ethnobotanical survey of the takamanda forest reserve - Impact ...

3.1.5 Vegetation
Four main vegetation types exist within the Takamanda Forest Reserve: Lowland Rainforest,
Midaltitude Forest, Montane Forest, and Savanna (Figure 2).
Lowland rainforest
This is the predominant vegetation occupying the southern part of the reserve with altitudes
generally below 500m asl. It occurs around Takamanda, Assam, Obonyi I, Obonyi II and Takpe.
Within this type is also found reverine forest along Rivers Makone and Magbe. Floristically, this
vegetation type is composed of species which are associated with Atlantic coastal forest.
Common here are species like Irvingia gabunensis, Desbordesia glaucusense, Gilbertiodendron
dewevrei, Pterocarpus sauyauxii, P. osun, Poga oleosa, Cola sp, Cylicodiscus gabunensis
Treculia obovoidea, and other members of the Euphorbiaceae.
Mid-altitude Forest
This formation covers a stretch about 9km from Obonyi III towards Matene and about 4km from
Kekpani towards Basho. It extends to the southern part of Matene. Topographically, this area is
generally flat with pockets of high altitude areas.
Common species here include; Dactyladania mannii, Annonidium mannii, Citropsis sp,
Penianthus longifolius,Crotonogyne argentea and Mareyopsis longifolia.
Montane Forest
This occurs above 800m asl. The topography is conspicuously hilly often associated with large
boulders. It occupies the stretch between Matene and Mendi extending towards the northeastern
part of the reserve. The herb layer is dominated by members of the families Acanthaceae,
Costaceae, Selaginellaceae, and Graminae. Common tree species are Xylopia staudtia, Santira
trimera, Anthonotha cladanta, Vernonia frondosa, and Gaertnera paniculata. Orchids are also
present.
Savanna
This is found at the northernmost part of the reserve with altitudes greater than 1500m asl. The
vegetation is conspicuously grassland type with trees spotted. It extends to the Obudu Cattle
Ranch through Oshenukpa. Common tree species are Uapaca togoensis and Aniogeissus
leiocarpus. Also, stretches of gallery forests are found in valleys where streams flow.
3.1.6 Cultural Background
The Project Area is culturally diverse, made up of six main ethnic groups: Boki, Anyang,
Ovande, Becheve, Asumbo and Basho.
Boki villages share boundary with the southern section of the reserve, Anyang villages with the
south western and south eastern sections, Ovande villages with the north western and north east,
Becheve villages with the northern section, Asumbo villages with the north east while the Basho
villages share with the eastern section of the reserve.
All communities are predominantly agricultural with varied preferences for food and cash crops.
The forest is cleared, trees burnt after drying, before planting. The common food crops are maize,
yams, coco yams, cassava, plantains, bananas and groundnuts, for home consumption as well as
for sale. Common cash crops are oil palms, ground nuts, cocoa and coffee.
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