Floristic composition and structure in the undergrowth of agroforests in Neems in the Far North region (Cameroon)

Abstract

This study took place in the Far North region of Cameroon. The general objective was to assess the floristic diversity of the undergrowth of Agrosystems in Azadirachta indica. The data were collected in 100 m long by 20 m wide transects surveyed in plantations of different ages. In total, 5 transects were carried out, ie a total area of 1 ha per site. The sampling bands were established using the compass, decameter, GPS and wires. The experimental set-up used was a 5-repetition split plot. A total of 7689 individuals divided into 9 families, 13 genera and 16 species have been identified. Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma thonningii are the most common in terms of relative abundance. The analysis of the Family Importance Index (VIF) shows overall that the Combretaceae, and Mimosaceae are the most important in ecological terms. While those of the species show that Guiera senegalensis, Combretum micranthum and Acacia nilotica finally for the genera, it is Acacia, Guiera and Combretum which contains the most important ecological indices. The overall density of species within the plots varies between 129 and 105 ind / ha. The basal area varies from 2.02 to 3.88 m² / ha. The Importance Value Index (IVI) is of the order of 300 in the different plots. The floristic diversity of the undergrowth of Agrosystems (average ISH> 2) shows homogeneity and an even distribution between the different plots. Plots with similarity indices of less than 50% do not meet floristic affinity while similarity indices are high in plots with floristic affinities greater than or equal to 50%. The diameter structure showed a predominance of young individuals. This information drawn from the conclusion of the present study shows that they constitute an important argumentation of the advantages so that the services of agricultural development should be interested in the conservation and valuation of such an agroforestry system for the protection of the environment against the climate change mitigation and sustainable development of local communities.