Floristic Composition and Diversity of the Swamp Forests of Doumaintang, East Cameroon Region

Abstract

In the wetlands of the Congo Basin, swamp forests represent environments of ecological importance. It is therefore important to know the floristic diversity and the way in which species function in order to conserve them more effectively. Three types of swamp were selected for the collection of floristic data: swamps on flat ground (MTP), swamps on steep ground (MTE) and swamps at the forest edge (MLF). Sixty-two plots (50 m x 50 m) covering an area of 15.5 ha were set up throughout the study area. The functional traits of the species recorded and their IUCN conservation status were determined. The results show a total of 263 species divided into 65 families and 177 genera throughout the study site. MTE have 161 species, 123 genera and 51 families, the MTP record 188 species, 141 genera and 58 families.  The MLFs are the richest and most species-diverse environments, with 214 species, 210 genera and 82 families. The Shannon index is 3.09±0.3 bits in MTP, 3,25±0,35 bits in MLF and 3,41±0,17 bits in MTE. In the total community, the index shannon is average (3.25± 0.27) bits. The Piélou equitability index is 0,88±0,05 in MLF, 0,90±0,03 in MTP and 0,92±0,02 in MTE. In the study area (0.9±0.03), the Piélou equitability index is high. The flora of the Doumaintang swamps, based on the phytogeographical distribution areas, showed that this environment belongs to the Guineo-Congolese domain, with 59.2 %, 20.4 % and 58.5 % of species in the MTP, MTE and MLF respectively.