Altitudinal distribution of pollen, plants and biomes in the Cameroon highlands

Abstract

Pollen–plant–biome relationships have been studied from 48 new soil surface samples taken along an altitudinal gradient in the Cameroon highlands in order to capture the major features of the tropical montane vegetation. Although our study is based on a relatively feeble number of samples due to difficulties to access natural landscapes in this area, the main vegetation belts are accurately reconstructed. Comparison between pollen and plant distribution has been used to identify taxa characteristic of the mountain forest and to identify eventual bias due to pollen productivity and transport. Taking that into account, we have shown that there is a potential for reliable biome reconstruction of the Afromontane forest the upper and lower limits of which are correctly reconstructed. Our study fills the gap in reconstructing African biomes from pollen data, thus providing elements to capture the vulnerability of Afromontane ecosystems to climate changes.