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(“Ecologie Botanique”) 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(“Ecologie Botanique”) 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(“Ecologie Botanique”) 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(“Ecologie Botanique”) 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(“Ecologie Botanique”) 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(“Ecologie Botanique”) 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