Flora Of West Africa Research Articles

Tree Species Composition and Diversity in the Riparian Forest of Lake Barombi Kotto, Cameroon

Tree species composition and diversity were investigated in the riparian forest around Lake Barombi Kotto, Cameroon. This study aimed at determining the tree species composition, population structure, and providing evidence of anthropogenic disturbances in the riparian forest of Lake Barombi Kotto. The objectives were to determine the tree species composition and diversity in the riparian forest around Lake Barombi Kotto, to elucidate the forest structure and to document the anthropogenic disturbances in this forest. Five plots were laid within which the tree enumeration and measurement of dbh were carried out. Trees were identified using scientific identification keys in the Flora of West Africa. Disturbance scores were given to each site by qualitatively assessing various disturbances. A total of 340 trees belonging to 70 plant species, 63 genera and 28 plant families were enumerated. Shannon-Wiener diversity varied across sites, with the highest value (H = 3.45) recorded in Tung and the lowest (H = 2.21) in Malenda. Population structure differed across sites, the largest stand basal area of 43.78 m2/ha was recorded in Bondokombo while the smallest (2.15 m2/ha) was recorded in the Sacred Island. Cecropia peltata L., Pseudospondias macrocarpa Oliv. Pierre and Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn had the largest basal areas across the different sites. Species rich families were Malvaceae (9 species), Fabaceae (9 species), Annonaceae (4 species), and Anacardiaceae (4). This study shows that, there is a high tree species diversity in the protected forest (Tung) but the other unprotected sites are highly disturbed by anthropogenic activities. There is need to develop and enhance existing management policies for this riparian forest, especially by replanting the cut trees and creating a protected riparian buffer to conserve its floristic diversity and ecological functions.

Additions to West African Phalloid Fungi

Summary. Six species of Phallales from West Africa are revised in the light of recent observations. In addition, Gelopellis rufus Dring is described as new. Since an account of the gasteromycete flora of West Africa appeared (Dring, 1964) a number of new gatherings has been made by various collectors, especially by one of us (A.C.R.). These have resulted in additions to the knowledge of the group and have made possible the redetermination of a number of specimens recorded in the earlier publication, as well as the addition to the West African flora of Gelopellis rufus and Ileodictyon gracile. Except where indicated, all collections are deposited in the Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Duplicates of the Rose collections are in the Herbarium, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

A Parcel of Cameroon Ferns

Botanically, Africa is one of the brightest of continents, for collectors and botanists from many nations have worked on the flora over 300 years. American botanists1 have done relatively little in the area, but speed and convenience of modern travel grant new opportunities to see the unique vegetation of this continent. Our opportunity came with an invitation to attend the 50th Jubilee celebration of the National Botanic Gardens of South Africa, at Kirstenbosch, near Cape Town in South Africa. The program included a 3200 mile trip to the Cape Peninsula, the Podocarpus forest at Knysna, the Karroo deserts, and the eastern provinces of Natal and Transvaal. We combined with this a trip to Mount Kenya to observe the montane flora of east Africa. We made several trips out of Nairobi and camped on Mount Kenya with Dr. and Mrs. B. Verdcourt. His work is primarily on flowering plants but he has published also on mollusks and on some African species of Adiantum. We visited Cameroons Mountain, the highest land mass in west Africa, to sample the montane flora of west Africa. Schelpe (1951) published a paper in this journal on the Pteridophyta of Mount Kenya and is currently preparing a treatment on the ferns of South Africa. An account of the ferns of former French Cam-

Flora of West Africa

Flora of West Tropical Africa The British West African Territories, Libreria, The French and Portuguese Territories South of Latitude 18° N. to Lake Chad, and Fernando Po. By Dr. J. Hutchinson and Dr. J. M. Dalziel. Second edition revised by R. W. J. Keay. Vol. 1, Part 2. Pp. ii + 297–828. (London: Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations, 1958.) 55s.