The establishment of long-term forest monitoring plots in Southeast Cameroon. Report to CARPE, November 2006 Duncan Thomas George Chuyong Center for Tropical Forest Science Department of Life Sciences Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute University of Buea, Cameroon
[email protected] [email protected] Thomas & Chuyong CARPE FY06 Page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 3 INTRODUCTION 1. Forest Management and Timber Certification . 4 2. Forest Monitoring Plots . 5 3. Roles of SI, WWF, and Timber Companies . 6 4. CARPE Intermediate Results . 7 METHODS 1. Selection of Methods and Sites . 8 2. Field Supplies, Teams and Training . 8 3. Plot Demarcation and Enumeration . 9 4. Data Processing . 10 RESULTS 1. Tree Diversity . 11 2. Forest Structure . 16 3. Exploited Species . 19 DISCUSSION 1. Standard Methodology for the Congo Basin . 20 2. Biodiversity . 22 3. Timber Harvest and Regeneration . 22 4. Future Activities . 23 APPENDIX 1. Personnel . 24 APPENDIX 2. Plot Metadata FY04 and FY05 . 25 APPENDIX 3: Species List . 26 APPENDIX 4: Species Stand Table . 32 Thomas & Chuyong CARPE FY06 Page 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A forest monitoring partnership for timber certification was established in 2006 between the Smithsonian Institution (CTFS), WWF-CARPO and the SEFAC timber company in the Jengi Project Area of the Sangha Tri-national Landscape, following the model created last year by CTFS, WWF and the Groupe Decolvenaere timber company for the implementation of IR 1.2. This report describes the creation of long-term forest monitoring plots, part of a larger program for sustainable timber harvest through timber certification. The work focuses on CARPE IR 1.2 (sustainable management plans within forestry concessions), IR 3 (monitoring the state of the basin), and also contributes to IR2 through training and capacity building for forest monitoring.