Cameroon Crater Lakes - A Global Ecoregion
Millions of years ago, several volcanoes erupted in Cameroon
Snapshot: Ecoregion 186
Size:
These highland lakes dot a landscape covering an area of about 11,000 sq. km (4,200 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Small Lakes
Geographic Location:
Western Africa: the highlands of Cameroon
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Is it true that poisonous gases are regularly released from these crater lakes?
Answer:
Gases often build up in deep crater lakes because the water doesn't circulate very well. When the weather changes or there's an earthquake, the gas can be released into the air and poison people. Native people in Cameroon used to ask Mammy Water, who they believed to be a powerful spirit, to prevent the release of dangerous gases from Lake Barombi Mbo.
About the Area
The Cameroon crater lakes formed in the hollow depressions of the craters left by former volcanoes that stretch inland from the sea. They include include Barombi Mbo, Bermin, Dissoni/Soden, Benakouma, Kotto, and Mboandong. Most of these lakes are very small, with an area of less than two miles.
The ancient nature and isolation has led to an extremely high level of endemism in these lakes where over 75 per cent of the fish species and approximately one-third of the aquatic insects are endemic.Local Species
Many of the isolated crater lakes, including Bermin, Barombi Mbo, and Ejagham, are home to groups of cichlid fish species that descended from a common ancestor and dominate the fish fauna.
These include four endemic genera - Konia, Myaka, Pungu, and Stomatepia. Lake Dissoni contains its own unique species of shrimp. The fish-eating colubrid snake, Afronatrix anoscopus, lives in Lake Bermin. The aquatic fauna of Lake Benakouma remains largely unexplored.
Threats
Threats vary from lake to lake. For instance, Lake Barombi Mbo suffers from overfishing, deforestation, exotic species, and excessive water extraction. Others, like Lake Bermin, remain relatively undisturbed.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
