list of figures - Terry Sunderland

As mentioned in the discussion of methods, this survey took place in conjunction with
floristic inventories of the three sites. Whilst somewhat subjective, these latter studies
prove that many more rattan species occur at each site than were included in the
enumeration process, probably due to the site specific requirements of the different
species (Wong, 1997; Sunderland, 1999a; 1999b). This lack of representation in the
sampling is undoubtedly a shortfall in both the methodology and the sampling
intensity. To enable a more representative sampling of the rattan flora, it might be
more appropriate, and cost effective, to establish a wider network of smaller plots
(0.025-0.05 ha), as recommended by Stockdale and Wright (1994). This would ensure
that important forest formations would be better represented, particularly for
heterogeneous forest, and hence a greater proportion of the known species would be
included in the inventory process.
Table 9. Sampling and representation
No. of spp. recorded
in plots
192
No. of spp. known
from botanical
collections
% representation
Campo 4 9 45
Mokoko 5 11 45
Takamanda 4 10 40
When compared to studies that have been undertaken in SE Asia, it is interesting to
note that both the diversity and abundance of rattans in Africa is relatively low (see
Table 10). In terms of diversity, the relative paucity of species diversity in the Palmae
as a whole surely accounts for this discrepancy (see Chapter 1). With smaller
populations and fewer species, it is then unsurprising that the stocking and abundance
of rattans in Africa is less than that for comparative sites in SE Asia.