Biophysical characterization and typology of interactions in the agroforests of central cameroon

Abstract

Cameroonian agrarian landscapes are characterized by various agricultural and agroforestry practices. These agroforestry practices in particular are unfortunately disrupted by various pressures and effects of climate change. Few works have emerged contribution and the relevance of ecological interactions of plant associations in the conservation of diversity and dynamics of vegetation in the forest-savannah ecotones of central Cameroon. The overall objective of this work is to demonstrate the effectiveness of ecological interactions of agroforests.in the conservation and dynamics of vegetation in these ecotones. To do this, a participatory analysis was carried out with 74 farmers spread across five villages in Ndikiniméki for a sampling rate of 7%. Botanical inventories were carried out and the data collected were subject to various analyzes (analysis of variance, correlations, multivariate tests and dendrograms). Our results show a large specific variability (1626 individuals) for a total basal area of 13.66 m²/ha. Diameter and height classes are very heterogeneous and show respective peaks in the classes of [30–40 cm] and [≥ 50 cm] and higher values in the height classes [< 10 m] proof of good reconstruction of the local flora. Jaccard proximity index and correlation matrix reveal strong similarities between the floristic components of the different agroforests in the area. The Agroforests of medium architectural type (41.09%) characterize the agrarian landscape of this area and show 2 categories of associated woody species (introduced and native) divided into 3 functional woody types, namely: species of socio-economic interest high density (EIS1), low density (EIS2) and local species and pioneers of reforestation (ELPR). The typology of these agroecosystems shows 2 characteristic architectural profiles and 4 groups of agroforests with strong similarities.