Diversité Floristique Et Variation Altitudinale De La Structure Des Formations A Gnidia Glauca (Fresen) Gilg. Dans Les Forêts Communautaires De KilumIjim (Nord-Ouest Cameroun)

In order to find strategies for sustainable management of resources, a study was carried out on the analysis and management of stands of Gnidia glauca in the Kilum-Ijim region (North-West Cameroon). All individuals were identified and counted in 33 plots of 40mx40m established between 1963 and 2785 m altitude in these Gnidia glauca formations. The height and diameter of each individual were measured. A quadrat of 1m² was established around the mature trees to evaluate the regeneration. ANOVA was used to compare the average density of the species in various plots and the DUNCAN test at the 5% significance level (SPSS software version 17.0) was used to separate these means. It emerges from this study that the Thymelaeaceae (G. glauca) family is mainly represented. The Asteraceae, Rubiaceae, Poaceae and Fabaceae are the most diverse families in these formations. The distribution of individuals of G. glauca in diameter classes shows a decreasing pattern. The low density of G. glauca is observed at low altitudes (166.66 stems / hectare), and the high density is between 2350 and 2450 m (778.18 stems / ha). The average standing densities of G. glauca varies between 64.58 and 459.37 stems per hectare; these values indicate a good regeneration of this species in the site. G. glauca can therefore be rationally exploited in a sustainable way for the well-being of the surrounding human populations

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

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