Regeneration indicators of Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perl. in the Mbe plain of the Adamawa, Cameroon

Abstract

Background In Africa, the Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. species is extremely important culturally, ecologically and socio-economically. This importance has led to its over-exploitation leading to an in situ rarity of its individuals. As a consequence, a conservation alert is increasingly reported across the continent due to the risk of extinction of this multipurpose plant. Unfortunately, indicators of regeneration and conservation guidelines for this species have been not developped yet. The objective was to evaluate the habitat, population distribution, dendrometric characteristics and structure of the plant which are indicators of regeneration in Cameroon.    Methodology A floristic inventory as well as the vegetation transect method was used in the villages Def, Karna Manga and Karna Petel located in Adamawa, Cameroon. Results A total of 109 individuals of the plant were counted with a density of 3.5 individuals per hectare. No plant individuals regenerated in human-controlled habitats (bush fields and home gardens). Population distribution, companion species (Bombax costatum, Piliostigma thonningii and Terminalia macroptera) more recurrent, species of the family Caesalpiniaceae in majority, dendrometric characteristics with a significant difference (P ˂ 0.05) between sites, horizontal and vertical structures although all significant at Karna Manga, showed site-specific patterns. Conclusion The regeneration indicators (habitat, population distribution, structure and dendrometric characteristics: crown diameter, diameter at breast height, height of the first large living branch and tree height) showed that conservation in situ requires accounting for local, site-specific conditions. For the continuation, the less expensive domestication techniques specific to the plant are recommended.