|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
| Biosphere Reserve Information | ||||
|
WAZA |
|
|||
|
||||
| General Description |
This biosphere reserve is located in the Chad depression in the extreme north of Cameroon. The area of low relief does not have any permanent rivers. The rocky outcrops around Waza village rise to over 500 meters. Lake Chad once covered part of the area. The vegetation comprises open combretaceous shrub savanna, Anogeissus leiocarpus woodland on sandy soil, Lannea humilis open grass savanna and Acacia seyal tree savanna on black clay soils which are saturated with water in the rainy season. The latter vegetation type is slowly spreading as the area gradually dries out. The Yaéré floodplains with perennial grasses are vital to the carrying capacity of the Waza region. The fauna is rich and varied with large numbers of giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), elephant (Loxodonta africana), aardvark (Orycteropus afer) and warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus). Towards the end of the dry season, many animals move to the Yaéré plains. Droughts are one of the most serious problems for Waza. The periodic inundation of the Yaéré has been prevented by the construction of the Maga Dam 25 km south of the park and by the digging of irrigation dikes along the Logone River. The area is also designated as a national park. There are some villages in the park. |
|||
| Major ecosystem type | Tropical dry or deciduous forests or woodlands | |||
| Major habitats & land cover types | ||||
| Location | 11°30'N; 14°75'E | |||
| Area (hectares) | ||||
| Total | 170,000 | |||
| Core area(s) | ||||
| Buffer zone(s) | ||||
| Transition area(s) when given | ||||
| Altitude (metres above sea level) | +300 average | |||
| Year designated | 1979 | |||
| Administrative authorities | Parc National de Waza | |||
| Last updated: 10/9/2007 |
|
