GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER for the 2Nd Quarter 2018

REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

MINISTERE DES FORETS ET DE LA FAUNE MINISTERE DE L’ENVIRONNEMENT, MINISTRY OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE DE LA PROTECTION DE LA NATURE ET DU DEVELOPPEMENT DURABLE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, PROTECTION OF NATURE AND SUBSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER for the 2nd quarter 2018

OCTOBER 2019

REPUBLIQUE DU CAMEROUN REPUBLIC OF CAMEROON

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER FOR THE 2ND QUARTER 2018

OCTOBER 2019 EDITORIAL BOARD

Supervision M. Jules Doret NDONGO, Minister of Forestry and Wildlife M. Pierre HELE, inister of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development Technical Guidance M. NGOMIN Anicet, Director of Forests M. KAFFO Éric, Sub-Director of Forest Inventories and Development Technical editing team

Operational Unit for Forest Cover Monitoring (UOSCF)

Members of the GLAD Alert drafting Technical Group ESSAME MBA Jean, Head of UOSCF MBOUNA Duclaire, National Coordinator WRI MBOUFACK Collins, Deputy Head of UOSCF KENDIE KENMOE, TI/SIG Expert, WRI Tatiana NANA, Consultant, WRI NSOH NDAM Elvis, UOSCF staff BALE Gilbert, UOSCF staff PISMO Robert, UOSCF staff OTTOU MBIDA Gaétan, UOSCF staff MENGUE Michèle, MINEPDED MEY Christian, MINFOF OYONO Guy Roger, MINFOF MBARGA Stephan, MINFOF NANA César, MINEPDED YANKAP Pascal, MINEPDED

Validation team

Guidance, Monitoring and Validation Panel

Prof Youmbi Emmanuel, University of Yaounde I Prof Ojuku Tiafack, University of Yaounde I Dr Kana Collins, INC ONANA Jean Robert, CELCOM / MINFOF Houmsia Hamsou, CELTRAD/ MINFOF Ndoumou Daniel, BNC/ MINFOF Nsegbe Patrice, MINEPAT Moussa Nguemadji, ST-REDD+ Bembong Lucas, ONACC Akouande Viviane Dorine, MINEPDED Ngue Ange Ernestine, MINEPDED Angong Onana Jean, CB/MINFOF 5 FOREWORD

Jules Doret NDONGO Minister of Forestry and Wildlife quarter 2018 nd

his is the second issue of the GLAD production and publication of the Forestry for the 2 (Global Land Analysis and Discovery) Atlas of Cameroon online are recognised and alerts quarterly Newsletter, a publication dedicated actions. Tof the Operational Unit for Forest Cover Monitoring (UOSCF), set up by Order No UOSCF, whose assigned mission is to conduct 0086/MINFOF/C2D-PSFE2 of 18 May 2016. time-series monitoring per geo-ecological area, prioritises the use of these alerts for Reproducing exact forest cover changes quarterly reporting of forest cover changes. (gain and loss) in Cameroon, this publication It is our hope that the prime targets of this directly addresses the requirements of modern publication, that is, institutional and private sustainable management. It follows up on partners, researchers and research institutes, Cameroon’s global and regional commitments, would factor in the information contained notably with respect to sustainable herein. management of production forests, Reducing GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER Emissions from Deforestation and Forest The Ministry is faced with the challenge of Degradation (REDD+), and the African Forests sustaining the production and publication of Landscape Restoration (AFR100) Initiative. this invaluable Newsletter, a real institutional action guidance tool for the strategy to fight It is a specialised publication based on the against illegal logging, reforestation, land GLAD approach developed by the University use and sustainable forest management. of Maryland on forest cover dynamics, and is We will also have to define the missions of born of the partnership between MINFOF and the Operational Unit in future institutional World Resources Institute (WRI). I wish to development plans. commend WRI, a major technical partner since the year 2000, for their scientific contribution to . our sector of activity. Its development services, 6 quarter 2018 nd for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER ABSTRACTABSTRACT 7 he Operational Unit for Forest Cover Monitoring (UOSCF) produced the GLAD (Global Land Analysis and Discovery) Alerts Newsletter on forest cover dynamics for the second quarter Tof 2018 with technical assistance from World Resources Institute (WRI).

This newsletter aims, overall, to present trends in forest cover change in Cameroon during the second quarter of 2018 using GLAD alerts. Specifically, it shows time series changes per region, alert trends per land use type and the major drivers of forest cover change nationwide. Further- more, the GLAD alerts Newsletter aims to facilitate forestry control, contribute in identifying forest cover loss drivers and estimating national carbon emissions/absorptions, guide zoning policies and identify degraded areas to help make informed choices of sites to be reforested.

On the whole, the method involved digitizing and validating alert areas by photo-interpretation of mostly Sentinel 2 and at times Quickbird time-series satellite images. The alerts represent changes in pixel reflectance, notably forest cover loss and vegetation cover gains. Analyses were validated by the Technical Working Group for the production of quarterly GLAD alerts newsletters, quarter 2018

and later by the Guidance, Monitoring and Validation Panel. nd for the 2 There were two types of confirmed alerts in this quarter of 2018, namely forest cover loss and gains in vegetation cover. The second type was highlighted in this newsletter because it occurred more across the country (2,309.17 ha gained as against 454.45 lost). These gains were due to plant growth following clearing, felling and crop planting during the first quarter in agricultural and logging areas. Besides, identified drivers of the forest cover loss included: annual/seasonal farming (51%); infrastructure (0.5%); logging in Community Forests (18%), FMUs (15%), and Council Forests (6%), sales of standing volumes (4%); agribusiness (3%) and others (3%). As a result, 79% of alerts were observed in the non-permanent estate as against 21% in the permanent estate. No case of logging in uncertified concessions was reported in the second quarter of 2018. Agriculture alone accounted for half of the forest loss. It remains the main forest cover loss driver nationwide. Howe- GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER ver, the above findings could be fine-tuned by very high-resolution satellite imagery and confirmed by field missions. UOSCF is looking forward to producing and publishing the alerts newsletter for the last two quarters of 2018. Key words: GLAD alerts, forest cover, vegetation cover, UOSCF, Cameroon.

CONTENTS CONTENTS 9

EDITING TEAM...... 4 FOREWORD...... 5 ABSTRACT...... 7 List of figures...... 10 List of tables...... 11 List of abbreviations and acronyms...... 12 Definition of concepts...... 13

1. Introduction...... 15

2. Presentation of UOSCF...... 15

3. Organisation of work for drafting of newsletters...... 15 quarter 2018

3.1. Technical Working Group...... 15 nd 3.2. Guidance, Monitoring and Validation Panel...... 15 for the 2

4. Mapping Tools for Forestry Control...... 16

5. Forest Cover Monitoring Tools...... 16 5.1. Platforms...... 16 5.2. Satellite Imagery Data...... 16

6. Material and Method...... 16 6.1. Material...... 16 6.2. Analyses of Alerts...... 17 GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER 6.3. Validation of Analyses...... 17 6.4. Summary of Observations and Tree Cover Loss Drivers...... 17

7. Results...... 17 7.1. Time Series Changes for each land Use Type per Region...... 19 7.2. Summary of Alerts Trends...... 36 7.3. Major Change Drivers...... 37

8. Conclusion and Prospects...... 38 List of figures Figure 1. Map of confirmed alerts in the second quarter of 2018...... 18 Figure 2. Tree cover loss in a Council Forest in the East Region 10 (a: Sentinel 2 image January 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image April 2018)...... 19 Figure 3. Changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type and per month in the East Region...... 20 Figure 4. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the East Region...... 21 Figure 5. Alerts representing tree cover loss in an agribusiness outfit in the South Region: Sentinel 2 image February 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image April 2018)...... 21 Figure 6. Changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type per month in the South Region...... 22 Figure 7. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the South Region...... 23 Figure 8. Tree cover loss due to seasonal crop farming in the Centre Region (a: Sentinel 2 image March 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image April 2018)...... 23 Figure 9. Alerts of 18 April 2018 in Mefou and Afamba Subdivision (Quickbird image)...... 24 Figure 10. Changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type per month in the Centre Region...... 25 Figure 11. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the Centre Region...... 25 Figure 12. Tree cover loss in the vicinity of the Douala-Edea Forest Reserve in the Littoral Region (a: Sentinel 2 image February 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image May 2018)...... 26 quarter 2018 nd Figure 13. Alert of 17 April 2018 in the Lake Ossa Wildlife Reserve (Quickbird image)...... 27 Figure 14. Monthly changes in deforested areas (ha) per land use type in the Littoral Region...29 for the 2 Figure 15. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the Littoral Region...... 28 Figure 16. Alerts in an agricultural area in the South West Region: Sentinel 2 image March 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image April 2018)...... 31 Figure 17. Monthly changes in cleared areas (ha) for each land use type and per month in the South West Region...... 29 Figure 18. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the South West Region...... 29 Figure 19. Alert of 18 April 2018 in Forest Management Unit 13 001(Quickbird image)...... 30 Figure 20. Monthly changes in cleared areas (ha) for each land use type in the

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER North West Region...... 30 Figure 21. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the North West Region...... 31 Figure 22. Vegetation cover gain in a farm in the West Region (a: Sentinel 2 image April 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image June 2018)...... 31 Figure 23. Alert of 18 April 2018 in Malantouen Subdivision (Quickbird image)...... 32 Figure 24. Monthly changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type in the West Region...... 33 Figure 25. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the North West Region...... 33 Figure 26. Vegetation cover gain in a farm in the Adamawa Region (a: Sentinel 2 image March 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image May 2018)...... 34 Figure 27. Monthly changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type in the Adamawa Region...... 35 Figure 28. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the Adamawa Region...... 35 Figure 30. Major tree cover loss drivers per region (2nd quarter 2018)...... 37 Figure 31. Major tree cover loss drivers nationwide (2nd quarter 2018)...... 38 Figure 32. Tree cover loss trends per region between the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2018...... 38 List of tables

Table 1. Tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the East Region ...... 20 11 Table 2. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the East Region ...... 20 Table 3. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the South Region ...... 22 Table 4. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the South Region ...... 22 Table 5. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Centre Region ...... 24 Table 6. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares foe each land use type and per month in the Centre Region ...... 25 Table 7. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Littoral Region ...... 27 Table 8. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Littoral Region ...... 27 Table 9. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the South West Region ...... 29 quarter 2018

Table 10. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares for each nd land use type and per month in the South West Region ...... 29

Table 11. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per for the 2

month in the North West Region ...... 30 Table 12. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the North West Region ...... 31 Table 13. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the West Region ...... 32 Table 14. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the West Region ...... 33 Table 15. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER month in the Adamawa Region ...... 35 Table 16. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Adamawa Region ...... 35 Table 17. Summary of change areas in hectares per forest estate ...... 36 Table 18. Cover loss trends in hectares for each loss driver per region ...... 37 List of abbreviations and acronyms

12 AFR 100 African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative PA Protected Area Voluntary Partnership Agreement-Forest Law Enforcement Governance and VPA-FLEGT Trade UNFCCC National Control Brigade GESP United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ENEF Communication Unit FAO Growth and Employment Strategy Paper CFs National Forestry School ComFs Food and Agriculture Organization FESP BF Council Forest IGPCC Community Forest GLAD Forest Environment Sector Programme Basket Fund GFW Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IGEG Global Land Analysis and Discovery MINEPDED Global Forest Watch MINEPAT Inventory of Greenhouse Effect Gases quarter 2018 nd MINFOF National Institute of Cartography ONACC Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development for the 2 OSM Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development CAPI Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife TFPs National Observatory on Climate Change REDD+ Open Street Map RIFFEAC Computer-Assisted Photo Interpretation GIS Technical and Financial Partners Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, conservation of IUCN carbon stocks of forest, sustainable forest management and building of forest carbon stocks GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER UMD Africa Forestry and Environment Training Institutions Network FMU Geographic Information System UORCAF International Union for Conservation of Nature UOSCF University of Maryland USFS Forest Management Unit SSV Operational Unit for Capacity Building in Forest Management WRI Operational Unit for Forest Cover Monitoring (UOSCF) USFS U.S. Forestry Service VC Sales of Standing Volumes WRI World Resource Institute Definition of concepts

13 Forest Degradation

ccording to Forestry Law 94/01 of 20 In the context of REDD+, means human- January 1994 to lay down forestry, caused changes occurring in the forest, which wildlife and fishery regulations in negatively affect the structure or function of ACameroon, “Forest means any land covered the forest stand or site, thus reducing carbon by vegetation with a predominance of trees, stocks and the capacity of the forest to provide shrubs and other species capable of providing products and/or services. products other than agricultural produce.” GLAD Alerts The FAO on its part defines forest as “land covering and area of more than 0.5 ha with An alert is defined as any Landsat image pixel trees of minimum height of 5 metres and a that experiences a canopy loss in excess of tree canopy cover of more than 10% or trees 50% of cover. It is a dataset created by the that can attain these heights in the natural Global Land Analysis and Discovery (GLAD) environment.” laboratory of the University of Maryland and supported by Global Forest Watch for In 2015, the Ministry of the Environment, monitoring of forest cover dynamics. These Protection of Nature and Sustainable are Landsat-based image alerts of 30-metre Development (MINEPDED) as part of the spatial resolution and can sense changes at a REDD+ process in Cameroon, adopted the much higher spatial scale.

following definition: “Forests mean lands with quarter 2018 a tree or shrub-based vegetation cover, with a Tree cover loss nd minimum surface area of 0.5 ha comprising a vegetation where trees and shrubs cover more Tree cover loss is defined as a «stand for the 2 than 10 % and may at maturity reach a height replacement related disruption” or complete of 3 m. This excludes single-crop agribusiness removal of the tree cover canopy at the plantations for purely economic purposes, Landsat pixel scale. Such loss may be due to and which basically employ agriculture human activities (conversion of natural forests management techniques. Forests also mean to other land uses), as well as natural causes former forest areas that have been affected such as disease or storm damage. (http://data. by natural disturbances (e.g. earthquakes, globalforestwatch.org). volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, fires...) that led Vegetation cover gain to a depletion of their canopy to less than 10% and which are likely to bounce back.” Gain in vegetation cover was defined as

However, the Global Forest Watch (GFW) the establishment of a Landsat pixel-scale GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER platform used in monitoring GLAD alerts uses vegetation cover in an area that previously algorithms developed based on the following had no forest cover. Increase in vegetation parameters: 30% as minimum tree cover cover may indicate a number of potential density, 1 ha as minimum surface area and 5 activities, such as growth of natural forest or m as minimum tree height. crop rotation in agricultural areas (http://data. globalforestwatch.org). Deforestation

In the context of REDD+, it is the direct human- caused change from a forest to non-forest state. Photo Nsoh Ndam Elvis INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION 15

ameroon’s forests are important locally, • Developing partnerships with sub-regional regionally and globally by virtue of the and international space agencies; various environmental services they Cprovide. A good knowledge of forest resources • Collecting, processing and archiving is essential for their sustainable management. satellite images depending on user Consequently, access to accurate, credible needs; and timely information that supports decision- • Managing the geodatabase of forestry making is a key factor of good governance in the and environmental data generated; forestry sector (WRI, 2012). The Operational Unit for Forest Cover Monitoring (UOSCF), • Managing the spatial reference data under the supervisory authority of MINFOF, dissemination geo-portal; was established to crystallize the Cameroon Government’s efforts in terms of sustainable • Providing relevant services, mainly management of forest resources. This unit the central services of MINFOF and has, since August 2018, and with support MINEPDED, with images; from World Resources Institute (WRI), been • Coordinating the thematic Working Group using GLAD alerts on forest cover changes on geomatics and remote sensing in developed by the University of Maryland for collaboration with RIFFEAC, universities quarterly monitoring of Cameroon’s forest

and other partner institutions; quarter 2018 cover. In June 2019, the Edition for the 1st nd quarter of 2018 was published in English and • Working in close collaboration with French. UORCAF and ENEF, the MRV Unit of for the 2 REDD+ TS, the Sub-department for This quarterly newsletter aims, overall, to Ecological and Climate Monitoring at present trends in forest cover change (tree MINEPDED and ONACC in order to cover loss and gains in vegetation cover) in generate GHGI data and foster IPCC Cameroon using GLAD alerts. Specifically, good practices in GHGI for the forestry it shall report time series alert trends per sector. region, alert trends for each land use type and the major drivers of forest cover change 2.3 Aspirations nationwide. UOSCF looks forward to providing data on The GLAD alerts Newsletter aims to facilitate cleared and degraded forest areas as part forestry control, contribute in identifying forest of REDD+, regularly producing the quarterly GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER cover loss drivers and estimating national newsletter on forest cover changes (gain carbon emission/absorption levels, guide land and loss), as well as an atlas of forest cover use strategies and identify degraded areas to dynamics. help make informed choices about sites to be reforested. 3. Organisation of work 3.1. Technical working group 2. Presentation of UOSCF Set up by service memo No 0289/NS/ 2.1. Establishment MINFOF/SETAT/SG/C2D-PSFE2/CN/CNA/ UOSCF was set up by Order N° 0086 of 18 RTV1.3/UOSCF of 3 August 2018, the working May 2016 with the main missions of collecting, group in charge of producing the quarterly processing, archiving and making available GLAD Alerts Newsletter was, for one year, satellite images, forest survey information as from 1 January 2018, tasked to draft and and other spatial information. The goal here produce quarterly GLAD Alerts Newsletters is forest cover and environmental change with technical, logistic and financial support monitoring in Cameroon in conjunction with from WRI. REDD +. 3.2. Guidance, Monitoring and 2.2 Missions Validation Panel • The missions of UOSCF are focused on The guidance, monitoring and validation panel the following areas: has the mandate to oversee the drafting and validation of quarterly GLAD Alerts Newsletters 5.2. Satellite imagery data produced by the technical team mentioned The GLAD alerts system is a 30-metre reso- above. The said panel meets quarterly at lution Landsat-based imagery alert system for the behest of its Chair. It is expected, at the detecting tree cover loss and can thus detect 16 end of its deliberations, to forward a quarterly loss at a much finer spatial scale. As such, GLAD Alerts validation report to the Minister of GLAD alerts can : Forestry and Wildlife. • Provide the first signal in potential tree 4. Mapping tools for forestry control cover change areas; Forestry control aims to curb illegal exploitation • Spark early alerts at a low cost on new of forest resources, foster sustainable change areas, especially inaccessible management, governance and resource value areas. chain. In Cameroon, controllers take action in conjunction with officials of other services. • Indicate spatial allocation of resources, They keep abreast of regulatory instruments of including prioritising zoning verifications other fields that impact national forestry control and field investigations; strategy implementation. • Provide additional evidence to corroborate Mapping tools are necessary for forestry information on illegal logging. control. Mapping tools in general and GLAD alerts in particular can help: • 6. Materials and method • Locate cleared areas in the permanent or GLAD alerts from April to June 2018 were non-permanent forest estate; uploaded to the website http://glad-forest- alert.appspot.com. Thereafter, confirmed alert • Provide information on the period when hotspots or groups of hotspots were digitally logging activities took place at a given site;

quarter 2018 recorded and validated by computer-assisted nd • Monitor the progress of large-scale photo-interpretation (CAPI) of Sentinel 2 time- activities within and without a certified series satellite images for most of them, and Quickbird. Remotely sensed Landsat images for the 2 concession (felling, reforestation, park

creation, opening of roads, building of (quality control, radiometric standardisation, living quarters, etc.) classification) to generate GLAD alerts had been previously processed by GFW. • Guide controllers towards ecologically fragile zones impacted by logging (water 6.1. Materials bodies, slopes, etc.); Materials basically comprised GLAD alerts • Generate exploitation indices of prohibited vector data, land use data and satellite data. species;  GLAD Alerts • Detect errors in delineating certified Alerts represent changes in pixel reflectance

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER concessions or fraudulent delineation. on the land surface. Our study focused on tree canopy changes, notably tree cover loss and 5. Forest cover monitoring tools vegetation cover gains. 5.1. Platforms  Land use data The interactive forestry Atlas of Cameroon is a dynamic forest monitoring system that These include shapefiles of administrative provides reliable, up-to-date forestry sector boundaries of Cameroon, infrastructure information. It is based on the GIS (Geogra- (roads, dams...), Forest Management Units phic Information System) platform and aims (FMUs), Council Forests (CFs), Sales of at enhancing forest management and land Standing Volumes (SSVs), Protected Areas use planning, pooling information on the main (PAs), Community Forests (ComFs) drawn land use categories on the same standardised from the database of the Cameroon Forestry platform. The Forestry Atlas provides key data Atlas produced by MINFOF and WRI (2018). on forest management, together with data on  Satellite data the extent of forest cover changes provided by the Global Forest Watch (GFW) near real-time Sentinel 2 (10-metre resolution) and Quickbird monitoring system. The GFW platform has a (0.5-metre resolution) satellite images mobile version, Forest Watcher, which can respectively uploaded to the websites https:// function on a smartphone and allow for data remotepixel.ca andhttps://evwhs.digitalglobe. collection offline. com, were used for photo-interpretation. These satellite images covered the period from April or non-permanent), per certified and non- to June 2018. It should be noted that some certified timber concession, per change driver images of the previous quarter were used for and per month. Permanent Estate Forests change detection. include: FMUs and Council Forests. Non- 17  Permanent Estate Forests include SSVs, Software Community Forests, agricultural lands and Photo-interpretation, validation of alerts, ex- vicinities of Protected Areas (a buffer zone of traction of forest cover loss areas and maps 12 km in the vicinity of PAs). were made with ArcGIS desktop 10.6 software. MS Excel 2016 software was used for digital 7. Findings calculations and graphic representation of fin- In the second quarter of 2018, 49,460 confir- dings. med alerts were recorded across the country as follows: 684 in the North Region, 1,536 in 6.2. Analysis of alerts the Adamawa Region, 650 in the North West Analysis of alerts involved superimposing Region, 693 in the West Region, 1,228 in the alerts on time series images from each South West Region, 2,289 in the Littoral Re- administrative region from April to June 2018, gion, 6,421 in the South Region, 4,394 in the so as to identify tree cover change areas Centre Region and 31,565 in the East Region. through photo-interpretation. Observation The East Region recorded more than half results were then transcribed in a database in the alerts for this quarter (64%). No alert was which the parameters of each digitized change confirmed in the Far North. Figure 1 below polygon were documented. These included shows the distribution of alerts nationwide. land use; type of cover before and after the alert; description of change event; surface area, availability, date and name of image used for CAPI; the name and certified forest quarter 2018 concession in which the alert occurred and the nd photo of the alert… for the 2

6.3. Validation of analyses Analysis results were first validated by the Technical Working Group for the production of quarterly GLAD alerts newsletters, and later by the Guidance, Monitoring and Validation Panel. 6.4. Summary of observations and deforestation drivers Alert surface areas were calculated in ArcGIS desktop and parameter tables were exported GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER to Excel for aggregation of data at national level, per region, per forest estate (permanent Photo Nsoh Ndam Elvis 18

Figure 1. Map of confirmed alerts in the second quarter of 2018

Alertes 2ème trimestre 2018 quarter 2018

nd Region Datum WGS 1984 for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER 7.1. Time series alert trends for each land use type per Region There were two types of confirmed alerts in the second quarter of 2018, namely tree cover loss and gains in vegetation cover. The second type was highlighted in this newsletter because it occurred in the majority in all regions as will be later shown by analyses results. 19 7.1.1. East Region During the second quarter of 2018, there was a marked increase of 1911.89 ha in plant cover and only 283.20 ha of tree cover loss in the East Region. Figure 2 below, illustrates a case of tree cover loss in a Council Forest.

Figure 2. Tree cover loss in a Council Forest in the East Region (a: Sentinel 2 image January 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image April 2018) a Alerte quarter 2018 nd for the 2 b

Figure 2. Pertes de couvert forestier dans une forêt communale de la Région de l’Est (a : image Sen- tinel 2 de janvier 2018 ; b : image Sentinel 2 d’avril 2018) GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

• Tree cover loss In this region, 283.20 ha were lost in all, 230.67 ha of them in April; 46.46 ha in May and 6.07 ha in June. Table 1 presents, in descending order, the main loss drivers, namely: seasonal farming (142.04 ha); exploitation in community forests (71.93 ha); FMUs (42.96 ha). 81% of tree cover loss occurred in April as shown in Figure 3. !

•! Tree cover loss

InTable this region, 1. Tree 283.20 cover ha loss were in lost hectares in all, 230.67for each ha land of them use in type Apr andil; 46.46 per monthha in May in theand East6.07 Regionha in June. Table 1 presents, in descending order, the main loss drivers, namely: seasonal farming (142.04 ha); exploitation in communityMonth forests (71.93 Aprilha); FMUs (42.96May ha). 81%June of tree coverTotal loss occurredLand use in April as shown in Figure 3. 20 Others 4.13 3.35 0 7.47 Table 1.!Tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the East Region Seasonal crop farming 131.48 10.56 0 142.04 Month April May June Total Council Forests 11.20 0 0 11.20 !8! Land use OthersCommunity Forests 4.13 52.44 3.35 17.71 0 1.78 7.4771.93 SeasonalInfrastructure crop farming (settlements) 131.48 0 10.56 0.48 0 0 142.040.48 Council Forests 11.20 0 0 11.20 FMU 24.31 14.36 4.29 42.96 Community Forests 52.44 17.71 1.78 71.93 Infrastructure (settlements) SSV0 7.12 0.48 0 0 0 0.487.12 FMU 24.31Total 230.6714.36 46.46 4.29 6.07 42.96283.20 SSV 7.12 0 0 7.12 TotalFigure 3. Changes in cleared areas in230.67 hectares for each46.46 land use type6.07 and per month283.20 in the East Region

)3N )LN )NN JN @N $)(6&E2&06 3N .R?;C LN N /AH

quarter 2018 S>57 nd for the 2

#623&5+(

• Vegetation cover gain

Analyses for the quarter in the East region show that gains in vegetation cover are almost seven Figure 3. Changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type and per month in the East Region times higher than tree cover loss (figure 4). The East Region recorded an estimated 1,911.89 ha ! gain overall. Of these, 48% come from exploitation in Community Forests, 28% from the drying-up ! of the submerged areas of the Lom Pangar Dam, 16% from sales of standing volumes, 3.4% from seasonal crop farming areas, 2.9% from agribusiness; 0.3% from FMUs. GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

Table 2. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the East Region

Status Gains (ha) Loss (ha) Land use Agribusiness 55.43 0 Others 0 7.47 Seasonal crop farming 64.40 142.04 Council Forests 19.67 11.20 Community Forests 923.12 71.93 Dam infrastructure 536.53 0 Infrastructure (settlements) 0 0.48 FMU 5.39 42.96 SSV 307.34 7.12 Total (ha) 1911.89 283.20 !

•! Vegetation cover gain

Analyses for the quarter in the East region show that gains in vegetation cover are almost seven times higher than tree cover loss (figure 4). The East Region recorded an estimated 1,911.89 ha gain overall. Of these, 48% come from exploitation in Community Forests, 28% from the drying- up of the submerged areas of the Lom Pangar Dam, 16% from sales of standing volumes, 3.4% from seasonal crop farming areas, 2.9% from agribusiness; 0.3% from FMUs.

Table 2. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in !@! the East Region

)NNN KNN JNN 21 DNN @NN 9NN 3NN $)(6&E2&06 MNN LNN -A;5!TPAU )NN :488!TPAU N

#623&5+( !

7.1.2. South Region In the South Region, 12.88 ha of vegetation cover were gained, with 93.36 ha of tree cover loss.

Figure 5. Alerts representing tree cover loss in an agribusiness outfit in the South Region: Sentinel 2 quarter 2018

image February 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image April 2018) nd

a Alert for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

b • Tree cover loss Table 3 and figure 6 reveal that 99% of loss took place in May due mainly to agriculture, notably agribusiness activities (41%) and small holder farming (22.7%) and in FMUs (18.7%). Figure 6 above! illustrates loss observed in an agribusiness concession. 22 Table 3. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type per month in the South Region Table 3 and figure 6 reveal that 99% of loss took place in May due mainly to agriculture, notably agribusiness activities (41%) and small holder farming (22.7%) and in FMUs (18.7%). Figure 6 above illustrates loss observed in an agribusiness concession. Month April May Total !Land use TableAgribusinesses 3.!Area of cleared forest in hectares for each0 land use type38.36 per month 38.36in the South Region

Seasonal crop farming Month April 0 21.21May 21.21 Total CouncilLand use Forests 0 4.41 4.41 Agribusinesses 0 38.36 38.36 CommunitySeasonal crop farmingForests 0.08 2.080 2.15 21.21 21.21 1!! VicinitiesCouncil Forests of Protected Areas 0 1.800 1.80 4.41 4.41 Community Forests FMU 0.25 0.0817.50 17.75 2.08 2.15 Vicinities of Protected Areas 0 1.80 1.80 FMU SSV 0 0.257.67 7.67 17.50 17.75 SSV Total 0.32 93.030 93.35 7.67 7.67 Total 0.32 93.03 93.35 Figure 6. Changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type per month in the South Region

39 3N M9 MN L9 quarter 2018 LN nd

$)(6&E2&06 )9 )N 9 .R?;C

for the 2 N /AH

#623&5+(

Figure 6. Changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type per month in the South Region • Vegetation cover gain In the•! 2Vegetationnd quarter, cover there gain were virtually insignificant gains in the South Region, a total 12.88 ha in GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER councilIn the 2nd forests quarter, there(8.44 were ha) virtually and farming insignificant areas gains (4.03 in the ha). South Region, a total 12.88 ha in Tablecouncil 4. forests Gains (8.44 in vegetation ha) and farming cover areas and (4.03 tree ha). cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the SouthTable 4Region. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the South Region Status Gains Loss Land use Status Gains Loss

Land use Agribusinesses 0 38.37 Seasonal crop farming 4.03 21.21 Council Forests 8.44 4.41 Community Forests 0 2.15 Vicinities of Protected Areas 0 1.80 FMU 0.41 17.75 SSV 0 7.67 Total 12.88 93.36 !

Agribusinesses 0 38.37 Seasonal crop farming 4.03 21.21 Council Forests 8.44 4.41 Community Forests 0 2.15 Vicinities of Protected Areas 0 1.80 FMU 0.41 17.75 SSV 0 7.67 Total 12.88 93.36 Figure! 7. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the South Region 11!

39 3N M9 MN 23

$)(6&E2&06 L9 LN )9 )N 9 N -A;5 :488

#623&5+(

! 7.1.3.Figure Centre7. Vegetation Region cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the South Region In! the Centre Region, changes were observed over 69.91 ha, being 33.50 ha in gains and a loss of 36.41 ha over a period of two months as shown in table 5. 7.1.3. Centre Region Figure 8. Tree cover loss due to seasonal crop farming in the Centre Region (a: Sentinel 2 imageIn the March Centre 2018; Region, b: Sentinel changes 2 image were Aprilobserved 2018) over 69.91 ha, being 33.50 ha in gains and a loss of 36.41 ha over a period of two months as shown in table 5. a quarter 2018 nd for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER b Figure 9. : Alerts of 18 April 2018 in Mefou and Afamba Subdivision (Quickbird image)

Alert 24 quarter 2018 nd

for the 2 X Y alerts coordinates

X Y 11.64863 3.901875 11.64813 3.902125 11.64838 3.902125 11.64863 3.902125 11.64863 3.902375 11.64863 3.902625 11.64863 3.902875 GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER • Tree cover loss In the Centre Region, 36.41 were lost, with 4.79 ha in Community Forests and 31.62 ha due to seasonal crop farming (figure 8). Table 5 : Cleared areas (ha) per month and for each land use type in the Centre Region Month Avril Mai Juin Total Land use Seasonal crop farming 2.74 28.88 0 31.62 Community Forests 3.52 1.27 0 4.79 Total 6.26 30.15 0 36.41 The heaviest loss was recorded in May, followed by April, as shown in figure 10 below. No tree cover loss was recorded in June. !

Total 6.26 30.15 0 36.41

The heaviest loss was recorded in May, followed by April, as shown in figure 10 below. No tree Figurecover 10. loss : Changes was recorded in cleared areas in June. in hectares for each land use type per month in the Centre Region

39 3N M9 25 MN $)(6&E2&06 L9 LN 1C! .R?;C )9 )N /AH 9 N 17A845AC!5;6H!"4?7868

#623&5+(

•Figure Vegetation 10. Changes cover in cleared gain areas in hectares for each land use type per month in the Centre Region The region gained a total 33.50 ha. Most of these gains were recorded in seasonal farming areas (83%).! ! Table 6. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Centre! Regione Status Gains Loss Total Land•! useVegetation cover gain quarter 2018

Others 1.92 0 1.92 nd The region gained a total 33.50 ha. Most of these gains were recorded in seasonal farming areas Seasonal crop farming 29.02 31.62 60.64 (83%).

Community Forests 2.55 4.79 7.35 for the 2

!Total 33.50 36.41 69.91 Table 6. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in Figurethe Cent 11.re Vegetation Region cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the Centre Region 39

3N Status Gains Loss Total

M9 $)(6&E2&06 Land use MN Others 1.92 0 1.92 L9 Seasonal crop farming 29.02 31.62 60.64

LN -A;5 GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER Community Forests 2.55 4.79 7.35 )9 Total 33.50 36.41 69.91 :488 )N 1K! 9 N #6P7? 17A845AC!5;6H!"4?7868 #623&5+(

Figure 11. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the Centre Region

7.1.4. Littoral Region The Littoral recorded an estimated 10.99 ha in gains and a loss of 50.76 ha.

7.1.4. Littoral Region The Littoral recorded an estimated 10.99 ha in gains and a loss of 50.76 ha..

Figure 12. Tree cover loss in the vicinity of the Douala-Edea Forest Reserve in the Littoral Region (a: Sentinel 26 2 image February 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image May 2018) a

b Alert quarter 2018 nd for the 2

Figure 13. : Alert of 17 April 2018 in the Lake Ossa Wildlife Reserve (Quickbird image)

Alert GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

X Y alerts coordinates x y 10.05188 3.815625 10.05263 3.816625 • Tree cover loss The Littoral totalled a loss of 50.76 ha, which is low compared to the other regions. The loss is almost equitably spread over the months of April (25.82 ha) and May (23.51 ha); there is a significant drop, right down to 1.43 ha in June (table 7). ! 27 Table 7. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Littoral Region Table 7 . Area of cleared forest in Month hectares for each land use type and per month in the Littoral Region April May June Total Land use Month April May June Total

AgribusinessesLand use 0.39 0 0 0.39 Others 0 4.00 0 4.00 0 SeasonalAgribusinesses crop farming 0.39 22.43 0 5.36 1.430.39 29.21 Others 0 4.00 0 4.00 Council Forests 0 11.42 0 11.42 Seasonal crop farming 22.43 5.36 1.43 29.21 Community Forests 3.01 1.79 0 4.79 Council Forests 0 11.42 0 11.42 Community Forests 3.01SSV 0 1.79 0.94 0 04.79 0.94 1@! SSV Total0 25.82 0.94 23.51 0 1.430.94 50.76 Total 25.82 23.51 1.43 50.76 The main loss drivers in April and June were seasonal farming activities, and logging in Council ForestsThe main in loss May drivers as shown in April in andfigure June 14were seasonal farming activities, and logging in Council Figure Forests 14. in May Monthly as shown changes in figurein deforested 14. areas (ha) per land use type in the Littoral Region

39 3N M9 MN quarter 2018 $)(6&E2&06

L9 nd LN )9 )N .R?;C!

9 for the 2

N /AH

S>57

#623&5+(

! •Figure Vegetation 14. Monthly coverchanges gain in deforested areas (ha) per land use type in the Littoral Region GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER There were low gains basically in agricultural areas: 8.39 ha (agribusiness activities) and 2.60 ha •! Vegetation cover gain (seasonal crop farming) (figure 15 and table 8). TableThere 8. were Gains low in vegetationgains basically cover i nand agricultural tree cover areas: loss in 8.39 hectares ha (agribusiness for each land activities) use type andand 2.60per month ha in the Littoral(seasonal Region crop farming) (figure 15 and table 8). Table 8. Gains in vegetation Statut cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Littoral Region Gains Pertes Utilisation des terres Status Gains Loss Agro-industries 8,39 0,39 Land use AutresAgribusinesses 8.39 0 0.39 4,00 CulturesOthers annuelles 0 2,60 4.00 29,21 ForêtsSeasonal communales crop farming 2.60 0 29.21 11,42 Forêts communautaires 0 4,79 VC 0 0,94 Total 10,99 50,76 7.1.5. South West Region The South West region recorded a loss of 12.19 ha as against 70.17 ha gained. !

Council Forests 0 11.42 Community Forests 0 4.79 SSV 0 0.94 FigureTotal 15. : . The South West region recorded10.99 a loss of 12.1950.76 ha as against 70.17 ha gained. !

28 M9 MN L9 LN )9 A7!

$)(6&E2&06 )N 9 -A;5 N :488

#623&5+( ! FigureFigure 1516.. VAlertsegetation in an cover agricultural gains and areatree cover in the loss South trends West in theRegion: Littoral Sentinel Region 2 image March 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image April 2018) ! a 7.1.5. South West Region The South West region recorded a loss of 12.19 ha as against 70.17 ha gained. quarter 2018 nd for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER a Alert

• •! Tree cover loss Merely 12.19 ha of losses were estimated in the South West Region, 6.47 of which were in agribusinesses (figure 16) and 5.72 ha in FMUs (table 9). These losses were only observed in the month of April (figure 17).. 29 TableTable 9. 9 Area. Area of ofcleared cleared forest forest in hectares in hectares for each for land each use land type use and type per andmonth per in monththe South in Westthe South Region West Region Month Month April Avril Land use

AgribusinessesLand use 6.47

Agribusinesses FMU 6.475.72 FMU 5.72 Total 12.19 Total 12.19 Figure 17. Monthly changes in cleared areas (ha) for each land use type and per month in the South West Region A1!

39 3N M9 MN L9 LN

$)(6&E2&06 )9 .R?;C! )N 9 N

.=?;B>8;578878 "/X quarter 2018 nd #623&5+(

for the 2 Figure 17. Monthly changes in cleared areas (ha) for each land use type and per month in the South West •Region Vegetation cover gain In contrast, gains were more significant (70.17 ha) recorded in seasonal crop farming areas (Table 10! and Figure 18). Table 10 . Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the •! Vegetation cover gain South West Region Status Gains Loss Land use Status In contrast, gains were more significant (70.17 ha) Gains Loss LandAgribusinesses use 0 6.47 recorded in seasonal crop farming areas (Table 10 and Figure 18). ! AgribusinessesSeasonal crop farming 70.17 00 6.47 Seasonal crop farming 70.17 ! 0 GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER FMU 0 5.72 FMU 0 5.72 ! ! Total Total70.17 70.1712.19 12.19 Table 10. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the South West ! RegionFigure 18 . Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the South West Region ! JN DN @N

9N 3N ! -A;5 MN $)(6&E2&06& AA! ! LN :488 )N N .=?;B>8;578878 17A845AC!

!!!!A! Alert

7.1.6. North West Region The North West Region stood out this quarter with its very high gains: 38.12 ha as against a loss of 1.13 ha. 30 Figure 19 . Alert of 18 April 2018 in Forest Management Unit 13 001(Quickbird image)

Alert

Figure 19. Alert of 18 April 2018 in Forest Management Unit 13 001(Quickbird image)

O&P&6'()*+&Q//)3E26*(+& V! W! )N(DLKMD9! @(JK)@L9! quarter 2018

nd )N(DLKMD9! @(JK)MD9! X Y alerts coordinates )N(DLK)L9! @(JK)MD9! X Y )N(DLK)L9! @(JK))L9! for the 2

10.729375 6.891625 )N(DLK)L9! @(JKNJD9! AB! 10.729375 )N(DLK)L9! 6.891375 @(JKN@L9! 10.729125! 6.891375 10.729125 6.891125 10.729125•! Tree cover loss 6.890875 10.729125 6.890625 Table 11 and figure 20 show that there were very low losses in April and May, barely 1 ha cleared • Tree cover loss for seasonal crop farming. Table 11 and figure 20 show that there were very low losses in April and May, barely 1 ha cleared for seasonal crop farming.Table 11" Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the North West

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER Region! Table 11. Area of cleared forest in hectares for each land use type and per month in the North West Region Month April May June Total Month April May June Total Land use Land use Seasonal Annual crop farmingSeasonal Annual0,48 crop0,65 0,00 0.481,13 0.65 0.00 1.13 farming Figure 20. Monthly changes in cleared areas (ha) for each land use type in the North West Region

39 3N M9

$)(6&E2&06 MN L9 LN .R?;C! )9 )N /AH! 9 NY3J NY@9 N 17A845AC!

Figure 20. Monthly changes in cleared areas (ha) for each land use type in the North West Region

•! Vegetation cover gain

Table 12 and figure 21 significant gains in seasonal crop farming areas.

•! Vegetation cover gain Table 12 and figure 21 significant gains in seasonal crop farming areas. TableTable 12 12.. Gains Gains in vegetation in vegetation cover and tree cover cover loss in and hectares tree for each cover land use loss type inand hectaresper month in the for South each West land use type and per month in the Region South West Region 31 ! Status StatusGains Loss ! Land use Gains Loss Land use Agribusinesses 1.31 0 ! Agro-industries 1.31 0 Seasonal crop farming 27.78 1.13 ! Cultures annuelles 27.78 1.13 FMU 9.04 0 ! UFA 9.04 0 AC! Total 38.12 1.13 ! Total 38.12 1.13 !

Figure! 21 . Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the North West Region

39 3N M9 $)(6&E2&06 MN L9 LN -A;5 )9 :488 )N 9 N .=?;B>8;578878 17A845AC!

! quarter 2018 nd Figure 21. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the North West Region

7.1.7. West Region for the 2 In7.1.7. the West West Region Region, 36.94 ha of forest was cleared in the second quarter of 2018. On the contrary, 53.08In the West ha Region, of vegetation 36.94 ha of forestcover was were cleared gained. in the second quarter of 2018. On the contrary, 53.08 ha of vegetation cover were gained. A! a Alert GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

Figure 22. Vegetation cover gain in a farm in the West Region (a: Sentinel 2 image April 2018; b b: Sentinel 2 image June 2018) Figure 23. Alert of 18 April 2018 in Malantouen Subdivision (Quickbird image)

Alerte 32 quarter 2018 nd for the 2

X Y alerts coordinates X Y 11.256125 5.832125 11.256875 5.832125 11.257125 5.832375 11.256625 5.832625 11.256875 5.832625 11.257375 5.832625

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER 11.256375 5.832875

• Tree cover loss Table 13 and figure 24 show a total tree cover loss of 7.98 ha, being 6.19 ha in April, 0.46 ha in May and 1.33 ha in June. However, 77 % of loss drivers could not be determined while the remainder is due to agriculture.

Table 13. Cleared areas in hectares for each land use type and per month in the West Region Month Avril Mai Juin Total Land use Agribusinesses 0 0 1.33 1.33 Others 3.46 0.46 0 3.92 Seasonal crop farming 02.73 0 0 2.73 Total 06.19 0.46 1.33 7.98 !

Table 13. Cleared areas in hectares for each land use type and per month in the West Region

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&=/2*0& April May June Total & #623&5+( Agribusinesses 0 0 1.33 1.33 Others 3.46 0.46 0 3.92 Seasonal crop farming 02.73 0 0 2.73 Total 06.19 0.46 1.33 7.98 Figure 24. Monthly changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type in the West Region A8! Alerte 39 3N 33 M9 MN L9 .R?;C! LN

$)(6&E2&06 /AH )9 S>57 )N 9 N .=?;B>8;578878 #6P7? 17A845AC!

Figure• Vegetation 24. Monthly changescover gainin cleared areas in hectares for each land use type in the West Region The• !WestVegetation Region cover recorded gain 53.08 ha in gains (table 14), representing about seven times the loss area in the region (figure 25). The West Region recorded 53.08 ha in gains (table 14), representing about seven times the loss area in the Table 14. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the region (figure 25). West Region Table 14. Gains in vegetation cover and tree cover loss in hectares for each land use type and per month in the West Region ! Status Gains Loss

Status quarter 2018 Land use Gains Loss Land use nd Agribusinesses 0 0 1.331.33 Others 2.612.61 3.923.92 for the 2 SeSeasonalasonal crop crop farming farming 42.4042.40 2.732.73 Vicinities of Protected 2.06 0 AreasVicinities of Protected Areas 2.06 0 Forest Reserves Reserves 6.026.02 0 0 Total Total 53.0853.08 7.987.98 ! Figure 25. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the North West Region

39 3N M9 MN L9 LN GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER )9 $)(6&E2&06 )N 9 -A;5 N :488

A@!

#623&5+(&

Figure 25. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the North West Region 7.1.8. Adamawa Region The Adamawa Region recorded 178.54 ha in gains (figure 6) and 4.14 ha in losses in the 2nd quarter.7.1.8. Adamawa Region

The Adamawa Region recorded 178.54 ha in gains (figure 6) and 4.14 ha in losses in the 2nd quarter.!!

!!!Alert A!

!!!!!!!!!!! Figure 26. Vegetation cover gain in a farm in the Adamawa Region (a: Sentinel 2 image March 2018; b: Sentinel 2 image May 2018)

a Alert 34

a quarter 2018 nd for the 2

Alert GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

X Y alerts coordinates X Y 13.613625 6.206625 13.613875 6.206375 •! Tree cover loss All loss was due to seasonal crop farming and occurred in April (table 15) as illustrated in figure 26. Alert Table 15. Cleared areas in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Adamawa Region! Table 15. Cleared areas in hectares for each land use type and per month in the Adamawa Region 35 Month$H)E'&& =6R&& S52(&& AC!G?4R!

$)(6&E2&06 )9 .R?;C! )N 9 N 17A845AC!

#623&5+( quarter 2018 nd

Figure 27. Monthly changes in cleared areas in hectares for each land use type in the Adamawa Region

• Vegetation cover gain for the 2

Most losses recorded in the Adamawa in the previous quarter of were due to the expansion of •! Vegetation cover gain nd farmlands. It thus makes sense that much gains were recorded in the 2 quarter (178.54 ha) in seasonalMost losses crop recorded farming in areas the Adamawa (table 16 andin the figure previous 28). quarter of were due to the expansion of Tablefarmlands. 16. Gains It thusin vegetation makes coversense and that tree much cover gainsloss in werehectares recorded for each inland the use 2 ndtype quarter and per (178.54 month in ha) the Eastin Alert Regionseasonal crop farming areas (table 16 and figure 28). Month Table 16. Gains in vegetation cover and treeGains cover loss inLoss hec tares for each land use type and per month in the East RegionLand use Others 4.91 0 Status Gains Loss Seasonal crop farming 171.38 4.14 Land use GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER CouncilOthers Forests 2.25 4.91 0 0 Seasonal crop farmingGrand total 178.54171.38 4.14 4.14 ! Council Forests 2.25 0 Figure 28. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the Adamawa Region Grand total 178.54 4.14

! LNN )JN )@N )3N )LN )NN -A;5

$)(6&E2&06 JN :488 @N 3N B1! LN N #6P7? 17A845AC!5G;C!"4?7868 +46AC!=Z5Z?AC #623&5+(

Figure 28. Vegetation cover gains and tree cover loss trends in the Adamawa Region

! 7.1.9. Far North and North Regions No alert was recorded in the Far North. On the contrary, 684 alerts were signalled in the North Region but no change was observed.

Photo Nsoh Ndam Elvis

7.1.9. Far North and North Regions No alert was recorded in the Far North. On the contrary, 684 alerts were signalled in the North Region but no change was observed. 36

quarter 2018 nd 7.2. Summary of alert trends 2.68 % in the South West; 0.25 % in the North Across the country, tree cover losses stood at West; 11.17 % in the Littoral and 1.75 % in

for the 2 an estimated 454.45 ha and gains at 2,309.17 the West (table 10). 23.81 % of these losses ha. As concerns cleared areas, 62.25 % of loss occurred in the permanent estate as against occurred in the East Region; 8 % in the Centre; 76.19 % in the national estate (table 17). 0.71 % in the Adamawa; 13.15 % in the South;

Table 17. SSummary of changes per forest estate in hectares East Total West North South Centre Littoral Far North Adamawa North West South West

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER Permanent Forest Estate 108,19 FMU 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.72 0.00 17.75 0.00 42.67 66.14 Agribusinesses 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.33 6.47 0.39 5.03 0.00 0.00 13.22 Council Forests 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 11.42 4.41 0.00 11.20 27.03

Vicinity of PAs 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.80 0.00 0.00 1.80 Non-Permanent Forest Estate 346.26 SSV 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.94 7.67 0.00 7.12 15.72 Community 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4.79 2.15 4.79 71.93 83.67 Forests Seasonal crop 0.00 0.00 3.24 1.13 2.73 0.00 29.21 21.02 31.62 142.04 230.98 farming Urbanisation 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.48 0.48 Others 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.92 0.00 4.00 0.00 0.00 7.47 15.40 Total 0.00 0.00 3.24 1.13 7.98 12.19 50.76 59.83 36.41 282.91 454.45 Table 18. Tree cover loss trends in hectares per driver and per region

Driver 37 SSV FMU Total Others Forests Région farming Community Annual crop Urbanisation Vicinity of PAs Vicinity Agribusinesses Council Forests

Far North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 North 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Adamawa 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.24 0 0 3.24 North West 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.13 0 0 1.13 West 0 1.33 0 0 0 0 2.73 0 3.92 7.98 South West 5.72 6.47 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 12.19 Littoral 0 0.39 11.42 0 0.94 4.79 29.21 0 4.00 50.76 South 17.75 5.03 4.41 1.80 7.67 2.15 21.02 0 0 59.83 Centre 0 0 0 0 0 4.79 31.62 0 0 36.41 East 42.67 0 11.20 0 7.12 71.93 142.04 0.48 7.47 282.91 Total 66.14 13.22 27.03 1.80 15.72 83.67 230.98 0.48 15.40 454.45

7.3. Major Major change change drivers drivers Figure 30. Major tree cover loss drivers per region (2nd quarter 2018) ! quarter 2018

<(4, nd :3;,)3 )#*&+' 5+6,-! for the 2 78,,+)(9 5+6,-!234, 234, *+),-!234, ./(0(1( *+),- '()!*+),-

" #" $"" $#" %"" %#" &""

!"#$%&'%($ '=> .?)8@648;34434 :+6;A89!'+)34,4

B8A8;8,C!+D!E)+,3A,3/!.)3(4 5(934!+D!4,(;/8;?!F+96034 :+006;8,C!'+)34,4 GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

53(4+;(9!D()08;? >)@(;84(,8+; G,-3)

Figure 29. Major tree cover loss drivers per region (2nd quarter 2018) As illustrated in Table 18 and in Figure 30, seasonal crop farming (51%), Community the main loss drivers are: in the East and Forests (18%), FMUs (15%), Council Forests AsCentre, illustrated seasonal in Table 18 crop and in farming Figure 30, and the main logging; loss drivers (6%), are: in the sales East and of Centre, standing volumes (4%), seasonalin the cropSouth, farming logging, and logging; seasonal in the South, crop logging, farming seasonal cropagribusiness farming and agribusiness; (3%) and others (3%). Agriculture inand the Littoral, agribusiness; seasonal crop in farming the and Littoral, logging; seasonalin the South West,thus agribusiness accounted and logging; for half in of the forest cover losses thecrop West, farming North West and and logging; Adamawa, in seasonal the South crop farming. West, in the second quarter of 2018. However, this agribusiness and logging; in the West, North agricultural season is less damaging to forests nd FigureWest 31and summarises Adamawa, loss seasonaldrivers in the crop 2 quarterfarming. of 2018 in descendingin that it causedorder, as follows:nearly 7 times less losses than seasonal crop farming (51%), Community Forests (18%), FMUs (15%),in the Council first quarter.Forests (6%), salesFigure of standing31 summarises volumes (4%), loss agribusiness drivers (3%) in andthe others 2nd (3%). Agriculture thus accounted forquarter half of ofthe 2018 forest coverin descending losses in the secondorder, quarter as follows: of 2018. However, this agricultural season is less damaging to forests in that it caused nearly 7 times less losses than in the first quarter. !

Figure 31. Major tree cover loss drivers nationwide (2nd quarter 2018)

10 ./0 '=> 38 .?)8@648;34434 20 10 :+6;A89!'+)34,4

-0 B8A8;8,C!+D!E)+,3A,3/!.)3(4

20 5(934!+D!4,(;/8;?!F+96034 ,0 /.0 :+006;8,C!'+)34,4 53(4+;(9!D()08;? ,-! .30 >)@(;84(,8+;

G,-3)

! nd 7.4.Figure Tree 30 cover. Major losstree cover trends loss perdrivers region nationwide between (2 quarter the 2018)1st and 2nd quarters of 2018 In the7.4. first Tree quartercover loss of trends2018, tree per regioncover loss between was theestimated 1st and 2atnd 3,297.71quarters ofha, 2018 and decreased in the second quarter, right down to 454.45 ha, thus about 86% (Table 18). This is due to the fact that farmlandsIn the f irstand quarter agricultural of 2018, plantations tree cover are loss prepared was estimated in the firstat 3,297.71 quarter; ha, moreand decreasedso, the dry in seasonthe eases access to forests. Conversely, cleared areas start growing back during second quarter, hence second quarter, right down to 454.45 ha, thus about 86% (Table 18). This is due to the fact that the huge gains in vegetation cover observed. farmlands and agricultural plantations are prepared in the first quarter; more so, the dry season Tableeases 18. .access Tree cover to forests. loss trends Conversely, per region cleared between areas the start1st and growing 2nd quarters back of during 2018 second quarter, hence the huge gains in vegetation cover observed. st nd

quarter 2018 Region 1 quarter loss (ha) 2 quarter loss (ha)

nd )* +, FarTable North 19. !"##$%&'#"$(&))$*"#+,)$-#"$"#./&+$0#*1##+$*2#$30 $4+,$5 $674"*#")$&8$593:0 North Region 1st quarter loss0 (ha) 2nd quarter loss (ha) 0 for the 2 AdamawaFar North 278.99 0 03.24 NorthNorth West 77.25 0 01.13 WestAdamawa 36.94278.99 3.247.98 SouthNorth West West 91.5977.25 1.1312.19 LittoralWest 55.3936.94 7.9850.76 SouthSouth West 210.4691.59 12.1959.83 Littoral 55.39 50.76 Centre 454.92 36.41 South 210.46 59.83 East 2092.16 282.91 Centre 454.92 36.41 Total 3297.71 454.45

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER East 2,092.16 282.91 ! Total 3,297.71 454.45 Figure 32. Tree cover loss trends per region between the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2018

%#"" %""" $#"" $""" !"#$%&'%($ #"" "

,4! )#*&+'

7+44!$4,!H6(),3)!I-(J 7+44!%;/!H6(),3)!I-(J

Figure 31. Tree cover loss trends per region between the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2018 However, in both quarters, the highest losses were detected in the East Region (figure 30), notably 2,092.16 ha in the first quarter and 282.91 ha in the second, thus a total 2,375.07 ha, representing about 63% of overall losses in both quarters.

8. Conclusion and prospects

It follows from the analysis of GLAD alerts for the second quarter of 2018, that 454.45 ha of forest were cleared, 76.19% of which occurred in the non-permanent estate and 23.81% in the permanent estate. Forty-three percent of the loss was due to logging and fifty-one percent due to seasonal crop farming, which thus remains the main driver of tree cover loss nationwide. No case of logging in non-certified concessions was reported. Besides, the study estimates forest cover gains at 2,309.17 ha during the quarter, and points out that these are more abundant in farmed lands. The gains are attributed to crop growth, herbaceous vegetation and not trees. Unfortunately, this is of no import in the context of forestry control. Nevertheless, this newsletter has met one of its objectives, that of identifying tree cover loss drivers. However, field missions will help confirm these results. A similar study will be conducted with a view to drafting the Newsletters for the last two quarters of 2018.

! However, in both quarters, the highest losses Besides, the study estimates forest cover were detected in the East Region (figure 30), gains at 2,309.17 ha during the quarter, and notably 2,092.16 ha in the first quarter and points out that these are more abundant in 282.91 ha in the second, thus a total 2,375.07 farmed lands. The gains are attributed to crop 39 ha, representing about 63% of overall losses in growth, herbaceous vegetation and not trees. both quarters.. Unfortunately, this is of no import in the context of forestry control. 8. Conclusion and prospects It follows from the analysis of GLAD alerts for Nevertheless, this newsletter has met one the second quarter of 2018, that 454.45 ha of of its objectives, that of identifying tree cover forest were cleared, 76.19% of which occurred loss drivers. However, field missions will help in the non-permanent estate and 23.81% in confirm these results. the permanent estate. Forty-three percent A similar study will be conducted with a view to of the loss was due to logging and fifty-one drafting the Newsletters for the last two quarters percent due to seasonal crop farming, which of 2018. thus remains the main driver of tree cover loss nationwide. No case of logging in non-certified concessions was reported. quarter 2018 nd for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER

42 quarter 2018 nd for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER 43 quarter 2018 nd for the 2

GLAD ALERTS NEWSLETTER QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER FOR FOREST COVER MONITORING WITH GLAD ALERTS September 2019 Edition

References FAO 2001 Trees outside the forest: toward a better consideration, Forestry Department FAO WORKBOOK CONSERVATION 35

MINEPAT, 2010: Growth and Employment Strategy Paper

MINEPDED, 2016. Land Use/Cover categories and definition of forest for the implementation of REDD+ mechanism in Cameroon -38p

MINEPDED, 2018. National REDD+ Strategy MINFOF, 2010. Forestry Controller’s Handbook tailored to the national Forestry Control Strategy

WRI, 2012. Interactive Forestry Atlas of Cameroon-Version 3.0, Summary Document 64 Pages

Website: http://data.globalforestwatch.org/ http://glad-forest-alert.appspot.com. https://remotepixel.ca https://evwhs.digitalglobe.com http://www.fao.org/3/Y2328F/Y2328F00.htm

Contact: Yaounde, Cameroon [email protected] [email protected]

This newsletter was produced with technical support Photo Nsoh Ndam Elvis from WRI and funding from USFS- IP