Plant Diversity, Regeneration Dynamics, and Socio-Ecological Impacts at the Forest-Savanna Transition Zone, Cameroon

The rich repository of natural resources in tropical zones of Africa places environmental conservation at a critical crossroads with development goals. Effectively reconciling biodiversity preservation with sustainable development, particularly within the scope of major infrastructure projects, is imperative. This study focused on establishing an ecological baseline of plant diversity and natural regeneration patterns across the sensitive forest-savanna transition zone in Cameroon, using the environmental monitoring framework of the Chad-Cameroon pipeline adaptation project within the Lom Pangar Dam area as a case study. A multi-resource survey methodology was employed for baseline data collection integrating quantitative floristic surveys and regeneration assessments with socio-economic and ethnobotanical appraisals (N=300). Field techniques included line transect methods for broad floristic analysis of over 215 plant species and animals across surveyed areas, established quadrats for detailed assessment of natural regeneration dynamics, and ethnobotanical/social participatory appraisals to document the socio-economic importance of local flora with the Ecotone displaying high species overlap, confirming its role as a biodiversity "crossroads." The results confirmed the presence of significant ecological sensitivities and severe ecological failure within the pipeline’s Right of-Way (ROW). Findings include a high diversity of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), alongside various other ecologically and socio-economically important plant and fauna species. The regeneration success ratio for key timber species (Piptadeniastrum africanum) plummeted by 73% (from 0.45 in intact forest to 0.12 in the disturbed ROW), signifying a critical break in the species’ life cycle. The detailed regeneration data underscores the fragility and dynamic nature of this ecotone. The regenerating layer in these disturbed areas was numerically dominated by fast-growing pioneer species (Musanga spp.), comprising up to 45% of the recruits, which arrests natural succession at an early, low-value stage. This ecological failure translates directly into livelihood vulnerability: the significantly lower regeneration of economically important NTFP species (χ2=18.3,p<0.001) has forced local communities to face a near three-fold increase in collection time (from 35 to 95 mins). The findings demonstrate that passive recovery is insufficient to restore the ecological and socio economic value of the transition zone. Hence, resilient, science-backed mitigation must urgently shift toward Active Ecological Restoration, focusing on the reintroduction of valuable climax and NTFP species to counteract the accumulating ecological debt incurred by projects including the integration of local knowledge and enhance stakeholders’ collaboration for prosperity in Cameroon. Integrating community based natural resource management protocols in landscape management approaches at national level has the potential to address both conservation and socio-economic development aims.