Impact of wood cuts on the structure and floristic diversity of vegetation in the peri-urban zone of Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Abstract

The main objective of this paper was to study the impact of various wood cuts on the structure and the
floristic diversity of the savannas, and to seek for durable solutions against deforestation during a four
year investigation. An inventory of the woody layer on 120 sites areas of 50 × 50 m showed that
savannas have structures in "L". This structure translate the state of the degradation of the vegetation.
The floristic diversity showed that the characteristic species of the degradation of the shrubby
savannas area are Hymenocardia acida, Piliostigma thonningii and Annona senegalensis, and those of
the wooded savannas are Daniellia oliveri and Cesalpinia sp. It was also shown that highest wood cuts
are depressive for the stability of the savannas and for the disappearance of the vegetable biodiversity.
Consequently, they are responsible for the acceleration of the degradation and the alarming installation
of the desert in wet savannas of Ngaoundéré. A measure of co-administration between the government
and the bordering population must be therefore encouraged to protect and safeguard the anthropized
vegetation.