[en] Landscape Ecological Survey of the Bipindi-Akom II ... - ITTO

these valley bottoms are sufficiently large to be mapped individually. The soils form an
association ofNyangong and Ebom types. The valley bottoms are typically poorly to very poorly
drained and are occupied by swam forest of the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill).
The Bul units are affected by human activities especially near the village ofNyangong a large
area with low intensity shifting cultivation area has been discerned. Primary and old secondary
lowland forest of the Podococcus-Polyalthia (lIa) community is the predominant vegetation of
the relatively undisturbed areas. The shifting cultivation areas are characterized by a vegetation
mosaic that contains obviously disturbed lowland forest forest of the Podococcus -Polyalthia
community, young secondary forest of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) and thicket of
the Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V).
7.3.7 ChI: isolated hills between 350 and 500 m asl, well drained soils
The isolated hills form a characteristic aspect of the central and northern region of the TCP area,
which is mainly composed of uplands. The characteristically scattered hills cover a total surface
area of 4,520 ha. Within the Ch 1 units no valley bottoms are found. The soils are predominantly
clayey and are classified classified as Ebom soils. The vegetation is primary and old secondary forest of
the Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb). Human activities have not affected the vegetation
of these units, most likely because of the steep slopes,
7.3.8 Cu2: hilly uplands between 350 and 500 m asl; well drained soils
These mapping units occupy considerable surface areas, i.e., 25,070 ha, in the central and
northern regions of the TCP area. The general orientation of these mapping units is SW-NE. The
uplands are strongly dissected and an estimated 5 to 10% of their surface are covered by valley
bottoms. The soils of the higher parts are clayey (Ebom type) and those of the valley bottoms
are typically poorly to very very poorly poorly drained. The vegetation of the well well drained part part of of the the Cu2
units is primary primary and old secondary lowland of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb).
Swamp forest of the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill) covers the valley bottoms.
Shifting cultivation is restricted to the southern edge of the unit near the villages of Adjab and
Akom 1I II and to the northern parts and is generally of low intensity. The vegetation in these areas
is a mosaic of obviously disturbed lowland forest of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community
(lIb), and young secondary vegetation of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV), and and the
Macaranga - Chromolaena Chromolaena community (V). Furthermore it is observed that most of the forest
has been logged in the recent past. past.
7.3.9 CuI: rolling uplands between 350 and 500 m asl; well drained soils
The rolling uplands between 350 and 500 m asl also occupy considerable surface areas, i.e.
31,270 ha, in the central and northern regions of the TCP area. With the mapping units Cu2
(hilly uplands) they form the major land mapping units of this regions. Both units have a similar
SW to NE direction and are found to alternate. Some 10 to 15% of the rolling uplands are
occupied by valley bottoms. The dominating soils of the slope and summit areas are clayey
Ebom soils, whereas the soils of the valley bottoms are typically poorly to very poorly drained.
The well drained areas are covered by primary and old secondary lowland forest of the
Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb), whereas the vegetation of the valley bottoms belongs
to the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill).
Near villages and roads considerable parts of the Cu rolling uplands are occupied by high
intensity shifting cultivation. The vegetation in these areas is characterized by patches of
obviously disturbed lowland forest of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb) and by a
mosaic of young secondary vegetation: the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV), and the
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