Mangrove habitats are critical ecosystems that provide various ecological, social, and economic benefits. In the Wouri Estuary of Douala, Cameroon, these mangroves are essential but fragile ecosystems, facing significant threats from human activities and governance failures. Mangroves in this region serve as natural buffers against coastal erosion and nurseries for marine life and provide crucial woody resources to local communities. However, unsustainable harvesting and poor governance frameworks threaten the ecological integrity of the mangroves. This paper explores the interactions within these mangrove habitats, focusing on the governance challenges surrounding using woody resources. It examines the environmental impacts of resource extraction, socio-economic pressures, and governance issues while proposing solutions for sustainable management.
There are no data available for sharing in this work.
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
The author confirms sole responsibility for all stages of the study, including design, data collection, analysis, and manuscript writing.
No grants from public, commercial, or non-profit funding agencies supported the research, authorship, or publication of this article.
This study does not pertain to any software or tools usage.
My gratitude goes to those who assisted in this study and manuscript preparation, and to the anonymous reviewers for their constructive insights.
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