Abstract
Many species of timber trees in Cameroon are exploited by logging companies for timber and by forest-dependent communities for non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Quantitative analyses were conducted within and near forest concessions in Cameroon to determine the density of multiple use tree species that provide both timber for industry and foods consumed by local populations (fruit and oil or edible caterpillars), and how this has been affected by logging. Individuals of the three species (Moabi, Baillonella toxisperma; Sapelli, Entandrophragma cylindricum; and Tali, Erythrophleum suaveolens), including their stumps, were identified and measured on 5ha (100m×500m) sample plots around 4 villages and in 2 concessions. Around each village 21 sample plots, stratified by distance, were laid out along three transects extending 10km towards the concession, each oriented 45° from the other. In concessions, 20 plots were established within the 2012 cutting unit after timber harvesting, using a stratified random system. Moabi trees occurred at the lowest densities: around villages, 22.8±3.3/100ha of precommercial individuals and 5.0±1.4/100ha of individuals of harvestable size (⩾80cmdbh); on concessions, 7.5±2.4 precommercial trees/100ha, and 0–2.0±1.4/100ha harvestable individuals. Densities of Sapelli trees were not significantly different between villages and concessions, averaging 32.6±3.8/100ha and 37.5±5.5/100ha, respectively, for precommercial sizes and 9.5±2.2/100ha and 6±1.6/100ha, respectively, for harvestable trees (⩾100cmdbh). Pre-commercial Tali trees occurred at lower densities (3.8±0.9/100ha) around villages, as compared to 11.5±3.1/100ha on concessions. Harvestable Tali trees (⩾60cmdbh) occurred at the same densities around villages and on concessions (56.0±7.2/100ha). Half, or more, of commercial-sized trees of caterpillar-hosting species were left standing after harvest on concessions (89–94% of Tali; 50–79% of Sapelli), reflecting constraints due to timber quality, market demand and inaccessibility. No harvestable Moabi trees were logged from the 2012 cutting areas, reflecting agreements between communities and concessionaires to leave them for fruit and oil, but densities were so low it will be important that villagers conserve those around their villages. Stumps of all three species were found around villages, revealing that mechanisms for negotiation are also needed among villagers with interests in either timber or non-timber resources obtained from the same tree species.
Highlights
The humid forests of Africa cover about 236 million ha, of which 203 million ha are located in the Congo Basin of Central Africa, a region important for its extent, natural resources, biodiversity and endemism (Mayaux et al, 2004)
Focus groups and socioeconomic and nutritional surveys carried out in a parallel study (Levang et al, 2015; Fungo et al, 2016) were used to guide the choice of three priority tree species that met the following criteria: they are harvested for timber by the concessionaires and they produce or host important nontimber forest products (NTFPs) that are of nutritional value to local populations
To determine whether local communities had access, on foot, to the three species of interest in the vicinity of their villages, we evaluated the density of trees within walking distance of the center of each village (Maukonen et al, in press) along three transects towards the concession, oriented 45° apart
Summary
The humid forests of Africa cover about 236 million ha, of which 203 million ha are located in the Congo Basin of Central Africa, a region important for its extent, natural resources, biodiversity and endemism (Mayaux et al, 2004). R. Noutcheu et al / Forest Ecology and Management 381 (2016) 279–288
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