Exploring the diversity and abundance of herbaceous species in local farming systems of the Sudano-sahelian region of Cameroon
Journal Title: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES) - Year 2014, Vol 5, Issue 2
Abstract
The effect of land-use on herbaceous cover is a major constraint to productivity. An inventory was carried out to assess the diversity and abundance of indigenous herbaceous species under different land-use forms across the Sudano-sahelian belt of Cameroon. A total of 71 herbaceous species pertaining to 59 genera and 23 families were identified across three sites (Lainde Massa, Kilwo, Sirlawe). The most prominent families were Poaceae, Fabaceae and Rubiaceae. Family and species diversity was highest on farmlands and least on hills. Relative abundance was highest for Poaceae in Kilwo and for Fabaceae in Lainde Massa. Total biomass yields, herbaceous composition and plant types were significantly different across land use forms and sites (p<0.0001). Grass species were generally higher on hills, lowlands and around habitations while legumes were highest on fallows. Livestock activity was significant at all three sites and highest in Kilwo with an active population of free-roaming domestic livestock (sheep, goats). On the other hand, a reduced livestock activity in Sirlawe, confirmed a reduced grazing pressure especially from domestic livestock which at this site were always tethered. It can be concluded that the absence of legumes in most of the land use forms explains the high level of degradation and low productivity of the soil which should naturally be rejuvenated by the presence of legumes through its biological action in nutrient recycling. The need for the introduction and management of legumes in the farming systems of this sudanosahelian region is therefore important to provide a sustainable ecological balance.
Authors and Affiliations
Asongwed-Awa Anastasia, Ko Desiré Awono, Megueni Clautilde, You,bi Emmanuel
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP37887
- DOI -
- Views 145
- Downloads 0
Glacial lake outburst flooding in Bagrot valley- new thread due to climate change
The receding glaciers in northern part of Pakistan are one of the most reliable evidences of the changing global climate. The melting of glaciers in this high mountainous terrain can caused to increase the risk of glaci...
Biochemical components of three marine macroalgae (Padina pavonica, Ulva lactuca and Taonia atomaria) from the levantine sea coast of antalya, Turkey
Green macroalgae Ulva lactuca, brown macroalgae Taonia atomaria and Padina pavonica are spread in the Turkish Levantine Sea. There is limited information about antioxidant activities and fatty acid composition of these...
Understanding the effect of storm as a sign of climate change on the Juniper forest of Ziarat, Balochistan, Pakistan
This investigation was carried out on Juniperus excelsa. Juniperus excels is the dominant species in Juniper forest of Balochistan, Pakistan. Juniper trees are known to be the living fossils because of its long rotation...
Using natural adsorbents to reduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination of oily wastewater
In recent years, an intensive research was conducted focusing on the selection of low-cost adsorbents which could be utilized as an alternative to the most widely used adsorbent in wastewater treatment activated carbon....
Determination of biometric parameters of fish by image analysis
Fisheries management and research often require the use of biometric relationships in order to transform data collected in the field into appropriate indices. Currently in Iran, researchers have to measure the fish biom...