Stand Diversity and Carbon Stock of a Tropical Forest in the Deng Deng National Park, Cameroon

Abstract

Tropical rainforests are crucial in maintaining about 70% of the world’s plant and animal biodiversity and are also the highest terrestrial carbon reservoir. This study aimed to determine the tree species composition, structure and carbon stocks of the Deng Deng National Park which is a semi-deciduous tropical forest (plots 1 and 2 and the transition zone to the savannah (plot 3). Plots demarcation and enumeration followed standard protocols for permanent monitoring plots. The inventory of tree species ≥ 2 cm revealed a total of 5523 individuals of 64 species in 53 genera belonging to 26 families with plot 2 having the highest (2135 individuals/ha) and plot 3 the least (1291 individuals/ha). Tabernaemontana crassa was the most important tree species in the tropical forest and Lecythis idatimon in the savannah. Basal area was highest in the tropical forest and least in the savannah. The diameter distribution of trees in all forest types displayed a reverse J-pattern. Aboveground biomass was highest in the tropical forest (530.2 ± 66.4 t·C/ha) and least in the savannah (184.3 ± 20.1 t·C/ha). The carbon stock of the above ground biomass was twice as much as that of the below ground biomass, soil organic matter and litter. The total carbon stock estimated in all pools was 278.75 t·C/ha. The study site was poor in plant diversity, biomass and carbon stock, indicating a disturbed site with the absence of large trees and undergoing natural regeneration. This underlines an urgent need for efficient restoration management practices.