration in planning for future timberproduction and wood processing.

● Monitor tax revenues for discrepancies. Ofparticular interest to the Government, donor

agencies, and other policy analysts areforestry tax data. If tax data from SIGIF aremade available as part of the ongoingMINEF-GFW collaboration, they will beincorporated in future versions of the atlas,enabling users to identify discrepanciesbetween timber volume harvested andcorresponding taxes and to prompt correctiveaction to avoid loss of state revenue.

2.3 Biodiversity P2.3 Biodiversity P2.3 Biodiversity P2.3 Biodiversity P2.3 Biodiversity Protection androtection androtection androtection androtection andWildlife Management AreasWildlife Management AreasWildlife Management AreasWildlife Management AreasWildlife Management AreasThis theme presents the most up-to-date infor-mation available on the boundaries of variousforest zones reserved for biodiversity protectionand wildlife management. Box 6 providesbackground on selected provisions onbiodiversity protection and wildlife managementzones in Cameroon’s forest code.

Table 7 presents information on the number andgeographic extent of various types ofbiodiversity protection and wildlife managementareas, including national parks, wildlife re-serves, wildlife sanctuaries, hunting zones,community hunting zones, etc. Map 7 providesa visual overview of the size and location ofvarious protection and hunting zones inCameroon.

Superimposing the roads dataset with these dataon protected area boundaries can show wherenew roads are penetrating into these zones.Specifically, Map 8 depicts intrusion of loggingroads from a neighboring FMU into the eastern-most sectors of a protected area.

In nine still unallocated FMUs, new projects maybe launched on biodiversity conservation and thecreation of trans-boundary conservation networks(between Cameroon, Gabon, and the Republic ofCongo). Studies and discussions are ongoingconcerning how much of these areas will remainproduction forest and how much will be re-zonedto become protected areas. Subsequent versionsof this atlas will provide further information onthese and other developments.

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Map 8. Identification of Road Building Outside Permitted AreasMap 8. Identification of Road Building Outside Permitted AreasMap 8. Identification of Road Building Outside Permitted AreasMap 8. Identification of Road Building Outside Permitted AreasMap 8. Identification of Road Building Outside Permitted Areas



● Focus monitoring and enforcement on roadconstruction within or near protected areas.The information and map-based tools in-cluded in this atlas could be used to focusfuture monitoring investigations and enforce-ment actions on areas where roads have beenconstructed within or near protected areas.Such a focus would help MINEF effectivelydeploy its limited resources for monitoring toensure that the appropriate activities areoccurring in the appropriate places.

● Conflict resolution. MINEF could use theatlas as a neutral and objective tool to sup-port its data-driven decision-making and,where necessary, to help resolve conflictsamong the Administration, private-sectoroperators, NGOs, and local communities.

2.4 V2.4 V2.4 V2.4 V2.4 VegetationegetationegetationegetationegetationThis atlas also contains basic information onforest cover from both the Global Land Cover(GLC) 2000 dataset and the MINEF foreststratification dataset.30

The GLC 2000 dataset was produced by aninternational partnership of research organiza-tions coordinated by the EuropeanCommission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in2003. The land cover maps are based on dailydata collected in 1999–2000 from the VEGETA-TION sensor on board the SPOT 4 satellite.

The MINEF forest stratification dataset is usedby forestry companies in their concessionmanagement planning, among other purposes.This data layer is based on aerial photographsfrom the 1980s.

Maps 9 and 10 depict forest cover using datafrom GLC 2000 and the MINEF forest stratifica-tion dataset, respectively.


● Update forest-cover layer with data fromCARPE. An effort funded by the CentralAfrica Regional Program for the Environ-ment (CARPE) is already underway toupdate mapping of forest cover acrossCentral Africa. To improve forest manage-ment planning, MINEF is interested inupdating the forest stratification layer withthese data as they become available.

Box 6. Selected Legislative Provisions on Biodiversity Protection and Wildlife

Management Zones in Camero on’s Forest Code

The 1994 forest code broadly describes severalbiodiversity protection and wildlife managementzones and their purposes. Certain zones were createdwell before the forest code (Dja Wildlife Reserve –1950) while others (ZICGC – 2000) are more recent.Article 78 of the forest codes divides the fauna ofCameroon into three protection groups (Classes A,B, and C) according to their protection status, whichis reviewed every five years.

The hunting decree (Decree Nr. 95/446/PM) autho-rizes traditional hunting everywhere except in privatedomains and in protected areas. Legally huntedbushmeat is solely for individual consumption andtherefore the commercial trade in bushmeat is strictlyprohibited (Article 24). Hunting in the nationaldomain can be prohibited during certain periods.Moreover, the use of certain techniques (Article 80)and some arms (Article 106 - 108) is forbidden for anyhunting activity in Cameroon.

● Support for land-use decision-makingaffecting protected areas. MINEF, togetherwith other Ministries, traditional authorities,and members of parliament, could use thedata in this theme of the atlas to support landuse decisions that may have an impact onbiodiversity protection and/or wildlifemanagement zones, for example, through theestablishment of buffer zones or new agricul-ture developments.


Map 9. GLC 2000 VMap 9. GLC 2000 VMap 9. GLC 2000 VMap 9. GLC 2000 VMap 9. GLC 2000 Vegetation for Cameroon (1 km resolution)egetation for Cameroon (1 km resolution)egetation for Cameroon (1 km resolution)egetation for Cameroon (1 km resolution)egetation for Cameroon (1 km resolution)


Map 10. MINEF Forest StratificationMap 10. MINEF Forest StratificationMap 10. MINEF Forest StratificationMap 10. MINEF Forest StratificationMap 10. MINEF Forest Stratification


3 CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS

The atlas will enable users to view and producemaps based on current and critical informationfor forest monitoring and to support informeddecision-making. As discussed above, examplesof potential uses of the atlas include:

● Prioritizing field monitoring and controlmissions; helping to determine whetherlogging operations are occurring in legallyattributed areas;

● Providing an objective reference to helpresolve conflicts related to boundaries offorest use zones;

● Informing interested parties of historicalforest exploitation activities in a given zone;

● Supporting local authorities in their land useand regional planning activities; and

● Providing data to support the design of newprotected areas and conservation corridors.

DistributionDistributionDistributionDistributionDistribution

To promote transparency and accessibility ofinformation, the data included in this atlas willbe made available on line atwww.globalforestwatch.org and www.minef.cm.Likewise, CD-ROMs will be disseminated todecision-makers and other forest sector stake-holders. The CD-ROM will also be available toany interested parties upon request to WRI.

TTTTTrainingrainingrainingrainingrainingSeveral extension/training activities are plannedin order to ensure maximum understanding ofthe contents of this atlas and their potential uses.Training sessions led by a GIS-RS trainercurrently based in Yaoundé will be undertakenwith various user groups. Specifically, keydecision-makers within the ministries as well asparliament will be offered hands-on training inorder to maximize their awareness of the atlasand the ways it can be used to monitor forestpractices and promote sustainable forest man-agement. Technical training will also be pro-vided to MINEF technicians in order to buildcapacity in GIS and mapping.

This report has provided an overview of theInteractive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon (Version1.0), including its purpose, content, methodol-ogy, and examples of potential applications.

Created though a partnership forged betweenMINEF, GFW, and other collaborating institu-tions, the atlas presents in one user-friendlysource much of the relevant, spatially explicitdata on forest management and governance inCameroon. This initial version of the atlas hasfocused primarily on the forest exploitationzones together with a roads dataset created fromsatellite imagery. Using this atlas, decision-makers and stakeholders will be able to easilyaccess and manipulate the most up-to-date,revised, and verified information to view mapson the boundaries of timber extraction areas (asof May 2004) as well as the most completeinteractive map of Cameroon’s extensive roadnetwork.


UpdatingUpdatingUpdatingUpdatingUpdating

We expect that this initial edition of the atlas willbe improved in subsequent versions. Specificimprovements will include updating the currentdatasets as new information is made available aswell as adding new datasets. Annual updatingwill be undertaken by MINEF with support fromGFW and its partners CEW and LBZG (a Tech-nical Operational Unit under MINEF).

Critical to the success of future editions iscontinued and reasonably priced access tosatellite imagery needed to update the roadsdataset. Due to the malfunctioning of Landsat,the core partners are exploring replacement RSplatforms, such as ASTER, IRS, etc. Continuedupdating will create longer-term time-series dataand thus permit additional analysis, some ofwhich is identified in this document. Futureupdates and improvements to all the atlasdatasets are crucial to maintaining the compre-hensive and timely nature as well as the accu-racy of the data found in this atlas.

To further improve the functionality and utilityof the atlas, other attribute information found inSIGIF (i.e., tax and other financial data) could

be merged with the atlas database. Anticipatingthis merger, we have structured the atlas data-base using the same coding system as SIGIF.This link, once operationalized, will also proveuseful to the inter-ministerial PSRF efforts toformalize connections between MINEF and theFinance Ministry of Cameroon.

It is also possible that this expanded databasecould link with the UCC to support the planningand execution of their control missions. Theseintegrations would transform this atlas into aneven more powerful management informationsystem to guide forest sector decision-making.

Lastly, linkages are envisioned between thisatlas and a voluntary monitoring system underdevelopment for logging companies throughoutCentral Africa. This voluntary monitoringsystem will provide complementary informationfrom certain concessionaires—to be audited bya third party—concerning their efforts to dem-onstrate legality and progress towards sustain-able forest management (including the certifica-tion of forest products). GFW, IFIA, IUCN andother partners are leading the development ofthis system.


NOTES

1. Bikié, H., J. G.Collomb, L. Djomo, S. Minnemeyer,R. Ngoufo, and S. Nguiffo. 2000. An Overview ofLogging in Cameroon. Global Forest Watch / WorldResources Institute. Washington DC.

2. MINEF. 2003. Présentation des composantes duprogramme sectoriel forêt et environnement (PSFE).Yaoundé.

3. In December 2004, following the presidentialelections in October, the Ministry of Environmentand Forests (MINEF) was replaced by the Ministryof Forests and Wildlife (MINFOF) and the Ministryof Environment and the Protection of Nature(MINEP).

4. The complete MOU is available at the followinghyperlink: http://www.globalforestwatch.org/english/centralafrica/pdfs/GFW_Convention.pdf.

5. IKEA, Stora Enso, and more than 10 other forest roductcompanies are using GFW’s Russia Atlas for makingresponsible sourcing decisions in Russia. GFW’s Atlasof Russia’s Intact Forest Landscapes has become theRussian forest industry standard for implementingcommitments to avoid sourcing from intact forests. It isthe only publication of its kind available in Russiaand is available at the following hyperlink: http://www.forest.ru/eng/publications/intact/.

6. Under the MINEF-GFW MOU, MINEF operatesprimarily through the following departments anddivisions: Department of Forest (DF) technicallyassisted by the Sub-Department of Inventories andForest Management (SDIAF), Department ofWildlife and Protected Areas (DFAP), and theDivision of Cooperation and Projects (DCP).

7. The steering committee included representatives ofMINEF, GFW, INC, donors, and other experts.

8. MINEF decision #0301 about cartographic stan-dards was issued on April 04, 2001 and based on thefollowing report commissioned by CIDA for MINEFand executed by TECSULT (Bélanger, L. Juin 2001.Gestion durable des forêts Camerounaises. Normesde cartographie forestière numérique, saisie etstructuration des données, Edition 2. TECSULT).Also, in the same way, MINEF decision #0342 wastaken on April 19, 2001 to make official the GISdatabase from the Central Forestry CartographicUnit of MINEF (Unité Centrale de la CartographieForestière - UCECAF) that is the core of this atlas’GIS database.

9. These boundaries may eventually be modified asthe classification process progresses (see Box 3 forfurther details).

10. Refer to the Technical Report: Mapping Historicand Current Logging Roads in Cameroon.

11. Laporte N., S.J. Goetz, C.O. Justice, and M. Heinicke.1998. A New Land Cover Map of Central AfricaDerived from Multi-resolution, Multi-temporalAVHRR Data. International Journal of RemoteSensing, 19(18): 3537-3550.; Laporte N.T. and T.S.Lin. 2003. Monitoring Logging in the TropicalForest of Republic of Congo with Landsat Imagery.Proceedings of the International Geoscience andRemote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS), 21-25 July2003, Toulouse, France, Vol. IV:2565-2567.;Matricardi, E. 2003. Multi-temporal Assessment ofSelective Logging Using Remotely Sensed Data inthe Brazilian Amazon. M. A Thesis. Michigan StateUniversity, U.S.A.; de Wasseige, C. and P. Defourny.2004. Remote Sensing of Selective Logging Impactfor Tropical Forest Management. Forest Ecologyand Management 188: 161-173.

12. In certain cases, cloud and/or canopy cover couldlimit the ability to detect all roads. Moreover, thedetection of roads outside the boundaries of legallytitled logging areas does not necessarily imply thatillegal logging is occurring, only that it is an area ofconcern and should be explored further. Indeed,there may be a valid reason for a road’s existence.

13. For this atlas, “date of origin” is defined as the dateof the image in which the road was first observed.

14. As noted in Sections 1 and 2, not all of the activeSSV and Community Forest data were available forthis version of the atlas. Therefore, it is possible thata small portion of these forests roads identified to beoutside the borders of legally approved loggingareas may be located in these missing but legallyallocated areas.

15. See Bikié et al. (2000) for a more detailed treatmentof the forest code of Cameroon.

16. Key attribute information includes: allocation statusand year, classification status, and annual woodvolume production.

17. Data on 132 of 311 SSVs are included in this atlas.Data for 55 of the 67 community forest concessionshave been digitized and included in the Atlas.According to MINEF partners, as of July 2004, some60 community forest concessions have an approved“simple management plan” and may soon beattributed. Since the forest code created the opportu-nity for the establishment of community forests,over 300 official requests have been submitted toMINEF.


18. A FMU is divided into six 5-year operationalblocks—each containing five annual allowable cutareas (AACs) of equal volumes—for a total rotationof 30 years. In the preparation of the forest manage-ment plan, the forest concessionaire has to providethe first detailed 5-year operational plan indicatingthe location of the first five AACs.

19. This figure (27 percent) was calculated by addingdata (see Table 3) on the land area of the variouszones making up the Permanent Forest Domain(12,735,400 ha) and dividing by the total land areaof Cameroon (46,944,000 ha), as cited in the CentralIntelligence Agency records of the U.S. Governmenthttp://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/cm.html#Geo.

20. This could likely be due to the automatic calcula-tion methods used, which yield different resultsfrom those obtained by the planimeter. This showsthe need to harmonize and upgrade the standard ofsurface areas calculations used by the NationalInstitute of Cartography (INC).

21. Along this line of thinking, GFW is partnering withthe InterAfrican Forest Industries Association(IFIA), World Conservation Union (IUCN), andother NGOs and institutes to set up a voluntarymonitoring system for forest concessions across theentire sub-region. This system will further enhancethe transparency of this sector while providing aplatform from which private-sector operators incentral Africa can demonstrate to the internationaltropical timber market that certain actions havebeen taken to ensure the legality of their operationsas well as voluntary commitments made towardsustainable forest management.

22. See Map 8 for an example of a conflict regarding theoverlapping or unclear demarcation of forestterritory boundaries.

23. A specific application was recently (June 2004)suggested by a Greenpeace press release claimingthat a subsidiary company of Danzer in southwest-ern Cameroon was harvesting within their conces-sion but outside of the appropriate AAC. Futureeditions of this atlas could help resolve this particu-lar conflict once the AAC boundaries are madeavailable.

24. The best available data suggests that at least 12Community Forest requests have been denied solelybecause they were requested within an area alreadyzoned for the Permanent Domain. According to theforest code, Community Forests are allocated solelyin the Non-Permanent Domain.

25. Management status statistics for the FMUs allo-cated in or before 2000 were selected in order toidentify which FMUs had complied with the forestcode provision allowing three years for the prepara-tion, submission, and approval of the managementplan. Further explanation of the management planprocess is provided in Box 5.

26. While there may indeed be a correlation betweentimber production levels and the extent of inten-sively used forest roads, a time-series analysis wasnot done. The variability of cloud cover from yearto year might render such a multi-temporal analysisuseless.

27. Future versions of this atlas are expected to containlonger and more complete time-series data, enablinga more robust trend analysis of wood productionlevels in FMUs.

28. Insufficient comparable time-series data wereavailable to present informative statistics on SSVwood production over time. Future versions of thisatlas will include more longitudinal data and thusprovide additional insights on SSV productiontrends.

29. This figure (34 percent) was calculated by addingthe total production since 1998 (3,210,507m3)reported in SIGIF for SSVs and the AuthorizedRecovery of Wood permits (Autorisation deRécupération de Bois) and then dividing by thetotal production reported for all types of loggingpermits (9,594,682 m3). The Authorized Recovery ofWood permits are reserved for nationals andallocated by the provincial representative ofMINEF. It can be given for timber located in theNon-Permanent forest domain, can be allocated forup to 3 months, and may not exceed 30 m3 involume. See Bikié et al. (2000) for a more detailedtreatment of the types of logging titles permittedaccording to the forest code of Cameroon.

30. Mayaux, P., E. Bartholomé, M. Massart, C. VanCutsem, A. Cabral, A. Nonguierma, O. Diallo, C.Pretorius, M. Thompson, M. Cherlet, J-F. Pekel, P.Defourny, M. Vasconcelos, A. Di Gregorio, S.Fritz,G. De Grandi , C..Elvidge, P.Vogt, and A. Belward.2003. A Land Cover Map of Africa (Carte del’occupation du sol de l’Afrique). EuropeanCommission, Joint Research Centre.


Appendix 1. Table A. Atlas Datasets and Sources(1)

)eman(tesataD noitpircseD ecruoSataD

serutaefpamcisaB

)moc-eiov(nooremaCfoenoZdetseroF-sdaoR yregamietilletasmorfdezitigidsdaoR )2xidneppAees(GZBLdnaWFGybdetaercatadlanigirO )2(

)acirfA_lrtC(eniltuOseiradnuoByrtnuoC seirtnuocnacirfAlartneCrofseiradnuobyrtnuoC dlroWehtfotrahClatigiD)AGN(s’ycnegAecnegilletnIlaitapsoeGlanoitaN

)MDA_MIL(seiradnuoBevitartsinimdAnooremaC rofseiradnuoblanoisividdna,laicnivorp,lanoitanlairtserreTnooremaC

CNI000,002:1lanoitanehtnodezitigidatadmorfWFGybdetadpureyaLsteehspamlacihpargopot )3(

)eniltsaoC_RUS_RDYH/elifepahS(eniltsaoCnooremaC nooremaCgnolaseirautsEdnanaecOcitnaltAehtfotraPeniltsaoC


)BAH_MELE/elifepahS(nooremaCnrehtuoS-stnemeltteS nooremaCfostnemelttestnereffidehT CNI000,002:1lanoitanehtnodezitigidatadmorfWFGybdetadpureyaLsteehspamlacihpargopot )3(

nooremaCnrehtuoS-steehSpaMcihpargopoTrofseiradnuoB)steehSPAMCNI/elifepahS(

nooremaCfopaMdesaBlacihpargopoTehtfoeniltuoyradnuoB ybdelipmocdnanooremaCfospamlacihpargopotCNI000,002:1dennacSWFG )3(

nooremaCfosenoZdetseroF-smaertSdnareviR)NIL_RDYH/ellivepahS(

senozdetserofehtrof)smaertsdnasrevir(krowteNlacigolordyHnooremaCfo


)RUS_RDYH/elifepahS(snaecOdna,sekaL,sreviRrojaMnooremaC nooremaCrofnaecOcitnaltAehtdnasekaL,sreviRrojaM CNI000,002:1lanoitanehtnodezitigidatadmorfWFGybdetadpureyaLsteehspamlacihpargopot )3(

.noitamrofnideliatederomrofelifepahshcaefoatadatemehtotreferdluohssresuSIG)1(saeratcejorpevitcepserriehtrofPCTdnatcejorpnooremaCtsaehtuoSZTGehtybdecudorpstesatadralimishtiwdekcehc-ssorcerewtesatadsdaorsaltAehtfosaeraniatreC)2(

.cnItlusceTybADICfoflahebnoFENIMrofderaperpreyallanigirO)3(.tcejorpnooremaCtsaehtuoSZTGehtybdedivorpsawtsaehtuoSehtmorfatadenozgnitnuH)4(


Appendix 1. Table A. continued(1)

)eman(tesataD noitpircseD ecruoSataD

tnemeganamtseroF

)REP_MOD/elifepahS(niamoDtseroFtnenamreP tseroF-3xoBees(nooremaCniniamoDtseroFtnenamreP)nooremaCninoitacifissalCUMFdnagninoZ

CNI000,002:1lanoitanehtnodezitigidatadmorfWFGybdetadpureyaLsteehspamlacihpargopot )4,3(

)secneciL/elifepahS(sesneciL sesneciLsaotderreferylremrofsnoissecnocgniggoldlO spamlacihpargopotCNI000,002:1lanoitannodesabreyaL )3(

nalPgninoZtseroFnooremaC-niamoDtseroFtnenamrepnoN)TAN_MOD/elifepahS(

tseroF-3xoBees(nooremaCniniamoDtseroFtnenamrepnoN)nooremaCninoitacifissalCUMFdnagninoZ

atadmorf)stnemucodsnoitubirttalaiciffognisu(WFGybdetadpureyaLsteehspamlacihpargopotCNI000,002:1lanoitanehtnodezitigid )3(

noitategeV

nooremaCfostraPnrehtuoSehtrofsepyTrevoCdnaLdnaesUdnaL)ROF_RTS/elifepahS(

nooremaCnrehtuoSrofsepyTrevocdnaLdnaesudnaL spamlacihpargopotCNI000,002:1lanoitannodesabreyaL )3(

acirfAfopaMnoitategeV nooremaCfopamrevoc-dnalnoitulosermk1 hcraeseRtnioJ,noissimmoCnaeporuEesabatad0002revoCdnaLlabolG3002,ertneC

scitsitatSnoitcudorPdnanoitubirttAUMF

)elifsseccASM(noitubirttAfosraeY seltitenoznoitcartxetserofsuoiravehtrofnoitacollaforaeyehT (stnemucodnoitubirttafoecitoncilbuplaiciffO cilbuPuasivA )

)elifsseccASM(decudorPemuloVdooW seltitenoznoitcartxetserofrepdecudorpemulovdoowlaunnA WECdnaWFGybdelipmocdnaFIGISmorfdeniatbO

.noitamrofnideliatederomrofelifepahshcaefoatadatemehtotreferdluohssresuSIG)1(saeratcejorpevitcepserriehtrofPCTdnatcejorpnooremaCtsaehtuoSZTGehtybdecudorpstesatadralimishtiwdekcehc-ssorcerewtesatadsdaorsaltAehtfosaeraniatreC)2(

.cnItlusceTybADICfoflahebnoFENIMrofderaperpreyallanigirO)3(.tcejorpnooremaCtsaehtuoSZTGehtybdedivorpsawtsaehtuoSehtmorfatadenozgnitnuH)4(


Appendix 2.Appendix 2.Appendix 2.Appendix 2.Appendix 2. Table B. Landsat Satellite Images Used to Digitize Roads

woRhtaP 9991 0002 1002 2002 3002

850r281p **raM-62 **beF-9 *rpA-1 **beF-51

950r281p **peS-81 **beF-9 *rpA-1 **beF-51

750r381p **ceD-41 *naJ-2 **beF-5

850r381p **raM-1**ceD-41

**yaM-7 *naJ-2 **beF-5

950r381p **yaM-7 *naJ-2 **beF-5

650r481p **beF-7 *raM-03

750r481p **beF-7 *naJ-52**ceD-72

850r481p **raM-42 *raM-13**ceD-72

650r581p **beF-41*ceD-13

750r581p **beF-41 *naJ-61

850r581p **raM-81 *beF-1

650r681p **beF-5 *yaM-51

750r681p **rpA-62*tcO-91

850r681p **rpA-62**beF-12

**beF-72

650r781p **guA-21 **ceD-01 *naJ-03

750r781p **guA-21 **ceD-01 *naJ-03

tcejorpSMROFNI-ASANehtybdetanoddnadesahcruperewsegamiesehT* ( acirfa/gro.crhw.www//:ptth .)tesatadrevocoeGriehtot)ASUDM,ellivkcoR(noitaroproCetilletaShtraEehtybdeifitcerohtroerewsegamillA“**

( moc.revocoeg.www//:ptth -ytilicaFrevoCdnaLlabolGdnalyraMfoytisrevinUehttaenilnoelbaliavaeraecruosfosseldragersegamillA.)(FCLGDMU ude.dmu.scaimu.fclg//:ptth tcejorpgro.tasdnaLs’nagihciMfoytisrevinUehtdna,)

( IRW_WFG/secivresatad/gro.tasdnaL.www//:ptth ”.)GZBLdnaFENIM(nooremaCnisrentraphguorhtmorDCnoelbaliavaoslaerasegamI.).revocduolcninoitairavotdetubirttaebnacegarevocetilletasfoytilibairavylraeyehT


Map A. Landsat Images Available for the Forest Zone of CameroonMap A. Landsat Images Available for the Forest Zone of CameroonMap A. Landsat Images Available for the Forest Zone of CameroonMap A. Landsat Images Available for the Forest Zone of CameroonMap A. Landsat Images Available for the Forest Zone of Cameroon

World

Resources

Institute

A G L O B A L F O R E S T W A T C H R E P O R T

Interactive ForestryAtlas of Cameroon

Version 1.0

Ministry of Environment and Forests of Cameroon

Global Forest Watch

World Resources Institute

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Resources

I n s t i t u t e

www.globalforestwatch.org www.wri.org An Overviewwww.minef.cm

MINEF

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