Floristic structure and ecological role of Rourea afzelii stand in three savannah ecosystems from Cameroon

Abstract

The present study investigated the floristic structure and ecological role of Rourea afzelii stands insavannah, forest galleries and swampy areas to Cameroon. An 80 m x 50 m transect method wasundertaken to measure floristic diversity using Shannon index, Pielou equitability, Simpson’s indexand the importance value index. The structure of Rourea afzelii stands is determined by density,basal area and biovolume. The results of this study show that Rourea afzelii stands are morediversified in savannah with a Shannon diversity index (ISH =4 ± 0.03bit). The highest log stabilityof Rourea afzelii stands is observed in the savannah (EQ=0.75 ± 0.008). The Simpson index of theRourea afzelii stands is larger in the forest gallery (D=0.088 ± 0.0022). Rourea afzelii Stands aredenser in savannah (113 ± 2.54 individuals/ha). The basal area and biovolume of Rourea afzeliistands are very high in swamp area (St=15.75 ± 0.02 m2/ha, Biov=9.08 ± 0.12 m3/ha). The diametricstructure has an asymmetrical “L” shaped appearance, indicating a strong regeneration of Roureaafzelii Stands in the three sites studied. Rourea afzelii Stands in forest galleries sequestered morecarbon (26.41 ± 0.0015 ton C/ha) than those in savannahs and swampy areas. This valuecorresponds to sequestration of carbon dioxide of 96.92 ± 0.82 ton CO2/ha. Economically, thiscorresponds to the CDM carbon price (290.77± 3.332 Euros/ha), a Voluntary Market Carbon Priceof 455.54 ± 1.908 Euros/ha, a REDD + carbon price of 9692 ± 8.152 Euros/ha. In conclusion, theresults of this study can be used in the context of protection and conservation as well as thedomestication of such a species.