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Plant diversity in a Central African rain forest: Implications for biodiversity conservation in Cameroon should be carried out with the local communities in their villages and in logging concessions in order: 122 To prepare a checklist of all timber and NTFP species used by the local people; To carry out a market survey to assess the demand and trade of these products; To study their biomass, densities, dynamics and the impact of their exploitation on the forest ecosystem. Ecological monitoring Tropical rain forests are fragile because of their complex dynamic ecosystems, their high number of species and their rich interacting structure. Although they are well adapted to persist in the environment in which they have evolved, they are much less resistant to human disturbances. Therefore, in the Campo-Ma’an area, it is of vital importance to monitor human activities and related changes in flora and fauna. This will enable the park management to act appropriately whenever undesired changes in the conservation status of its rich biodiversity occur. Remote sensing images and impact studies on human activities are required to monitor land cover changes, and the changes in vegetation, flora and fauna within and around the park. This study has demonstrated that the Campo-Ma’an area harbours about 141 plant species of high conservation priority and 92 threatened species listed in the red data list of IUCN (2002) and WCMC (1998). Of the 29 strict endemic species that only occur in the Campo-Ma’an area, 17 are the most threatened since they are located outside the National Park and in areas such as the coastal zone, and at the vicinity of settlements and large agro-industrial plantations where human pressures are severe. Furthermore, their habitats are fragmented and degraded as a result of past and present land conversion to subsistence agriculture and industrial plantations. Research is urgently needed on the population biology and ecology of these threatened species. In order to avoid the extinction of these species, botanical monitoring should be carried out to assess their status. Measures to secure their conservation should include the strict protection of these fragmented type localities. Ecological sustainable agriculture Shifting agriculture is identified as among the most destructive uses of the forest since it involves large amount of land conversion from natural forest to farms and fallow. In order to prevent further encroachment into the remaining lowland and coastal forests, farmers need to intensify their agricultural production systems. Furthermore, crop production needs to be increased in the existing agricultural lands to feed a growing population. Farmers should be encouraged to form common initiative groups in which they can receive adequate training on nursing, planting, maintenance, harvesting, storage and marketing techniques from the local staff of the Ministry of Agriculture. Conservation and environmental education Biodiversity conservation is a concept that is not yet well understood by the local communities. As a result there is a permanent conflict between conservation initiatives and the needs of the local communities and other stakeholders such as
General conclusions and implications for biodiversity conservation logging and agro-industrial enterprises. A stakeholder analysis carried out in the area (ERE Développement, 2002) showed that there is an overwhelming concern among stakeholders about the restrictions imposed with the creation of the National Park. The creation of the park has led to the reduction of the availability of bush meat within the TOU and the reduction of forestland for future agricultural expansion. Furthermore, the contribution of the park to the local economy is not yet evident. Despite the efforts made by the Campo-Ma’an Project to sensitize the local communities, a large majority is still very skeptical about the contribution of biodiversity conservation to their livelihoods. Therefore, environmental education programs should be reinforced in the area. This will help to create awareness among local people, to explain the purpose of conservation and the reasons for creating the National Park, and to educate them on the far-reaching implications of forest degradation. Local people need to learn about the importance of community forests and how to apply, create and manage a community forest. They also need to be informed on the existing laws on forestry, wildlife and fisheries. By doing so, the Campo-Ma’an Project will create a conducive working atmosphere that may help to secure their active and full participation in any conservation initiatives. Environmental education should be carried out at all levels, with different target groups within the local communities (traditional leaders, elite, hunters, farmers, women, children, teachers, etc.), timber exploiters, agro-industrials, local administrative authorities and any other stakeholders involved in the conservation of biodiversity in the TOU. Simple and appropriate education tools should be used to offer the local communities something that is important, clear, easy to recall and above all, something that give them food for thought. Dissemination of information to stakeholders is necessary for their involvement in the decision-making process. Key findings of all studies carried out in the area should be published and made available to the local communities. Simple leaflets with the list of plant and wildlife species of high conservation values should be produced with their local names, conservation status and pictures, and distributed to all the stakeholders. Regular broadcasts on television through attractive programmes are vital for the presentation and dissemination of information gathered. Photo: Natural forest gap rich in fern species (Tchouto, M.G.P.) 123
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Chapter 1 GENERAL INTRODUCTION Gild
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Plant diversity in a Central Africa
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Chapter 2 CENTRAL AFRICAN TROPICAL
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-2.0 Plant diversity in a Central A
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Chapter 3 DIVERSITY PATTERNS IN THE
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Chapter 4 BIO-INDICATOR SPECIES AND
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SUMMARY Summary The fragile ecosyst
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Summary suggest that the Campo-Ma
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RESUME Résumé La biodiversité de
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Résumé nombreux auteurs qui argum
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SAMENVATTING Gildas Peguy Tchouto M
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