In the Western Highlands of Cameroon, natural ecosystems have been significantly degraded, fostering other land-use types like bamboo stands. However, knowledge of the potential contribution of bamboo to climate change mitigation within the framework of payment for ecosystem services remains limited. This study sought to identify bamboo richness and estimate carbon stocks of dominant bamboo species in the context of payment for ecosystem services. Data collection combined information from local informants and biomass data of the main bamboo species. Bamboo biomass was collected by destructive method. The results obtained allow the identification of nine bamboo taxa in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. We found for Bambusa vulgaris and Phyllostachys aurea 13,330 +/- 7718 and 38,010 +/- 3361 culm ha-1, respectively. Total carbon stocks of bamboo estimated at 122.71 tC ha(-1) for B. vulgaris and 125.41 tC ha(-1) for P. aurea were not significantly different between bamboo species (Kruskal-Wallis test, p = .908). For bamboo areas in the Western Highlands, the monetary value of ecosystem services linked to bamboo carbon stocks is 1503 +/- 624 USD ha(-1) ranging from 1486 to 1519 USD ha(-1) depending on the bamboo species. The monetary value of bamboo carbon stocks potential should help decision makers to consider adopting bamboo species as one of the sustainable strategies to restore degraded ecosystems.

Forest understorey contains remarkable plant diversity, contributing to the heterogeneous environments for other biotic gatherings and soil supplement aggregations. Nonetheless, the biomass of the understorey vegetation is neglected because of the lack of appropriate allometric equations without which there are uncertainties in biomass estimation. This study was aimed at developing multispecies allometric equations that will be used to estimate the aboveground biomass of different compartments (trunk, crown, and leaves) of understorey trees in the semi-deciduous rainforest of Cameroon. Understorey tree diameter (1.0-10.0 cm), height, and crown diameter were measured on 1023 trees as biomass predictors. The results showed that the fit of the model improves with more predictive variables, four of which were considered in all studied compartments (trunk, crown, and leaves). Existing specific and pantropic allometries based on diameter tend to overestimate the aboveground biomass of understorey trees when compared to the allometry developed in this study. This study highlighted the importance of a specific aboveground biomass allometric equation for understorey trees. Furthermore, the multispecies allometric equation developed for understorey trees complements those recently developed for overstorey trees, thereby contributing to the total aboveground woody biomass estimation in semi-deciduous forest in the Congo Basin.

The lower forest stratum is often neglected in trees wood density studies. The aim of this study was to investigate wood density of lower stratum forest in a semi-deciduous rain forest of Cameroon. The data was collected from 30 random squares plots of 100m² and 200m. The wood density was assessed using immersion method. Wood samples were collected at three levels including: the base, the trunk and branches of trees. Measurement variables collected include the diameter, height and crown diameter. These variables were correlated to wood density using the Pearson coefficient. A total of 1498 samples from 136 tree species were collected. The wood density from these samples varied from 0.156 g.cm-³ to 0.914 g.cm-³, with an average of 0.561 g.cm-³. ANOVA test showed that, wood density decreased significantly from 0.609 to 0.571 and then to 0.509 g.cm-³ for the base, trunk and branches respectively. Interspecific analysis showed that wood density was significantly different between species (ANOVA, p˂0.001). With respect of biological type, the mean wood density of 27 understory tree species (exclusively) found was 0.562 g.cm-³. Wood density of 56 tropical forest tree species hitherto unknown in the literature were determined. The Pearson correlation between measurement variables and wood density was close to zero; nevertheless, it varied in function of the tree species. This study suggested that more investigations of wood density of tropical forest trees should be conducted, particularly in the Congo Basin forests where an important diversity of medium and lower forest stratum trees is expected.

Introduction: Today, bamboo is a resource frequently used by local people for their wellbeing and rural development in poor localities. Aims: This study aimed at identifying the ecosystem services offered by bamboo to the local population for their wellbeing. Duration and Place of Study: The study was carried out in January to February 2021 in Western highlands Agro ecological zone of Cameroon; more precisely in areas with high bamboo density according to literature review. Methodology: Three hundred and ten (310) questionnaires were administered to persons involved in bamboo activities including a direct observation in the field. This was complemented with key informant interviews. Results: The results showed that bamboo is highly utilized for subsistence purposes in many households in the Western Highlands of Cameroon, with at least 97 bamboo uses and products identified. These uses/products were grouped into 11 sectors/domains making use of bamboo. Agriculture, silviculture, handicrafts, furniture and house construction are the sectors using more bamboo products. Only 5% of respondents used bamboo in more than 10 sectors/domains. Conclusion: This baseline survey presents results which could orientate decisions of Policymakers and Development planners on how bamboo products could be valorized in the Western Highlands.

Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum is among an intensively exploited tree species in the Congo basin forest including the humid forest of Cameroon. As most tropical tree species, it is a potential host of epiphytic orchids for which little information is available. The aim of this study was to assess the biomass and orchids diversity that colonize T. scleroxylon in a semi-deciduous rain forest of Cameroon. Orchid species were inventoried exclusively on 20 felled T. scleroxylon. Orchid biomass obtained by destructive harvest was expressed in kg/tree. Orchid biomass was estimated in four randomized plots of 250 m x 20 m each, using allometric equations established. Twenty-nine orchid species were recorded on T. scleroxylon, while the mean orchid biomass was 1.23 kg/tree. Minimum T. scleroxylon diameter for orchid occurrence was 68.6 cm. The relationship between orchid biomass and T. scleroxylon diameter was low (Adj.R2?0.4) and height did not improve the model. According to orchid biomass on T. scleroxylon (14.63 kg/ha), an estimated loss associated with T. scleroxylon's exploitation was 10.47 kg/ha. This study expanded knowledge of orchid species linked to highly exploited T.scleroxylon in the Congo basin forest that impose conservation strategy, in the light of current degradation of their natural habitat and climate change mitigation.

Implementing Mechanisms for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD +) requires knowledge of the carbon storage potential in different forest types and different key reservoirs. We investigated the relationship between tree diversity and carbon stock in two forest types in Cameroon, an evergreen forest (EGF) in the South and a semi-deciduous forest (SDF) in the East. We aimed to characterize the two forest types, evaluate carbon stocks in five forest carbon reservoirs, and assess the relationship between the carbon stocks of the three pools (living carbon, dead carbon and soil carbon) studied and the diversity of the trees. An inventory of tree species with dbh >= 5 cm was made, covering 84 quadrats (25 m x 25 m), along 7 transects. Total woody biomass and dead wood were determined by allometric equations. We found that the EGF was more diverse in tree composition than the SDF. Absolute density and basal area were significantly higher in SDF than in EGF. There was a significant difference between living carbon of 327.35 t C.ha(-1) in EGF and 369.77 t C.ha(-1) in SDF. The contribution of dead wood in carbon storage varied on average from 8.40 t C.ha(-1) in the EGF to 11.19 t C.ha(-1) in the SDF. Similarly, trees of 5 cm <= dbh up to 10 cm dbh varied on average from 6.17 t C.ha(-1) and 5.02 tC.ha(-1) respectively for EGF and SDF. There was a positive but weak correlation between total carbon and tree species richness and a positive and moderate correlation between total carbon and biological types in both forest types. The results of this study highlight the need to take into account the assessment of carbon stocks of all reservoirs, and types of forests for a successful implementation of REDD + in the Congo Basin.

Carbon is continuously being removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis and stored in carbon pools (live, dead, and soil carbon) of forest ecosystems. However, carbon stock in dead wood and of trees with diameters at breast height (dbh) between 5 and 10 cm is often not considered in many studies carried out in the Congo Basin Forest. The relationship between tree diversity, life-forms and carbon stocks has received little attention. This study was carried out on the outskirts of Deng Deng National Park (DDNP) to determine tree diversity (dominant families, species richness and Shannon index), assess carbon stocks in the five carbon compartments (living tree, understory, fine roots, dead wood and litter) as well as to analyze the relationship between (1) carbon stocks and tree diversity; and, (2) between carbon stock and life-forms. The Shannon index of trees ≥ 10 cm dbh ranged from 2.6 in riparian forest to 4.3 in secondary forest; and for the tree between 5 and 10 cm, it ranged to 1.56 in riparian forest to 3.68 in the secondary forest. The study site housed 16 species, 7 genera and 3 families which are only found in trees of dbh between 5 and 10 cm. The average total carbon stock of the five compartments varied from 200.1 t ha −1 in forest residues to 439.1 t ha −1 in secondary forest. Dead wood carbon stock varied from 1.2 t ha −1 in riparian forests to 12.51t ha −1 in agroforests. The above ground carbon stocks for trees with diameter between 5 and 10 cm varied from 0.7 t ha −1 in young fallow fields to 5.02 t ha −1 in old secondary forests. This study reveals a low but positive correlation between species richness and total carbon stocks, as well as a significant positive relationship between life-forms and total carbon stocks. The findings highlight the need for more data concerning carbon content of dead wood, carbon of trees ≥ 5 cm < 10 cm dbh and the relationship between carbon stocks and tree diversity from other areas of the Congo Basin for a good understanding of the contribution of tropical forests to climate change mitigation.

ABSTRACT As the rate of forest degradation continues to rise, agroforestry may serve as a way of conserving species and carbon sinks. The aim of this study was to assess agrobiodiversity and carbon sequestration potential in agrosystems in Cameroon. Three age groups of agrosystems were studied. Data were collected in 100x50 m2 quadrates. Density ranged from 53.17±0.08 to 1463±50.11; basal area from 2.07±0.00 to 988.39±16.13 m2/ha; Shannon diversity from 3.3±0.71 to 3.68±0.72; Carbon storage from 12.1±0.27 to 54.65±1.38 t C/ha for 1-10-year-old agrosystems with lowest values in neem; 34.78±0.87 to 71.34±1.6 t C/ha for 10-20-year-old stands with lowest values in cashew; 28.24±0.04 to 108.51±2.46 t C/ha for +20-year-old stands with highest values in eucalyptus; Carbon sequestration potential from 296.7±1.98 to 859.33±10.01 t CO2eq/ha. The highest carbon stocks were found in eucalyptus stands (p<0.05). Several endogenous species, especially Afzelia bipindensis (EN), Leptoderris ledermannii (EN), Mansonia altissima (EN), Entandrophragma cylindricum (VU), Nesogordonia papaverifera (VU), Quassia sanguinea (VU), Vitellaria paradoxa (VU), Afzelia africana (VU), Erythrina senegalensis (LC), Detarium microcarpum (LC), senna spectabilis (LC), were assessed. Other overexploited species, especially Carissa edulis, Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides, Adansonia digitata, Securidaca longepedonculata, were assessed as well. The studied systems are significant CO2eq sinks and refuge centre for agrobiodiversity.

Giant ground pangolins (Smutsia gigantea) are poorly known and difficult to study due to their nocturnal and burrowing habits. Here, we test the efficacy of using camera traps on potentially active burrows identified by local Ba'Aka guides to rapidly locate giant ground pangolins in the wild for subsequent observation and tagging for telemetry studies. We deployed nine cameras on potential giant ground pangolin burrows in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon. One camera photographed an adult male giant ground pangolin using a burrow within 2 days of camera deployment. The pangolin used the same burrow several times over a 25-day period and possible scent-marking behavior was recorded.

The Campo Ma'an National Park is located in the evergreen rainforest area rich in biological diversity. This biological diversity remains poorly known, especially those of the understory. The objective of the present study is to characterize undersotory tree and to determine their IUCN conservation status. To know the floristic diversity of understory (5 cm ≤ dbh <10 cm) of this forest, a tree inventory using the plots method of 25 m x 25 m, in which 36 plots were placed out on 6 transects of 4 km each. The IUCN Red List was used to determine the status of inventoried species. The result showed a total richness of 256 species belonging to 148 genera and 50 families for the entire site has been identified. The Shannon diversity index is 4.90 and 4.02 for Old secondary forest (OSF) and Secondary forest (SFO), respectively. The floristic background belongs to the field of Guinean-Congolese endemism, with 6 endemic species in Cameroon. The conservation status analysis shows that 22 species are listed as endangered in the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. This study provides a base for reflection on the integration of understory trees species in inventories and in the development of conservation strategies.

Although the forests of the Congo basin are known for their richness in species, there are still several works in assessing their biomass. Mindful of this fact, the present study performed in the Dja biosphere reserve aims to assess plant diversity and carbon stocks. 10 transects of 5 ha each were assessed. 9,293 individuals divided into 47 families, 150 genera and 205 species were recorded. Euphorbiaceae was the most important family. The overall carbon stocks assessed was, 354.73 Mg C/ha. In the secondary forest the quantity of carbon stocks evaluated was 330.67±40.07 Mg C/ha. The Raphiales and Wetlands accumulated a quantity of carbon stocks of 15.06±0.08 and 9.00±2.06 Mg C/ha respectively. Euphorbiaceae stored an amount of 68.38 Mg C/ha, followed by the Mimosaceae which stores the amount of 51.07 Mg C/ha and the Irvingiaceae which stores an amount of 26.07 Mg C/ha. Uapaca guineensis stored 53.60 Mg C/ha. Pentaclethra macrophylla, Petersianthus macrocarpus and Desbordesia glaucescens all stored 117.56 Mg C/ha. For an index of diversity of 3.71, secondary forest stores approximately 93% of the total carbon stock. The test of comparison carried out showed a significant difference between the carbon stocks obtained on the land cover type (LCT) (ANOVA, F = 45.76; P < 0.001).

The study was carried out in the National Park of Lobeke (Cameroon). It aimed to assess diversity and sequestration potential of some commercialized timbers under industrialisation pressure. We took place 37 transects of 5 ha each. All selected timbers of at least 5 cm of DBH were surveyed. 8, 619 individuals divided into 6 families, 6 genera and 9 species were recorded. Diospyros crassiflora (Ebene) was the most diversified species (ISH= 8.09); followed Terminalia superba (Frake; ISH= 2.08). Triplochyton scleroxylon (Ayous), Terminalia superba (Frake) and Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sapelli) were the biggest species of the flora with 549.01; 370.22 and 334.8 m² of basal area respectively. With a stock of carbon evaluated at 107.5 t C/ha, the ecological service from the selected species was estimated at 23,419,305 t of CO2 incorporated in their biomass as from now. In the context of REDD+, the conservation of forests are welcome in mitigating climate change for the humanity welfare.