Diversity for Restoration (D4R): guiding the selection of tree species and seed sources for climate-resilient restoration of tropical forest landscapes

1. At the start of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), the restoration of degraded ecosystems is more than ever a global priority. Tree planting will make up a large share of the ambitious restoration commitments made by countries around the world, but careful planning is needed to select species and seed sources that are suitably adapted to present and future restoration site conditions and that meet the restoration objectives. 2. Here we present a scalable and freely available online tool, Diversity for Restoration (D4R), to identify suitable tree species and seed sources for climate-resilient tropical forest landscape restoration. 3. The D4R tool integrates (a) species habitat suitability maps under current and future climatic conditions; (b) analysis of functional trait data, local ecological knowledge and other species characteristics to score how well species match the restoration site conditions and restoration objectives; (c) optimization of species combinations and abundances considering functional trait diversity or phylogenetic diversity, to foster complementarity between species and to ensure ecosystem multifunctionality and stability; and (d) development of seed zone maps to guide sourcing of planting material adapted to present and predicted future environmental conditions. We outline the various elements behind the tool and discuss how it fits within the broader restoration planning process, including a review of other existing tools. 4. Synthesis and applications. The Diversity for Restoration tool enables non-expert users to combine species traits, environmental data and climate change models to select tree species and seed sources that best match restoration site conditions and restoration objectives. Originally developed for the tropical dry forests of Colombia, the tool has now been expanded to the tropical dry forests of northwestern Peru–southern Ecuador and the countries of Burkina Faso and Cameroon, and further expansion is underway. Acknowledging that restoration has a wide range of meanings and goals, our tool is intended to support decision making of anyone interested in tree planting and seed sourcing in tropical forest landscapes, regardless of the purpose or restoration approachISSN:0021-8901ISSN:1365-266

Assessing plant diversity change in logged and unlogged dense semi-deciduous production forest of eastern Cameroon

This study was carried out in the dense semi-deciduous production forest of East Cameroon. The objective of this work of this study was to provide comparative floristic knowledge that can serve as a basis for the planning and sustainable management of ligneous plant resources in Communal Forests before and after logging. Sampling was done in unlogged and logged forest. Data collection was carried out using the linear transects subdivided into 10 plots of 25 m × 20 m (500 m2) with an equidistance of 225 m for the inventory of all trees with dbh ≥10 cm installed measured at 1.3 m above ground level. Nested quadrats 5 m × 5 m, oriented south-west and north-east were set up in each plot for the counting and identification of all individuals with a diameter less than 10 cm. The analysis of inventory data showed that the floristic composition was higher in the unlogged forest. The individuals were more evenly distributed in the logged (Pielou's equitability index = 0.83) than in the unlogged forest. The study of the functional spectra showed that the flora of the two forest types was dominated by Guinean-Congolese species (67.57% in the unlogged forest and 63.07% in the logged forest) and Phanerophytes, particularly Mesophanerophytes. The dominance of sarcochorous species reveals that the main mode of dissemination in this forest is zoochory, particularly endozoochory. The presence of pleochroic species in the logged forest reveals the importance of dissemination by water in the environment. The plants surveyed were divided into five plant assemblages (three for logged forest and two for unlogged forest) based on ecological parameters. The findings of this study suggest that forest management which combines assisted natural regeneration with the natural process of secondary succession facilitates the reconstitution of the vegetation cover and, by extension, the conservation of biodiversity in post-logging forest concessions

Perception and adaptation strategies of forest dwellers to climate variability in the tropical rainforest in eastern Cameroon: The case of the inhabitants of the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest

The design of appropriate adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change requires a contextual study of local perceptions due to the non-homogeneity of climate in a given agro-ecological area. The research objective of the current study aims to examine the evolution of climate parameters from 1983 to 2019 linked to the perceptions of local populations and appropriate adaptation measures in the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest of Cameroon. The methodological approach includes collecting and analyze climate data from 1983 to 2019; and surveying existing local perceptions and adaptive strategies among 540 households using semi-structured questionnaires. A significant increase in temperature of about 1 °C over 36 years (1983–2019) and a non-significant decrease in precipitation (95.36 mm) over the same period were observed. Local perceptions related to climate change vary according to the sector of activity and are mainly associated with more heat in the dry season (90%), late onset of rains (84%), drought recurrence (82%), less rainfall during the year (80%), and increase in the duration of drought (80%). For 82–100% of households, according to the activity sector, no appropriate adaptation measures to climate change were applied depending on activities. The adaptation measures used by less than 0–20% of respondents, include mainly the abandonment or change of activity, and modification of the agricultural calendar. With the lack of appropriate and adequate adaptation measures by the riparian populations, this study appears necessary to inform policy-makers of the need to develop and implement more appropriate strategies to enable the riparian people living in forest area of Cameroon to better adapt to these effects of climate changes