Woody species composition, structure and diversity of vegetation of Kalfou Forest Reserve, Cameroon

Abstract

Studies were carried out in the Kalfou Forest Reserve to make an assessment of the flora diversity and to develop preservation guidelines facing the increase in its degradation. The composition of woody species, structure, diversity, density, dominance, frequency of species and family importance value were described and evaluated in all the forest reserve area. A total of 86 species representing 58 genera and 28 families of woody species were identified. The families of Combretaceae, Fabaceae-caesalpinioideae and Fabaceae-mimosoideae were the most abundant families in the Kalfou Forest Reserve. The density of stems >=10 cm circumference and the basal area were higher in the Doulouk and Gonoray parts of the reserve. The distribution of stems of the main species in classes of circumference had shown a reverse "J" shaped curve. The number of stems of shrubs species was important and strongly influenced globally the diameter and the height of the stems which were lower. Species diversity was a slight difference among the various parts of the forest reserve area. The species abundance showed that, 20% of the species were infrequent. The dynamic of renewal of species were ensured by the weakly regeneration: seedling (2.03%), rejection issues (41.97%) and the death rate of individual species was 8.02%. Disturbances and the vulnerability of the seedlings did not ensure species sustainability. Preservation systems and adequate management were therefore recommended in order to ensure sustainable management of the Kalfou Forest Reserve resources.