SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ABUNDANCE OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS AMONG THE DIFFERENT-AGED COCOA AGROFORESTS IN SOUTHEASTERN CAMEROON

The study has been conducted to clarify the species composition and abundance of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) of the cocoa agroforests in the Gribe village, southeastern Cameroon. A total of 40 cocoa-farmed plots were sampled and divided into four age-classes. The number of sampled plots by age class are : (a) 10 plots with 0–10-year-old plot, (b) 10, 10–20-year-old, (c) 10, 20–30-year-old and (d) 10, over 30-year-old. A vegetation survey on these plots recorded a total of 3, 879 individual trees. They were classified into 166 species, 131 genera and 45 families. The most diversified families were Rubiaceae (including 13 species), Annonaceae (12) Sterculiaceae (10), Euphorbiaceae (9), Caesalpiniaceae and Moraceae (8 for each). The top ten leading dominant species were Musanga cecropioides, Terminalia superba, Ficus mucuso, Celtis mildbraedii, Pterocarpus soyauxii, Triplochiton scleroxylon, Margaritaria discoidea, Markhamia lutea, Trilepisium madagascariense, and Ficus exasperata. The mean values of the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') increased with the age of cocoa plot : 4.8 for the age class of 0–10-year-old, 4.7 for 10–20-year-old, 5.1 for 20–30-year-old and 5.6 for over 30-year-old. An ethnobotanical survey revealed that majority of the recorded species were used either as food (54%), medicine (33%) or for other purposes. We conclude that the cocoa agroforests, maintained by the Gribe people, include a high diversity of NTFP species

VEGETATION STRUCTURE AND SPECIES COMPOSITION AT THE NORTHERN PERIPHERY OF THE BOUMBA-BEK NATIONAL PARK, SOUTHEASTERN CAMEROON

Forest conservation outside protected areas is taking center stage in global conservation discourse. This study was conducted to clarify the species composition, vegetation structure and plant diversity at the northern periphery of the Boumba-Bek National Park, whose timber and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) have been used by the local peoples and logging companies. A total of 16 transects measuring 5 km in length and 5 m in width were delineated. The survey recorded DBH of all tree individuals above 10 cm. The result shows a total number of 17, 583 trees with a density of 439.6 stems/ha (total area = 40 ha). These trees belong to 51 families, 169 genera and 247 species. Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') ranged from 5.94 to 6.51 and higher diversity was recorded in the Agroforest Zone. The family importance index (FIV) marked highest score for Euphorbiaceae and Combretaceae. The importance index for species (IVI) was higher for Terminalia superba, Musanga cecropioides, Anonidium mannii and Celtis mildbraedii. The height-class distribution of the species shows that the majority of trees belong to the height-class of 5–20 m, which accounts for the average of 87.4% of total stems. The diameter-class distribution of the trees shows an inverse J-shape curve. The study concludes that this forest, despite having undergone disturbance in past years driven by logging and agriculture, is relatively rich and diversified

Factors determining floristic composition and functional diversity of plant communities of Mount Oku forests, Cameroon

Mount Oku, in north-western Cameroon, holds many endemic and restricted-range species. This study identifies factors influencing the species and functional diversity of plant communities in Mount Oku forests. We specifically look at whether the altitudinal gradient, which classically structures the mountain vegetation, has shifted in response to the influence of human activities. To explore variations in the vegetation composition of the study area, we realized 102 floristic plots along an altitudinal gradient and environmental conditions records (abiotic and biotic variables, human proximity indexes, and land uses at certain periods). Plant species identified were also characterized by a series of life traits (biological type, type of diaspore, leaf size, phytogeography, dispersal pattern, and altitudinal distribution). Multivariate analyses (nonmetric multidimensional scaling and coinertia) have identified the main types of forest vegetation and link functional diversity to environmental factors. The results show that humans have altered the functional composition of vegetation by rearing domestic animals in the understorey forest near the summit. The results also show that it is sometimes difficult to separate the effect of the altitude from the effect of human presence on the plant composition. Greater efforts of biodiversity conservation in high species-rich areas in Mount Oku should be made

DENSITY AND NATURAL REGENERATION POTENTIAL OF SELECTED NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS SPECIES IN THE SEMI-DECIDUOUS RAINFOREST OF SOUTHEASTERN CAMEROON

This study was conducted to determine the population structure and the status of natural regeneration for eight edible and/or commercial wild fruit tree species (Afrostyrax lepidophyllus, Baillonella toxisperma, Irvingia gabonensis, Panda oleosa, Pentaclethra macrophylla, Ricinodendron heudelotii, Scorodophloeus zenkeri and Tetrapleura tetraptera) in semi-deciduous rainforest of southeastern Cameroon. We established 16 transects with 5 km in length and 20 m in width each. Along each transect, all individuals, from seedlings to mature trees, of the eight species were recorded and their diameter at breast height (DBH) was measured. The results show high density values for Afrostyrax lepidophyllus (32.0 ± SD 26.1 stems/ ha), Ricinodendron heudelotii (10.3 ± 18.5 stems/ha), Pentaclethra macrophylla (11.3 ± 8.2 stems/ ha) and Scorodophloeus zenkeri (7.4 ± 12.8 stems/ha). The lowest density was reported for Baillonella toxisperma (0.1 ± 0.1 stems/ha). The investigated species have numerous seedlings, saplings and young trees, except Baillonella toxisperma, Irvingia gabonensis, Panda oleosa and Tetrapleura tetraptera (0.04, 1.05, 0.51 and 0.37 individuals of DBH < 5 cm per ha, respectively). They have relatively low natural regeneration index and are considered of priority for conservation in this forest. The study demonstrates the need to intensify the domestication or assisted natural regeneration of these wild fruit trees in degraded areas and to develop innovative approaches to multiple-use forestry, which could include NTFPs, timber and environmental services

Herbal Cosmetics Knowledge of Arab-Choa and Kotoko Ethnic Groups in the Semi-Arid Areas of Far North Cameroon: Ethnobotanical Assessment and Phytochemical Review

The plant-based traditional knowledge of many Cameroonian populations concerning beauty and skin care is still poorly documented, yet they are real resources of innovation and economic development. The aim of this study is to document the indigenous knowledge of Choa Arab and Kotoko ethnic group in Kouss&eacute;ri (Far North Region of Cameroon) about plants used for cosmetics. Ethnobotanical data collected among key informants revealed a total of 13 plants species belonging to 12 families used by local people. Canarium schweinfurthii Engl and Santalum album L. obtained the highest frequency of citation. Trees are the most abundant life forms, while barks and seeds are the most frequently used parts. More than 40% of recorded plants are used for skin care. The cosmetic allegations of recorded plants include: dermatology, anti-cancers, antioxidant agent, perfume, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wounds healing activity, skin lightening, dental caries, astringent and hair care. They all contain various phytochemicals that are of interest in cosmetics. Despite the strong relationship between the Choa Arab and Kotoko people and herbal cosmetic ingredients, these plants are still less investigated for their cosmetic application. The authors urge for the development of sustainable supply chain for plants with potentials as cosmetics, involving local communities in the planning, implementation and monitoring process, following principles of Nagoya protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing