Reference Land Cover Change in Mbam Djerem 2000-2015 (vector) - version 1, January 2018

This metadata refers to the Land Cover Change vector data generated over Mbam Djerem (Africa) for 2000-2015 in the framework of the Copernicus Global Land Hot Spot Mapping (C-GL-HSM) contract under the coordination of JRC. This area of interest is either mapped with the generic 8 classes dichotomus legend (CAF_16_lcc_a). The mapped area of interest (AOI) represents a Key Landscape for Conservation area (KLC). The KLC has a total size of 1million ha (10,000 km²) and is situated in central Cameroon. The Mbam Djerem National Park within the KLC has been established in the year 2000. The National Park has an official area of 429,090 ha (4290.9 km²) and lies within the north-western Congolian lowland forests and northern Congolian forest-savanna mosaic eco-region. The meteo climatic conditions are typical of the tropical area with primary two seasons, a long rainy season from March until October and a short dry season from November until February. The elevation ranges from 660 m to 984 m inside the National Park. The park’s habitat diversity makes it the most biologically diverse protected area in Cameroon. However, pressure on the park is expected to increase dramatically, by an estimated 50% in the next 10 years due to the finalization of the Lom Pangar dam in 2017, a new bauxite mining operation, and expansion of both artisanal and commercial gold mining in the area (cameroon.wcs.org). Reference time:2000 - 2015