Savannas Highlands of Cameroon: Floristic Composition, Functional Traits and Conservation Status | A

Background: The flora of the savannas has been largely ignored in science and conservation policy around the world, resulting in a lack of knowledge about this biodiversity component.

The aim of this study was to determine the floristic diversity, ecological characteristics, and conservation status of the Bamboutos savannas (Western Cameroon).

The savannas investigated were found on the eastern slope of the Bamboutos Mountains in Cameroon's Western Highlands. The natural savanna habitats had a high level of biodiversity, as well as a high level of disturbance from local residents, such as overgrazing, bushfires, and fuelwood collection, among other things.

Fieldwork was completed between May and November 2012, 2013, and 2014 on the Eastern slope of the Mounts Bamboutos (5°30 - 5°45 N and 10°03 - 10°15 E).

Floristic diversity and life characteristics were used to characterise the plant species (habit, life form, leaf size, type of diaspore, dispersal syndromes and phytogeographical affinities).

The flora included 231 taxa divided into 154 genera and 70 families. The dominant families were Poaceae (39 species), Asteraceae (37 species), and Fabaceae (20 species). Phanerrophytes (41.12 percent), chamaephytes (21.64 percent), and therophytes (21.64 percent) were the most common life forms (20.34 percent ). Mesophylls (30.73 percent), nanophylls (25.54 percent), and microphylls were the three leaf size classes found in plants (25.10 percent ). The most common dispersal mode was annemochory (45.88 percent), followed by zoochory (30.73 percent ). According to the geographical distribution of plant species, 27.27 percent belonged to the afrotropical zone, while 18.61 percent belonged to the pantropical zone. Cameroon dorsal had four endemic and four subendemic species. According to the IUCN red list, 17 species are endangered.

Conclusion: Because the protection and conservation of savanna natural resources is critical for the long-term use of available natural flora, overgrazing and agricultural activities are strongly discouraged.

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