Abstract

Author:
Nforbelie Louis Ngwa, Baba Adamu, Violet Yigha Fokum

Doi: 10.26480/efcc.01.2026.08.16

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Rivers throughout human existence have provided essential provisioning services such as water, food, and livelihoods ecosystem services for human survival and wellbeing of local communities. However, these services particularly in many communities of developing countries continue to face numerous environmental challenges due to current global development. By offering diverse benefits, a socioecological systems’ output of rivers has the potential to provide a variety of goods and services that people use daily thus improving their living standards, wellbeing and health. Unfortunately, rapid degradation, deforestation, poor waste management, limited awareness and policy implementation have continued to limit the availability of human resource benefits, over harvesting and increase pollution. Using the context of Debombe River located along a rapidly developing industrial zone of Cameroon, this study aimed to (1) identify the patterns and use/benefits of ecosystem services, (2) assess the environmental challenges faced by communities, and (3) evaluate the socio-economic implications of these challenges. This study used a mixed-method approach, including surveys through questionnaire administration to 300 community members using a stratified and representative sampling method, interviews with results showed that over 78% of respondents who relied on river Dibombe for various livelihood opportunities faced although over 78% of the respondents rely heavily on the river for livelihoods, they face significant environmental challenges, including pollution, deforestation, and climate change, with socio-economic implications such as reduced income, food insecurity, and health risks due to land use changes and lack of policy implementations. The study highlighted the need for collaborative management approaches that balance human well-being with ecosystem conservation through the implementation of sustainable practices, strengthening conservation efforts, promoting community-based management and supporting climate change adaptation initiatives to ensure efficient and effective service provision for the wellbeing of the population.