[en] Landscape Ecological Survey of the Bipindi-Akom II ... - ITTO

2. STUDY AREA
2.1 LOCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
The TCP research area is situated in Southwest Cameroon at approximately 80 km East of Kribi,
between r47'-3°14' N, 10°24'-10°51' E. The area is delimitated by the villages of Bipindi,
Akom II and Lolodorf (Fig. 1.1). From an administrative point of view the TCP research area
is part of the South Province of the Republic of Cameroon and is subdivided into the
Departments Ocean and Ntem. The TCP area covers about 1700 km2 The TCP research area is situated in Southwest Cameroon at approximately 80 km East of Kribi,
between r47'-3 ° 14' N, 10°24'-10°51' E. The area is delimitated by the villages of Bipindi,
Akom II and Lolodorf (Fig. 1.1). From an administrative point of view the TCP research area
is part of the South Province of the Republic of Cameroon and is subdivided into the
Departments Ocean and Ntem. The TCP area covers about 1700 km which to a large extent
coincides with a concession of the Dutch logging company ofWijma-Douala S.A.R.L. (GWZ).
2 which to a large extent
coincides with a concession of the Dutch logging company ofWijma-Douala S.A.R.L. (GWZ).
All roads leading to and within the TCP area are dirt roads. Two governmental roads delimit the
TCP research area, the Kribi-Bipindi-Lolodorf-Ebolowa road in the northwest and the Kribi­
Akom II-Ebolowa road in the south. Within the area three principal roads are present, two of
which having approximately a W-E direction and one a SW-NE direction. In addition many
smaller exploitation roads have been constructed. Accessibility of these, however, is variable
as maintenance is carried out by the logging companies and ceases once their activities are
transferred to other regions. Footpaths connecting villages are found throughout the area.
Transport by boat over the rivers is not possible due to the presence of rapids and waterfalls.
2.2 CLIMATE
The climate of Southwest Cameroon is equatorial. Although rainfall occurs throughout the year,
two distinct minima and maxima can be distinguished in the annual pattern which are associated
with the N-S movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over the area. The humid
seasons extend from September to November and from April to May, whereas the drier seasons
extend from December to March and from June to August. According to the classification
system ofK6ppen (1936), the climate of the area is classified as humid tropical (Aw). Such a
climate has a mean temperature in the coldest month above 18°C, an average annual temperature
of around 25°C 25 ° C with little variation between years, and at least one distinct dry season.
Table 2.1 Summary of climatic data for selected stations in Southwest Cameroon (Olivry,
1986)
Climatic data Weather station
Kribi Lolodorf Ebolowa
Altitude (m asl) as!) 13 440 609
Mean Mean annual annual temperature temperature Cc) 26.4 24.6 24.0
Mean annual relative humidity (%) 73-94 n.a. 68-97
Mean annual vapour pressure (mbar) 29.3 n.a. 24.6
Mean annual rainfall (mm) 2836 (±393) 2096 (±286) 1719 (±195)
Wind speed below 4 m S·I (% of time) 98 n.a. n.a.
Main wind direction SW n.a. W
Kribi n= 45 years; Lolodorf n= 25 years; Ebolowa n= 48 years; n.a. = data not available.
A summary of climatic data of selected stations in the region is presented in Table 2.1. The long
term annual mean temperature decreases from West to East, corresponding with an increase in
altitude altitude (Olivry, (Olivry, 1986).
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