Ethnobotanic and ecology of Borassus aethiopum formations in and around Mbam and Djerem national park, Cameroon

Borassus aethiopum is a species prized for its socio-economic potential in Cameroon. However, its stands are deteriorating in both quantity and quality. This study aims to reconcile the conservation of the roan tree with the satisfaction of the needs of the populations of the Mbam and Djerem National Park. Interviews were conducted with 311 informants in eight localities around the park. Inventories were carried out on five 500 m sites, each with 25, 20×250 m plots. The results revealed that fruit remains under strong pressure, followed by sap, with an Index value linked to the plant organs used between 0.70 and 0.98. Food and construction uses dominate in the villages. A total of 1500 trees were inventoried, divided into 76 woody species belonging to 59 genera and 32 families. The most represented species were B. aethiopum (27.73%) and Daniellia oliveri (5.73%). The most abundant families were Arecaceae (433) and Fabaceae (175). Average diversity index values ranged from 0.7 to 0.9 for Simpson’s index, 2.5 bits for Shannon’s index and 0.75 to 0.95 for Pielou’s equitability. The horizontal and vertical structure shows a preponderance of shrubs and a low number of large trees, indicating vigorous regeneration. This work provides a brief insight into the use and ecological potential of B. aethiopum. It could be a tool for sustainable management, which despite its presence in the PNMD area, is suffering from extinction. published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES