Physico-Chemical Characterization of water and soil in areas of high pastoral activity: the Case of Belel, Adamawa Cameroon

Abstract

The Adamawa region of Cameroon is an area by excellence for agro pastoral activities. One of the most practiced activities in this region is cattle breeding, with a large herd estimated at 1.7 million heads. This herd has grown exponentially over time but without expanding the pastoral area. The present study was conducted in the Belel Sub Division and covered an estimated 119,912 head of cattle, spread over a pastoral area of 16,900 hectares, i.e. a ratio of 9 heads/ha. Compared to standard, which provides for 0.5 to 1 head/ha, there is a problem of overgrazing. This has disastrous consequences for the environment. To remedy this problem, this study aimed at "Determining the influence of pastoral activity on the soil and water of the Belel area. Two sampling campaigns were carried out. The first on the August 2018 and March 2019. With the collection 13 samples of soils and 12 samples of water. After characterization of these samples, it was found that surface Physico-Chemical … Talba Dalatou et al.