Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population

55 Pages·2014·2 MB·English

Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

UNIVERSITY OF YAOUNDE I
FACULTY OF SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BIOLOGY

STRUCTURAL DISTRIBUTION OF WILD PRUNUS
AFRICANA POPULATIONS ON THE KILUM MOUNTAIN
FOREST

A thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the obtention of a Master II certificate

Presented by:
Charles NDIFON NCHAMCHAM
Matricule:
Forestry Engineer

June 2010

1
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

UNIVERSITY OF YAOUNDE I
FACULTY OF SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT BIOLOGY

STRUCTURAL DISTRIBUTION OF WILD PRUNUS
AFRICANA POPULATIONS ON THE KILUM MOUNTAIN
FOREST

Thesis presented in partial fulfilment for the obtention of a Master II certificate

Presented by:
Charles NDIFON NCHAMCHAM
Forestry Engineer

Field Supervisor : Supervisor :
Dr. Betti Jean Lagarde Professor Amougou Akoa
Lecturer, Faculty of Head of Department of
Sciences, Plant Botany
University of Douala University of Yaounde I
2
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

3
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

DEDICATION

To my lovely wife, Josephine
and
my two kids Elisabeth and William.

I will not live out my Dad, mom
and
my good friends Divine and Akwi.
4
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I will specially want to thank the research team that worked on Prunus africana that is: Dr
Betti Lagard and the team of experts working on Prunus with ANAFOR
It is imperative for me to acknowledge the following persons:
- My lecturers at the University of Yaounde I;
- Mr Bah Peter, Mr Ngoran Christopher, Mr Kuh Emmanuel and Mme Gladys who
collaborated with us relentlessly during the study.
- I will equally thank Verina Ingram for her continuous advice and assistance.

5
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

Table of Contents
DEDICATION...........................................................................................................................................4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.......................................................................................................................5
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS..................................................................................................................10
ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................................11
RESUME..................................................................................................................................................12
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................13
1.1. RESEARCH JUSTIFICATION AND BACKGROUND............................................................................13
1.2. PROBLEM STATEMENT...............................................................................................................14
1.2.1. General Problem field......................................................................................................14
1.2.2. Specific Problem Area......................................................................................................15
1.3. OBJECTIVE OF RESEARCH...........................................................................................................16
1.3.1. Main objective..................................................................................................................16
1.3.2. Specific objectives............................................................................................................16
1.4. JUSTIFICATION OF WORK............................................................................................................17
1.5. IMPORTANCE OF STUDY..............................................................................................................17
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK................................18
2.1. LITERATURE REVIEW.................................................................................................................18
2.1.1. Introduction.....................................................................................................................18
2.2. THE CASE STUDY: PRUNUS AFRICANA (HOOK F.) KALKMANN.....................................................19
2.2.1. Ecological context............................................................................................................19
2.2.2. Taxonomy........................................................................................................................22
2.2.3. Species Description..........................................................................................................23
2.2.4. Natural distributions and phytogeography.......................................................................24
2.2.5. Debarking techniques......................................................................................................24
2.2.6. Natural Regeneration of the Species................................................................................28
2.2.7. Regeneration potential.....................................................................................................29
2.2.8. Conservation of Prunus africana.....................................................................................30
2.2.9. Socio-economic and therapeutic importance of the species..............................................31
2.2.9.1. Local use..........................................................................................................................31
2.2.9.2. Pharmaceutical Importance.............................................................................................32
2.2.9.3. National and international trade of P. africana products.................................................32
2.2.10. Glossary...........................................................................................................................33
CHAPTER 3: PRESENTATION OF STUDY AREA AND METHODOLOGY...................................34
3.1. PRESENTATION OF STUDY AREA..................................................................................................34
3.1.1. Geographical Location of site..........................................................................................34
3.1.2. Climate.............................................................................................................................35
3.1.3. Topography and soil type.................................................................................................35
3.1.4. Vegetation and Wildlife....................................................................................................35
3.2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY........................................................................................................37
3.2.1. Choice of research site.....................................................................................................37
3.2.2. Description of Experiments..............................................................................................37
6
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

3.2.3. Data analyses...................................................................................................................38
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION........................................................................................39
4.1. DENSITY OF PRUNUS AFRICANA, IN THE FOREST AND ON PLANTATIONS..........................................39
4.2 DIAMETRIC STRUCTURE OF PRUNUS AFRICANA ON THE KILUM-IJIM MOUNTAIN FOREST................40
4.3. CHARACTERISATION OF PRUNUS AFRICANA EXPLOITATION TECHNIQUES IN THE RESEARCH
ZONE 40
4.3.1. Percentage of Prunus africana plant exploited in the Study zone............................................40
4.3.2. Number of Prunus plant exploited with respect to the exploited part................................41
4.3.3. Number of Prunus africana plants exploited with respect to diameter class.....................43
4.3.4. Effects of poor debarking techniques of Prunus africana................................................44
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION................................................................46
BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................................................48

7
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: research site and villages................................................................................................34
Table 2: Number of Prunus plants exploited with respect to diameter class...................................43

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: population density structure of Prunus population in the research zone........................39
Figure 2: diameter class distribution in the research zone.............................................................40
Figure 3: Percentage of Prunus plants exploited in the research zone............................................41
Figure 4: Number of Prunus plant exploited with respect to the exploited part..............................42
Figure 5: exploitation pattern of Prunus in the research site..........................................................43
Figure 6: effects of debarking techniques on Prunus plants...........................................................44

8
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

LIST OF PHOTOS

Photo 1 : Prunus africana Montane ecosystem of the North-West Region....................................20
Photo 2: stem peeled down to the cambium at Abuh.....................................................................26
Photo 3: bole peeled down to the cambium at Laikom..................................................................26
Photo 4 : Prunus africana Bark regeneration...............................................................................28
Photo 5 : Crown health.................................................................................................................30
Photo 6 : Crown density...............................................................................................................30

9
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))
Structural distribution of wild Prunus africana population in the Kilum/Ijim mountain forest.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

10
Masters of Science Research findings
University of Yaounde I
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Plant Biology((cid:8220)Ecologie Botanique(cid:8221))