Skip to content
Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Leveraging Local Ecological Knowledge for Bat Conservation: Insights from a Community-based Study in the Ebo Forest Reserve, Littoral Region of Cameroon

Guilen-Noel Nghokapin Tataw, Melle Ekane Maurice, Kamah Pascal Bumtu, Athanasius Fuashi Nkwatoh, Kirensky Jerry Mbi, Otang-Tabe Nadia Agbornku, Nkirfas Deline Gufara

Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International · pp. 7–22 · Published 29 Aug 2024

10.9734/jaeri/2024/v25i5624

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to examine local perceptions of bats among communities surrounding the Ebo Forest Reserve in Cameroon, highlighting the significance of local ecological knowledge (LEK) for enhancing bat conservation efforts. Study Design: A mixed-methods approach was employed to gather quantitative and qualitative data from community members. Place and Duration of Study: The research was conducted in communities adjacent to the Ebo Forest Reserve, Cameroon, between January and July 2024. Methodology: The majority of the respondents (59%) were from the Iboti community, while 41% were from the Lognanga community to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and engagement in bat conservation. The survey included questions about ecological significance, perceived threats, and cultural associations related to bats. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages and standard deviations) and inferential statistics, such as Chi-Square Tests of Independence, analysis of variance were conducted to evaluate the relationships between demographic factors and attitudes toward bats. Results: The survey revealed that 100% of respondents recognized bats' ecological importance, primarily as frugivores. While attitudes were generally neutral to positive, misconceptions about disease and cultural associations were prevalent. Statistical analyses indicated significant relationships between age and attitudes toward bats, with older individuals exhibiting more positive perceptions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings underscore the critical need to integrate LEK into conservation strategies to foster community engagement and support for bat conservation initiatives. Addressing misconceptions and enhancing awareness can significantly improve conservation outcomes in the region.

Bats conservation local ecological knowledge human-wildlife interactions

References (36)

  1. 1 Using thematic analysis in psychology [DOI]
  2. 2 Using multivariate statistics
  3. 3 Comparison of Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling [DOI]
  4. 4 Multivariate Data Analysis [DOI]
  5. 5 Qualitative Research: Introducing focus groups [DOI]
  6. 6 Interviews – Learning the Craft of Qualitative Research Interviewing [DOI]
  7. 7 Ecosystem services provided by bats [DOI]
  8. 8 Carpe noctem: the importance of bats as bioindicators [DOI]
  9. 9 Land Sparing Versus Land Sharing: Moving Forward [DOI]
  10. 10 Human-induced evolution caused by unnatural selection through harvest of wild animals [DOI]
  11. 11 A review of the global conservation status of bats [DOI]
  12. 12 Sensitivity of bats to urbanization: a review [DOI]
  13. 13 Conducting Research in Conservation [DOI]
  14. 14 Flying Foxes (Chiroptera: Pteropodidae): Threatened Animals of Key Ecological and Economic Importance [DOI]
  15. 15 Climate-smart agriculture: perspectives and framings [DOI]
  16. 16 Principles for ethical research involving humans: ethical professional practice in impact assessment Part I [DOI]
  17. 17 Global priorities for national carnivore conservation under land use change [DOI]
  18. 18 Gender and Sustainability [DOI]
  19. 19 Mitigating the impacts of agriculture on biodiversity: bats and their potential role as bioindicators [DOI]
  20. 20 Bat community structure in an urban park [DOI]
  21. 21 Influence of Demographics, Experience and Value Orientations on Preferences for Lethal Management of Feral Cats [DOI]
  22. 22 Outmigrating men: A window of opportunity for women's participation in community forestry? [DOI]
  23. 23 Impact of Wind Energy on Bats: A Summary of our Current Knowledge [DOI]
  24. 24 Body temperature and body mass of hibernating little brown bats Myotis lucifugus in hibernacula affected by white-nose syndrome [DOI]
  25. 25 Diversity and altitudinal distribution of bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) on Mount Cameroon [DOI]
  26. 26 A Recent Inventory of the Bats of Mozambique with Documentation of Seven New Species for the Country [DOI]
  27. 27 PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE FRUIT BATS IN TWO HORTICULTURALLY IMPORTANT DISTRICTS OF PAKISTAN
  28. 28 Role of topography, soil and climate on forest species composition and diversity in the West Usambara Montane Forests of Tanzania [DOI]
  29. 29 Priority setting for conservation in south-west Cameroon based on large mammal surveys [DOI]
  30. 30 Distribution of Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus Tetraspis Cope, 1861) Populations on the Outskirts of the Ebo Forest: Implications for Conservation [DOI]
  31. 31 The Malaysian bat conservation research unit: From a national model to an international network
  32. 32 Comparative study of general public owl knowledge in Costa Rica, Central America and Malawi, Africa
  33. 33 Comparing grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) communities on tallgrass prairie reconstructions and remnants in Missouri [DOI]
  34. 34 Prioritizing Conservation Sites for Biodiversity Protection in Uganda [DOI]
  35. 35 Categorical Data Analysis [DOI]
  36. 36 Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd International symposium [DOI]

Cited by 4

National parks in Cameroon and the in-situ conservation of threatened flora and fauna species: governance and policy paradigms

Nyong Princely Awazi · Discover Conservation · 2025

Showing 1 of 4 known citations — external sources report more than can currently be individually listed.

Related research

Article metrics

Real usage data collected on this platform.

32

Page views

0

PDF downloads

10

Outbound clicks

4

Citations

Views over time

Views by country

Approximate, from request IP at view time — not citizenship or institution. Countries with fewer than 5 views are grouped as "Other".

Traffic sources

Referring site, by host.

Views and downloads exclude known bots/crawlers. Citations combines this platform's own DOI-resolved index with each external source's own reported total — see Cited by above for individually listed citing works. Last refreshed 0 seconds ago.