TITLE:
Structural and Dynamic Characterization of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. in the Communal Forest of Doume (East Cameroon)
AUTHORS:
Jean Charbell Mbega, Ruth Laure Nnanga Mebenga, Hyacinthe Angoni, Junior Yannick Ngaba, Marie Marguerite Mbolo Abada
KEYWORDS:
Permanent Plot, Forest Stands, Dynamics, Biometrics, Pycnanthus angolensis, Doume
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.12 No.5,
May
30,
2025
ABSTRACT: The study was carried out in the classified forest of the Commune of Doume (East Cameroon), as part of the C2D-PSFE2/DBPV project. It aimed to collect basic data for monitoring the dynamics of the abundant species in the production forest. The permanent plot method allowed for the installation of two plots of 300 m × 300 m each, with nine plots of 100 m × 100 m and counting units (CUs) of 25 m × 25 m. At the end of a systematic inventory in the CUs, the trees were counted, identified and georeferenced. A monitoring device has been installed at 1.30 m from the ground to assess the growth of the species. The results obtained showed that plot 1 is populated by 771 trees divided into 33 species; and plot 2 has 362 trees in 21 species, making a total of 1133 trees in the two samples, with a density of 62.94 trees/ha. In addition, Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. is the abundant species in both plots (P1 and P2) with a density of 23.72 stems/ha and 9.94 stems/ha respectively, for a total density of 33.7 trees/ha. The results also show that there is an uneven distribution of individuals by diameter classes, with an average density obtained of 5.9 trees/ha for individuals with a diameter of less than 60 cm while those with a DME greater than 60 cm have an average density of 0.7 trees/ha. These values reflect the abundance of young stems. This abundance ensures the regeneration of populations in the long term. Similarly, Pycnanthus angolensis has a significant land occupation in both plots with: 56,414 m2/ha representing 4/9 of the total population area of plot 1 (9 ha), and 29,878 m2/ha representing 3/8 of plot 2 (9 ha). The study showed a low frequency of mainly exploited woody species. The diametric surveys of each tree are the basic data for the abundant species. This approach should be applied in all production forests in Cameroon in order to achieve intelligent forest management based on biological knowledge of the timber resource in each biome.