article · Journal of Innovations and Sustainability
Land cover shifts in the Mbengwi Municipality of Cameroon are significantly altering local water resources. Although water quality parameters remain generally acceptable, with 30.7 percent classified as good and 36.0 percent as typical, the area faces severe environmental pressures. Over half of surveyed residents report damage to watersheds, and 89.3 percent experience insufficient water yields at high or medium levels. Urbanisation and expanding agriculture are driving the degradation of local forests and wetlands, creating negative consequences for the hydrological system. In terms of land use management, maintaining permanent plant cover is identified as the most effective protective technique, followed by planting cover crops. To alleviate reliance on land conversion and safeguard water supplies, economic alternatives such as ecotourism, sustainable harvesting of forest products, and value-added agriculture are recommended.
When communities expand farms and settlements into natural forests and wetlands, clean water supplies can drop dramatically even if remaining water seems clear. Understanding how land conversion directly causes local water shortages helps regional leaders design better conservation strategies. It also highlights the urgent need for income sources that do not rely on clearing ecologically vital land.
The findings point towards applied environmental planning and rural enterprise opportunities, particularly for local authorities and development organisations. The abstract outlines potential alternative revenue streams such as ecotourism, value-added agriculture, and sustainable harvesting of forest products. However, these suggestions remain at the stage of early economic recommendations rather than tested commercial products, meaning implementation pathways require further practical development and business model design.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Purpose. Changes in land cover affect the distribution, quantity, and quality of water, which in turn affects the hydrological cycle. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of land cover change on water supply at the local level (using the case of Momo Division of the Mbengwi Municipality, Cameroon). Results. The findings indicate that the land cover composition is mixed, with cropland, human settlements and grassland occupying a significant part of the land cover. Most places have generally acceptable water quality parameters, according to findings on the association between land cover and water quality. Among them, 30.7% have good water quality, and 36.0% have typical water quality conditions. The region has reached a critical environmental threshold, with 52.0% of respondents facing damage to watersheds and 89.3% of respondents suffering from insufficient water yield at high and medium levels. Research on techniques of land use change management reveals that sustaining plant cover maintains maximum effectiveness (84.0%), high effectiveness of cover crops (76.0%), and moderate success in raising resource consumption and production efficiency (54.7%). Scientific novelty. This is the first study on the local effects of changing land cover on water resources in Mbengwi Municipality, Cameroon. The impact of land cover change on Mbengwi’s water resources is assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively. The study provides unmistakable proof of the primarily negative consequences of the present land cover changes, with urbanisation and agricultural growth contributing the degradation of wetlands and forests, which in turn causes major problems with water resources. Practical value. Livelihood diversification programs must take into account the main economic factors contributing to environmental degradation and water resource depletion. To reduce reliance on land conversion for economic survival, alternative revenue-generating ventures such as ecotourism, value-added agriculture, and sustainable forest product harvesting should be encouraged.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.51599/is.2025.09.03.07
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
