IN SITU CONSERVATION OF FOREST GENETIC RESOURCES IN CAMEROON ¹

GENERAL ECOLOGICAL AND PHYTOGEOGRAPHIC DATA

Cameroon is usually described as a microcosm of Tropical Africa. This statement is particularly valid as regards its vegetation, which is a rich condensation of the whole of Africa's intertropical vegetation. It contains examples of all the plant formations comprised in Africa's main ecological zones, with closed moist forest in the south, savanna in the centre, steppe in the north, and forest and grassland in the mountains, for a total of more than 8,000 species, 1,800 genera and 230 families of higher plants.

The major phytogeographic divisions, which unquestionably correspond to the major climatic zones in both physiognomic aspect and floristic composition, form three main ecological regions: the Congo-Guinean region in the south, the Sudano-Zambesian region in the north and the Montane region which is associated with local physiography.

¹ Based on i) Work by Dr. R. Letouzey, Laboratoire de Phanérogamie, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, 16 Rue Buffon, F-75005 Paris, France.
ii) Contractual work, “Contribution au Manuel sur Conservation In Situ au Cameroun” by Mr. J. Vivien and Mr. B. Satabie, ENSA, B.P. 4713, Yaoundé, - Nlongkak, Cameroun.
iii) “A Guide to In Situ Conservation of Genetic Resources of Tropical Woody Species” (FORGEN/MISC/84/2, FAO, Rome).

Congo-Guinean Region

The most important vegetation types within this region are:

1. The coastal forest, extending up to 100 km inland, is a moist evergreen forest occupying the sandy coastal plain at an altitude which rarely exceeds 200 m. Rainfall is up to 4,000 mm at the coast. Characteristic species are Saccoglottis gabonensis, Andira inermis, Cynometra hankei, Coula edulis and Pycnanthus angolensis, and there is an exceptional abundance of Lophira alata. The forest has resulted from recolonization of old cleared areas.

2. The Biafran forest occurs in the south-west, inland of the coastal forest, mainly between 200 and 800 m altitude, with rainfall 2,000 to 3,000 mm. It is a moist evergreen forest dominated by Caesalpiniaceae; important genera include Afzelia, Brachystegia, Cynometra, Didelotia, Gilbertiodendron, Julbernardia, Monopetalanthus and Paraberlinia. The forest has been subject to intensive human interference for several decades.

3. The Congolese forest occupies the south-eastern part of the country in the area of the R. Dja. It is a moist evergreen forest occurring at medium altitudes of 200–800 m, with rainfall mainly between 1,500 and 2,000 mm and up to two dry months. It lacks many of the Caesalpiniaceous species of the Biafran forest, but is characterised by the occurrence of extensive almost pure stands of Gilbertiodendron dewevrei. Other species include Pericopsis elata, Baillonella toxisperma, Oddoniodendron micranthum and Afrostyrax lepidophyllus.

4. The semi-deciduous forest is a closed but semi-deciduous forest which occurs at medium altitudes immediately to the north of the moist evergreen forests. It is characterised by the abundance of trees of Sterculiaceae and Ulmaceae. Many of these have winged seeds easily distributed by wind and are vigorous colonisers. This type of forest is therefore capable of dynamic expansion at the expense of other forest types. Northward it colonises the wooded savanna to form extensive areas of forest-savanna mosaic. To the south it has formed large pockets in the cacao-growing areas of the moist evergreen forest, where the trees of the semi-deciduous forest provide suitable shade for the cacao trees. The species include a number of great value for peeling and for fine timbers. Characteristic are Triplochiton scleroxylon, Mansonia altissima, Nesogordonia sp., Cola sp., Sterculia sp., Celtis spp., Terminalia superba, Entandrophragma cylindricum, Piptadeniastrum sp., Parinari excelsa.

In addition to the four main forest types described above, the Congo-Guinean Region contains a number of specialised edaphic types of smaller extent but local importance. They include mangrove forest along the coast, and inland swamp forests.

An extensive transitional zone occurs between the semi-deciduous forest to the south and the savanna types of the Sudano-Zambesian region to the north. This is sometimes known as the Guinea-Sudan savanna. It consists of a mosaic of semi-deciduous forest, with main concentrations in gallery forests along the watercourses, and grass, tree or wooded savanna. The seral stages which follow clearing of forest are: (1) Grassland dominated by Pennisetum purpureum (2) Grassland dominated by Imperata cylindrica (3) Shrub savanna with Annona senegalensis and Bridelia ferruginea and (4) Shrub savanna in which Terminalia glaucescens is the most representative species; other species include A. senegalensis and B. ferruginea, Albizia spp., Crossopteryx febrifuga, Hymenocardia sp., Cussonia sp. This zone merges into the typical Adamawa savanna of the Sudano-Zambesian region.

Sudano-Zambesian Region

This region occupies most of the northern part of the country, north of latitude 6°N, with a progressive diminuition of rainfall with increasing latitude. The dry season lasts 6–8 months. The most important types, from south to north are:

1. The Adamawa Plateau savanna occurs at altitudes between 900 and 1,500 m. It consists of tree or wooded savanna dominated by Daniellia oliveri and Lophira lanceolata. Burkea africana and Terminalia spp. are locally abundant. In the valley bottoms, species of the closed semi-deciduous forest occur, such as Aubrevillea kerstingii, Erythrophloeum suaveolens, Chlorophora excelsa, Khaya grandifoliola, Phyllanthus discoideus; the more swampy valleys are dominated by Syzygium guineense var. guineense.

2. The R. Benoue savannas include several types. In the hilly country immediately north of the Adamawa plateau, Uapaca togoensis and Anogeissus leiocarpus are prominent, together with many species typical of the plateau itself. In the upper watersheds of the R. Benoue and its tributaries Isoberlinia doka and Monotes kerstingii are dominant. In the plain of the Benoue a shrub savanna is typical, dominated by Terminalia spp. Other species include Dalbergia melanoxylon, Diospyros mespiliformis, Boswellia sp., Commiphora sp. In the more swampy areas of the plain Borassus aethiopium is dominant.

3. The Thorn Steppes of the Sahel-Sudan zone occur mainly between latitudes 10° and 11°N. The dominant species are Acacia albida, Balanites aegyptiaca, Acacia seyal, Ziziphus sp., Combretum sp. In the still drier Sahel-Sahara zone on the banks of Lake Chad, Acacia senegalensis is the only typical species.

4. Periodically flooded grasslands cover an extensive area south of Lake Chad. Where flooding is temporary, the dominant species is Acacia seyal and Acacia nilotica. Where flooding is more permanent, treeless grassland is typical.

5. The dry montane areas of the Alantika and Mandara mountains are intensively cultivated but carry scattered semi-domesticated trees of Acacia albida, Adansonia digitata, Khaya senegalensis, Diospyros sp. Tamarindus sp. and Ziziphus sp.

Montane Region

The area covered by this region is much smaller than those of the Congo-Guinean and Sudano-Zambesian Regions and is discontinuous because of the separation between the various mountains. The vegetation types may be divided according to altitude.

1) Sub-montane forest. Closed evergreen forest between 800 and 2,000 m in altitude. The only indigenous conifer of Cameroon, Podocarpus milanjianus, occurs near the upper limits. Tree ferns are conspicious in the moist valleys.

Fig. 1 CAMEROON REPUBLIC
Phytogeographic Map (R. Letouzey 1965)

After Letouzey (1968) carte 19.

2) Montane forest occurs mainly above 1,800 m and consists of evergreen forest in which shrubs and small trees predominate. At the upper limit it gives way to “Ericaceous thicket”. Much of this forest has been cleared for agriculture and grazing.

3) The Afro-subalpine zone occurs above about 2,800 m and is confined to Mt. Cameroon and Mt. Oku. The vegetation is grassland with shrubs or small trees of the genera Vernonia, Senecio, Alchemilla and Pentaschistis.

PROTECTED AREAS

Table 1 gives details of the National Parks (NP) and Wildlife Reserves (WR) defined by Law No. 81/83 of 27 November 1981, Articles 2 and 3. In addition, there are 98 forest reserves, three of which cover more than 100,000 ha. However, many of the latter are seriously threatened because they are being invaded by village plantations (in the south) or are subjected to uncontrolled cutting for fuelwood (in the north).

Table 1. NATIONAL PARKS (NP) AND WILDLIFE RESERVES (WR) IN CAMEROON

LEGISLATION

Legislation relating to the conservation of forest resources is contained in three Acts: Law No. 81–13 of 27 November 1981; Decree No. 83/169 of 12 April 1983; and Decree No. 83/170 of 12 April 1983.

Law No. 81–13 1981 provides for the classification of state forests in ten categories: fully protected nature reserves, National Parks, sanctuaries for certain vegetable and animal species, fauna reserves, production forests, protection forests, recreational forests, reforestation areas, zoological and botanical gardens, State game ranches. Article 15 states: ‘State forests must cover 20% of total national territory’. The law also lays down that money obtained from the sale of logging concessions should be distributed as follows: 20% to the State, 25% to the State body responsible for forest inventories, and 55% to the State body responsible for reforestation.

Decree No. 83/169 1983 describes the procedure for the classification of forests by presidential decree. The proposal is put forward by the minister in charge of forests and accompanied by a situation report and a technical report outlining the purpose of the classification. A ninety-day period is provided, during which the public is informed and has the opportunity to express opposition or claim compensation for loss of rights. The law also states that except in fully protected nature reserves, reforestation areas and botanical gardens, local populations will retain the traditional right to collect secondary forest products. Nine of the decree's articles are concerned with the protection of the forests, while 73 deal with their exploitation.

Decree No. 83/170 1983 describes the criteria for the management of a National Park, which should be contained in the management plan, including the control of visitors and the alignment of roads. It also provides for the creation of protected buffer zones around National Parks and fully protected nature reserves. The upkeep of boundaries delimiting protected areas is the responsibility of the Director of Tourism.

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

CASE STUDIES

Case studies are presented of 20 important forest species of Cameroon. Ten of these are primarily timber species, the remainder are multipurpose species producing food, fodder, fuelwood, shade or bark for medicinal purposes.

1. Acacia albida (Faidherbia albida) (Mimosaceae), Tchaski, Alif, Wigo (Cameroon), Gao (Niger)

A spreading, thorny tree with bole up to 8 m tall and 1 m in diameter. In Cameroon it occurs in Sudan zone wooded savanna, in the area of the Mandara mountains and in Sahelian steppes on heavy but well-drained soils, where it may form continuous stands. The species loses its leaves at the beginning of the rainy season and is in leaf throughout the dry season. It is therefore beneficial in that it does not restrict light to agricultural crops during the growing season and it provides dry season shade to stock, which enrich the soil around it through their droppings. As a result it is protected by farmers and pastoralists. The leaves and fruits are used for fodder and the wood is soft and easy to work. There are young plantations in the extreme north; growth is very slow.

2. Acacia seyal (Mimosaceae). Silluki, Sakire, Karamga (Nigeria).

A small tree with bole up to 15 m tall and 40 cm in diameter. It is characteristic of the Sahelian steppes and is found particularly on black, periodically flooded clay soils. In Cameroon it is abundant in the far north, usually in pure stands. It produces a gum of inferior quality which is not collected. The leaves and fruit provide fodder.

It regenerates well and invades formerly cultivated fields. But in certain National Parks the over-large elephant population has been destroying the stands.

3. Afzelia bipindensis (Caesalpiniaceae) Doussie, Odo niyan (Nigeria).

Bole up to 25 m tall and 1.8 m in diameter. In Cameroon it is found throughout the evergreen forest but is more abundant in the coastal zone.

The species has been logged in the coastal and Biafran forests for many years and is now over-cut in many places. There are plantations in Bakundu, Bonepoupa and Makak. Related species in Cameroon are A. pachyloba and A. africana, the latter typical of the Sudan-Guinea savanna.

4. Baillonella toxisperma (Sapotaceae). Moabi.

Straight tree with bole up to 40 m tall and 4 m in diameter. It is found throughout the forest zone of Cameroon but more particularly in the evergreen forest, and is often planted in villages. The timber is used for peeling, slicing and sawing. It is a shadebearing species, producing an edible fruit. Regeneration is often abundant under the tree but ephemeral. The seeds are dispersed essentially by elephants. It is one of the species that has been longest utilized. There are small plantations in the Ottotomo and Muyuka reserves.

5. Balanites aegyptiaca (Balanitaceae), Garbaie, Adoua, Soump.

Small tree with bole up to about 10 m tall, which is found on all soils but is particularly abundant on Karals (black clay soil flooded in the rainy season). In Cameroon it is found to the north of the R. Benoue and is particularly abundant to the south of Lake Chad. The wood is resistant to termites and is used to make handles for tools. Produces fruit with a sweet, edible pulp, somewhat similar to a date and an oleaginous nut which is eaten after being dipped in water. The young leaves are used as fodder. The species invades fallows, where it forms real stands. Propagation is assured by both domestic and wild animals.

6. Butyrospermum parkii (Sapotaceae). Karite.

Short tree with bole 9 to 12 m tall, it is typical of the Sudano-Guinean and Sudan savanna regions. In Cameroon it seems to be more common in the west, on the edge of the closed forest, where it has probably been propagated by the agency of man. The pulp of the fruit is sometimes edible. The nut contains oil. Karite butter is a mixture of fat and latex and is used in the local diet, to make cosmetics, and in local medicines. It was once one of the main sources of vegetable fat but is hardly used today. The wood is used locally. the tree is slow-growing and formerly trees and seedlings were protected in plantations. Elephants like the fruit and contribute to the dissemination of the species.

7. Coula edulis (Oleaceae). Nut-tree, Kommol, Woula.

Irregular tree with bole up to 10 m tall and 1 m in diameter. In Cameroon it is found in the under-storey of the evergreen forest as far as the loop in the R. Dja; often very abundant. The wood is not used for logs, but the young stems are very sought after by villagers who use them as stakes, poles and posts in the construction of dwellings. The wood is very hard and reputed to be very resistant to termites. The edible seed is much appreciated and is consumed locally and sold to urban markets.

Over-cutting of the young stems of Coula edulis may, in the long term, compromise the future of this slow-growing fruit species. Other species of trees and shrubs belonging to the same family of Olacaceae have a wood with the same qualities and could be reserved for use as stakes, which would provide Coula with some protection.

8. Distemonanthus benthamianus (Caesalpiniaceae). Ayan, Movingui.

Bole up to 25 m tall and 1.3 m in diameter. It is found throughout the forest zone but is more frequent in secondary formations. It appears to be absent from the east and extreme south-east of Cameroon. The timber is used for peeling and sawing and the production of logs has increased considerably in recent years. The species has never been used in plantations.

9. Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae). Sapele (Nigeria).

A large forest tree with bole up to 30 m tall and 2.5 m in diameter. In Cameroon it is found throughout the closed forest zone, but is especially abundant in semi-deciduous forest. In the west, it occur only around the northern part of Mt. Cameroon. It is completely deciduous in the dry season. Young trees are partial shade-bearers. Fruiting is irregular. The wood is widely used for peeling, slicing and sawing, and, in terms of annual volume production it is the second most important species in the country. Plantations have been established in several forest reserves.

10. Entandrophragma utile (Meliaceae). Utile, Sipo, Assi (Gabon).

Bole up to 40 m tall and 3 m in diameter. It is found throughout Cameroon in the closed forest but is not very abundant. The timber is used for peeling, slicing and sawing. It is a semi-shade species with fairly regular and abundant fruiting. It has been marketed since the beginning of the century as “Acajou” and has suffered increased logging recently with the opening of sites in the east and south-east. A few plots have been planted in the Bakundu forest reserve.

11. Erythrophreum spp. (Caesalpiniaceae). Missanda, Tali, Eloun (Gabon)

Bole up to 15 m tall and 1.5 m in diameter. E. ivorense is found in Cameroon mainly in the closed evergreen forest, while E. suaveolense is found mainly in semi-deciduous forests and forest galleries, and in the forest valleys of the Adamawa. The timber is used for sawing and the bark is used as trial poison. The wood of both species is marketed as Tali, 80% of it coming from the central and southern provinces. There are been no reforestation but natural regeneration can be seen here and there in cleared areas.

12. Irvingia gabonensis (Irvingiaceae). Wild Mango, Andok, Oro Ogwe (Nigeria).

Bole up to 20 m tall and 1 m in diameter. Occurs in Cameroon in the evergreen forest in the west and, more frequently, in the south-east, usually in semi-deciduous forest. It is rarer elsewhere and absent in the south-west. The edible, oil-bearing seed is used to prepare a sauce. There are two other species, I. grandifolia and I. robur, which produce similar fruits but these do not seem to be used by the local population.

13. Khaya senegalensis (Meliaceae). Mahogany, Senegal Acajou, Cailcedrat.

Tall tree with bole up to 30 m tall and 1 m in diameter. Prefers deep, well-drained soils, but manages to adapt to difficult conditions. In Cameroon it is found in the Sudan savanna and Sahelian steppe, but is absent from the Adamawa plateau. The bitter bark is added to millet beer and in towns the trees are completely de-barked and die standing. It constitutes the main timber in the savanna regions. The leaves are used for cattle fodder in the dry season. It is planted in reforestation districts wherever the edaphic conditions permit, and along avenues.

14. Lophira alata (Ochnaceae). Azobe.

Bole up to 25 m tall and 1.6 m in diameter. In Cameroon it is found mainly in the evergreen forest of the Atlantic zone. In the interior it is found in the valleys and along the big water courses. The timber is used basically for sawing. It is one of the species that has been longest and most intensively logged in the coastal forest. In 1982–83 Cameroon produced over 330,000 m³ of Azobe, making it the third most important timber species in the country. There are old plantations in the coastal forest but the species is no longer planted today because of its slow growth. It fruits regularly and abundantly. Regeneration only occurs in full light, so the species colonises cleared zones.

15. Pausinystalia johimbe (Rubiaceae). Yohimbe, Gabo (Congo)

Bole up to 20 m tall and 60 cm in diameter. In Cameroon it is found in Mamfe, Mindemba, Mbanga, Yabassi, Edea, Eseka, Kribi and the areas around the Rivers Kem and Dja. Only the bark is used, providing an alkaloid (Yohimbine) with stimulant, anti-hypnotic and aphrodisiac properties. Marketing of the bark began only recently. In the regions of Yabassi, Kribi and Eseka the villagers fell the trees and then remove the bark for sale. This method of harvesting should be banned because it threatens the species with rapid extinction. Only a certain proportion of the bark should be removed, to ensure its regeneration. Exports of Yohimbe bark rose from 100 t in 1980–81 to 250 t in 1981–82.

16. Prunus africana (Pygeum africanum) (Rosaceae). Mueri.

Bole up to 25 m tall and 1 m in diameter. It is found in the sub-montane and montane forest of the western, north-western and south-western provinces of Cameroon as well as towards Ngoro-Linte and further north. In Cameroon only the bark is used industrially, to prepare a medicament for prostate troubles. Only trees with a diameter of over 30 cm are de-barked, starting from 50 cm above the ground and going in strips as far as the first branch. In no case are the trees felled or de-barked completely. The output of bark seems to have stabilised around 1,000 t during the last few years. The species regenerates easily towards the limit of the sub-montane and montane forests, around 2,000 to 2,200 m.

17. Pycnanthus angolensis (Myristicaceae). Ilomba.

Bole up to 25 m tall and 1.5 m in diameter. It is found throughout the forest zone in Cameroon, particularly in the secondary forests, and is sometimes very abundant in the Atlantic zone. It grows in forest galleries around the edges of the Western and Adamawa plateaux. The timber is used for peeling and sawing. It has been used by villagers to build their traditional dwellings for many years. It is still logged mainly in the south-western province. The bark is used as an emetic, while the seeds contain oil and give vegetable tallow. It is light-demanding and a coloniser of deforested zones. It has been planted mainly in the Bonepoupa and Bakunda reserves.

18. Terminalia superba (Combretaceae). Limba, Framke.

Bole up to 35 m tall, occurring in Cameroon throughout the forest zone, sometimes very abundant in semi-deciduous forest. The timber is used for peeling, slicing and sawing. Logging of the species is very recent but increases annually. There are considerable reserves and production is expected to increase because it replaces Triplochiton scleroxylon for many uses. It has been planted in the forest reserves of Makak, Mbalmayo and Bakundu. A programme of planting as a shade tree in young cacao plantations has just started. It is a light-demanding tree and regenerates abundantly in openings.

19. Trichoscypha acuminata (Anacardiaceae). Amvut.

Bole up to 15 m tall and 60 cm in diameter. It is found throughout the forest zone in Cameroon except in the montane forest. Only the edible fruit, resembling a red plum, is collected. It is much sought after by the people in the forest zone.

20. Triplochiton scleroxylon (Sterculiaceae). Obeche (Nigeria), Ayous (Gabon).

A large forest tree with bole up to 30 m tall and 2 m in diameter. In Cameroon it is characteristic of the semi-deciduous closed forest of Sterculiaceae and Ulmaceae, but is occasionally found in evergreen forest. The species is completely deciduous in the dry season. It is a light-demander but the young plants prefer slight shade and can even survive in full shade. It fruits irregularly and the young fruits are attacked by a weevil. It provides the biggest volume of wood harvested of any species in Cameroon. The wood is used both for peeling and sawing; about 25% of the annual cut is exported. There are plantations in the main forest reserves in the centre and south, the oldest dating back to 1930.

ASSESSING CONSERVATION STATUS

Table 2 presents a list of tree species considered currently vulnerable in Cameroon. It can be seen that, with the exception of Pausinystalia johimbe and Prunus africana, none of the other twenty commonly utilized species which have been described in the species case studies is considered threatened in Cameroon. The two species that are threatened are mountain species and occur in regions subject to land clearing for cash crop production. In general, therefore, and from information presently available, it can be said that the other eighteen common industrial species are not immediately endangered. The species that are in danger are those with a limited ecological range which occur on lands currently being converted to other uses (Table 2). Some species, for example, Blighia sapide, Kantou guereensis, Copaifera religiosa and Testulea gabonensis, are now represented by only a few individuals. A number of species occurring on Mount Oku are particularly vulnerable, for example, Pentadesma grandifolia, Nuxia congesta, Carapa grandiflora, Podocarpus milanjianus, Prunus africana and Pterygota mildbraedii.

Some species have probably become extinct, e.g. Toubaouate brevipaniculata, while others are in great danger, e.g. Testulea gabonensis and Andira inermis.

Conservation of many species, not just the endangered ones, depends on both the distribution and the security of the protected areas. As already mentioned, many of the Forest Reserves have been converted to other uses, including agriculture, forest plantations and cocoa, or severely degraded by uncontrolled cutting for firewood. Areas within Wildlife Reserves are subject to commercial exploitation of trees. National Parks are therefore likely to provide the best prospect of conservation for the species which they contain, but all the existing ones are in the savanna areas north of latitude 8°N. Reference to the map of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves reveals several Wildlife Reserves within the closed forest zone in the south. Upgrading of these reserve to the status of National Parks and provision of increased staff and funds for their management could be one practical step towards better conservation.

The closed forests of the south-east are the least accessible at present, so populations there may be preserved for a few more years. In the case of widely distributed species, it is possible that the populations of the drier Congo forest in the south-east (1,500 mm rainfall) may prove to be genetically distinct from those of the wetter Biafran and coastal forests (3,000 mm rainfall).

In general, as closed forests are increasingly exploited, the aggressive, fast-growing pioneer species such as Terminalia superba and Triplochiton scleroxylon will be much less at risk than the species characteristic of climax evergreen forest.

Examples of discontinuous distribution are shown in the attached maps of one lowland species (Lophira alata) and one montane species (Prunus africana). It is possible that different gene frequencies may be associated with the geographical separation of the different populations, in which case more than one protected area for each species would be desirable. The maps of Acacia albida and Khaya senegalensis exhibit more continous distributions in northern Cameroon and samples of these are already covered by several of the northern National Parks. There is, however, a need to determine with greater precision the extent to which genetic resources of individual species occur in National Parks and other protected areas.

Table 2. VULNERABLE FOREST TREE SPECIES IN CAMEROON

BURSERACEAE

Aucoumea klaineana
Dacryodes buettneri
Dacryodes igaganga
Dacryodes klaineana

CESALPINIACEAE

Brachystegia kennedyi
Brachystegia eurycoma
Berlinia confusa
Copaifera religiosa
Crudia klainei
Cryptosepalum staudtii
Daniellia africana
Dialium bipindense
Didelotia africana
Didelotia unifoliolata
Gilbertiodendron preussii
Gilletiodendron mildbraedii
Gilletiodendron pierreanum
Guibourtia ehie
Librevillea klainei
Loesenera talbotii
Monopetalanthus hedinii
Sindoropsis letestui
Tetraberlinia polyphylla
Toubaouate brevipaniculata

MYRISTICACEAE

Pycnanthus marchalianus

PAPILIONACEAE

Andira inermis
Erythrina mildbraedii
Milletia laurentii

PODOCARPACEAE

Podocarpus milanjianus

ROSACEAE

Prunus (Pygeum) africana

RUBIACEAE

Pausinystalia yohimbe
Rothmania lujae

RUTACEAE

Afraegle asoo
Araliopsis soyauxii
Fagara xanthoxyloides

CHRYSOBALANACEAE

Magnistipula butayei

EUPHORBIACEAE

Oldfieldia africana

GUTTIFERAE

Garcinia kola
Pentadesma grandifolia

IXONANTHACEAE

Ochthocosmus calothyrsus

LOGANIACEAE

Nuxia congesta

LUXEMBOURGIACEAE

Testulea gabonensis

MELIACEAE

Carapa grandiflora
Leplaea mayombensis

SAMYDACEAE

Homalium longistylum

SAPINDACEAE

Blighia sapida
Blighia unijugata
Ganophyllum giganteum
Majidea fosteri

SAPOTACEAE

Afrosersalisia afzelii
Donella pruniformis
Gluema ivorensis
Kantou guereensis
Letestua durissima
Manilkara fouilloyana

SCYTOPETALACEAE

Scytopetalum klaineanum

STERCULIACEAE

Pterygota mildbraedii

POSSIBLE CONSERVATION PILOT PROJECTS

Three projects were identified:

Project 1.

The incorporation of in situ conservation methodology in the management plan for the Deng-Deng forest reserve in southern Cameroon. The project could include the following elements:

1. The establishment of a series of strict natural reserves of not less than 200 ha each within the reserve. The number and position of the reserves would be determined on the basis of ecological and geomorphological data. These reserves would have a number of important functions. Firstly, they would ensure the conservation of the genetic resources of the forest. Secondly, they would be major seed sources for areas around the reserves to be regenerated following logging. These reserves together with the establishment of permanent sample plots (already being discussed by CENADEFOR) would be a major and continual source of data allowing the rational management of the Deng-Deng forest reserve.

2. The reserves would form an integral part of a management regime, and the project, therefore, would entail the provision of assistance to CENADEFOR in the development of the overall management plan.

3. The project would explore all possibilities of ensuring the involvement of local communities in the long term management of the Deng-Deng forest reserve, and simple brochures would be produced describing characteristic species of flora and fauna of the reserve.

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Project 2.

In situ conservation and management of trees of value to local communities in the semi-arid lands of northern Cameroon. There is a small national park, Mozogo-Gokoro, in the Sahel/Sudan savanna zone of northern Cameroon which has been well protected for a period of fifty years. Today this area is a closed forest with large, well developed trees. The park is surrounded by over-used, degraded lands and contains a rich diversity of tree species of value in many parts of the region. The project could contain the following elements:

1. An inventory of the tree species of the park.

2. An assessment of the legal constraints to the utilization of the forest genetic resources of the park - seed collecting in particular.

3. The developments of a protection programme involving the local communities.

4. The preparation of a suitable booklet for use in schools giving information on the park and giving particular emphasis to the importance of the park in regard to the conservation of the tree species and related fauna of the savanna lands of Cameroon.

Project 3.

In situ conservation and management of forest genetic resources of trees of value to local communities in mountain habitats. Mount Oku is situated in the northwest province and rises to 3,010 m. It is covered to approximately 2,800 m by closed forest, in which such species as Carapa grandiflora, Syzygium standii, Albizia gummifera and Prunus africana occur. There is a clearly recognized need to develop in situ conservation methodologies for the gene resources of particular species in this area.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Aubreville, A. 1950 Flore forestière Soudano-Guinéenne. Suite d'Editions Géographiques, Martimes et Coloniales.

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