local population is engaged in agriculture. Cultivated food crops include cocoyams, plantains, yams, and cassava while cash crops are oil palm, rubber tree, and cocoa. The establishment of huge agro-industrial companies like Pamol Plantation Plc close to the southern border and SG Sustainable Oils Cameroon nearer the north border is a cause for concern. Aside from agriculture, other livelihood activities in the RHFR include the harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), animal rearing and petit trading mostly as off-season jobs when pressure on crop cultivation is reduced. Others are employed as laborers in Pamol Plantations Plc, smallholder plantations and in small private businesses. Meanwhile, in high altitude forest areas of Dikome Balue and Toko local councils, hunting and NTFPs gathering are important activities for the local communities. Gathered NTFPs include bush mango (Irvingia gabonsensis), bitter cola (Garcinia cola), njansang (Ricinodendron heudelotii), country onion (Afrostyrax lepidophyllus), bush pepper (Piper guineense), land snails (Archachatina marginata) and varieties of edible mushroom species. Geography The soils are composed of Precambrian clays and sandstones which may have emanated from various volcanic eruptions. Located within the equatorial climatic zone, the area exhibits two seasons; the dry season from November to April and the rainy season from May to October with annual rainfall that ranges between 4027–6368 mm. Mean monthly maximum temperatures in the dry season are estimated at 31.8°C and 18.2°C during the rainy season. The relative humidity is high during most of the year with minimum monthly values ranging between 78% and 90%. Flora and fauna Given that the RHFR varies in terms of heights above sea level with its highest point Rata Mountain tipping at 1800 m, there is some diversity in terms of vegetation. For example, along with an elevation gradient between 900–1800 m consists of an extension of sub-montane forests. In general, the forests are mixed but dominated by Caesalpinioid legumes. Trees may reach heights of 35 m with a canopy and foliage cover ranging from 60% to 90%. The canopy is usually full of climbers and the cloud forests appearance is as a result of the ever-present epiphytes. This diverse landscape of the RHFR supports habitats for a wide range of animals some of which are endemic. Over 198 bird species have been identified, including the endangered white-throated mountain-babbler (Kupeornis gilberti), whitenecked pigeon (Columba albinucha) and green-breasted bush-shrike (Malaconotus gladiator). Additionally, many tropical montane mammal, reptile and amphibian species such as