TITLE:
Floristic Diversity and Stand Structure of the Ngambe-Ndom-Nyanon Communal Forest, Littoral Region of Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Ervis Dongmo Manfothang, Precilia Tumenta, Steve Nanfack Tassiamba, Vianny Rodel Nguimdo, Kelvin Yenkong Defouh
KEYWORDS:
Floristic Diversity, Stand Structure, Floristic Index, Dendrometric
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.12 No.4,
October
31,
2022
ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to contribute to the
sustainable management of the Ngambe-Ndom-Nyanon communal forest in Cameroon.
Thus, an evaluation of the floristic diversity and stand structure of the
forest was carried out. By using systematic
sampling, a diverse inventory of the plant species was carried out, taking
into account the dendrometric measurements of all the species present in the
forest (trees, shrubs, herbs). Data were analyzed with Microsoft Excel software to bring out
curves and histograms. This software also made it possible to produce tables
and also to come up with different diversity indexes. A total of 19,007 individuals from 395 plant species grouped into
99 families were identified in the area. The family Euphorbiaceae was the most
represented. Species dominated in this stand were Uapaca guineensis and Pycnanthus
angolensis with 9% and 6% of individuals identified. The result of the
Shannon index showed that all the strata in the forest are diversified with the
highest values in the adult secondary forest (FSA) with indices of 4.74, followed by young secondary forest (FSJ) and the secondary forest (FS) with
indice respectively 4.68 and 4.61. The values of the Sorensen index show that
100% of species are common in the young secondary forest (FSJ) and the adult
secondary forest (FSA). In the same forest, the FSA and Swamp with FSJ and
Swamp have just 15% of species in common respectively. This diversified forest
stand projects an inverted J structure, thus testifying to its strong potential
for stems of the future. According to the research objectives, some measures
were proposed for sustainable management of this forest, such as the reforestation of areas degraded by
agricultural activities and the promotion of agroforestry practices by using
trees with the high fertilizing potential to improve agricultural yields while
preserving the trees in place.