FLORISTIC DIVERSITY AND STRUCTURE OF WOODY STANDS IN THE DRY SAVANNAHS OF NORTH CAMEROON Authors: tezore bakary prudence, BRING Christophe, BAKOULOU NGAMO Africa, FROUMSIA MOKSIA, DJOSEBE AZARIA, TCHOBSALA Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 35 Issue: 2 Pages: 507-521 Year: 2025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2025.2.0042 URL: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2025.2.0042 Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

The dry savannahs of North Cameroon are known for their specific richness and socioeconomic importance in the lives of local populations. The aim of this study is to characterise the floristic diversity and vegetation structure of woody stands in the dry savannahs of northern Cameroon. A methodological approach based on quadrats was used for the floristic surveys in the study site. A total of 8 villages were selected and the inventory was carried out in two plant formations per village. Thirty-two (32) quadrats (100 m x 100 m) in total were installed at random with an equidistance of 500 m, and all woody plants with a circumference at breast height > 15 cm were inventoried. The crown diameter and height were also measured. The results show a taxonomic composition of 102 species belonging to 60 genera and 29 families. The Combretaceae and Mimosaceae families highlight the shrubby to arborescent nature of the stands in the study area. The biological characteristics revealed a predominance of microphanerophytes and mesophanerophytes. The flora is characterised by the predominance of Sudano-Zambézian species. The specific diversity of the dry savannahs of northern Cameroon shows that the Shannon index varies from 2.24 bits in the tree savannahs to 3.33 bits in the shrub savannahs. Pielou equitability follows the same trend, ranging from 0.35 in the treed savannah to 0.71 in the shrub savannah. Evaluation of the horizontal and vertical structure shows a predominance of woody stands, with a very high proportion of species of low height and circumference. These results reveal the state of degradation and disturbance of the dry savannah vegetation in North Cameroon. The study of the floristic and structural diversity of the woody stand of the dry savannahs of northern Cameroon thus constitutes a data reference base for the sustainable management of plant formations in this zone.

Keywords: Floristic diversity, plant structure, woody stand, dry savannahs, North Cameroon