抄録
The peri-urban forests in Africa are vital for the climate resilience of cities, but face significant threats from charcoal production, which degrades ecosystems and increases greenhouse gas emissions. This study focused on the Ntouessong locality in the northern part of Yaoundé, aiming to identify the main tree species used for charcoal, analyse production methods, and assess annual production quantities. We conducted focus group discussions and semi-structured surveys across four villages in the area. This study identified the key charcoal species including Margaritaria discoidea, Cylicodiscus gabunense, and Sclerocarya birrea. Due to the high level of forest degradation, charcoal producers no longer distinguish between species and tree categories. The predominant method of production was the smokestack. The results indicated that approximately 496.23 tonnes of charcoal were produced annually, generating 58,380 and 70,056 USD (29,190,000 and 35,028,000 CFA Francs, respectively). To address the impact of charcoal production in Ntouessong, sustainable management strategies are essential, including eco-friendly training for producers, legal organisations, and networking, to preserve biodiversity and support community resilience.
