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Comparative study of plant diversity and carbon stocks of Baleng’s forest reserve and sacred forest in the western highlands of Cameroon

Darling Wado Djouméné, Cédric Chimi Djomo, Ingrid Tsopmejio Temfack, Louis Zapfack

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-583188

ABSTRACT. In the degraded highland landscape of western Cameroon, forest reserves and sacred forests, which are subject to forest law and community/traditional management regimes, respectively, are among the forest relics important for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. In the Baleng community, these two types of management co-exist, and little information is available on their potential. Thus, this study aimed to compare the woody diversity and carbon stocks in the Baleng’s reserve and sacred forest. Inventory data collection was carried out in 21 randomised plots of 30 m × 30 m each. Species richness of the sacred forest is significantly lower different from that of the forest reserve (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, p=0.0057). Five vulnerable species were identified in these forests, including three in the reserve and two in the sacred forest, as well as two near-threatened species, one in each site. The Shannon index (2.50–2.63) indicated moderate diversity in these two forest areas. The Sorensen index (30%) showed a low floristic affinity. Structural parameters, such as stem density and basal area, did not show any significant differences, with values of 220±171 stems·ha-1 and 22.97±12.86 m²·ha-1 for the reserve and 360±103 stems·ha-1 and 35.18±6.24 m²·ha-1 for the sacred forest. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitneytest showed that carbon stocks have a lower-significant difference in the reserve (120.08±57.43 MgC·ha-1) and sacred forest (194.39±56.69 MgC·ha-1) (p=0.02). Despite their small size, these forests can be considered as biodiversity conservation reservoirs and carbon sinks for climate change mitigation. It is therefore suggested that sacred forests be integrated into sustainable ecosystem management policies in Cameroon.

Keywords: carbon stocks; Baleng-Cameroon; forest reserve; sacred forest; wood diversity.

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Woody plant diversity and carbon stocks of live hedges in highly degraded areas in the western highlands of Cameroon

Lily Ervige Voumo, Cédric Chimi Djomo, Ariane Sorelle Kitio Zangue, Roger Bruno Tabue Mbobda, Louis Paul Roger Kabelong Banoho, Jules Romain Ngueguim, Nyong Princely Awazi, Louis Zapfack

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-583187

ABSTRACT. In the highlands agroecological zone of Cameroon, natural landscapes have disappeared in favour of other land use types, including live hedges (LHs), which are among the relics used to preserve biodiversity and enhance resilience to global change. However, the contribution of LHs to resilience remains unknown. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterise plant diversity and carbon stocks in LHs, emphasising their typology. Trees with diameters ≥ 5 cm were collected from 132 LHs of 50 m each along a linear system, i.e. a total sampled area of 6.6 km (16.5 ha). LH carbon stocks were estimated using allometric equations. Five LH types were identified, namely Eucalyptus hedge, Markhamia hedge, Podocarpus hedge, fir/pine hedge and mixed hedge. A total of 79 species belonging to 58 genera and 31 families were identified in the LHs, with 8 (10%) being threatened according to the IUCN Red List. The species richness was significantly different between LHs (Kruskal–Wallis, p ˂ 0.001), with the mixed LH having the most diversity (65 species). The Shannon–Wiener index showed low plant diversity in the LHs. Carbon stocks were estimated at 134.25 tC.km−1 (54.10tC.ha−1), which was significantly different among LHs (ANOVA, p ˂ 0.0001). Given the potential of LHs in terms of diversity and carbon storage, emphasis should be placed on monitoring this agroforestry practice to ensure its sustainability and, thus, enhance its contribution to global change mitigation and payments for environmental services.

Keywords: biodiversity; carbon stockage; degraded landscapes; live hedge; typology.

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Comparative study of plant diversity and carbon stocks of Baleng’s forest reserve and sacred forest in the western highlands of Cameroon

Nov 12, 2025 |

Darling Wado Djouméné, Cédric Chimi Djomo, Ingrid Tsopmejio Temfack, Louis Zapfack

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-583188

ABSTRACT. In the degraded highland landscape of western Cameroon, forest reserves and sacred forests, which are subject to forest law and community/traditional management regimes, respectively, are among the forest relics important for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. In the Baleng community, these two types of management co-exist, and little information is available on their potential. Thus, this study aimed to compare the woody diversity and carbon stocks in the Baleng’s reserve and sacred forest. Inventory data collection was carried out in 21 randomised plots of 30 m × 30 m each. Species richness of the sacred forest is significantly lower different from that of the forest reserve (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, p=0.0057). Five vulnerable species were identified in these forests, including three in the reserve and two in the sacred forest, as well as two near-threatened species, one in each site. The Shannon index (2.50–2.63) indicated moderate diversity in these two forest areas. The Sorensen index (30%) showed a low floristic affinity. Structural parameters, such as stem density and basal area, did not show any significant differences, with values of 220±171 stems·ha-1 and 22.97±12.86 m²·ha-1 for the reserve and 360±103 stems·ha-1 and 35.18±6.24 m²·ha-1 for the sacred forest. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitneytest showed that carbon stocks have a lower-significant difference in the reserve (120.08±57.43 MgC·ha-1) and sacred forest (194.39±56.69 MgC·ha-1) (p=0.02). Despite their small size, these forests can be considered as biodiversity conservation reservoirs and carbon sinks for climate change mitigation. It is therefore suggested that sacred forests be integrated into sustainable ecosystem management policies in Cameroon.

Keywords: carbon stocks; Baleng-Cameroon; forest reserve; sacred forest; wood diversity.

read more

Woody plant diversity and carbon stocks of live hedges in highly degraded areas in the western highlands of Cameroon

Nov 3, 2025 |

Lily Ervige Voumo, Cédric Chimi Djomo, Ariane Sorelle Kitio Zangue, Roger Bruno Tabue Mbobda, Louis Paul Roger Kabelong Banoho, Jules Romain Ngueguim, Nyong Princely Awazi, Louis Zapfack

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46909/alse-583187

ABSTRACT. In the highlands agroecological zone of Cameroon, natural landscapes have disappeared in favour of other land use types, including live hedges (LHs), which are among the relics used to preserve biodiversity and enhance resilience to global change. However, the contribution of LHs to resilience remains unknown. Hence, the objective of this study was to characterise plant diversity and carbon stocks in LHs, emphasising their typology. Trees with diameters ≥ 5 cm were collected from 132 LHs of 50 m each along a linear system, i.e. a total sampled area of 6.6 km (16.5 ha). LH carbon stocks were estimated using allometric equations. Five LH types were identified, namely Eucalyptus hedge, Markhamia hedge, Podocarpus hedge, fir/pine hedge and mixed hedge. A total of 79 species belonging to 58 genera and 31 families were identified in the LHs, with 8 (10%) being threatened according to the IUCN Red List. The species richness was significantly different between LHs (Kruskal–Wallis, p ˂ 0.001), with the mixed LH having the most diversity (65 species). The Shannon–Wiener index showed low plant diversity in the LHs. Carbon stocks were estimated at 134.25 tC.km−1 (54.10tC.ha−1), which was significantly different among LHs (ANOVA, p ˂ 0.0001). Given the potential of LHs in terms of diversity and carbon storage, emphasis should be placed on monitoring this agroforestry practice to ensure its sustainability and, thus, enhance its contribution to global change mitigation and payments for environmental services.

Keywords: biodiversity; carbon stockage; degraded landscapes; live hedge; typology.

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© by the authors; licensee Journal of Applied Life Sciences and Environment, Iasi, Romania. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)