research article diversity, distribution, and abundance of...

Hindawi Publishing CorporationInternational Journal of BiodiversityVolume 2013 Article ID 642579 13 pageshttpdxdoiorg1011552013642579

Research ArticleDiversity Distribution and Abundance ofPlants in Lewoh-Lebang in the Lebialem Highlands ofSouthwestern Cameroon

B A Fonge1 D J Tchetcha1 and L Nkembi2

1 Department of Botany and Plant Physiology University of Buea PO Box 63 Buea Cameroon2 Environment and Rural Development Foundation (ERuDeF) PO Box 189 Buea Cameroon

Correspondence should be addressed to B A Fonge ambofongeyahoocom

Received 24 April 2013 Accepted 26 June 2013

Academic Editor Rafael Riosmena-Rodrıguez

Copyright copy 2013 B A Fonge et al This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution Licensewhich permits unrestricted use distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original work is properly cited

A survey was conducted between October 2010 and June 2011 to determine the diversity distribution and abundance of plants in4 sites of the Lebialem highlands and to relate species diversity and abundance to altitude and soil types Twelve (12) plots eachof 1 ha (250times 40m) were surveyed at the submontane and montane altitudes of the sites One hundred (100) species belongingto 82 genera were identified with the genera Cola and Psychotria being the most represented Vulnerable species included Guareathompsonii Schefflera hierniana Allanblackia gabonensis Cyclomorpha solmsii Vepris trifoliolata and Xylopia africana Speciessuch as Xymalos monospora Tricalysia atherura and Piptostigma oyemense present in the study area were endemic to CameroonDiversity and distribution of plants were affected by parameters such as the altitude and the soil type Soil analysis revealed thatdiversity in the study area was affected by the organic carbon nitrogen calcium and the cation exchange capacity of the soil

1 Introduction

Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within agiven ecosystem biome or entire planet [1] It encompassesall species of plants animals andmicroorganisms the ecosys-tem and ecological processes of which they are parts It isan umbrella term for the degree of naturersquos variety includingboth number and frequency of ecosystems species or genesin a given assemblage Wilson [2] defines biodiversity as thevariety of organisms considered at all levels from genetic vari-ants belonging to the same species through arrays of speciesto arrays of genera families and still higher taxonomic levels

Besides South Africa Cameroon is the most biologicallyrich country known to date on the African continent [3]It encompasses an intricate mosaic of diverse habitats withmoist tropical forest dominating the south and south-east andcovering 54 of the country mountain forest and savannahin the highlands and sub-Sahelian savannah and near desertin the far north [3]These diverse habitats harbourmore than9000 species of plants 160 species of which are endemicThe majority of the endemic taxa are concentrated around

Mount Cameroon and other highland areas During thelast few decades deforestation of tropical forests areas hasaccelerated at an alarming rate as extensive areas of forest arebeing cleared every year [4] Man affects the forest ecosystemwith activities such as agroindustries shifting cultivationand hunting There has been an overwhelming concernabout the loss of tropical diversity and an emphasis onthe identification of biodiversity hot spots in an attempt tooptimize conservation strategies [5]

Diversity studies carried out in Cameroon have coveredmany parts of the country but left out certain regions despitetheir richness in plant diversity [6 7] An example of sucha region is the Lewoh-Lebang area in the Lebialem DivisionLebialem is located in the southwest region of Cameroon andit is characterized by a hilly topography with a rich diversityof flora and fauna This mountain ecosystem has been underserious pressure from the local people The ecosystem is acentre of high endemism for many taxa (plants amphibiansmammals and birds) and its destruction could lead to thelocal extinction of globally threatened biodiversity (plantsmammals etc) watershed destruction and degradation of

2 International Journal of Biodiversity

livelihood systems property and lives The region also holdssome of the globally threatened and endemic species suchas the critically endangered cross river gorilla chimpanzeeflying squirrel endangered Bannermanrsquos Turaco and BandedWattle-eye vulnerable Red-headed Picathartes [8]The studyarea is part of the Bamboutos Mountain Range which isa stronghold of montane biodiversity These ecosystemsaround the Bamboutos Mountain continue to provide valu-able goods and services to local people in the region andare an important watershed lodging the tributaries of ManyuRiver that drain into the cross river Due to precedentgeological and geographical history of these mountain areasand coupled with the high annual rainfall (2000 to 3000mm)and humidity these areas are perpetually having landslides[9 10] Most of the landslides are as a result of anthropogenicactivities of the communities around the mountain [10] TheNweh people (tribe in the study site) practice slash and burnagriculture with a bimodal annual farming cycle which isentirely dependent on the rain fall patterns that results infrequent landslides [9] Information on the type and thedistributional patterns of plants may help to put in placeproper management schemes on biodiversity conservationThis work therefore assesses the diversity distribution andabundance of plants found in Lewoh-Lebang landscape inCameroon so as to propose management schemes for biodi-versity conservation

2 Materials and Methods

21 Study Area Lebialem is located in the northeastern partof the southwest region of Cameroon (latitudes 5∘381015840N and5∘431015840N and between longitudes 9∘581015840E and 10∘271015840E) [11 12]Lewoh-Lebang is located between latitudes 5∘451015840 and 5∘471015840Nand longitudes 9∘911015840E and 9∘941015840E and at altitudes rangingfrom 1456 to 1835m (Figure 1) The climate of this regionis similar to that of the Cameroon mountain range whichis characterized by high winds and low sunshine [8] Theaverage daily temperature varies very much with seasons buthas ranges of 17 to 32∘C and the mean annual rainfall rangefrom 2000 was 3000mm [8] The main vegetation type isgrassland with patches of montane and submontane forestsmainly as a result of human activities particularly cocoyamfarming in the lowland forest [13]

22 Sampling Sampling was carried out in four differentsites Atullah (5∘461015840N and 9∘931015840E) Leleng (5∘471015840N and9∘941015840E) Mbindia (5∘451015840N and 9∘911015840E) and Nyitebong(5∘461015840N and 9∘911015840E) Each site was divided into submontane(800ndash1600m altitude) andmontane levels (ge1600m altitude)The study sites and the altitudes used were subdividedfollowing the classification done by Harvey et al [14] Withineach of the stratum a plot of 1 ha (40m times 250m) was laidand was subdivided into 10 subplots of 10 times 10m placed atregular intervals of 50m from each other Within each plotall individual trees were identified measured and recordedTaxa were identified in situ by a taxonomist from the LimbeBotanic GardenThe diameters at breast height of the specieswere measured using a diameter tape Trees were grouped

into the following diameter classes small trees (1ndash99 cm)medium-sized trees (10ndash299 cm) and large trees (gt299 cm)following a grouping done by Kenfack et al [15] Thesespecies were further grouped into four life forms defined bytheir maximum attainable heights as follows treelets (smalltrees) (lt10m) understorey (10ndash20m) canopy (20ndash30m)and emergent (gt30m) [16]

Voucher specimens were prepared and compared withthose at the Limbe Botanic Garden Herbarium (SCA) andthe Cameroon National Herbarium (YA) Rare species wereidentified in situ to prevent forward destruction At each alti-tude level soil samples were collected air dried and standardprocedures [17ndash20] were used to analyse the samples Thefollowing soil parameters were analysed soil pH determinedin the ration of 2 5 (wv) soil water suspension organiccarbon by chromic acid digestion and spectrophotometricanalysis [18] Total nitrogen was determined by wet aciddigestion [17] and exchangeable cations (calcium magne-sium and potassium) were extracted using the Mehlich-3procedure [19] and atomic absorption spectrophotometryAvailable phosphorus was extracted by the Bray-1 procedureand analysed using the molybdate blue procedure describedby Murphy and Riley [20]

23 Data Processing and Analysis Species diversities weredetermined using the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (119867) 119867 = (119875119894) (logn 119875119894) where 119875119894 = 119899119894119873 119899119894 = number ofindividuals of species 119894 and119873 = total number of individuals[21] Pearson correlation was conducted to determine therelationship between the soil physicochemical factors andspecies richness and diversity

3 Results

Table 1 shows the different plant species their code authorsand life forms found in the study sites (Atullah LelengMbindia and Nyitebong) A total of 100 species were record-ed in all the four sites belonging to 39 families and 82genera in which 94 were identified to species level and 6identified to genus level Out of the 100 species identified inthe study sites 39 species were treelets mostly lt10m talland 24 species were understory trees lt20m tall and seldomreaching the canopy Twenty-five (25) species were maincanopy species and 11 species were emergent trees species

From the 39 families recorded in the study sites theRubiaceae had the highest number of genera (12) and species(17) followed by the Sterculiaceae with 6 species and 3 generaA total of 82 genera were recorded in the study sites Cola(Rubiaceae) were the most abundant genera with the highestnumber of species (4) This was followed by the generaStrombosia (Olacaceae) and Vernonia (Asteraceae) having 3species each (Table 1)

Table 2 shows the different trees species found in thedifferent study sites and their relative abundance In the foursites 2113 individuals were sampled The species with thehighest number of individual wasMacarangamonandra (179)with a relative abundance of 847 It was followed by Pen-tadesma butyracea (131 individuals and relative abundance

International Journal of Biodiversity 3

0 100(km)

N

N

National boundariesRegional boundariesSouthwest region

10∘E 16

∘

10∘

6∘

2∘

4∘

9∘

12∘

Lebialem divisionRegional boundariesDivisional boundaries

0 300 600 900(m)

545∘

545∘

536∘

558∘

575∘

Study areaDivisional headquarters

VillagesSubdivisional boundaries

Motorable roadDivisional boundaries

(a) Southwest region in Cameroon (b) Lebialem division in the southwest region

(c) Area of study in Lebialem division

Revue de Geographie du Cameroun Vol XIII N∘ 1 1997

Source Carte Administrative du Cameroun INC 2005 Realisation TEMGOUA T Hilaire

Figure 1 Map of Atullah Leleng Mbindia and Nyitebong forests Southwest Cameroon


Table 1 Species composition of plants at the study sites (Atullah Leleng Mbindia and Nyitebong forests)

Code Family Genera Scientific name Author(s) FormCAE2 Fabaceae Albizia Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach) W F Wight CanopyALFL Clusiaceae Allanblackia Allanblackia gabonensis (Pellegr) Bamps CanopyMAL1 Phyllanthaceae Antidesma Antidesma laciniatum MullArg TreeletWARA Rutaceae Araliopsis Araliopsis tabouensis Aubrev and Pellegr EmergentBEIL Lauraceae Beilschmiedia Beilschmiedia sp 1 CanopyWFIC Lauraceae Beilschmiedia Beilschmiedia sp 2 UnderstoreyBEL1 Rubiaceae Belonophora Belonophora coriacea Holye TreeletBEWE Rubiaceae Belonophora Belonophora werhnamii Hutch and Dalziel TreeletWBER Melianthaceae Bersama Bersama abyssinica Fres TreeletCPD3 Sapindaceae Blighia Blighia sapida Konig EmergentBRMI Phyllanthaceae Bridelia Bridelia micrantha (Hochst) Baill CanopyWCAR Meliaceae Carapa Carapa grandiflora Sprague CanopyCOF4 Rubiaceae Chazaliella Chazaliella sp UnderstoreySAP5 Chrysobalanaceae Chrysobalanus Chrysobalanus icaco (A Chev) F White CanopySAPO Sapotaceae Chrysophyllum Chrysophyllum sp CanopyCPD1 Sapindaceae Chytranthus Chytranthus talbotia (Baker f) Keay UnderstoreyUNKN 2 Rubiaceae Coffea Coffea sp TreeletCOHE Sterculiaceae Cola Cola heterophylla (PBeauv) Schott and Endl TreeletCOME Sterculiaceae Cola Cola megalophylla Brenan and Keay EmergentCONI Sterculiaceae Cola Cola accuminata (Vent) Schott and Endt UnderstoreyMAL2 Sterculiaceae Cola Cola chlamydantha K Schum UnderstoreyCRAR Rubiaceae Craterispermum Craterispermum aristatum Wernharm TreeletCRSP Rubiaceae Craterispermum Craterispermum cf laurinum (Poir) Benth TreeletWRIC Caricaceae Cylicomorpha Cylicomorpha solmsii (Urb) Urb TreeletDASP Burseraceae Dacryodes Dacryodes klaineana (Pierre) HJ Lam CanopyBAIN Flacourtiaceae Dasylepis Dasylepis blackii (Oliv ) Chipp UnderstoreyDORT Melastomataceae Dichaetanthera Dichaetanthera africana (Hookf) Jacq-Fel TreeletDIOG Olacaceae Diogoa Diogoa zenkeri (Endl) Exell and Mendonta CanopyDIIT Ebenaceae Diospyros Diospyros iturensis (Gurke) Letouzey and F White UnderstoreyDRA 1 Dracaenaceae Dracaena Dracaena arborea (Willd) Link TreeletDRY Euphorbiaceae Drypetes Drypetes laciniata Hutch TreeletCACTUS Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia Euphorbia desmindi Keay and Milne-Redhead TreeletFICU 2 Moraceae Ficus Ficus mucuso Welw Ex Ficalho UnderstoreyGASP Rubiaceae Gaertnera Gaertnera paniculata Benth TreeletSAP1 Sapotaceae Gambeya Gambeya africana G Don UnderstoreyPEBU2 Clusiaceae Garcinia Garcinia smeathmanii (Planch and Triana) Oliv UnderstoreyUN4 Tiliaceae Glyphaea Glyphaea brevis (Spreng) Monach TreeletCPD4 Meliaceae Guarea Guarea cf glomerulata Harm TreeletGUA Meliaceae Guarea Guarea thompsonii Sprague and Hutch EmergentWCRAR Simaroubaceae Hannoa Hannoa klaineana Pierre and Engl CanopyWPYAN Clusiaceae Harungana Harungana madagascariensis Lam ex Poir UnderstoreyHYZE Lauraceae Hypodaphnis Hypodaphnis zenkeri (Engl) Stapf CanopyANNL Annonaceae Isolona Isolona maitlandii Keay CanopyIXHI Rubiaceae Ixora Ixora hippoperifera Bremek TreeletUN 1 Bignonaceae Kigelia Kigelia Africana (Lam) Benth CanopyLEKL Sapotaceae Lecomtedoxa Lecomtedoxa klaineana (Pierre ex Engl) Dubard EmergentHOLO Leeaceae Leea Leea guineensis G Don TreeletLEPA Sterculiaceae Leptonychia Leptonychia pallid K Schum TreeletMAMO Euphorbiaceae Macaranga Macaranga monandra MullArg CanopyROS Myrsinaceae Maesa Maesa lanceolata Mez Understorey


Table 1 Continued

Code Family Genera Scientific name Author(s) FormUN2 Sapotaceae Manilkara Manilkara sp CanopyMBETE Sterculiaceae Mansonia Mansonia altissima (A Chev) A Chev CanopyMEM Melastomataceae Memecylon Memecylon afzelii G Don TreeletMIPU Pandaceae Microdesmis Microdesmis puberula Hookf ex Planch TreeletMYSP Cecropiaceae Myrianthus Myrianthus preussii Engl CanopyOLA Olacaceae Olax Olax latifolia Engl TreeletCOMI Salicaceae Oncoba Oncoba mannii Oliv UnderstoreyACDET Rutaceae Vepris Vepris trifoliolata (Engl) Verdoorn TreeletSCMA2 Rubiaceae Pausinystalia Pausinystalia macroceras (KSchum) Pierre ex Beille CanopyPEBU Clusiaceae Pentadesma Pentadesma butyracea Sabine EmergentPICA Piperaceae Piper Piper capense Linn TreeletPIAF Fabaceae Piptadeniastrum Piptadeniastrum africanum (Hookf) Brenan EmergentSCTR Annonaceae Piptostigma Piptostigma oyemense Pellegrin UnderstoreyPOPA Annonaceae Polyceratocarpus Polyceratocarpus parviflorus (Baker f) Ghesq TreeletSHAB Araliaceae Polyscias Polyscias fulva (Hiern) Harms UnderstoreyPSY Rubiaceae Psychotria Psychotria cf djumaensis DeWild TreeletPSYBM Rubiaceae Psychotria Psychotria penducularis (Salisb) Steyerm TreeletPSYL Rubiaceae Psychotria Psychotria camptopus Verdc TreeletPSYLS Rubiaceae Psychotria Psychotria strictistipula Schnell TreeletPYAN Myristicaceae Pycnanthus Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw) Warb EmergentRAVO Apocynaceae Rauvolfia Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel UnderstoreyROLU Rubiaceae Rothmannia Rothmannia talbotii (Wernham) Keay TreeletWON Celastraceae Salicia Salicia staudtiana Laos UnderstoreySATR Burseraceae Santeria Santeria balsamifera Oliv EmergentOCN Araliaceae Schefflera Schefflera hierniana Harms CanopySCMA Rubiaceae Schumanniophyton Schumanniophyton magnificum (KSchum) Harms TreeletSPCA Bignonaceae Spathodea Spathodea campanulata P Beauv CanopyRUBR Rubiaceae Stipularia Stipularia africana P Beauv TreeletSTPU Olacaceae Strombosia Strombosia pustulata Oliv CanopySTRO Olacaceae Strombosia Strombosia grandifolia Hookf ex Benth UnderstoreySTSC Olacaceae Strombosia Strombosia scheffleri Engl CanopyGAR2 Clusiaceae Symphonia Symphonia globulifera Lf EmergentTABR Apocynaceae Tabernaemontana Tabernaemontana brachyantha Stapf CanopyTACR Apocynaceae Tabernaemontana Tabernaemontana crassa Benth CanopyMISP Ulmaceae Trema Trema guineensis (Schum andThonn) Ficalho UnderstoreyCOF Rubiaceae Tricalysia Tricalysia atherura N Halle TreeletCPD2 Anacardiaceae Trichoscypha Trichoscypha patens (Oliv) Engl UnderstoreyFICU Moraceae Trilepisium Trilepisuim madagascariense DC TreeletUVKO Annonaceae Uvariopsis Uvariopsis korupensis Gereau and Kenfack UnderstoreyVEAM Asteraceae Vernonia Vernonia amygdalina Del Cent TreeletVECO Asteraceae Vernonia Vernonia conferta Benth TreeletVESP Asteraceae Vernonia Vernonia sp TreeletUNKN Apocynaceae Voacanga Voacanga bracteata Stapf TreeletVO1 Apocynaceae Voacanga Voacanga psilocalyx Pierre ex Stapf TreeletWAR2 Melastomataceae Warneckea Warneckea jasminoides (Gilg) Jacq-Fel UnderstoreyDIOS Annonaceae Xylopia Xylopia africana (Benth) Oliv CanopyALPD Monimiaceae Xymalos Xymalos monospora (Harv) Baill Ex Warb UnderstoreyWXAN Rutaceae Zanthoxylum Zanthoxylum buesgenii Engl CanopyXANSR Rutaceae Zanthoxylum Zanthoxylum gilletii (De Wild) PG Waterman EmergentWAR1 Melastomataceae Warneckea pulcherrima (Hookf) Jacq-Fel Understorey


Table 2 Tree species abundance in the different study sites

Code Scientific name Family Nyitebong Mbindia Attuleh Leleng Total Rel abunACDET Vepris trifoliata Rutaceae mdash 7 mdash mdash 7 033ALFL Allanblackia gabonensis Clusiaceae 1 mdash mdash mdash 1 005ALPD Xymalos monospora Monimiaceae mdash mdash 54 5 59 279ANNL Isolona maitlandii Annonaceae mdash 6 mdash 9 15 071BAIN Dasylepis blackii Achariaceae 30 mdash 4 mdash 34 161BEIL Beilschmiedia sp 1 Lauraceae 1 mdash mdash mdash 1 005BEL1 Belonophora coriacea Rubiaceae mdash mdash 1 mdash 1 005BEWE Belonophora coriacea Rubiaceae 1 16 1 mdash 18 085BRMI Bridelia micrantha Phyllanthaceae mdash mdash 40 2 42 199CACTUS Euphorbia desmindi Euphorbiaceae mdash mdash mdash 1 1 005CAE2 Albizia adianthifolia Fabaceae mdash 7 mdash mdash 7 033COF Tricalysia atherura Rubiaceae 1 7 1 mdash 9 043COF4 Chazaliella sp Rubiaceae 13 4 mdash mdash 17 080COHE Cola heterophylla Sterculiaceae 11 46 mdash 1 58 274COME Cola megalophylla Sterculiaceae 1 mdash mdash mdash 1 005COMI Oncoba mannii Salicaceae 7 mdash mdash 1 8 038CONI Cola accuminata Sterculiaceae mdash 1 6 4 11 052CPD1 Chytranthus talbotia Sapindaceae 8 22 mdash 2 32 151CPD2 Trichoscypha patens Anacardiaceae mdash mdash mdash 7 7 033CPD3 Blighia sapida Sapindaceae mdash mdash 2 2 4 019CPD4 Guarea cf glomerulata Meliaceae mdash mdash mdash 4 4 019CRAR Craterispermum aristatum Rubiaceae mdash 1 mdash mdash 1 005CRSP Craterispermum cf laurinum Rubiaceae mdash mdash mdash 2 2 009DASP Dacryodes klaineana Burseraceae mdash 8 mdash mdash 8 038DIIT Diospyros iturensis Ebenaceae mdash 8 mdash mdash 8 038DIOG Diogoa zenkeri Olacaceae 1 mdash mdash mdash 1 005DIOS Xylopia africana Annonaceae 30 1 3 mdash 34 161DORT Dichaetanthera Africana Melastomataceae mdash 6 mdash mdash 6 028DRA 1 Dracaena arborea Dracaenaceae 16 32 1 mdash 49 232DRY Drypetes laciniata Euphorbiaceae 4 12 mdash mdash 16 076FICU Trilepisuim madagascariense Moraceae 26 7 4 1 38 180FICU 2 Ficus mucuso Moraceae 11 8 29 18 66 312GAR2 Symphonia globulifera Clusiaceae mdash mdash 13 mdash 13 062GASP Gaertnera paniculata Rubiaceae 103 2 2 2 109 516GUA Guarea cf thompsonii Meliaceae 4 3 mdash mdash 7 033HOLO Leea guineensis Leeaceae mdash mdash mdash 7 7 033HYZE Hypodaphnis zenkeri Lauraceae mdash 5 mdash mdash 5 024IXHI Ixora hippoperifera Rubiaceae 1 mdash 18 mdash 19 090LEKL Lecomtedoxa klaineana Sapotaceae 34 6 mdash mdash 40 189LEPA Leptonychia pallida Malvaceae mdash 2 mdash mdash 2 009MAL1 Antidesma laciniatum Phyllanthaceae mdash 7 mdash mdash 7 033MAL2 Cola chlamydantha Sterculiaceae mdash mdash 7 8 15 071MAMO Macaranga monandra Euphorbiaceae 15 8 50 106 179 847MBETE Mansonia altissima Malvaceae mdash mdash 7 2 9 043MEM Memecylon afzelii Melastomataceae 4 1 mdash mdash 5 024MIPU Microdesmis puberula Pandaceae mdash 1 mdash mdash 1 005MISP Trema guineensis Ulmaceae 1 mdash 12 5 18 085MYSP Myrianthus preussii Moraceae mdash 17 3 7 27 128OCN Schefflera hierniana Araliaceae 10 mdash mdash mdash 10 047OLA Olax latifolia Olacaceae 18 1 1 mdash 20 095PEBU Pentadesma butyracea Clusiaceae 123 8 mdash mdash 131 620


Table 2 Continued

Code Scientific name Family Nyitebong Mbindia Attuleh Leleng Total Rel abunPEBU2 Garcinia smeathmanii Clusiaceae 2 mdash mdash 7 9 043PIAF Piptadeniastrum africanum Fabaceae mdash mdash 6 mdash 6 028PICA Piper capense Piperaceae mdash mdash mdash 1 1 005POPA Polyceratocarpus parviflorus Annonaceae mdash mdash mdash 2 2 009PSY Psychotria cf djumaensis Rubiaceae 5 26 31 mdash 62 293PSYBM Psychotria peduncularis Rubiaceae mdash 1 29 14 44 208PSYL Psychotria camptopus Rubiaceae 2 2 mdash mdash 4 019PSYLS Psychotria strictistipula Rubiaceae 26 19 15 1 61 289PYAN Pycnanthus angolensis Myristicaceae 1 mdash mdash mdash 1 005RAVO Rauvolfia vomitoria Apocynaceae mdash mdash 24 20 44 208ROLU Rothmannia talbotii Rubiaceae mdash 4 mdash 1 5 024ROS Maesa lanceolata Myrsinaceae 46 3 58 2 109 516RUBR Stipularia africana Rubiaceae 7 mdash mdash mdash 7 033SAP1 Gambeya africana Sapotaceae 1 3 5 mdash 9 043SAP5 Chrysobalanus icaco Chrysobalanaceae mdash 2 1 mdash 3 014SAPO Chrysophyllum sp Sapotaceae 3 1 mdash mdash 4 019SATR Santeria balsamifera Burseraceae 12 22 mdash mdash 34 161SCMA Schumanniophyton magnificum Rubiaceae 5 2 8 mdash 15 071SCMA2 Pausinystalia macroceras Rubiaceae mdash mdash 5 mdash 5 024SCTR Piptostigma oyemense Annonaceae 1 mdash mdash mdash 1 005SHAB Polyscias fulva Araliaceae mdash 2 mdash 12 14 066SPCA Spathodea campanulata Bignonaceae 1 mdash mdash mdash 1 005STPU Strombosia pustulata Olacaceae mdash 17 2 2 21 099STRO Strombosia grandifolia Olacaceae 6 9 mdash 1 16 076STSC Strombosia scheffleri Olacaceae 3 1 mdash mdash 4 019TABR Tabernaemontana brachyantha Apocynaceae 2 mdash 1 1 4 019TACR Tabernaemontana crassa Apocynaceae 6 8 7 19 40 189UN 1 Kigelia africana Bignonaceae 3 mdash mdash mdash 3 014UN2 Manilkara sp Sapotaceae 6 13 18 3 40 189UN4 Glyphaea brevis Tiliaceae 9 18 mdash mdash 27 128UNKN Voacanga bracteata Apocynaceae 1 2 mdash mdash 3 014UNKN 2 Coffea sp Rubiaceae 4 2 1 mdash 7 033UVKO Uvariopsis korupensis Annonaceae 2 6 mdash mdash 8 038VEAM Vernonia amygdalina Asteraceae 3 mdash 4 mdash 7 033VECO Vernonia conferta Asteraceae 8 9 31 31 79 374VESP Vernonia sp Asteraceae 2 mdash 11 1 14 066VO1 Voacanga psilocalyx Apocynaceae 4 3 mdash 1 8 038WAR1 Warneckea pulcherrima Melastomataceae mdash 7 mdash mdash 7 033WAR2 Warneckea jasminoides Melastomataceae 1 6 1 1 9 043WARA Araliopsis tabouensis Rutaceae mdash 3 18 9 30 142WBER Bersama abyssinica Melianthaceae mdash mdash mdash 8 8 038WCAR Carapa grandifolia Meliaceae 5 3 22 9 39 185WCRAR Hannoa klaineana Simaroubaceae 24 9 1 1 35 166WFIC Beilschmiedia sp 2 Lauraceae 34 mdash 2 2 38 180WON Salicia staudtiana Celastraceae mdash mdash mdash 2 2 009WPYAN Harungana madagascariensi Clusiaceae 4 mdash 2 2 8 038WRIC Cylicomorpha solmsii Caricaceae 1 mdash mdash 2 3 014WXAN Zanthoxylum buesgenii Rutaceae mdash mdash mdash 7 7 033XANSR Zanthoxylum gilletii Rutaceae 8 1 2 4 15 071Total 723 464 564 362 2113 100


Table 3 Diversity indices evenness and species richness in differ-ent sites

LocationShannonWeaver(1198671015840)

PieloursquosEvenness (119864)

Margalef(119863)

Attuleh montane 282 087 482Mbindia submontane 310 089 665Leleng montane 277 083 575Leleng submontane 253 078 499Nyitebong montane 268 073 673Nyitebong submontane 318 087 712

of 620) Gaertnera paniculata and Maesa lanceolata (109individuals and relative abundance of 516 each)

Thirteen (13) species were common in all the foursites Trilepisium madagascariense (Moraceae) Ficus mucuso(Moraceae) Gaertnera paniculata (Rubiaceae) Macarangamonandra (Euphorbiaceae) Psychotria strictistipula (Rubi-aceae) Maesa lanceolata (Myrsinaceae) Tabernaemontanacrassa (Apocynaceae) Manilkara sp (Sapotaceae) Vernoniaconferta (Asteraceae) Warneckea jasminoides (Melastomat-aceae) Carapa grandiflora (Meliaceae) Hannoa klaineana(Simaroubaceae) and Zanthoxylum gilletii (Rutaceae)

In Nyitebong 60 species were recorded from 26 familiesand 51 genera The most abundant species were Pentadesmabutyracea (123 individuals) and Gaertnera paniculata (103)with several families having only one species represen-tative Allanblackia gabonensis (Clusiaceae) Beilschmiediasp1 (Lauraceae) Cola megalophylla (Sterculiaceae) Diogoazenkeri (Olacaceae) Piptostigma oyemense (Annonaceae)Pycnanthus angolensis (Myristicaceae) Spathodea campanu-lata (Bignoniaceae) andKigelia africana (Bignoniaceae) wererare species having only one individual recorded in the area

In Mbindia 59 species were recorded from 28 fami-lies and 51 genera The most abundant species were Colaheterophylla (46 individuals) and Dracaena arborea (32individuals) The rare species having only one individ-ual included Craterispermum aristatum (Rubiaceae) andMicrodesmis puberula (Pandaceae) which was found only inMbindia

In Atullah 46 species were recorded from 24 families and51 genera The most abundant species wereMaesa lanceolata(58 individuals) and Xymalos monospora (54 individuals)while Balanophora coriacea (Rubiaceae) was the only rarespecies

In Leleng 49 species were recorded from 28 familiesand 42 genera The most abundant species were Macarangamonandra (106 individuals) and Vernonia conferta (31 indi-viduals) The rare species having only one individual andoccurring only at Leleng included Euphorbia desmindi(Euphorbiaceae) and Piper capense (Piperaceae)

31 Diversity The Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (1198671015840)Pieloursquos Evenness and the species richness (119889) of the differentstudy sites are shown in Table 3 Nyitebong and Mbindiasubmontane forests were the most diverse communities with

LelengAttulehMbindiaNyitebong

4779

6520

8260

10000

Variables

Sim

ilarit

y

DendrogramSingle linkage correlation coefficient distance

Figure 2 Similarities between the different study sites

the highest indices of 318 and 310 respectively The leastdiverse sites was Leleng submontane with 1198671015840 = 25261 Interms of evenness the submontane forest at Mbindia had themost evenly distributed species with Pieloursquos Evenness valueof 089 The richest forest in terms of number of species wasthe submontane forest at Nyitebong with Margalef richnessvalue of 712

32 Species Similarity Figure 2 represents a dendrogramshowing similarities between the four different study sitesThe distance correlation (ward linkage) between Attuleh andLeleng is minimal (044) and this shows that Attuleh andLeleng have many plants species that are similar and theirsimilarity index was 778 Nyitebong was less similar to allthe other sites

Figure 3 shows the different diameter classes found inthe different study sites The diameter range was grouped assmall trees (1ndash99 cm)medium-sized trees (99ndash299 cm) andlarge trees (gt299 cm)The four sites were dominated by treesspecies having diameters ranging from 10 to 99mm (smalltrees) Medium-sized trees were also present in all the sitesThere were very few trees with large diameters (gt299 cm)occurring at Nyitebong (07) Mbindia (41) and Leleng(30) and no large tree was found in Attuleh forest

In Nyitebong 464 trees (821) with DBH range of 10ndash99mm and 101 trees (179) with DBH range of 100ndash299mmwere recorded In Leleng 263 trees (727) with DBH rangeof 1ndash99 cm 88 trees (243) with DBH range of 10ndash299 cmand 11 trees (30) with DBH ge 30 cm were recorded InNyitebong 596 trees (821) with DBH range of 1ndash99 cm125 trees (172) with DBH range of 10ndash299 cm and 5 trees(07) with DBH ge 30 cm were recorded In Mbindia 379trees (817) with DBH range 1ndash99 cm 66 trees (142) withDBH range of 10ndash299 cm and 19 trees (41) with DBH ge30 cm were recorded

Figure 4 shows the similarities in diameter at breastheight between different study sites It shows that the DBHof plants in Attuleh and Nyitebong is very similar and thatMbindia has plants with DBH different from that of plantsfound in all other sites Trees and shrubs had very similar


Table 4 Physicochemical properties of soils at the different sites

Locationparameter Org C pH Total N Bray P cmol(+)kg CN Sand Clay Silt Water ugg or ppm K Ca Mg Na ECEC CEC

Atullah montane 373 519 042 400 049 486 204 004 744 2058 883 3357 3589 3053Mbindia submontane 364 495 042 291 030 351 132 005 518 1864 865 3286 3346 3366Leleng montane 272 504 033 263 051 371 171 005 599 1966 813 3285 4040 2674Leleng submontane 261 532 032 191 030 391 143 004 568 1459 800 3354 2404 4242Nyitebong montane 559 532 060 221 028 014 018 011 072 2189 931 5754 1482 2765Nyitebong submontane 414 492 049 675 050 360 141 008 559 2554 848 5106 2453 2440

10ndash99 mm100ndash299 mm

DBH class

179

821

30

243

727

07172

821

41142

817

Diameter class distribution for all study sites

Attuleh S lowastDBH class Leleng S lowastDBH class

Nyitebong S lowastDBH classMbindia S lowastDBH class

gt299 mm


DBH class

gt299 mm

Figure 3 Diameter class distribution of the different study sites

5092

6728

8364

10000

Dendrogram for DBHSingle linkage correlation coefficient distance

LelengAttuleh MbindiaNyitebong

Variables

Sim

ilarit

y

Figure 4 Similarities in diameter at breast height between thedifferent study sites

diameters at Attuleh and Nyitebong (5366) The diameter ofplants atMbindia was different from the diameter of plants inall other areas (5091)

33 Substrate Parameters Table 4 shows the physico-chemi-cal properties of soils at the different forest levels The pHof the study sites was acidic at all the forest levels rangingfrom 492 to 522 with Nyitebong submontane being themost acidic site The calcium (4864 cmolkg) magnesium(2043 cmolkg) and ECEC (7444 cmolkg) content of thesoil was higher in Attuleh than in all other sites The CEC(25540 cmolkg) and Bray P (6750 ppm) of the soil werehigher inNyitebong submontane than in all other sitesNyite-bong montane site had the lowest calcium (014 cmolkg)magnesium (018 cmolkg) and potassium (028 cmolkg)content compared with the other sites The organic carbon(4145) total nitrogen (0601) and CN ratios (9310)of the soil were higher in Nyitebong montane than in allother sites The soils of Nyitebong montane and submontanesites were sandy having the sand content of 5740 and5106 respectively Soils at Attuleh had almost the same soiltexture percentages while in Leleng the montane had highclay content (4040) compared with the submontane with2404 clay and 2674 of silt

Table 5 shows the correlation between soil parametersdiversity indices index of evenness and species richnessThe diversity and evenness of plants in study sites werenegatively correlated with pH while there was no correlationwith species richness (119875 gt 001 and119875 gt 005 resp) Evennesswas positively correlated with calcium and ECEC (119875 gt 005)The diversity of plants was positively correlated with Brayphosphorus content of the soil (119875 gt 005)

4 Discussions

41 Species Diversity in the Study Sites The forests of south-western Cameroon are generally known to be rich in speciesdiversity because they are located within the high rainfallzone of the Guinean equatorial tropical forest Tropical forestcontains more than half of the global species diversity and itis often subjected to increasing anthropogenic pressurewhichleads to loss of biodiversity [22] It is also believed that thisarea formed a Pleistocene refugium during the last glacial


Table5Correlatio

nbetweensoilanddiversity

parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364

1Mg(cmol(+)kg)minus0364

0976lowastlowastlowast

1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k

g)0163minus0909lowastlowastlowastlowastlowast

minus0877lowastminus0272

1EC

EC(cmol(+)kg)minus0379



0630minus0888lowastlowast

1CE

C(cmol(+)kg)minus0472minus0242minus0169

0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(

)0154minus0781lowastminus0759lowastminus0273

0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()

0086minus0754lowastminus0742lowastminus0250

0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204

minus0638minus0597minus0261

0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178

0029minus0675minus0681minus044

6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260

0117minus0595minus0531

0181minus0910lowastlowastlowast

minus0575minus0505minus0524minus0418minus0531minus006

41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840

)minus0913lowastlowastlowast

0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv

enness(119864)minus0811lowast

0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197

0572minus0360minus0306minus0239minus0493

0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)

minus0529minus0561minus0583minus0132

0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)

lowastlowastlowastlowastlowastlowastlowast

Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level


period becoming isolated and allowing the development ofregional endemic species [3]

In the study area the most dominant family was theRubiaceae and this implies that the Rubiaceae could be themost dominant tree family in the Guinean equatorial forestThis result was in line with the findings of Ndam et al[23] and Fonge et al [24] who reported that the Rubiaceaewas the most dominant tree family in the Mount Cameroonregion Kenfack et al [15] also report Rubiaceae to be themost dominant tree family in the Korup National Park andKouame et al [25] reported that the Rubiaceae was the mostdominant tree family in the Azagny National Park of CoteDrsquoIvoire The submontane forest had more species than themontane forest and this could be due to the fact that speciesrichness decreaseswith altitude [3] Twenty-eight (28) speciesof plants were found only in the submontane forest while 15plant species were found only in themontane forestThis highnumber of species found in the submontane area could bedue to the disturbance (agriculture) which brings about theestablishment of secondary species [11] Thirteen (13) speciesof plants cut across all the 4 study sites and the ecology ofthese species show that they thrive across a wide range ofhabitats including both montane and submontane habitats

Allanblackia gabonensis is a rare species occurring only atNyitebongThe absence of this species in the other sitesmightbe due to deforestation At these sites (Mbindia Atullah andLeleng) human activities particularly agriculture (slash andburn farming system) were higher than those in NyitebongAllanblackia gabonensis is of particular interest because itis vulnerable and of great economic value This result is inline with the findings of Ndam et al [26] who also reportedAllanblackia gabonensis to be a rare species in the MountCameroon montane forest

42 Species Richness and Diversity According to Kent andCoker [27] a forest community is said to be rich if it hasa Shannon Diversity value ge35 All our sites had Shannon-Weaver Diversity indices values below 35 making the forestrelatively poor in diversity The submontane forest at Nyite-bong was the most diverse and also the most even forest ofall the four study sites followed by the submontane forestat Mbindia This could be due to the fact that forests atNyitebong and Mbindia were relatively undisturbed throughanthropogenic factors such as agriculture and hunting Sec-ondly it might also be due to the abandonment of farmingactivities by the peasants and the successional changes in thevegetation as lands had been left to fallow for a very longtime in both areas [24]This had resulted in the reappearanceof many plant species in this area The submontane forest atLeleng was the least diverse of all the sites This might bedue to anthropogenic effects In the Leleng area cultivationhunting and collection of forest products were the mainactivities of the local population Also we observed largeplantations of cocoyams cultivated around the forest edgesand this crop is the main staples of the local communityaround the forest and is also their source of incoming henceincreasing the pressure on the surrounding forest [12 24]Theaction of the local people has led to untold suffering includinghomelessness loss of human lives properties and forest land

substantial loss of biodiversity habitats and loss of incomesources leading to extreme levels of poverty [9 28] There isalso loss of cultural values and serious degradation of habitats

43 Threatened Species in the Study Sites Themajority of thetaxa found in the studied area are of conservation value andimportanceThey occurmostly in the intricatemosaic of low-land and ridge forest formations and the ecological fragilityand anthropogenic pressure on the montane forest andsubmontane forest suggest that these ecotypes are of consid-erable conservation value Out of the 100 species recorded 6species were threatened These species included Allanblackiagabonensis Vepris trifoliolata Schefflera hierniana Xylopiaafricana Guarea thompsonii and Cyclomorpha solmsii andthese were all vulnerable species according to IUCN [29]The presence of these species in the study sites could bebecause this area is within the Mount Cameroon regionwhich is reported to be a centre of biodiversity and endemismin Cameroon [30] Scholes and Biggs [30] also found thatmontane forest contains several centre of endemism for birdsmammals and plants The floristic composition and thethreatenedendangered species found in the IUCN categoriesshow that this area is qualitatively diverse The occurrenceof threatened species in the area might also be due to theaccidental nature of the terrain which restricted humanactivities especially agriculture to areas that were relativelyaccessible thus allowing the inaccessible areas to be relativelyundisturbed Some of the threatened species such as Guareathompsonii Cyclomorpha solmsii and Schefflera hiernianawere used in the area as timber medicine and fencingrespectively and this could be the reason why these speciesdid not appear in all the study sites The following speciesXymalosmonospora Tricalysia atherura and Piptostigma oye-mensewhich are endemic to Cameroon were also recorded inour study area

44 Substrate Parameters Based on studies of soil propertiesphosphorus present inmost tropical soils is lacking due to soilacidity and fixation therefore becomes unavailable to plantsfor proper growth and development [31]

Forest ecosystems are highly diversified in plant speciesand this great floristic diversity is supported by relativelypoor and acidic soils [1] Nyitebong was the most diverseof all sites having very acidic soils that have low calciummagnesium potassium and sodium concentrations Thisresult corroborates the findings of Fonge et al [24] whoreported similar results in soils of the Mount Cameroonregion Nyitebong submontane forest also had the highestvalues in terms of carbon nitrogen ratio organic carbon totalnitrogen Bray phosphorus and CEC and this explains itshigh floristic diversity The high content of these elementscould be because of the continuous accumulation of organicmaterial on the top soil over the years from pioneer species(bryophytes ferns orchids etc) litter from trees shrubs anddeadmacro- andmicroorganismswhich could be responsiblefor the regeneration of the vegetation cover [24 32] Nyite-bong submontane had the highest percentages of organiccarbon and this might be the reason why they had a greaterdiversity compared with the other sites


Pearson correlation shows that organic carbon was pos-itively correlated with the total nitrogen and the carbon-nitrogen ratio These two nutrients are essential macronu-trients for plant growth and vegetation establishment Thehumid substances from the decay of organic materials aidin weathering of the parent rock and thereby increasing theamount of silt and clay in the soil Nevertheless this wasnot the case in Nyitebong where the sand content was highand this high content of sand could be attributed to thecomposition of the parent rock material and the weatheringprocesses involved during soil formation and high rainfallwhich causes the leaching of nutrients from the soil Lelengmontane forest unlike most montane ecosystems had soilswith high clay content This might be due to the fact that theslope at Leleng was not steep and thus reducing the rate oferosion Diversity was positively correlated with phosphorusconcentration in the soil while it was negatively correlatedwith the pH Evenness was negatively correlated with pHand positively correlated with ECEC and the calcium contentof the soil Potassium did not correlate with any of theparameters meaning that potassium did not influence thediversity and distribution of species in the study area Phos-phorus concentration of the soils (675 ppm) was the highestin Nyitebong submontane but this value was relatively lowcompared with the findings of Mvondo Ze [33] who reportedthe phosphorus content of Mount Cameroon soils to bebetween 12 and 16 ppmThe low phosphorus concentration ofsoils in the study sitesmight be the reason for the lowdiversityin the area Phosphorus was negatively correlated with pHin our study sites and this was in line with the findings ofWada and Gunjigake [34] who reported that the amount ofphosphorus in soils is correlated with the pH of the soil

5 Conclusion

Biodiversity is in need of wisemanagement not only to satisfyinternational pressures and obligations but also becausebiodiversity could be the basis of most rural sustainablelivelihoods in new economic sectors The montane andsubmontane vegetation was subjected to human disturbanceIn the Lebialem region most of the tree species are treeletswith a height range of about lt10m signifying anthropogenicdisturbance Rubiaceae was the most common family withCola being the most abundant genera followed by Strombosia(Olacaceae) andVernonia (Asteraceae)The tree species weregreatly affected by the soil physicochemical properties andwere positively correlated with Bray phosphorus

6 Recommendations

The population needs to be educated on sustainable farmingtechniques (eg agroforestry that maximizes production inreduced surface area) and sustainable forest managementThis will help reduce the pressure on the forest and thusconserving the natural environment

More research should be geared towards effects of climateand landuse changes factors on vegetation establishment inthis area as this will help in the management of landslideactivities in these ecosystems

Reforestation programmes should be carried out by thegovernment and councils to improve the water catchment

Acknowledgments

Special thanks go to the University of Buea that gave theinitial grant used to carry out this research The authorsgratefully acknowledge the collaboration of the villagers inthe Lewoh and Lebang villages in this study as well as theLimbe Botanic Garden and the botanists of the CameroonNational Herbarium for their help in validating the identitiesof specimens Also the financial support of the NGO ldquoEnvi-ronment and Rural Development Foundationrdquo (ERUDEF) isgratefully acknowledged

References

[1] G Uno R Storey and R Moore Principles of Botany McGraw-Hill 2001

[2] E O WilsonThe Diversity of Life Penguin Books 1992[3] T C H Sunderland J A Comiskey S Besong H Mboh J

Fonwebon and M A Dione ldquoVegetation Assessment of Taka-manda Forest Reserve Cameroonrdquo Smithsonian Institution2003

[4] M G P Tchouto Plant diversity in a central African rainfor-estImplications for biodiversity conservation inCameroon [PhDthesis] University of EdinburghRoyal Botanic Garden of Edin-burgh 2004

[5] H J Beentje Centres of Plant Diversities in Africa the Biodiver-sity of African Plants Kluwer Academic PublishersTheNether-lands 1996

[6] J E AdjanohounNAboubakar KDramane et al ldquoTraditionalMedicine and Pharmacopoeia Contribution to Ethnobotanicaland Floristic studies in Cameroonrdquo OAUSTRC pp 224ndash3151996

[7] MMbolo ldquoLa collecte et lrsquoanalyse des donnees statistique sur lesproduits forestiers non ligneux une etude pilote au CamerounrdquoDepartement des forets In Programme produit forestiers nonligneux FAO Rome Italie 2002

[8] L Nkembi ldquoComparative study of community and governmentpatrols in enhancing sustainable wildlife conservation in theBanyang-Mbo sanctuary Cameroonrdquo Tech Rep Ministry ofEnvironment and Forestry MINEF 2004

[9] S N Ayonghe and E B Ntasin ldquoThe geological control andtriggering mechanism of landslides of the 20th July 2003with the Bamboutos Caldera Cameroonrdquo Journal of CameroonAcademic Science vol 7 no 3 pp 191ndash203 2008

[10] A Zogning C Ngouanet and O Tiafack ldquoThe catastrophicgeomorphological processes in humid tropical Africa a casestudy of the recent landslide disasters in Cameroonrdquo Sedimen-tary Geology vol 199 no 1-2 pp 13ndash27 2007

[11] D A Focho E A P Nkeng B A Fonge et al ldquoDiversity ofplants used to treat respiratory diseases in Tubah northwestregion Cameroonrdquo African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharma-cology vol 3 no 11 pp 573ndash580 2009

[12] D A Focho W T Ndam and B A Fonge ldquoMedicinal plantsof AguambumdashBamumbu in the Lebialem highlands southwestprovince of Cameroonrdquo African Journal of Pharmacy andPharmacology vol 3 no 1 pp 1ndash13 2009


[13] B A Fonge E A Egbe A G N Fongod et al ldquoEthnobotanysurvey and uses of plants in the Lewoh-Lebang communitiesin the Lebialem highlands South West Region CameroonrdquoJournal of Medicinal Plants Research vol 6 no 5 pp 855ndash8652012

[14] Y Harvey B Tchieuque andM Cheek ldquoThe plants of Lebialemhighland Cameroonrdquo A conservation checklist Royal botanicGarden Kew UK pp 7ndash31 2010

[15] D Kenfack D WThomas G Chuyong and R Condit ldquoRarityand abundance in a diverse African forestrdquo Biodiversity andConservation vol 16 no 7 pp 2045ndash2074 2007

[16] G B Chuyong D Kenfack K E Harms D W Thomas RCondit and L S Comita ldquoHabitat specificity and diversity oftree species in an African wet tropical forestrdquo Plant Ecology vol212 no 8 pp 1363ndash1374 2011

[17] A Buondonno A A Rashad and E Coppola ldquoComparingtests for soil fertility II The hydrogen peroxidesulfuric acidtreatment as an alternative to the copperselenium catalyzeddigestion process for routine determination of soil nitrogen-Kjeldahlrdquo Communications in Soil Science amp Plant Analysis vol26 no 9-10 pp 1607ndash1619 1995

[18] D L Heanes ldquoDetermination of total organic-C in soils byan improved chromic acid digestion and spectrophotometricprocedurerdquo Communications in Soil Science amp Plant Analysisvol 15 no 10 pp 1191ndash1213 1984

[19] A Mehlich ldquoMehlich 3 soil test extractant a modification ofMehlich 2 extractantrdquo Communications in Soil Science amp PlantAnalysis vol 15 no 12 pp 1409ndash1416 1984

[20] J Murphy and J P Riley ldquoA modified single solution methodfor the determination of phosphate in natural watersrdquoAnalyticaChimica Acta vol 27 pp 31ndash36 1962

[21] A E Magaurran Ecological Diversity and Its MeasurementPrinceton University Press Princeton NJ USA 1988

[22] M Tchatat O Ndoye and R NASI ldquoProduits Forestiers autresque le bois drsquooeuvre (PFAB) place dans lrsquoamenagement durabledes forets denses humides drsquoAfrique Centralerdquo Projet FORA-FRI 88 pages 1999

[23] N Ndam J-P Nkefor and P Blackmore ldquoDomestication ofGnetum africanum and G buchholzianum (Gnetaceae) over-exploited wild forest vegetables of the Central African RegionrdquoSystematics and Geography of Plants vol 71 no 2 pp 739ndash7452001

[24] B A Fonge D A Focho E A Egbe et al ldquoThe effects ofclimate and edaphic factors on plant colonisation of lava flowson Mount Cameroonrdquo Journal of Ecology and the Natural Envi-ronment vol 3 no 6 pp 255ndash267 2011

[25] D Kouame Y C Y Abdou K E Kouassi K E NrsquoGuessanand K Akoi ldquoPreliminary floristic inventory and diversity inAzagny National Park (Cote drsquoIvoire)rdquo European Journal ofScientific Research vol 23 no 4 pp 537ndash547 2008

[26] N Ndam J Healey M Cheek and P Fraser ldquoPlant recovery onthe 1922 and 1959 lava flows on Mount Cameroon CameroonrdquoSystematics andGeography of Plants vol 71 no 2 pp 1023ndash10322001

[27] M Kent and P Coker Vegetation Description and AnalysisBelhaven Press London UK 1992

[28] V B CheM Kervyn G G J Ernst et al ldquoSystematic documen-tation of landslide events in Limbe area (MtCameroonVolcanoSW Cameroon) geometry controlling and triggering factorsrdquoNatural Hazards vol 59 no 1 pp 47ndash74 2011

[29] IUCN Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria atRegional Levels Version 30 IUCN Species Survival Commis-sion IUCN Gland Switzerland 2003

[30] R J Scholes and R Biggs Eds Ecosystem Services in SouthernAfrica A Regional Assessment Council for Scientific and Indus-trial Research Pretoria South Africa 2004

[31] P VitousekNutrient Cycling and Limitation Hawirsquoii as a ModelSystem Princeton University Press Princeton NJ USA 2004

[32] K Wada ldquoAllophane and imogoliterdquo in Minerals in Soil Envi-ronment J B Dixon and S B Weed Eds pp 1051ndash1087 SoilScience Society of America Madison Wis USA 2nd edition1989

[33] AMvondo ZeChemical behaviour of IronManganese Zinc andPhosphorus in selected soils of the Bambouto sequence [PhDthesis] University of Ghent Gent Belgium 1991

[34] K Wada and N Gunjigake ldquoActive aluminium iron andphosphate adsorption in andosolsrdquo Soil Science vol 128 pp331ndash336 1981

Submit your manuscripts athttpwwwhindawicom

Hindawi Publishing Corporationhttpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014

Anatomy Research International

PeptidesInternational Journal of


Hindawi Publishing Corporation httpwwwhindawicom

International Journal of

Volume 2014

Zoology


Molecular Biology International

GenomicsInternational Journal of


The Scientific World JournalHindawi Publishing Corporation httpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014


BioinformaticsAdvances in

Marine BiologyJournal of



Signal TransductionJournal of


BioMed Research International

Evolutionary BiologyInternational Journal of



Biochemistry Research International

ArchaeaHindawi Publishing Corporationhttpwwwhindawicom Volume 2014


Genetics Research International


Advances in

Virolog y

Hindawi Publishing Corporationhttpwwwhindawicom

Nucleic AcidsJournal of

Volume 2014

Stem CellsInternational



Enzyme Research



Microbiology


livelihood systems property and lives The region also holdssome of the globally threatened and endemic species suchas the critically endangered cross river gorilla chimpanzeeflying squirrel endangered Bannermanrsquos Turaco and BandedWattle-eye vulnerable Red-headed Picathartes [8]The studyarea is part of the Bamboutos Mountain Range which isa stronghold of montane biodiversity These ecosystemsaround the Bamboutos Mountain continue to provide valu-able goods and services to local people in the region andare an important watershed lodging the tributaries of ManyuRiver that drain into the cross river Due to precedentgeological and geographical history of these mountain areasand coupled with the high annual rainfall (2000 to 3000mm)and humidity these areas are perpetually having landslides[9 10] Most of the landslides are as a result of anthropogenicactivities of the communities around the mountain [10] TheNweh people (tribe in the study site) practice slash and burnagriculture with a bimodal annual farming cycle which isentirely dependent on the rain fall patterns that results infrequent landslides [9] Information on the type and thedistributional patterns of plants may help to put in placeproper management schemes on biodiversity conservationThis work therefore assesses the diversity distribution andabundance of plants found in Lewoh-Lebang landscape inCameroon so as to propose management schemes for biodi-versity conservation

2 Materials and Methods

21 Study Area Lebialem is located in the northeastern partof the southwest region of Cameroon (latitudes 5∘381015840N and5∘431015840N and between longitudes 9∘581015840E and 10∘271015840E) [11 12]Lewoh-Lebang is located between latitudes 5∘451015840 and 5∘471015840Nand longitudes 9∘911015840E and 9∘941015840E and at altitudes rangingfrom 1456 to 1835m (Figure 1) The climate of this regionis similar to that of the Cameroon mountain range whichis characterized by high winds and low sunshine [8] Theaverage daily temperature varies very much with seasons buthas ranges of 17 to 32∘C and the mean annual rainfall rangefrom 2000 was 3000mm [8] The main vegetation type isgrassland with patches of montane and submontane forestsmainly as a result of human activities particularly cocoyamfarming in the lowland forest [13]

22 Sampling Sampling was carried out in four differentsites Atullah (5∘461015840N and 9∘931015840E) Leleng (5∘471015840N and9∘941015840E) Mbindia (5∘451015840N and 9∘911015840E) and Nyitebong(5∘461015840N and 9∘911015840E) Each site was divided into submontane(800ndash1600m altitude) andmontane levels (ge1600m altitude)The study sites and the altitudes used were subdividedfollowing the classification done by Harvey et al [14] Withineach of the stratum a plot of 1 ha (40m times 250m) was laidand was subdivided into 10 subplots of 10 times 10m placed atregular intervals of 50m from each other Within each plotall individual trees were identified measured and recordedTaxa were identified in situ by a taxonomist from the LimbeBotanic GardenThe diameters at breast height of the specieswere measured using a diameter tape Trees were grouped

into the following diameter classes small trees (1ndash99 cm)medium-sized trees (10ndash299 cm) and large trees (gt299 cm)following a grouping done by Kenfack et al [15] Thesespecies were further grouped into four life forms defined bytheir maximum attainable heights as follows treelets (smalltrees) (lt10m) understorey (10ndash20m) canopy (20ndash30m)and emergent (gt30m) [16]

Voucher specimens were prepared and compared withthose at the Limbe Botanic Garden Herbarium (SCA) andthe Cameroon National Herbarium (YA) Rare species wereidentified in situ to prevent forward destruction At each alti-tude level soil samples were collected air dried and standardprocedures [17ndash20] were used to analyse the samples Thefollowing soil parameters were analysed soil pH determinedin the ration of 2 5 (wv) soil water suspension organiccarbon by chromic acid digestion and spectrophotometricanalysis [18] Total nitrogen was determined by wet aciddigestion [17] and exchangeable cations (calcium magne-sium and potassium) were extracted using the Mehlich-3procedure [19] and atomic absorption spectrophotometryAvailable phosphorus was extracted by the Bray-1 procedureand analysed using the molybdate blue procedure describedby Murphy and Riley [20]

23 Data Processing and Analysis Species diversities weredetermined using the Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index (119867) 119867 = (119875119894) (logn 119875119894) where 119875119894 = 119899119894119873 119899119894 = number ofindividuals of species 119894 and119873 = total number of individuals[21] Pearson correlation was conducted to determine therelationship between the soil physicochemical factors andspecies richness and diversity

3 Results

Table 1 shows the different plant species their code authorsand life forms found in the study sites (Atullah LelengMbindia and Nyitebong) A total of 100 species were record-ed in all the four sites belonging to 39 families and 82genera in which 94 were identified to species level and 6identified to genus level Out of the 100 species identified inthe study sites 39 species were treelets mostly lt10m talland 24 species were understory trees lt20m tall and seldomreaching the canopy Twenty-five (25) species were maincanopy species and 11 species were emergent trees species

From the 39 families recorded in the study sites theRubiaceae had the highest number of genera (12) and species(17) followed by the Sterculiaceae with 6 species and 3 generaA total of 82 genera were recorded in the study sites Cola(Rubiaceae) were the most abundant genera with the highestnumber of species (4) This was followed by the generaStrombosia (Olacaceae) and Vernonia (Asteraceae) having 3species each (Table 1)

Table 2 shows the different trees species found in thedifferent study sites and their relative abundance In the foursites 2113 individuals were sampled The species with thehighest number of individual wasMacarangamonandra (179)with a relative abundance of 847 It was followed by Pen-tadesma butyracea (131 individuals and relative abundance


0 100(km)

N

N


10∘E 16

∘

10∘

6∘

2∘

4∘

9∘

12∘


0 300 600 900(m)

545∘

545∘

536∘

558∘

575∘













Table 1 Continued






Table 2 Continued






Margalef(119863)










4779

6520

8260

10000

Variables

Sim

ilarit

y













DBH class

179

821

30

243

727

07172

821

41142

817




gt299 mm


DBH class

gt299 mm


5092

6728

8364

10000



Variables

Sim

ilarit

y





4 Discussions



Table5Correlatio


parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364



1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k



1EC





1CE


0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(


0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()


0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204


0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178


6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260




41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840


0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv


0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197


0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)


0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)


Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology


0 100(km)

N

N


10∘E 16

∘

10∘

6∘

2∘

4∘

9∘

12∘


0 300 600 900(m)

545∘

545∘

536∘

558∘

575∘













Table 1 Continued






Table 2 Continued






Margalef(119863)










4779

6520

8260

10000

Variables

Sim

ilarit

y













DBH class

179

821

30

243

727

07172

821

41142

817




gt299 mm


DBH class

gt299 mm


5092

6728

8364

10000



Variables

Sim

ilarit

y





4 Discussions



Table5Correlatio


parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364



1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k



1EC





1CE


0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(


0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()


0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204


0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178


6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260




41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840


0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv


0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197


0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)


0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)


Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology





Table 1 Continued






Table 2 Continued






Margalef(119863)










4779

6520

8260

10000

Variables

Sim

ilarit

y













DBH class

179

821

30

243

727

07172

821

41142

817




gt299 mm


DBH class

gt299 mm


5092

6728

8364

10000



Variables

Sim

ilarit

y





4 Discussions



Table5Correlatio


parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364



1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k



1EC





1CE


0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(


0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()


0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204


0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178


6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260




41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840


0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv


0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197


0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)


0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)


Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology





Table 2 Continued






Margalef(119863)










4779

6520

8260

10000

Variables

Sim

ilarit

y













DBH class

179

821

30

243

727

07172

821

41142

817




gt299 mm


DBH class

gt299 mm


5092

6728

8364

10000



Variables

Sim

ilarit

y





4 Discussions



Table5Correlatio


parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364



1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k



1EC





1CE


0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(


0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()


0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204


0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178


6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260




41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840


0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv


0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197


0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)


0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)


Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology





Margalef(119863)










4779

6520

8260

10000

Variables

Sim

ilarit

y













DBH class

179

821

30

243

727

07172

821

41142

817




gt299 mm


DBH class

gt299 mm


5092

6728

8364

10000



Variables

Sim

ilarit

y





4 Discussions



Table5Correlatio


parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364



1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k



1EC





1CE


0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(


0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()


0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204


0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178


6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260




41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840


0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv


0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197


0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)


0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)


Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology






DBH class

179

821

30

243

727

07172

821

41142

817




gt299 mm


DBH class

gt299 mm


5092

6728

8364

10000



Variables

Sim

ilarit

y





4 Discussions



Table5Correlatio


parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364



1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k



1EC





1CE


0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(


0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()


0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204


0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178


6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260




41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840


0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv


0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197


0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)


0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)


Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology


Table5Correlatio


parameters

Correlatio

ns

pHCa

Mg

KNa

ECEC

CEC

Bray

POrg

CTo

talN

CN

Sand

Clay

Silt

Simpson

index

Shanno

nWeaver

(1198671015840

)

Pielo

ursquosEv

enness

(119864)

Margalef

(119863)

pH1

Ca(cmol(+)kg)

minus0364



1K(cmol(+)kg)

minus0478

0556

0684

1Na(

cmol(+)k



1EC





1CE


0496

060

0minus0187

1Bray

P(uggor

ppm)minus064

40302

0292

0627

0112

0327

0790lowast

1Org

C(


0896lowastlowast

minus0766lowast

0627

0172

1To

talN

()


0896lowastlowast

minus0741lowast

0670

0249


1CN

0204


0692minus0622

0482

0027



1Sand

()



minus0767lowast

0684

0312

0868lowast

0885lowastlowast

0624

1Clay

()

minus0478

0746lowast

0832lowast

0602minus0769lowast

0779lowastminus0178


6minus0812lowast

1Silt(

)0475

0260




41

Simpson

index

minus0839lowast

0318

0333

0474minus0061

0340

0628

0715

0170

0223

0237minus0011

0401minus0563

1Shanno

nWeaver(119867

1015840


0197

0168

0337

006

40202

064

50759lowast

0185

0257

0133

0129

0210minus0525


1Pielo

ursquosEv


0748lowast

0721

0504minus0572

0747lowast

0197


0681minus0145

0842lowast

0767lowast

1Margalef(119863)


0704minus0558

0661

0412

0601

0651

0377

0681minus040

5minus0576

0439

0658

004

01

lowast

Correlationissig

nificantatthe

005

level(1-tailed)

lowastlowast

Correlationissig

nificantat0

01level(1-tailed)


Correlationishigh

lysig

nificantat0

01level












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology












5 Conclusion


6 Recommendations




Acknowledgments


References











































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology































Volume 2014

Zoology






















Advances in

Virolog y



Volume 2014




Enzyme Research



Microbiology

research article diversity, distribution, and abundance of...

Documents