Diversity, structure and biomass (above and below) in a semi-deciduous moist forest of East Region of Cameroon

Paper Details

Research Paper 01/03/2018
Views (435) Download (15)
current_issue_feature_image
publication_file

Diversity, structure and biomass (above and below) in a semi-deciduous moist forest of East Region of Cameroon

Cédric Djomo Chimi, Louis Zapfack, Adrien Njepang Djomo
J. Bio. Env. Sci.12( 3), 60-72, March 2018.
Certificate: JBES 2018 [Generate Certificate]

Abstract

Tropical forests contribute effectively to the mitigation of climate change despite human action which alters their structure and the local climate. Their consideration in climate change mitigation policies requires the estimation of their potential carbon stocks which can be estimated by reliable allometric equations available. The Region of East Cameroon where this study was carried out is an area of intense logging activity. The objective of this study was to make an analysis of the forest structure and to estimate the biomass using site-specific equations and to compare the effects of other equations frequently used. Trees with dbh≥1 cm were used in 7 plots of 250m × 20m to characterize the forest using diversity index, density per hectare and basal area. The biomasses of tree compartments were estimated using site-specific allometric equations and the equations most used in African forests were used to test the effect of these equations on the estimation of the aboveground biomass. The biomass was stratified into diameter classes and in root, trunk and crown compartments and their contribution estimated. Shannon index (2.47-3.88), showed a rich diversity. The biomass of trunk (220 t.ha-1), crown (146 t.ha-1) and roots (55 t.ha-1) represented respectively 52%, 35% and 13% of the total biomass. Aboveground biomass estimate with site-specific equation was 358 t.ha-1. Depending of the equation used, the biomass varied between 261 and 437 t.ha-1. This study contributes to a better understanding of the contribution of tree compartments to forest biomass and the implications of using existing equations.

VIEWS 12

Anonymous. 2012. Plan communal de développement de Bélabo. PNUD/IDA. Yaoundé, Camroun.

Araújo TM, Higuchi N, de Carvalho JJA. 1999. Comparison of formulae forbiomass content determination in a tropical rain forest site in the state of Pará.Brazil. Forest Ecology and Management 117, 43–52. PII: S0378-1127(98)00470-8

Basuki TM, Van Laake PE, Skidmore, AK, Hussin YA. 2009. Allometric equations for estimating the above-ground biomass in tropical lowland Dipterocarp forests. Forest Ecology and Management 257, 1684–1694. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2009.1601.1027

Brown S, Gilespie AJR, LugoAE. 1989. Biomass estimation methods for tropical forest with application to forest inventory data. Forest Sciences 35, 881-902. www.doi.org/10.1093/forestscience/35.4.881

Brown S, Pearson T.2005. Exploration du potentiel de séquestration du carbone dans les forêts classées de la République de Guinée. Winrock International.

Chave J, Andalo C, Brown S, Cairns MA, Chambers JQ, Eamus D, Fölster H, Fromard F, Higuchi N, Kira T, Lescure J-P, Nelson BW, Ogawa H, Puig H, Riéra B, Yamakura T. 2005. Tree allometry and improved estimation of carbon stocks and balance in tropical forests. Oecologia 145, 87-99. www.doi.org/10.1007/s00442-005- 0100-x

Chave J, Rejou-Mechain M, Burquez A, Chidumayo E, Colgan SM, Delitti BCW, Duque A, Eid T, Fearnside MP, Goodman CR, Matieu H, Martinez-Yrizar A, Mugasha AW, Muller-Landau CH, Mencuccini M, Nelson WB, Ngomanda A, Nogueira ME, Ortiz-Malavassi E, Pelissier R, Ploton P, Ryan MC, Juan G, Saldarriaga GJ,Vieilledent G. 2014. Improved allometric models to estimate the aboveground biomass of tropical. Global Change Biology 20: 3177-3190. https://doi.org/10.111 1/gcb.12629.

Day M, Baldauf C, Rutishauser E, Sunderland CHT. 2013. Relationships between tree species diversity and above-ground biomass in Central African rainforests: implications for REDD. Environmental Conservation. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0376892913000295

Djomo NA. 2015a. A Structure Analysis for Ecological Management ofMoist Tropical Forests. International Journal of Forestry Research, Article ID 161645, 12 pages http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/161645

Djomo A. 2015b. Forsest Ecosystem: measurement and modelling of biomass and carbon. IFED Publishing, Kingston , ON, Canada.

Djomo AN, Ibrahima A, Saborowski J, Gravenhorst G. 2010. Allometric equations for biomass estimations in Cameroon and pan moist tropical equations including biomass data from Africa. Forest Ecology and Management 260, 1873-1885. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.08.034.

Djomo NA, Knohl A, Gravenhorst G. 2011. Estimations of total ecosystem carbon pools distribution and carbon biomass current annual increment of a moist tropical forest, Forest Ecology and Management 261(8), 1448–1459. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2011.01.031

Djomo NA, Picard N, Fayolle A, Henry M, Ngomanda A, Ploton P, McLellan J, Saborowski J, Adamou I, Lejeune P. 2016. Tree allometry for estimation of carbon stocks in African tropical forests. Forestry, 1–10 http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/forestry/cpw025

Djomo NA, Grant AJ, Lucha FBC, Gagoe TJ, Fonton HN, Scott N, Sonwa JD. 2017. Forest governance and REDD+ in Central Africa: towards a participatory model to increase stakeholder involvement in carbon markets, International Journal of Environmental Studies http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2017.1347358

Djomo NA, Chimi DC. 2017. Tree allometry for estimation of above, below and total biomass in a tropical moist forest: Case study with application to remote sensing. Forest Ecology and Management 391, 184–193. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2017.02.022

Djuikouo KMN, Doucet JL, Nguembou KC, Lewis LS, Sonke B. 2010. Diversity and aboveground biomass in three tropical forest types in the Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon. African Journal of Ecology 48, 1053–1063. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2028.2010.01212.x

FAO. 2011. La situation des forêts dans le bassin amazonien, le bassin du Congo et l’Asie du Sud-Est. FAO, ITTO, Sommet des trois bassins forestiers tropicaux Brazzaville, République du Congo.

Fayolle A, Doucet JL, Gillet JF, Bourland, N,Lejeune P. 2013. Tree allome-try in Central Africa: testing the validity of pantropical multi-species allometric equa-tions for estimating biomass and carbon stocks, Forest Ecology and Management 305, 29–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.1005.1036

GIEC. 2007. The physical basis. Contribution of working group I to the fourth assessment Report of Intergovernment panel of Climate Change. In: Cambrigde University press, Cambrige.

Green C, Tobin B, Edward PMO, Byrne FKA. 2004. Above- and belowground biomass measurements in an unthinned standof Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong) Carr.). Eur. J. Forest Res. 126, 179–188. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10342-005-0093-3

Henry M, Besnard A, Asante WA, Eshun J, Adu-Bredu S, Valentini R, Bernoux M,Saint-André L. 2010. Wood density, phytomass variations within and among trees, and allometric equations in a tropical rainforest of Africa. Forest Ecology and Management 260, 1375–1388. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2010.1007.1040

Henry M, Picard N, Trotta C, Manlay RJ, Valentini R, Bernoux M, Saint-André L.2011. Estimating tree biomass of sub-Saharan African forests: a review of available allometric equations. Silva Fennica 45(3B), 477–569. www.metla.fi/silvafennica/full/sf45/sf453B477.pdf

Jiagho RE, Zapfack L, Banoho KRLP, Demase TM, Corbonnois J, Tchama P. 2016. Diversité de la flore ligneuse à la périphérique du parc national de Waza (Cameroun). Vertigo 16(1): www.vertigo.revues.org/17249

Letouzey R. 1985. Notice de la carte phytogéographique du Cameroun au 1:500000(pp 63-142). Institut de la carte internationale de la végétation, Toulouse- France.

Lewis S, Sonke B, Sunderland T, Begne SK, Gonzale LG, Van der Heijden MFG, Phillips LO, Affum-Baffoe K, Timothy R, Baker RT, Banin L, Bastin JF, Beeckman H, Boeckx P, Bogaert J, De Cannier C, Chezeaux E, Clark JC, Collins M, Djagbletey G, Djuikouo KMN, Droissart V, Doucet J-, Ewango NEC, Fauset S, Feldpausch RT, Foli GE, Gillet JF, Hamilton CA, Harris JD, Hart BT, De Haulleville T, Hladik A, Hufkens K, Huygens D, Jeanmart P, Jeffery JK, Kearsley E, Leal EM, Lloyd J, Lovett CJ, Makana J-R, Malhi Y, Marshall RA, Lucas O, Peh SHE, Pickavance G, Poulsen RJ, Reitsma MJ, Sheil D, Simo M, Steppe K, Taedoumg EH, Talbot J, Taplin RDJ, Taylor D, Thomas CS, Toirambe B, Verbeeck H, Vleminckx J, White TJL, Willcock S, Woell H,Zemagho L. 2013. Aboveground biomass and structure of 260 African tropical forests. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B. 368, 20120295. www.dx.doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2012.029.5

Moby EP, Morin S, Muller J,Gavaud M. 1979. Atlas De La République Unie du Cameroun. Edition Jeune Afrique. Paris-France.

Mokany K, Raison RJ, Prokushkin A. 2006. Critical analysis of root: shoot ratios in terrestrial biomes. Global Change Biology 12, 84-96. www.dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2486.2005.001043.x

Ngomanda A, Obiang ELN, Lebamba J, Mavouroulou MQ, Gomat H, Mankou SG, Loumeto J, Iponga MD, Ditsouga KF, Koumba ZR, Bobé BHK, Okouyi MC, Nyangadouma R, Lépengué N, Mbatchi B, Picard N. 2014. Site-specific versus pantropical allometric equations: Which option to estimate the biomass of a moist central African forest. Forest Ecology and Management 312, 1–9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foreco.2013.10.029

Ngoukwa G. 2016. Evaluation de la Variation de la densité inter et intra spécifique au sein de l’UFA 10065 (Est-Cameroun). Mscthesis, University of Yaounde 1, Yaoundé, Cameroun.

Nguenang GM, Nkongmeneck BA, Gillet JF, Vermeulen C, Dupain J, Doucet JL. 2010. Etat actuel de la sécondarisation de la forêt en périphérie nord de la Réserve de biosphère du Dja (Sud-est Cameroun): influences des facteurs anthropiques passés et des éléphants. Internatiol Journal ofBiological and Chemestry Sciences 4(5), 1766-1781. http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v4i5.65539

Noiha NV, Zapfack L, Ngueguim JR, Tabue MRB. 2015. Sequestered Standing Carbon Stock in Selective Exploited Timbers Grown in Tropical Forest: a Case Study from the National Park of Lobeke (Cameroon). Journal of Botanical Sciences 4(2), 19-24.

Ploton P, Barbier N, Momo TS, Réjou-Méchain M, Boyemba, BF, Chuyong G, Dauby G, Droissart V, Fayolle A, Goodman RC, Henry M, Kamdem NG, Katembo MJ, Kenfack D, Libalah M, Ngomanda A, Rossi V, Sonké B, Texiern N, Thomas D, Zebaze D, Couteron P, Berger U,Pélissier R. 2016. Closing a gap in tropical forest biomass estimation: accounting for crown mass variation in pantropical allometries. Biogeosciences 13,1571–1585. https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-13-1571-2016

Rusu E. 2013. The Current Situation Of The Stock Of Carbon In Forest Ecosystems At Regional And Global. Present Evironment And Sustainable Development 7(1), 88-101.

Saatchi SS, Harris NL, Brown S, Lefsky M, Mitchard ETA, SalasW, Zutta BR, Buermann W, Lewis SL, Hagen S, Petrova S, White L, Silman M,Morel A. 2011. Benchmark map of forest carbon stocks in tropical regions across three continents. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA,108, 9899–9904. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1019576108

Sonké B. 2004. Forêts de la réserve du Dja (Cameroun): Etude floristique et structurale. Meise, Jardin Botanique National de Belgique.

Tabue MRB, Zapfack L, Noiha NV, Nyeck B, Meyan-Ya DRG, Ngoma LR, Kabelong BL-P, Chimi DC. 2016. Plant Diversity and Carbon Storage Assessment in an African Protected Forest: A Caseof the Eastern Part of the Dja Wildlife Reserve in Cameroon. Journal of Plant Sciences 4(5), 95-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.11648/j.jps.20160405.11

Vahedi AA, Mataji A, Babayi-Kafaki S, Eshaghi-Rad J, Hodjati SM, Djomo A. 2014. Allometric equations for predicting aboveground biomass of beech-hornbeam stands in the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Journal of Forest Science 60(6), 236–247. www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/125764.pdf

Zanne AE, Lopez-Gonzalez G, Coomes DA, Ilic J, Jansen S, Lewis SL, Miller RB, Swenson NG, Wiemann MC, Chave J. 2009. Global wood density database. Dryad. Identifier: www.hdl.handle.net/10255/dryad.235

Zapfack L, Noiha NV, Dziedjou KPJ, Zemagho L, Fomete NT. 2013. Deforestation and carbon stocks in the surroundings of Lobéké National Parc (Cameroon) in Congo Basin. Environment and Natural Resources Research 3(2), 78-86. http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v3n2p78