110
3.4.4 Anarchic Urbanization
The majority of coastal communities are dependent on the surrounding mangroves
for both subsistence and commercial uses (Din et al. 2008; Nfotabong-Atheull et al.
2009, 2011). Here, mangroves are under severe pressure from housing development, agriculture, sand quarrying, road construction, lumber harvesting, and seaport maintenance and expansion. Actually, Douala mangroves undergo the second
bridge construction during which important mangrove areas are being destroyed.
However, this urbanization transformed hectares of forest characterised by mature
stands of mangrove trees such as Rhizophora spp. and Avicennia germinans into
highly degraded areas with a dramatic change in botanical assemblages (NfotabongAtheull et al. 2011).
Fig. 3.11 Constructions in the mangrove areas (a) definitive material; (b) precarious material; (c)
implanted boundary stone; (d) boundary line surrounded young Nypa fruticans
N. Din et al.
3.4.4 Anarchic Urbanization
The majority of coastal communities are dependent on the surrounding mangroves
for both subsistence and commercial uses (Din et al. 2008; Nfotabong-Atheull et al.
2009, 2011). Here, mangroves are under severe pressure from housing development, agriculture, sand quarrying, road construction, lumber harvesting, and seaport maintenance and expansion. Actually, Douala mangroves undergo the second
bridge construction during which important mangrove areas are being destroyed.
However, this urbanization transformed hectares of forest characterised by mature
stands of mangrove trees such as Rhizophora spp. and Avicennia germinans into
highly degraded areas with a dramatic change in botanical assemblages (NfotabongAtheull et al. 2011).
Fig. 3.11 Constructions in the mangrove areas (a) definitive material; (b) precarious material; (c)
implanted boundary stone; (d) boundary line surrounded young Nypa fruticans
N. Din et al.