TITLE:
Plant Diversity and Carbon Stock Assessment in an Informal Settlement of the City of Yaounde, Cameroon: The Case of Elig-Effa West
AUTHORS:
Aude J. Tchomcheni, Sonia N. Kenfack Voukeng, Pricelia F. Tumenta, Jean P. Ghogue
KEYWORDS:
Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Stocks, Floristic Inventory, Indirect Methods, Elig-Ffa West
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.11 No.1,
January
31,
2023
ABSTRACT: Due to rapid demographic growth, economic and technological changes,
urban environments are highly exposed to the impacts of climate change and environmental
catastrophes. Despite the pressure to which urban forests are exposed, they
still play important roles through the service they provide: air quality,
shade, and reduction of dioxide of carbon. The present study was carried out in the
city of Yaoundé, Cameroon, especially in one of its suburb areas, Elig-Effa West, a
neighborhood with spontaneous settlements. The study aimed at assessing the
plant species diversity, and carbon sequestration potentials of diverse trees
recorded using indirect methods. Six sampling plots of 100 × 100 m were
established in the study area. Our results recorded a total of 16 species
grouped into 12 families. Apocynaceae, Mimosaceae and Moraceae were the most
represented families. The most represented species throughout the sampling
plots were Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Annona muricata and Psidium gaujava, which are all fruiting trees. Carbon stock for the study area was
estimated at 16.08 ± 5.60 tC with an average of 0.23 ± 0.08 tC/ha. The results
also showed the species to be considered in a potential restoration program
should be first fruiting trees, followed by non-fruiting trees useful to
population, especially those that have their trunk peeled, a sign
that they are used by the population. Nevertheless, informal settlements contribute to carbon
sequestration, that well targeted urban reforestation will substantially
improve.