Knowledge of wood sector stakeholders about wood pests in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala (Cameroon): species marketed, management difficulties and importance of termites

Abstract

Wood pests are a major threat to the conservation of timber species in tropical countries among which termites are the most notorious. However, little is known about the wood sector in the main cities of Cameroon and the difficulties faced by the actors. The objective of this study was to identify the perceptions and knowledge of stakeholders in the timber industry in the cities of Yaoundé and Douala, highlighting the diversity of species marketed, the difficulties encountered in their transformation and conservation processes, the main pests, diseases and the importance of termites. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 284 stakeholders, including 83 in Douala and 201 in Yaoundé. A total of 50 wood species were identified. Fifty-six per cent of wood species were found in Douala and 98% in Yaoundé. Most of this wood is processed into furniture (37.6%). The most important wood pests during the survey were weevil larvae (Curculionidae sp.) accounting for 35%, followed by termite species representing 30% of wood pests. Respondents identified nine termite genera attacking 19 species of the studied woods. It would be important to carry out studies on the degradation of these woods to improve their resistance towards pests and ensure their long-term conservation.