TITLE:
Floristic Diversity in Forest Management Units: Implications for Biodiversity Conservation in FMU 09-025
AUTHORS:
Agbor James Ayamba, Amos Fang Zeh, Kamah Pascal Bumtu, Ndjounguep Juscar, Mfonden Poumie Mounir, Nkenfack Achey Djike
KEYWORDS:
Composition, Floral Diversity, FMU, Conservation Concern
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.14 No.3,
July
30,
2024
ABSTRACT: The assessment of floristic composition and diversity is very important in forest management units. This study sets out to determine the species diversity and implications for biodiversity conservation in FMU 09-025 of the Campo Ma’an National park, South Region of Cameroon. Due to human activities in the area, the study site was divided into two Blocks (A and B). The transect method was employed in data collection. A total 14 long transects were established parallel to each other in blocks at a distance of 3 km apart, 8 transects in Block A and 6 Transects in Block. In each transect, plots of 20 × 500 m were established at intervals of 500 m. Within each plot, all individual trees ≥ 10 cm were identified, measured, and recorded. The DBH of all trees were measured at 1.3 using the DBH meter tape. The height of trees was measured through estimation (average estimates of all field researchers). Results revealed a total of eight thousand one hundred and twenty four (8124) individual plants with DBH ≥ 10 cm in the entire study area. From this number, 5113 tree stems ≥ 10 cm were identified and measured in Block A. This belongs to 216 species in 47 families. In block B a total of and 5011 stems were identified and measured. This belongs to 239 species in 47 families. Fabaceae, Annonaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Rubiaceae were found to be the most dominant plant families in the study site. Erythrophleum ivorense, Lophira alata, Dialium bipindense, Musanga cecropioides, Alstonia boonei, Pterocarpus soyauxii, Guibourtia ehie, Staudtia kamerunensis, Desbordesia glaucescens, Sacoglottis gabonensis were found to be the most dominant plant species. 41 species are of conservation concern according to the IUCN global Red List 2023 and IUCN local status. These species are considered species with high-priority for conservation. We have 6 endangered species, 11 near Threatened species, and 25 vulnerable species. There was no significant difference in species diversity in the two Blocks.