Managing Wetlands for Sustainability in Cameroon: Insights From Key Stakeholders

Wetlands, spanning approximately 15 million hectares globally, play a crucial role in supporting diverse ecosystems and sustaining livelihoods, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. In Africa alone, these vital ecosystems cover over 3.2 million hectares, constituting 19% of the world's wetland coverage. This paper delves into the significance of wetland ecosystems and their associated fisheries, which are lifelines for an estimated 275 million people in developing countries. Traditional activities such as timber and non-timber forest product harvesting, fishing, and fuelwood collection form the cornerstone of livelihoods reliant on wetland resources. Beyond their economic importance, wetlands serve as essential ecological, cultural, and aesthetic entities. They act as crucial exporters of materials supporting near-shore food webs, including prized commodities such as prawns and shrimp. Additionally, wetlands play a pivotal role in intercepting pollutants, land-derived nutrients, and suspended matter, thereby mitigating the adverse impacts of contaminants on deeper water bodies. Moreover, these ecosystems harbor rich biodiversity, providing habitats for a myriad of fauna, ranging from mammals and fish to crustaceans, reptiles, amphibians, avian species, and various aquatic and terrestrial insects. Recognizing the multifaceted values of wetlands is imperative for informed conservation and management efforts. Conservation strategies must not only safeguard the ecological integrity of wetland ecosystems but also prioritize the sustainable utilization of their resources to ensure the continued well-being of dependent communities. Integrated approaches that balance ecological preservation with socio-economic development are paramount for achieving resilience and sustainability in wetland management. This paper underscores the urgent need for collaborative action among policymakers, scientists, practitioners, and local communities to address the myriad challenges facing wetland ecosystems. By fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and innovative solutions, stakeholders can forge pathways towards the conservation and sustainable management of wetlands, safeguarding their invaluable contributions to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and human well-being.