Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the floristic composition, vegetation structure and species associations of Cashew agro-ecosystems in the North region of Cameroon. The data were collected in 100 m x 20 m transect methods. An analysis of the data collected in the field was carried out around the diversity and richness of the flora, but also the structure of Cashew agrosystems. The vegetation structure is determined by tree density, basal area and biovolume. The inventory included trees with a dbh = 5 cm on an area of 1 ha per plot. The experimental device installed is a complete random Fisher block with five repetitions. A total of 7849 individuals in 17 families, 20 genera and 38 species were recorded. The Species Important Value of vegetation cover indicated that Diospyros mespiliformis, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Annona senegalensis and Terminalia laxiflora are the most represented. Combretaceae are the most ecologically important families. In addition, the grouping of species into four subdivisions showed that the Shannon diversity index varies from 2.18 ± 0.09 - 3.47 ± 0.17 bits, Pielou index varies from 0.98 ± 0.01 - 0.99 ± 0.01, Simpson's index ranges from 0.70 ± 0.18 - 0.93 ± 0.11, density ranges from 102 ± 1.92 - 128 ± 6.36 indiv/ha, basal area ranges from 2.02 ± 0.31 - 12.68 ± 2.01 m²/ha, biovolume ranges from 11.58 ± 1.29 - 68.03 ± 13.21 m3/ha. The Sörensen similarity index is generally very high with floristic affinities greater than or equal to 90 %. The diameters and heights structure shows a predominance of young individuals for the diameter and height classes on all plots. The most represented species associations are legumes (Arachis hypogeae: 40.54 %) and native fruit trees (Vitellaria paradoxa: 15%). These results show the contribution of Cashew agroecosystems in the biodiversity conservation.
Highlights
Forest ecosystems of Central Africa in general and those of Cameroon in particular, are rich in natural resources [1]
They are divided into 17 families represented by 20 genera and 38 species
The objective of this study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of Cashew agro-ecosystems in the food security of the populations, the conservation of phytodiversity
Summary
Forest ecosystems of Central Africa in general and those of Cameroon in particular, are rich in natural resources [1]. They offer many opportunities to people for their livelihoods. Faced with the implementation of the socio-economic development process, this environment is faced many threats, in particular, deforestation, degradation, poaching, pollution, overexploitation of biotic and abiotic resources, etc. One of the most worrying environmental issues of the 21st century immediately after the climate change is deforestation [2]. The combined effects of this increasing human activity on natural resources in synergy with severe climatic factors continue to upset the natural balance within terrestrial ecosystems [2].
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