Climate Change Awareness: A Key Strategy in the Management of Rainforest Ecosystem in Bakossi National Park, Southwest Region, Cameroon

Climate change has led to changes in precipitation patterns, resulting in both increased droughts and intense rainfall events. This research investigates the role of climate change awareness as a critical strategy in the management of the rainforest ecosystem within Bakossi National Park, located in the Southwest Region of Cameroon. Despite its rich biodiversity, the park faces significant threats from climate change, including altered rainfall patterns, increasing temperatures, and habitat degradation. To address these challenges, enhancing local community awareness about climate change impacts and sustainable management practices is essential. The study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with local stakeholders and quantitative surveys assessing community knowledge and perceptions. The results of the study has shown that awareness of the local community on rainforest management in Bakossi National Park significantly associated with forest management training r=0.207 P=0.022, common methods of harvest None Timber Forest Products (NTFP) r=0.340 P=0.000, the Role of tradition in forest management r=0.162 P=0.076, and the management of conflict between local community and conservation r=0.103 P<0.05 respectively. More so, the most significant impact of climate change in the national park revealed a significant association on the trend of NTFP resource availability over the past decade X 2 =20.576 df=16 P<0.05, the most significant external threat to forest management X 2 =17.437 df=16 P<0.05, the main drivers of deforestation in the region X 2 =17.750 df=16 P<0.05, the main method of ecological restoration X 2 =20.112 df=16 P<0.05, and the most common method of harvesting NTFP X 2 =20.990 df=16 P<0.05 respectively. The findings of this research underscore the critical importance of climate change awareness in the effective management of the rainforest ecosystem in Bakossi National Park. As climate change continues to pose significant threats to biodiversity and ecosystem stability, enhancing local community understanding of its impacts and fostering sustainable practices become imperative.