[en] Landscape Ecological Survey of the Bipindi-Akom II ... - ITTO

Landscape ecological survey (1: 100,000) of the Bipindi - Akom II - Lolodorf region, 

Southwest Cameroon

LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL SURVEY (1:100,000) OF THE BIPINDI - 

AKOM 11 - LOLODORF REGION, SOUTHWEST CAMEROON 

B.S. B. S. van Gemerden 

G.W. Hazeu Hazeu 

Tropenbos-Cameroon Documents 1 

The Tropenbos-Cameroon Programme, Kribi (Cameroon) 

DLO Winand Staring Centre, Wageningen (The Netherlands) 

1999

ABSTRACT 

Gemerden, van, B.S, G.W. Hazeu, 1999. Landscape Ecological Survey (1:100,000) o/the Bipindi-Akom lI-Lolodorf 

region, Southwest Cameroon. Wageningen (The Netherlands), Tropenbos-Cameroon Documents 1,212 pp.; 13 Figs; 

14 Tables; 81 Refs; 6 Annexes. 

In Southwest Cameroon a reconnaissance reconnaissance scale survey of landforms, soils and vegetation was was carried carried out. The survey survey 

area covered some 167,000 ha. The altitudinal range was was 40 to 1,000 m.a.s.1. Landforms discerned are: mountains, 

complexes of hills, isolated hills, hilly and rolling uplands, dissected erosional plains, and floodplains. Four soil types 

were described, ranging from well drained drained very very clayey soils (in the mountain area) to to very poorly to poorly drained drained 

soils (on (on valley bottoms). The The seven seven main main vegetation types include include four types of primary to old secondary rain forest 

(bound to different altitudinal zones), young secondary forest, swamp forest, and secondary shrubland. The patterns 

of landforms, soil types, and vegetation types are integrated into one 'landscape ecological' map (scale 1: 100,000). The 

legend has a hierarchical structure. It is based primarily on a subdivision in four altitudinal zones, secondly on 

landform, and finally on the degree of disturbance of the natural vegetation by shifting cultivation. 

Keywords: Africa, reconnaissance survey, rain forest, landforms, tropical soils, vegetation, altitudinal zonation. 

(1)1999 DLO Winand Staring Centre for Integrated Land, Soil and Water Research (SC-DLO) and the Tropenbos 

Foundation 

ISSN: 1566-2152 

No part of this publication may be reproduced or published in any form or by any means, or stored in a data base or 

retrieval system, without the written permission of the DLO Winand Staring Centre or the Tropenbos Foundation. 

The Tropenbos Foundation and SC-DLO assume no liability for any loss resulting from the use of this report.

CONTENTS 

page 

PREFACE .................................................... 9 

SUMMARy .................................................. 11 

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................ 13 

1.1 Forest Land Inventory and Land Evaluation Project (Lul) ............... 13 

1.2 Research objectives ........................................ 13 

1. 3 Course of the study ........................................ 13 

1.4 Report outline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 14 

2. STUDY AREA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 15 

2.1 Location and infrastructure ................................... 15 

2.2 Climate ................................................ 15 

2.3 Hydrology ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17 

2.4 Geology................................................ 18 

2.5 Geomorphology ........................................... 20 

2.6 Soils ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 20 

2.7 Vegetation .............................................. 21 

2.8 Wildlife ................................................ 23 

2.9 Population .............................................. 23 

2.10 2.10 Land-use Land-use ............................................... 24 

3. METHODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27 

3.1 Landscape ecological approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 27 

3.2 Aerial photo interpretation .................................... 27 

3.3 Fieldwork............................................... 28 

3.3.1 General ............................................ 28 

3.3.2 Landform and soil ..................................... 29 

3.3.3 Vegetation .......................................... 30 

3.4 Classification ...............................,............. .. ............................. ,............. 32 

3.5 Legend and map compilation .................................. 33 

4. LANDFORMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 35 

4.1 Literature review .......................................... 35 

4.2 Landform classification 35 

4.2.1 Dissected erosional plains (pd) ............................. 36 

4.2.2 Uplands (ul and u2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 36 

4.2.3 Hills (hI and h2) ...................................... 37 

4.2.4 Mountains (m) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 37 

4.2.5 Valley Bottoms (v) ..................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 38 

5. SOILS .................................................... 39 

5.1 Literature review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 39 

5.2 Soil types and classification ., ................................. 40 

5.2.1 Nyangong soils ....................................... 41 

5.2.2 Ebom soils .......................................... 41 

5.2.3 Ebimimbang soils .................... -.................. 42 

5

5.2.4 Valley Bottom soils .................................... 42 

5.2.5 Soil classification ...................................... 43 

5.3 Soil physical characteristics ................................... 45 

5.3.1 Texture ............................................ 45 

5.3.2 Bulk density ......................................... 46 

5.3.3 Water retention ....................................... 47 

5.4 Soil chemical characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 

5.4.1 pH and exchangeable acidity .............................. 47 

5.4.2 Organic carbon and total nitrogen ........................... 48 

5.4.3 Available and total phosphorous ............................ 50 

5.4.4 Cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases ................. 50 

5.4.5 Clay Clay mineralogy ...................................... 51 

5.4.6 Nutrient contents contents ...................................... 52 

5.4.7 Conclusions ......................................... 53 

5.5 Soil-Iandform relationships and soil genesis ......................... 53 

5.5.1 Soil and landform landform relations ............................... 53 

5.5.2 Soil genesis .......................................... 55 

6. VEGETATION .............................................. 57 

6.1 6.1 Literature Literature review review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 57 

6.2 Botanical diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 59 

6.3 Vegetation classification ..................................... 59 

6.4 Plant Plant communities ......................................... 62 

6.4.1 6.4.1 Maranthes - Anisophyllea community (I) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 62 

6.4.2 Podococcus - Polyalthia Polyalthia community community (IIa) ...................... 64 

6.4.3 Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lib) ....................... 64 

6.4.4 Diospyros - Polyalthia community (IIc) ........................ 65 65 

6.4.5 6.4.5 Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill) ......................... 66 

6.4.6 Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 67 

6.4.7 Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V) ..................... 67 

7. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL MAP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 69 

7.1 Legend Legend ................................................ 69 

7.2 Land use ............................................... 69 

7.3 Land mapping units ........................................ 70 

7.3.1 Am: mountains above 700 m asl, well drained soils ............... 70 

7.3.2 Ahl: isolated hills above 700 m asl, well drained soils .............. 71 

7.3.3 Bh2: complex of hills between 500 and and 700 m asl, well drain soils ...... 71 

7.3.4 Bh 1: isolated hills between 500 and 700 m asl, well drained soils . . . . . .. 71 

7.3.5 Bu2: hilly uplands between 500 and 700 m asl; well drained soils ...... 71 

7.3.6 Bul: rolling uplands between between 500 and 700 m m asl; well drained soils ..... 71 

7.3.7 ChI: isolated hills between 350 and 500 m asl, well drained soils ...... 72 

7.3.8 Cu2: hilly uplands between 350 and 500 m asl; well drained soils ...... 72 

7.3.9 7.3.9 CuI: rolling uplands uplands between 350 and 500 m asl; well drained soils soils ..... 72 

7.3.10 7.3.10 Dhl: isolated hills below 350 m asl, moderately well drained soils . . . .. 73 

7.3. 11 Du2: hilly uplands below below 350 m asl; moderately well well drained soils soils . . . .. 73 

7.3.12 DuI: rolling uplands below 350 m asl; moderately well drained soils ... 73 

7.3.13 Dpd: dissected erosional plains below 350 m asl; moderately well well drained drained 

soils .............................................. 74 

7.3.14 Ev: Ev: valley valley bottom; poorly to very poorly drained soils ............. 74 

6

REFERENCES . ............................................... 75 

ANNEXES . .................................................. 79 

I Landscape ecological map of the Bipindi - Akom rr -Lolodorf region, southwest 

rr Cameroon (1: 100,000) (separate) 

List of aerial photographs 1983 - 1985, 1:20,000 series covering the TCP 

research area (Photo sur Inc.) .................................. 81 

III Methods for chemical and physical soil analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 83 

IV Soil profile descriptions and data of analysis ........................ 89 

V Vegetation data ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 139 

VI List of bird species observed in the TCP research area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 161 

7

PREFACE 

ABOUT TROPENBOS 

The Tropenbos Foundation was established in 1988 by the Government of The Netherlands with 

the objectives to contribute to the conservation and wise use of tropical rain forest by generating 

knowledge and developing methodologies, and to involve and strengthen local research 

institutions and capacity in relation to tropical rain forests. 

The Tropenbos Programme carries out research on moist tropical forest land at various locations 

around the world. At present (semi-) permanent research sites are located in Colombia, Guyana, 

Indonesia, Cote d'Ivoire and Cameroon. At the different locations, research programmes follow 

an interdisciplinary and common overall approach, with the aim to exchange data and make 

results mutually comparable. 

ABOUT THE TROPENBOS-CAMEROON PROGRAMME AND ITTO PROJECT PD 

26/92 

The present publication has been produced in the framework of ITTO Project PD 26/92, which 

is an integral part of the Tropenbos-Cameroon Programme (TCP). The research on which this 

publication is based, was financed by the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the 

Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), the Directorate General for International Cooperation 

of The Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), the Tropenbos Foundation and the 

implementing agencies mentioned below. 

The Tropenbos-Cameroon 'Programme was established in 1992 by the Cameroonian Ministry of 

Environment and Forests (MINEF) and the Tropenbos Foundation. The general objective of TCP 

is to develop methods and strategies for natural forest management directed at sustainable 

production of timber and other forest products and services. These methods have to be 

ecologically sound, socially acceptable and economically viable (Foahom and Jonkers, 1992). 

TCP consists of fourteen interrelated projects in the fields of ecology, forestry, economy, social 

sciences, agronomy and soil science. In 1994, ITTO and CFC decided to co-finance six of these 

projects, which together form ITTO project PD 26/92. The 'Office National de Developpement 

des Forets' (ONADEF) is the agency responsible towards ITTO and CFC for the implementation 

of the Project PD 26/92. 

The implementing agencies involved in the present study are the Winand Staring Centre for 

Integrated land, Soil and Water Research (SC-DLO), the 'Institut de la Recherche Agricole pour 

le Developpement' (lRAD) and Wageningen Agricultural University (WAU). 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 

The authors wish to thank those who have contributed to the overall land inventory of the TCP 

research area. We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Cameroonian Ministry of 

Environment and Forests, the Tropenbos Foundation, the 'Office National de Developpement des 

Forets', the 'Institut de la Recherche Agricole pour le Developpement', the International Tropical 

Timber Organization, the Common Fund for Commodities, the Winand Staring Centre for 

9

Integrated Land, Soil and Water Research, Wageningen Agricultural University and the 

Directorate General for for International Cooperation of The Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs. 

Moreover, we could could not go go on without without mentioning the the following persons persons for their undisputed undisputed 

efforts. First of all we like to thank our supervisors Patrick Hommel and Arie van Kekem of sc 

DLO for their support, encouragement and valuable comments in the different stages of the 

project. 

Messrs. Wim van Driel, Oscar Eyog Matig, Bernard Foahom, Wyb Jonkers and Jean-Paul 

Mendouga Tsimi of the TCP management team are acknowledged for their administrative, 

logistic and scientific support. 

Maurice Elad, Joseph Ohandza Minkoulou, Dieudonne 'Clindor' Ndoum, Prospere Mefane 

and Benjamin Nkolo formed the field crew without whom these pages would have been empty. 

We are greatly indebted to Tom Bakkum and Arnold Bregt (SC-DLO) for successfully 

initiating the GIS in Kribi. Ms. A. Stoffers is specially mentioned for surveying the northern 

part of the area. 'Our' students Albert Abana, Bernard Tionjock, Martijn van Gilst, Nienke 

van Berkum and Fokke de Jong have helped to advance the project in many ways. All TCP 

researchers, technicians, drivers and administrative personnel are thanked for their cordial 

collaboration. Martin Zogo should should be mentioned twice for dealing with all all administrative 

problems that would have kept us busy for years. 

The National Herbarium of Cameroon Cameroon (Dr. Onana, Dr. Achoungdong, Dr. Sonke Asongonyi 

and and Mr. Mezili), the the Limbe Botanic Botanic Garden (Mr. Peguy Mbatchou), the Department Department of Plant 

Taxonomy of the Wageningen Wageningen Agricultural University (Dr. Breteler and and Dr. Dr. Jongkind) and Dr. 

Duncan Thomas have helped with with plant plant species identification. Mr. Mr. Tchuenteu of the IRAD IRAD 

Ekona soil laboratory has conducted the majority of soil analyses. Mr. van Reeuwijk of of the the 

International Soil Reference and and Information Information Centre (ISRIC) carried out out the clay mineralogy 

and reference analyses. 

10

SUMMARY 

This report presents the results of the reconnaissance scale landscape ecological survey of the 

Tropenbos-Cameroon Programme (TCP) research area in Southwest Cameroon conducted by 

the Forest Land Inventory and Land Evaluation project (Lul). The main objective of the Lul 

project is to provide a scientific framework for sustainable land use planning in the TCP 

research area. Moreover, the Lul project provides a basis for all ecologically oriented research 

activities within the TCP area and allows for the extrapolation of the research results from 

sample areas to larger areas in South Cameroon. 

In its first phase a survey of of landforms, soils and vegetation is conducted at scale 1: 100,000 of 

the Bipindi - Akom 11 11- - Lolodorf region (167,000 ha). Some 250 soil augerings, 45 soil pits and 

125 vegetation releves have been described, covering the most important landscapes. The results 

of the analysis of landform, soil and vegetation data are presented in this report and on the 

landscape ecological map. The second phase of the project entails the development of a land 

evaluation methodology for tropical moist forests in South Cameroon. 

Landforms discerned in the TCP research area are mountains, complexes of hills, isolated hills, 

hilly and rolling uplands, dissected erosional plains, and floodplains. They are classified on basis 

of slope steepness, slope length, relief intensity and number of interfluves. The mountains, 

complexes of hills and isolated hills have very steep slopes and high relief intensities, whereas 

both the uplands and the dissected erosional plains have gentle to moderately steep slopes and low 

relief intensities. The first landform group is therefore more vulnerable to erosion than the latter. 

, The following four soil types are dominating in the research area: 

well drained drained very clayey soils: soils: Nyangong soils; 

well drained clayey soils: the Ebom soils; 

- moderately well to well drained sandy loam to sandy clay soils: the Ebimimbang soils; 

- very poorly to poorly drained soils: the Valley Bottom soils. 

The Nyangong and Ebom soils are deeply weathered yellowish brown to strong brown tropical clay 

soils, low in weatherable minerals and with cation exchange capacities in the (ferralic) B-horizons 

of less than 16 mell 00 g clay. Their dominant clay minerals are kaolinite. The Nyangong soils 

have 50-80% clay in the subsoils; the Ebom soils are less heavy with 35-60% clay. Moreover, 

topsoils of the latter are lighter (20-50% clay) than the subsoils. The Nyangong soils classify as 

Xanthic Ferralsols, the Ebom soils as Acri-xanthic Ferralsols. The Ebimimbang soils are 

moderately deep to very deep, yellowish brown, sandy clay loams to sandy clays with lighter 

textured topsoils. They are classified as Plinthudults and typic Paleudults. The very poorly to 

poorly drained soils are developed in unconsolidated, stratified, recent alluvium. They are 

characterized by high groundwater tables, periodic flooding and locally greyish colours. In the 

FAO-Unesco classification they are classified as Dystric Fluvisols and Gleyic Cambisols. 

All soils in the TCP research area have low pHs and are chemically poor. Their physical 

characteristics are good. Removal of the forest vegetation, e.g. by intensive logging or 

agriculture, will result in the physical degradation of the soil (decrease in organic matter) and 

the loss of nutrients stored in the forest vegetation. 

Seven distinct 'plant communities' have been identified using a phytosociological approach; the 

analysis of plot data was carried out with the computer programme TWINSPAN. All vegetation 

11

types are defined by floristic composition and the (external) foliage coverage of the species. 

Interpretation of successional status, overall physiognomy and general site descriptors descriptors reveals 

a strong correlation of the plant communities with altitude and disturbance. The The communities 

discerned are: submontane forest (altitude> 700 m asl), three types of lowland evergreen forest 

« 350 m asl; 350-500 m asl; 500-700 m asl), swamp forest, young secondary forest and thicket 

on recently abandoned agricultural fields. 

The legend of the 1: 100,000 landscape ecological map is based on altitude, landform, soil and and 

vegetation, and has a hierarchical hierarchical structure. A total of 14 main mapping units has been 

discerned. These These 14 units have been further further subdivided according to vegetation characteristics 

brought about by human human influences (shifting (shifting cultivation) into 34 units. The landscape ecological ecological 

map presents the landscape in in its complexity of landforms, soils and vegetation. Cross reference 

of the inventory data reveals a strong strong relationship between vegetation, altitude and soils. This 

supports the notion that natural vegetation can be seen as a response variable to to environmental 

factors such as climate and soil. Since vegetation proves to be correlated with altitude, which 

is assumed to be related to climatic factors, the latter has been taken as the highest entry of the 

map' legend. On this basis, the TCP research area is divided into five ecological zones (A-E). 

The overall orientation of the ecological zones is NNE-SSW and follows the general orientation 

of the geological structures in Southwest Cameroon. The landscape of the TCP research area 

changes changes considerably from from west to east. east. Altitude rises from approximately 40 40 to over 1000 m 

as!. asl. Dissected erosional plains, hilly and rolling uplands dominate the western part of the area 

whereas complexes of hills and mountains are found solely in the east. Going from west to east 

the soils change from Ebimimbang to Ebom and Nyangong thereby increasing in clay content. 

Valley bottoms are found throughout the area but are more frequent and wider in the west. The 

natural vegetation changes from low altitude evergreen forest with many littoral species to a 

submontane vegetation with characteristics of cloud forest. Human activities have influenced 

this gradient by logging and and shifting shifting cultivation. Along Along the main access roads roads and in the the vicinity 

of villages mosaics are found of actual actual fields, thickets on recently abandoned fields, young young 

secondary forest and residual patches of tropical moist forest. 

12

1. INTRODUCTION 

1.1 FOREST LAND INVENTORY AND LAND EVALUATION PROJECT (LUl) 

The Tropenbos Cameroon Programme (TCP) coordinates fourteen interrelated projects in the 

fields of ecology, forestry, economy, social sciences, agronomy and soil science. This report 

presents the results of the reconnaissance scale land inventory carried out in the first phase of 

the research project Lu1, titled 'Forest Land Inventory and Land Evaluation'. 

1.2 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES 

Detailed and up-to-date information on the abiotic and biotic environment of the TCP research 

area is a prerequisite for the formulation of a management plan. This information, however, is 

either non-existent (e.g. hydrology and erosion aspects) or not detailed enough for the present 

needs (e.g. climate, landforms, soils, land use, vegetation, and wildlife). The Lu1 Lu 1 project is 

aimed at filling those gaps, which is essential for sound land use planning. 

The general objective of Lu1 is to provide a scientific framework for sustainable land use 

planning for the TCP research area. This will be realized through the development of a land 

evaluation methodology for tropical moist forests. Moreover, the Lul project provides a basis 

for all ecologically oriented research activities within the TCP and permits the extrapolation of 

the results of TCP research to other areas in South Cameroon. 

The first phase of the Lul project entails an integrated reconnaissance scale (1: 100,000) survey 

on landforms, soils and vegetation. The present report is the result of this integrated survey, 

delimitating and describing the major landscape ecological units of the TCP area. In the second 

phase of the Lu1 project a qualitative ecological land evaluation will be conducted, investigating 

the suitability of each of the landscape ecological units for a number of relevant land-uses. 

1.3 COURSE OF THE STUDY 

Preliminary work on the interpretation of aerial photographs, including a five-week mission to 

the study area, was carried out by Mr. Luc Touber of the DLO- Winand Staring Centre for 

Integrated Land, Soil and Water Research (SC-DLO) (Touber, 1993a; 1993b). 

The Directorate General for International Cooperation of The Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign 

Affairs (DGIS) contracted two associate experts for the Lul project. Mr. G.W. Hazeu, soil 

scientist, started his work in Cameroon Cameroon in in March 1995. 1995. His contract expired in September 1997. 

In March 1995, DGIS appointed appointed Mr. Barend S. van Gemerden as vegetation surveyor whose 

contract expired in December 1997. 

The fieldwork for the landform, soil and vegetation survey was carried out between March 1995 

and May 1996. Ms. A. Stoffels carried out the field survey of the northern part in the period 

April-October 1997. 

Overall supervision of the Lu 1 project was provided by senior soil and vegetation experts of SC 

DLO. Additional assistance was given by a senior GIS expert of the same institute. A total of 

13

four backstopping missions were carried out by SC-DLO during the first phase of the project 

(Bregt and van Kekem, 1995, Hommel, 1995; Hommel and van Kekem, 1996, 1997). 

Bipindi 

100 10° 40" 40° E 

I 

1 I Lolodorf 

! • 

--)----:----t---'--1-3° --')---:----+----''---t1-3° 00" oooN N 

AlcomII 

10 20lIm 

I ! 

Figure 1.1 Location of TCP research area in Southwest Cameroon 

1.4 REPORT OUTLINE 

The climate, hydrology, geology, geomorphology, soils, vegetation and land use in South-West 

Cameroon are described in Chapter 2. The inforn.1ation presented is mostly derived from national 

or regional studies and merely gives a general overview of the physical environment of of the the TCP 

area. 

To meet the needs needs of the qualitative ecological land evaluation more detailed information on 

landforms, soils and vegetation in the TCP area has been collected. Chapter 3 describes the 

methods used. Special emphasis is placed on the integration 

of the landform, soil and vegetation survey into what can be described as as a broad landscape 

ecological approach (e.g. Zonneveld, Zonneveld, 1995). In Chapters 4,5 4, 5 and 6 the results of of respectively 

the the landform, landform, soil and vegetation survey are presented. 

In Chapter Chapter 7 the landscape ecological map of the TCP research area (Annex I) is discussed and 

its units are described as characteristic combinations of landforms, soils and vegetation types. 

14

2. STUDY AREA 

2.1 LOCATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE 

The TCP research area is situated in Southwest Cameroon at approximately 80 km East of Kribi, 

between r47'-3°14' N, 10°24'-10°51' E. The area is delimitated by the villages of Bipindi, 

Akom II and Lolodorf (Fig. 1.1). From an administrative point of view the TCP research area 

is part of the South Province of the Republic of Cameroon and is subdivided into the 

Departments Ocean and Ntem. The TCP area covers about 1700 km2 The TCP research area is situated in Southwest Cameroon at approximately 80 km East of Kribi, 

between r47'-3 ° 14' N, 10°24'-10°51' E. The area is delimitated by the villages of Bipindi, 

Akom II and Lolodorf (Fig. 1.1). From an administrative point of view the TCP research area 

is part of the South Province of the Republic of Cameroon and is subdivided into the 

Departments Ocean and Ntem. The TCP area covers about 1700 km which to a large extent 

coincides with a concession of the Dutch logging company ofWijma-Douala S.A.R.L. (GWZ). 

2 which to a large extent 

coincides with a concession of the Dutch logging company ofWijma-Douala S.A.R.L. (GWZ). 

All roads leading to and within the TCP area are dirt roads. Two governmental roads delimit the 

TCP research area, the Kribi-Bipindi-Lolodorf-Ebolowa road in the northwest and the Kribi 

Akom II-Ebolowa road in the south. Within the area three principal roads are present, two of 

which having approximately a W-E direction and one a SW-NE direction. In addition many 

smaller exploitation roads have been constructed. Accessibility of these, however, is variable 

as maintenance is carried out by the logging companies and ceases once their activities are 

transferred to other regions. Footpaths connecting villages are found throughout the area. 

Transport by boat over the rivers is not possible due to the presence of rapids and waterfalls. 

2.2 CLIMATE 

The climate of Southwest Cameroon is equatorial. Although rainfall occurs throughout the year, 

two distinct minima and maxima can be distinguished in the annual pattern which are associated 

with the N-S movements of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over the area. The humid 

seasons extend from September to November and from April to May, whereas the drier seasons 

extend from December to March and from June to August. According to the classification 

system ofK6ppen (1936), the climate of the area is classified as humid tropical (Aw). Such a 

climate has a mean temperature in the coldest month above 18°C, an average annual temperature 

of around 25°C 25 ° C with little variation between years, and at least one distinct dry season. 

Table 2.1 Summary of climatic data for selected stations in Southwest Cameroon (Olivry, 

1986) 

Climatic data Weather station 

Kribi Lolodorf Ebolowa 

Altitude (m asl) as!) 13 440 609 

Mean Mean annual annual temperature temperature Cc) 26.4 24.6 24.0 

Mean annual relative humidity (%) 73-94 n.a. 68-97 

Mean annual vapour pressure (mbar) 29.3 n.a. 24.6 

Mean annual rainfall (mm) 2836 (±393) 2096 (±286) 1719 (±195) 

Wind speed below 4 m S·I (% of time) 98 n.a. n.a. 

Main wind direction SW n.a. W 

Kribi n= 45 years; Lolodorf n= 25 years; Ebolowa n= 48 years; n.a. = data not available. 

A summary of climatic data of selected stations in the region is presented in Table 2.1. The long 

term annual mean temperature decreases from West to East, corresponding with an increase in 

altitude altitude (Olivry, (Olivry, 1986). 

15

Long-term averages of monthly rainfall totals of the Kribi, Lolodorf and Ebolowa stations are 

presented in Fig. 2.2. Due to the geographic position of the TCP research area, the rainfall 

pattern in the area is likely to resemble those at Lolodorf and Ebolowa, rather than that at Kribi. 

Wind speeds are generally low and the direction is predominantly W-SW throughout the year 

(Dolman and Waterloo, 1995). 

The duration of bright sunshine has not been measured at any of the weather stations in South 

Cameroon. However, the mean daily value of 3.4 h day-! observed at the weather station in 

Douala is a fair approximation (Dolman and Waterloo, 1995). 

2.3 HYDROLOGY 

The hydrography of Southwest Cameroon is characterized by a high drainage density as a result 

of a humid climate and the low permeability of the crystalline rock formations (Franqueville, 

1973). The main rivers draining the TCP research area are the Lokoundje, Tchangue, Kienke, 

Moungue, Biwome, Sonkwe and Messambe. Their flow direction is generally NNE-SSW, 

following the regional pattern of faulting. Smaller streams have a flow direction essentially 

perpendicular to the main rivers, resulting in a drainage pattern that has both dendritic and 

trellised characteristics. 

Swampy areas are commonly found in the valleys of the smaller rivers. The soils in these areas 

, remain waterlogged even during dry periods due to a continuous supply of groundwater from 

the hill slopes and due to relatively thin valley soils underlain by massive rock of low 

permeability. 

;:Prior ;: Prior to 1995, hydrological studies have not been carried out at any location within the TCP 

research area. Hydrometric stations of the 'Centre de Recherches Hydrologiques' of the 

'Institute de Recherche Geologique et Miniere' (CRH-IRGM) were located in Lolodorf in the 

Lokoundje river (draining the area north of the TCP research area) and in the Kienke river 

(partly draining the TCP research area) and the Lobe river (draining the area south of the TCP 

research area) at Kribi. However, all stations in South Cameroon have been abandoned since 

1987 (pers. comm. J.c. J.C. Ntonga, 1996). 

The discharge patterns of the rivers correspond to the seasonal rainfall pattern with maxima in 

October and May and minima in August and February (Olivry, 1986). Fig. 2.2 shows the monthly 

discharges of the Lokoundje, Kienke and Lobe rivers for the 1953 -1977 period. 

The average annual discharge of the Lokoundje river (at Lolodorf) amounted to 773 mm, 

whereas those of the Kienke and Lobe rivers amounted to 1082 mm and 1397 mm, respectively. 

Rainfall on the Lokoundje basin and the Kienke and Lobe basins could be estimated at 1880 mm 

and 2425 mm, respectively, resulting in runoff coefficients varying between 41 % for the Lokoundje 

basin and 45% and 58% for the Kienke and Lobe basins (Olivry, 1986). 

Annual evaporation rates obtained with the water balance method varied between 1107 mm for 

the Lokoundje basin and 1345 mm and 1025 mm for the Kienke and Lobe basins (Olivry, 1986). 

The electric conductivity of stream water in the TCP research area is extremely low and varies 

between 13 IlS cm-! and 28 IlS cm-! in the dry season (Dolman and Waterloo, 1995). On the 

basis of data collected in one rainy season two EC zones can be discerned, the eastern part of 

17

The Ntem complex is comparable to to the Calcium-magnesium complex. The The Nyong series consist 

of meta-sedimentary rocks which are are composed of migmitates, gneiss, quartzites quartzites and 

amphibolites. In addition, in in the Lolodorf region, some small lenses of ferro-magnesian rocks rocks 

are found, such as amphibolites, diorites and gabbros, forming discontinuous bands bands with a 

general NE-SW direction. 

During the present survey, mainly mainly gneisses of various composition were found, as well as locally 

granites, migmatites, migmatites, amphibolites, diorites and gabbros. Soils developed under a humid humid tropical 

climate climate on these metamorphic metamorphic and igneous rocks will be composed of clay clay minerals (mainly 

kaolinite) with quartz quartz sand and iron(hydr)oxides. These soils soils are acid and have low nutrient 

contents. 

The overall tectonic direction in the Basement complex is NNE-SSW. Two synclinal zones and 

one anticlinal zone can be distinguished in South Cameroon. The first synclinal zone coincides 

essentially with the Sanaga valley, the second occupies Cameroon's southern border and and 

disappears under the coastal coastal basins. The anticlinal structure is composed of the metamorphic 

complex ofNtem which forms an extension of the Ebolowa-Ambam granite zone (Franqueville, 

1973). 

Mineral resources of the geological formations in this part of the country are not economically 

exploitable (Franqueville, 1973). 

2.5 GEOMORPHOLOGY 

The Atlantic coast of Southwest Cameroon is characterized by large swampy areas in the Douala 

basin while southwards a rocky coastline is present. Going eastward, the landscape changes from 

low altitude sedimentary plains to erosional plains and plateaus of the Precambrian shield with 

altitudes between 600 and and 1000 m as!. The interface between the sedimentary plain and the 

Precambrian shield is only revealed by a few rapids in the larger rivers. Within the Precambrian 

shield four erosional plateaus, corresponding with 100, 200-300, 400-500 and 600-800 m asl, 

can can be distinguished. The plateaus plateaus at 200-300 and 600-800 600-800 m asl respectively, correspond with 

the erosion surfaces African II and I (Franqueville, 1973). 

Fluvial processes have have shaped shaped the landforms in the recent past. Eolian, glacial or or periglacial 

processes did did not affect the the Cameroonian Precambrian shield. 

The TCP research area is on the transition between the coastal coastal plain and the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

forming the interior plateau (Segalen, (Segalen, 1967). As a result the TCP TCP research area is 

geomorphologically geomorphologically diverse. In the western western part plains dominate dominate whereas whereas the eastern part is 

mountainous. The altitude ranges from 40 m asl in the western part to more than 1000 m asl in 

the eastern part. The central area is intermediate in both landform and altitude. A more elaborate 

literature review on landforms in the TCP research area is presented in section 4.1. 

2.6 SOILS 

The soils of Southwest Cameroon have been described and mapped at scale 1 :2,000,000 and 

1: 1,000,000 (Segalen, 1957; Martin and Segalen, 1966). Three major soil types are 

distinguished. The deep, moderately well to well drained, yellowish brown tropical clay soils; 

'les sols ferrallitiquesjaunes sur les roches acides (gneiss)' in the original French denomination, 

20

Because of the various human activities mentioned above, the vegetation in large parts of 

Southwest Cameroon has changed drastically. Forests in different stages of degradation are found 

close to towns and villages, along access roads, and in logged forest. The floristic composition of 

the secondary vegetation is very distinct and incorporates many species which can be characterized 

as 'pioneer species' and which are found in disturbed vegetation throughout the Guineo-Congolian 

domain, e.g. Musanga cecropioides, Myrianthus arboreus and Homalium species. Large recent 

clearings are typically overgrown with the stout herb Chromolaena odorata. Moreover, depending 

on the intensity of clearing, many relicts of the previous forests are found reflecting the 

characteristics of each of the phytogeographic districts. 

A more elaborate literature review on vegetation in the TCP research area is given in section 6.1. 

2.8 WILDLIFE 

The tropical moist forest area of Cameroon possesses high levels of endemic fauna and flora. 

The Lower Guinea centre of endemism (Gartlan, 1989) stretches from SE Nigeria in the north 

to Gabon in the south. A subdivision is made into the Cameroon refuge, centring around Mount 

Cameroon, and the West Equatorial refuge south of the Sanaga river. The two refuges are 

important with respect to the conservation of biodiversity. 

Approximately 132 species of mammals are found in the humid forests ofCameroon of Cameroon (Vivien, 

1991), among which endangered species like elephant (Loxodonta africana cyc/otis), cyclotis), western 

lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), chimpanzee (Pan-troglodytes troglodytes), mandrill 

(Mandrillus sphinx), African leopard (Panthera pardus), forest buffalo (Synceras caffer nanus) 

and bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) (IUCN, 1988). No systematic census of the mammals of the 

;;rCP area has taken place. Van Dijk (1997), in her study on non-timber forest products, 

. interviewed villagers on the use and presence of of' 'bush bush meat'. Her survey reveals that, although 

the elephant has become extinct, the TCP research area still harbours gorillas, chimpanzees and 

mandrills. Bekhuis (1997) studied, within the framework of the Lu 1 project, the habitat 

:requirements of some larger mammal species. 

Some 849 species of birds are found in Cameroon (Louette, 1981). A total of390 bird species 

are known to occur in the Korup National park and its surroundings in the South-West Province, 

Cameroon. Although the avifauna of this area is still incompletely known, it is already among 

the ornithologically most diverse lowland forest sites in Africa (Rodewald et et al., 1994). Some 

48 of these species are considered globally threatened or near-threatened. The avifauna of the 

TCP research area has neither been studied intensively nor systematically. The legacy of a few 

individuals has resulted in the drafting of a preliminary species list of the TCP research area. 

The total of identified species is at present 96. In Annex VI all recorded species are listed. 

2.9 POPULATION 

The human population of Southwest Cameroon is concentrated in a few urban centres like Edea, 

Kribi and Ebolowa, and in numerous villages along the main access roads. Population density 

in the rural forest areas averages 5 habitants per km 2 The human population of Southwest Cameroon is concentrated in a few urban centres like Edea, 

Kribi and Ebolowa, and in numerous villages along the main access roads. Population density 

in the rural forest areas averages 5 habitants per km (Foahom and Jonkers, 1992). 

2 (Foahom and Jonkers, 1992). 

The ethnic composition of the population of the TCP research area is diverse. Approximately 

90% of the population are Bantus, belonging to the Bulu, Fang, Bassa and Ngumba tribes. They 

live in villages along the roads. The Bantus practice shifting cultivation, but other activities such 

23

as hunting, fishing and gathering of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) are also important. 

Approximately five percent of ofthe the population are Bakola (or Bagyeli) pygmies. They are mainly 

forest dwelling hunters and gatherers, although they seem to be in the process of sedentarization. 

Shifting Shifting cultivation is practised by Bakola but is not not widespread. The The life style of the the Bakola Bakola is 

seriously threatened threatened by the ongoing logging and shifting cultivation activities in the the area. 

Traditionally Bantu and Bakola have all sorts of socio-economic relationships. Bakola groups 

have kinship ties with certain villages which arranges the mutual use of forest areas and protects 

it from outsiders. Bakola provide agricultural labour and bush meat to the Bantu farmers in 

return for agricultural products, like cassava and bananas, and increasingly for money. Bakola 

traditional doctors are regularly consulted by the Bantu villagers. In recent years the relation of 

the Bakola with their Bantu kin is becoming less exclusive and Bakola are now known to sell 

NTFPs directly directly to traders traders outside the region (pers. comm., F. Tiayon, 1996). 

Traditionally Traditionally men and women of rural rural communities of Southwest Cameroon have specific tasks 

with regard regard to land use. use. In Bantu Bantu villages, the women are responsible for the cultivation of 

crops, the the preparation of food and the the general housekeeping. Men are responsible for the 

clearing clearing of forest and old forest fallow for agricultural fields, hunting and the cultivation of cash 

crops. Labour provision to logging and other companies is restricted to men. The collection of 

NTFPs in the vicinity of the village and fields is done by women, whereas those from the virgin 

forest are gathered by men. 

A gradual transformation of the rural communities communities from subsistence to (partially) market 

oriented oriented economy, economy, is taking place in the last last decade and is strongly influenced by the improved improved 

infrastructure. This This will trigger changes in the relation between between men men and women and as as a result 

the the dynamics of land utilization by the local population may change (pers. comm., I. Hijman, 

1996). 

2.10 LAND USE 

The main economic activity in the area is timber exploitation. Most of the forest within the TCP 

research area has at least twice been selectively logged by national and international companies, 

among them the Dutch GWZ. Logging concessions are granted for a one to three year period. 

The logging of the forest involves the construction of logging roads with bulldozers and graders. 

Log extraction from the forest is done by wheeled skidders and crawler tractors. Present logging 

activities focus on three species; Azobe (Lophira alata), 60% of the extracted volume), Tali 

(Erythrophleum ivorense) and Padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii). Only trees with diameters at 

breast height (dbh) z 80 cm and straight boles of at least six meters are considered worthwhile. 

The resulting average logging intensity is low, i.e. 10 m3 ha- l The main economic activity in the area is timber exploitation. Most of the forest within the TCP 

research area has at least twice been selectively logged by national and international companies, 

among them the Dutch GWZ. Logging concessions are granted for a one to three year period. 

The logging of the forest involves the construction of logging roads with bulldozers and graders. 

Log extraction from the forest is done by wheeled skidders and crawler tractors. Present logging 

activities focus on three species; Azobe (Lophira alata), 60% of the extracted volume), Tali 

(Erythrophleum ivorense) and Padouk (Pterocarpus soyauxii). Only trees with diameters at 

breast height (dbh) z 80 cm and straight boles of at least six meters are considered worthwhile. 

The resulting average logging intensity is low, i.e. 10 m representing 0.7 trees, compared 

with regions like Malaysia where on average 15 trees per hectare are removed. The felling and 

extraction of the logs from the stand are estimated to affect less than 15% of the surface (pers. 

comm. G.J.R. van Leersum, 1996). 

3 ha- l representing 0.7 trees, compared 

with regions like Malaysia where on average 15 trees per hectare are removed. The felling and 

extraction of the logs from the stand are estimated to affect less than 15 % of the surface (pers. 

comm. G.J.R. van Leersum, 1996). 

Agriculture Agriculture is an an important land use in in the TCP research area. The traditional traditional shifting shifting cultivation 

system involves the clearing clearing and burning of primary and old secondary forest just before the 

rainy season and the planting of cucumber, maize, cassava, cassava, coco-yam and plantain. With 

decreasing soil fertility, the tending and harvesting of a field gradually stops and the land is left 

fallow after a maximum of five years. The former agricultural fields are then colonized by a 

forest vegetation. The biomass accumulation of of the secondary vegetation restores soil fertility. 

The traditional shifting shifting cultivation cultivation cycle is gradually being transformed by the introduction of 

24

the chain saw, the limited amount of available labour and the scarcity of new land within reach 

of the village. More and more farmers are clearing young fallows for agricultural fields. They 

plant groundnut and cucumber in association with coco-yam, cassava and maize. The total 

surface of this rotational fallow system is less than ten hectares per farmer (pers. comm., M. 

Yemefack, 1996). 

NTFPs are a major source of food, construction materials, agricultural and household utensils, 

medicines and cash for the local population of Southwest Cameroon. The gathering ofNTFPs is 

for the Bantu population supplementary to agriculture. For Bakola it is the mainstay. Surveys on 

NTFP collection have been carried out in the neighbouring Campo-Ma'an area and in the TCP 

research area. Some 500 plant species were recorded in the TCP area alone that provided a total 

of nearly 1200 different uses. The trade in NTFPs is an important source of income for the local 

population. The most traded NTFPs in the TCP area are for the Bantu population: oil palm (Elaeis 

guineensis), bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis) and the almond-like 'Njansang' (Ricinodendron 

heudelotti). The Bakola collect and trade the fruits of the liana (Strophanthus gratus), honey and 

several oil containing nuts (e.g. Panda oleosa and Poga oleosa) (Dounias, 1993; pers. comm. 

J.F.W. van Dijk, 1996). 

Next to subsistence agriculture, cacao is cultivated for cash revenues by mainly Bantu farmers and 

small cacao plantations are found throughout the area. In general these plantations are not well 

maintained due to continuing low world market prices. The devaluation of the Franc CFA in 1994 

was an incentive for the production but still more than 50% of the cacao plantations remain 

abandoned. Recently, industrial size oil palm, pineapple and banana plantations have been created 

in the TCP area. Villagers who work and live in surrounding towns, appear to be the initiators of 

this development. 

25

3. METHODOLOGY 

3.1 LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL APPROACH 

The Tropenbos-Cameroon Programme aims at the development of sustainable forms of land use 

in Southwest Cameroon. The specific objective of the first phase of the Lul project is to provide 

base line information on the biotic and abiotic environment of the TCP area. This information 

will be used for land evaluation and planning procedures and for more detailed ecological 

research in the area. Based on the size of the area and the need for detail for land evaluation, a 

landscape ecological survey at scale 1: 100,000 (reconnaissance scale) was carried out. 

Zonneveld (1995; after Schroevers, 1982) defines landscapes as 'a complex of relationships 

systems, together forming ( ... ) a recognizable part of the earth's surface, which is formed and 

maintained by the mutual action of abiotic and biotic forces as well as human action'. The 

landscape can thus be seen, as is done in the present study, as a fully integrated entity that can 

and should be studied as a whole (e.g. Breimer et al., 1986; Hommel, 1987; Kiichler and 

Zonneveld, 1988; Zonneveld, 1995). 

Tropenbos has developed a Common Methodology for Land Inventory and Land Evaluation to 

contribute to a systematic and interdisciplinary research approach and subsequently sound land 

use planning (Touber et al., 1989). This methodology focuses on the integrated description of 

the environment and was used for the land unit surveys conducted in the Tropenbos sites in Cote 

d'Ivoire (de Rouw et al., 1990; de Rouw, 1991) and Colombia (Duivenvoorden and Lips, 1993; 

1995). The holistic nature of the landscape approach requires a multidisciplinary team of 

surveyors. 

An almost indispensable tool in all landscape oriented studies is the use of remote sensing 

materials. Depending on the scale of the study and the objects to be mapped, satellite images and 

aerial photographs can be used. For the present reconnaissance survey black & white aerial 

photographs have been used. These images reveal the identity of the landscape and their 

systematic interpretation enables the delineation of the different land units. A land unit is 'a tract 

of land that is ecologically relatively homogeneous at the scale level concerned' (Zonneveld, (Zonneveld, 

1995). Aerial photo interpretation interpretation provides a basis for stratified sampling in the field. 

The aim of the fieldwork is to collect accurate and reliable materials to describe the photo 

interpretation units. In addition, the relevance of the boundaries of the photo interpretation units 

is studied. Ecological relevant data on soil, vegetation, geomorphology and land use, as well as 

geological, hydrological, zoological and other appropriate land attribute information are 

collected in selected sample sites. The land attributes are classified and a legend is compiled. 

The resulting landscape ecological map is an important tool for land evaluation. In the following 

sections, the methodological aspects of the present survey are treated in more detail. 

3.2 AERIAL PHOTO INTERPRETATION 

Topographical base maps at scale 1 :50,000 were supplied by the CENADEFOR (1987) and are 

in fact enlargements of the 1 :200,000 topographic maps of the Institute Geographie Nationale 

(C6N, 1976). The sheets Edea NA-32-XXIII 1 lb, b, 2a and 2b and Nyabessan NA-32-XVII 3d, 4c 

27

and 4d were joint to make a single topographic map of the TCP area. The topographic map was 

updated as for the location of logging roads with the aid of a Global Positioning System (GPS). 

Black & white aerial photographs photographs of the TCP area were were taken in 1963-66 1963-66 at a scale scale of 1 :50,000 

and in 1983-85 at a a scale of of 1 :20,000. The The 1963-66 series has insufficient contrast to to allow allow for 

stereoscopic vision. The much much better better quality photographs of the 1983-85 series have therefore 

been used for photo interpretation in the present survey. A list of the photographs is presented 

in Annex Annex Ill. Ill. 

The interpretation interpretation of the aerial photographs resulted in the drafting of preliminary preliminary maps on 

landforms and vegetation at a scale 1 :50,000 (Touber, 1993a). The maps have have hierarchical 

legends and discern a total total of 49 and 25 legends units, respectively. A five week mission to the 

TCP TCP research area was carried carried out out in 1993 and sites were selected for the efficient sampling of 

the most important land land units in the area (Touber, 1993b). 

3.3 FIELDWORK 

3.3.1 General 

Observation sites were selected on the basis of the photo interpretation maps. Fieldwork 

involved the description of the attributes of the units discerned by photo-interpretation. 

Fieldwork was not merely a check check to verify verify the photo interpretation as it largely largely entailed the 

collection of new information. 

The land units sampled were considered the most important and widespread in the TCP area. 

The actual sample sites were selected on the basis of representativeness representativeness and accessibility. 

accessibility. 

Transects, or transverses, of one to two kilometres with a general orientation perpendicular to 

the contour lines, have have been been laid out. These transects provided access access to the land units units to to be be 

described and enabled the detection of possible catenas or toposequential processes. Within the 

transect three to seven observation points were selected for detailed description. The locations 

of the the observation observation points were determined by both the soil surveyor and the vegetation 

specialist. At each sampled locality, landform, soil and vegetation characteristics characteristics were 

described. In Fig. 3.1 the the distribution distribution of observation points in the TCP research research area is is given. 

During the field work the survey team consisted of of a soil surveyor, a vegetation surveyor, a field 

botanist (part-time), a local tree spotter and a local local soil survey assistant. The The transects were were laid laid 

out by a a 'compass man' and two line line cutters recruited from the nearest village. The distance distance 

along the the transects was measured measured with with a 'Topofyl' and each hundred hundred meter was (temporarily) 

marked with with a pole. The survey team covered approximately one kilometre per day day for normal 

sampling procedures. One or or two days extra were needed to dig and describe soil pits. pits. 

All transects and observation points have geographical coordinates and can be retraced on the 

base map and the aerial photographs. Photo interpretation and fieldwork were not strictly 

separated in time; efforts have been made to study the aerial photographs after each period of 

fieldwork and to adjust the preliminary legends and maps to the insights gained. 

The sampling procedures for landform, soil and vegetation aspects are discussed in in the sections 

3.3.2 and 3.3.3. 

28

The described land and soil related attributes are based on Touber et al. (1989), FAO (1990) and 

Touber et et al. (1993), and include: altitude, slope length, slope steepness, slope form, exposition, 

landform, stone and rock coverage, erosion and stability characteristics, drainage drainage characteristics, 

groundwater groundwater level, biological activity and, humus form. Soil characteristics, described per horizon, 

are: colour, mottling, texture, structure, consistency, cutans, rooting characteristics and pores. 

Additionally, schematic sketches of the the transects were made, showing the variation in slope 

percentage, slope direction, slope length, and exposition within within each each land unit. 

At least three auger hole observations per per transect were made. The auger holes were made with a 

standard standard type Edelman auger and and range in depth from 1.2 to 2.0 m. A total of of 207 soil and and landform 

observations were made. In Fig. Fig. 3.1 the distribution of observation points in the TCP area is 

presented. 

After a first survey of the transects, about 60 sites representing the different different landforms and and soil 

types of the TCP area were selected, soil pits were dug and soil characteristics were described in 

more detail. All soil pits have a minimum depth of 1.50 m. Samples of horizons were collected for 

chemical and physical analysis. 

Soil samples were chemically and physically analyzed at the IRA soil laboratory in Ekona. 

Duplicates of some 40 samples were analyzed as control at ISRIC, Wageningen. Chemical soil 

properties properties determined are organic carbon, total nitrogen, available and total phosphorous, pH H H20 20 

and KCI, exchangeable exchangeable bases (Na, K, Mg and Ca), Ca), aluminum aluminum and hydrogen, and cation exchange 

capacity capacity (CEC). Physical Physical parameters determined are are texture, water retention characteristics (pF) 

and bulk density. Additionally, the clay mineralogy of of some twenty-five samples were analyzed 

by ISRIC. The methods used for chemical and physical physical analyses analyses are described in in Annex IV. 

All field data concerning the site and soil characteristics of of the augerings augerings and and soil soil profile 

descriptions were compiled compiled in in the the TROFOLIN Database Database (Touber et al., 1993). Data of chemical 

and physical analysis are stored stored in QUATTRO QUATTRO PRO. 

3.3.3 Vegetation 

The distribution of plant species in tropical forests is not random but reflects environmental 

conditions (Whitmore, 1984 and Zonneveld, 1995). Species which can successfully compete with 

one another another within the limits of a a particular combination of of environmental features can be be 

considered as a plant community. The mosaic of plant communities forms the vegetation in an area 

(Kuchler and Zonneveld, 1988). Moreover, the pattern of of vegetation vegetation types, defined defined as plantcommunities, 

may be used to assess the distribution patterns of distinct plant species. 

In the present survey the vegetation was described on the basis of its structure and floristic 

composition, in the sense of the the French-Swiss school (phytosociological (phytosociological approach; approach; Braun Braun 

Blanquet, 1964). The method implies a classification of vegetation vegetation types by tabular tabular comparison 

of plot plot data, which leads leads to to the identification identification of communities, characterized by phytosociological 

groups (Touber et at., 1989). 

The localities described in the vegetation survey lie within the most common and widespread widespread photo 

interpretation units in the TCP research area (see 3.3.1). The stratification of sample points is based 

on the hypothesis that altitude (Fig. 2.1) and disturbance disturbance (both anthropogenic and and natural) cause 

most of the variation in the vegetation in the TCP research area. The observation points are are 

therefore evenly spread along these two environmental gradients gradients (Table 3.1). Additionally, Additionally, in in 

relatively relatively undisturbed forest vegetation efforts have have been been made to to describe describe the the vegetation vegetation along along 

the toposequence, comparable to the study of catena's in the soil survey. 

30

Next to to the detailed description of the sample points, the vegetation structure and land use along 

the transects was indicated on drawings. These drawings give insight in the mosaic of the 

vegetation in the different mapping units. In the second phase of the Lul project, will study these 

mosaics are studied in more detail. Also some 20 incomplete or so-called 'quick releves' were 

described. These incomplete descriptions do not support the classification of the vegetation, but 

help to investigate the relations between vegetation and abiotic factors. Moreover, they are of 

cartographic importance. 

All vegetation data have been been stored in in TURBOVEG, a software package package for input, processing and 

presentation ofphytosociological data (Hennekens, 1995). The output of this package is, in contrast 

to TROFOLIN (Touber et al., 1993), compatible with vegetation classification programmes like 

TWINSPAN (Hill, 1979a), SHAKE SHAKE (Tongeren, unpubl.), unpubl.), DECORANA (Hill, (Hill, 1979b) and 

CANOCO (ter Braak, 1988). 

3.4 CLASSIFICATION 

Based on the variation observed within the TCP research area, preliminary classifications were 

drafted for landforms, soils and vegetation. To describe the landscape as a complex of these 

attributes, the relations between landforms, soils and vegetation types were studied by means of 

cross-tables. cross-tables. The aim of of this exercise exercise was to trace trace the the parameters of the the abiotic environment environment which 

may best best explain the the variation variation in vegetation types. Based on on these analysis, the landforms, soils 

and vegetation classifications classifications were slightly modified to attain an optimal 'ecological' 'ecological' fit. 

The classification classification of landforms is based on differences in relief characteristics, i.e. slope length, 

slope steepness, relief intensity, and the number of interfluves. These characteristics are important 

in the light of land utilization. utilization. 

The classification of soils in the TCP research area is primarily based on soil drainage and soil 

texture. Soil depth and stoniness are other differentiating criteria but could not be used at this scale. 

Soil drainage and texture are found to have a correlation with vegetation in the TCP research area. 

As soil texture and soil drainage are indicators for moisture availability, they are two of the 

functional soil parameters for land evaluation as well. 

The classification of the vegetation of the area was done by means of 'tabular comparison' of the 

releve data using the computer programme TWINSP AN (Hill, 1979a). The programme performs 

a multi-variate analysis of vegetation data and produces a hierarchical classification of both sample 

points and species. Manual refinement of this this classification included the reallotment of a limited 

number of borderline releves. Also some 11 releves were excluded from analysis because they 

proved to represent either intermediate situations on the highest level of classification, or 

represented ecologically ecologically aberrant aberrant situations situations that were not not considered relevant to the the reconnaissance 

survey. 

The cover values of of the three structural layers, i.e. i.e. tree, shrub and and herb layer, layer, have been combined combined 

into one value for each species. species. Four coverage classes were used, 0-5%, > 5-25%, > 25-50% and 

> > 50-100% cover, regardless of of the the abundance of the species. For classification of vegetation on 

a reconnaissance scale, this is considered sufficiently detailed. 

The classification by TWINSPAN is primarily based on the floristic composition of the sample 

plots. Next, a a synecological interpretation of the vegetation types discerned has been carried out out 

on the basis basis of the environmental data collected at the different plot sites. 

32

3.5 LEGEND AND MAP COMPILATION 

The final legend ofthe landscape ecological map is based on the classification systems for the 

individual attributes (landform, soil and vegetation), the study of correlations between these 

attributes and the annotated preliminary photo interpretation maps (Hommel, 1987; Kiichler and 

Zonneveld, 1988). 

The landscape ecological map (l: 100,000) is thus based on 256 landform and soil observations 

and 125 vegetation releves, and covers a total surface of 167,350 ha. Consequently, the 

observation density for landform and soil attributes is one per 650 ha and one per 1150 ha for 

the vegetation attributes. These observation densities are theoretically just sufficient (Landon, 

1991). 

The representation of the identified vegetation, soil and landform types on a map map depends 

largely on mapping scale. In the present reconnaissance survey (scale 1: 100,000) most of the 

units of the present landscape ecological map contain mosaics of of soil and vegetation types. 

Map compilation has been facilitated by the GIS package ArcInfo Arclnfo (ESRI, 1990; 1994). 1994). Digitized 

topographic topographic base base maps have been made compatible with the land land attribute classification systems, 

enabling spatial analysis and the compilation of land attribute and evaluation maps (Bakkum, 

1996). 

33

4. LANDFORMS 

4.1 LITERATURE REVIEW 

The geomorphology of Southwest Cameroon is described by Martin and Segalen (1966) and by 

Franqueville (1973) at a scale of 1:1,000,000. The western part of the TCP area belongs to the 

coastal lowland of late Tertiary-Quaternary age, whereas the eastern part belongs to the interior 

plateau of Eocene age. At the boundary of these two zones a transitional complex is found (Segalen, 

1967). At this transition different planation levels are present. The planation levels at 200 to 

300 m and 600 to 800 m correspond with the erosion surfaces Africa II and I (Martin and Segalen, 

1966; Franqueville, 1973). The two erosion surfaces have a well pronounced relief. They are 

characterized by hills and dissected uplands with numerous small streams. The slopes of the hills 

and uplands have convex upper parts and concave lower parts. Laterite banks are of minor 

importance and the tropical clay soils are generally deep. 

We have subdivided the area into four altitude classes which party coincide with the mentioned 

erosion surfaces. The altitude classes are < 350 m, 350-500 m, 500-700 m and> 700 m. 

Important processes leading to the formation of today's landforms have been tectonic movements 

of parts of the Precambrian shield, e.g. block faulting along NE - SW lines, climatic changes and 

erosion processes related to rapid changes of the erosion basis. These processes resulted in 

different planation levels or erosion surfaces (Martin and Segalen, 1966; Buckle, 1978; Embleton 

and Thornes, 1979). The physiognomy of the landscape is still being 'reformed'. The most 

important process is water erosion resulting in the dissection of the area. The intensity of this 

dissection is determined by the relative differences in erodibility of both soil cover and underlying 

rock, and by the amount of rainfall. Differences in erodibility of the rock are caused by differences 

in density of fractures and/or its mineral composition. 

Table 4.1 Relief characteristics of the different landforms 

Landform units Slope length Slope (%) Relief No. of Altitude Surface area 

(m) intensity (m) interfluves 

perkm perkm2 

range (m) (km2) 

Dissected erosional 

plains (pd) 

50-200 5-15 20- 30 3-4 40-280 110 

Uplands (ul) 100-200 10-20 10- 40 3-4 120-700 480 

Uplands (u2) 150-300 10-30 30- 80 2-3 120-700 690 

Isolated hills (hi) 250-500 > 30 120-300 200-900 116 

Complex of hills (h2) 

Mountains (m) 

200-350 20-40 80-200 350-700 139 

- outside slopes > 400 > 30 >250 >500 100 

- inside slopes 250-400 30-60 120-250 

Valley bottoms (v) 0-2 30 120-300 200-900 116 

Complex of hills (h2) 

Mountains (m) 

200-350 20-40 80-200 350-700 139 

- outside slopes > 400 > 30 >250 >500 100 

- inside slopes 250-400 30-60 120-250 

Valley bottoms (v) 0-2

The moderately dissected uplands with rolling relief have slopes of 100 to 200 meters long; 

these slopes are moderately steep (10-20%). The number of interfluves per kilometre ranges 

from three to four and the relief intensities are between 10 and 40 meters. This landform covers 

large surfaces in the central and northern parts of the TCP area, has altitudes between 350 and 

500 m asl, and has a general NE-SW direction. It has gradual boundaries with the dissected 

erosional plains and the strongly dissected uplands with hilly relief. Sharp transitions are found 

with the hills and the mountains. The 'rolling uplands' cover about 27% of the TCP research 

area. 

The strongly dissected uplands with hilly relief have two to three interfluves per kilometre, 

slopes of 150-300 meter long which are moderately steep (10-30%), and relief intensities of30- 

80 meter. The overall relief is hilly. The 'hilly uplands' with an extent of 39% of the survey area 

are the most predominant landform in the TCP research area. They are confined to the 120-700 

meter altitude range. They have relatively sharp boundaries with the mountains, hills and 

complexes of hills, and gradual boundaries with the rolling uplands. 

4.2.3 Hills (hI and h2) 

Hills are natural elevations of the earth's surface. Hills occupy smaller areas, are lower and/or 

have lower relief intensities than the mountains. Two types of hills are discerned in the present 

reconnaissance survey: isolated hills (hI) and complexes of hills (h2). Both landforms are 

characterized by erosion, particularly sheet erosion (creep) and rockfalls. 

The isolated hills are characterized by steep (> 30%) long slopes (250-500 m) and relief 

intensities of 120-300 meters. Rock outcrops are common and they are frequently encountered 

at the convex upper slopes. The isolated hills are steep-sided, isolated, residual and circumdenudated 

like inselbergs. They are scattered throughout the TCP area and are a characteristic 

aspect of the landscape, especially in the uplands of the central region. The isolated hills are 

conspicuously present in the landscape, even though they cover only 9% of the total TCP area. 

The landform h2 is a complex of moderately steep to steep (20-40%) hills which are strongly 

dissected. The slopes are relatively short (200-350 m) and the relief intensities (80-200 m) are 

relatively low, when compared to the isolated hills and mountains. The complex of hills are 

characterized by a large variation in summit and valley valley bottom levels. levels. Complexes Complexes of hills are are 

mainly situated in the transition zone between the uplands of the central region and the 

mountains in the eastern part of the TCP area. They have a general NE-SW direction. Altitudes 

vary between 500 and 700 m asl. They are absent in the northwest of the TCP research area. The 

complexes of hills cover a surface of about 130 km2, which is 9% of the TCP research area. 

4.2.4 Mountains (m) 

Mountains are complex dissected plateaus or massifs which are isolated and rising above the 

surrounding landscape. This landform is characterized by an abrupt rise in altitude to a higher 

level. Sheet erosion (creep) and rockfalls also occur in this landform. The outside slopes of the 

mountains blocks are very long (> 400 m), very steep (30 to over 60%) with a relief intensity 

higher than 250 meters. The inside slopes are moderately long (250-400 m), steep (30-60%) and 

have a relief intensity of 120-250 meters. Rock outcrops are common and mainly occur on the 

convex upper slopes. The mountains are restricted to the eastern part of the TCP area with altitudes 

above 500 m asl where they cover about 100 km2, i.e. some 7% of the TCP research area. 

37

4.2.5 Valley Bottoms (v) 

Valley bottoms are poorly to very poorly drained, nearly flat to flat depressions between 

interfluves. They occupy extensive areas within the uplands and dissected erosional plains. Their 

widths are mainly 50-150 meters and are thus in general too small to be mapped separately at 

1: 100,000 scale. The slope percentages are between 0 and 2%. Stagnation of water is also an 

important characteristic. Soils are developed in unconsolidated, unspecified, stratified alluvium, 

which recently has been deposited. 

The The valley bottoms are found predominantly in the southeast southeast of the TCP research and and in the the 

western lowlands. Large valley bottoms, i.e. wider than than 250 m, are separately mapped in the 

present reconnaissance survey. These large valley bottoms cover approximately one percent of the 

TCP research area. However, this does not reflect the importance of the landform as the majority 

of valley bottoms are part of the dissected erosional plains, and uplands. 

38

5. SOILS 


The' Atlas du Cameroun' (1 :2,000,000) and the 'Carte Pedologique du Cameroun Oriental' 

(1: (1:1,000,000) 1 ,000,000) provide information on the soils in the TCP research area. The scales of these soil 

maps differ greatly from this reconnaissance inventory (1: 100,000). These maps with their 

explanatory notes (Segalen, 1957; Martin and Segalen, 1966), together with the' Atlas Regional, 

Sud-ouest I' by Franqueville (1973) give a good indication of the main soils of Southwest 

Cameroon. The three main soil types of Southwest Cameroon, according to the above mentioned 

studies, are are' 'les les sols ferrallitiques jaunes sur roches acides (gneiss)', 'les sols ferrallitiques 

rouges sur roches acides' and 'les sols alluviaux' (see also section 2.6). 

According to the' Atlas du Sud Cameroon, scale 1 :500,000 (MINREST and ORSTOM, 1995), 

the'sols ferralitiques fortement desaturees typiques jaunes ou rajeuni jaunes cl ocres' and 'les 

sols peu evolues ou bruts' are found around the city of Ebolowa east of the TCP study area. 

South of the line Ebemvok and Akom 11, a detailed soil study of 65 hectares has been carried 

out by Roubain who paid special attention to the genesis of soils. He reports that well drained 

yellowish brown clay soils dominate on gneisses, whereas the reddish brown soils occur on 

basaltic rocks. Laterite banks are exceptional in this region (ORSTOM - Roubain, pers. comm., 

1995). 

Soil studies in the Mbalmayo area, situated northeast of the TCP research area, were carried out 

on inventory scale by Yemefack and Moukam (1995) and on detailed scale by Ndjib (1987) and 

Ngeh et al. (1995). The soils in this area have been developed on (mica)schists, gneisses and 

granites of Precambrian age. Yemefack and Moukam (1995) classify the dominating well 

drained yellowish brown clay soils as Xanthic Ferralsols (low cation exchange capacity, low 

base saturation) with or without textural differentiation. 

Ndjib (1987) differentiates the strongly weathered soils on the basis of texture, coarse fragment 

content and colour. He relates these differences to parent material (soils on schists have more 

coarse fragments than the ones on gneiss) and physiographic positions (development of argic 

properties on top positions and mid-slopes). 

Bilong (1992) reports that around Akongo, which is also east of the TCP research area, well 

drained yellowish brown clay soils are formed on all kinds of parent materials. He relates the 

yellowish colour to goethite, an iron hydroxide. hydroxide. Goethite, which can be formed under a soil 

climate climate with with sufficient moisture in the dry seasons, gives a yellowish brown colour to the soil 

(Bilong, 1992). 

According to Touber (1993b) the soils in the TCP research are remarkably uniform throughout 

the area. They are well to moderately well drained, very deep, yellowish brown clay loams to 

light clays. Variations in depth, internal drainage, texture and gravel content occur. Some 

patches of redder soils may occur and an altogether different soil type is found in the valleys. 

39

The present study confirms that deep, moderately well to well drained yellowish brown brown tropical 

clay soils predominate in the TCP research area. These soils also described as 'les sols 

ferrallitiques jaunes sur les roches acides (gneiss)' are characterized by Martin and Segalen (1966) 

as follows: 

topsoil (3-10 cm): 15 to 20% clay, ± 3.5% organic matter (CIN = 15), CEC < 8 meqllOO g, base 

saturation between 12 and 20% and pH < 4.5; 

subsoil (> 10 cm): 35-50% clay, low in organic matter « 3.5%), CEC between 5 and 7 meq/l00 

g and base saturation < 10%. 

Vertical clay movement is described. The mineralogical composition of the clay is: 50-60% 

kaolinite, 35-45% goethite and < 10% gibbsite and the Si02/Al203 ratio is between 1.1 and 1.6. 

5.2 SOIL TYPES AND CLASSIFICATION 

The soils in the Bipindi - Lolodorf - Akom II area have been subdivided into four main soil types. 

This subdivision is based on soil drainage and texture in both topsoil and subsoil (table 5.1). 

Well drained, deep deep to very deep deep1, 1, yellowish brown to strong brown clay clay soils, classified according 

to FAO-Unesco (1990) as Xanthic Ferralsols, are dominant in the area. These well drained soils 

are further subdivided according to the clay content in topsoil and subsoil into: 

Nyangong soils which which are very clayey soils soils with no or only a a gradual increase in in clay content 

with depth. The clay contents contents of ofthe the subsoils range between 50 and 80%. 

- Ebom soils which are clay soils with a gradual to strong differentiation in clay content between 

topsoils and subsoils. subsoils. The clay clay contents of the subsoils range between 35 and 60%. 

The moderately well drained soils are: 

Ebimimbang soils which are moderately deep to very deep clay soils with sandy topsoils. The 

clay contents of the subsoils range between 20 and 45%. 

The poorly to very poorly drained soils are: 

- Valley Bottom soils soils which which are moderately deep to very very deep soils, locally stratified and with 

variable textures in topsoils and subsoils. 

The first three soil types are named after villages in the TCP area in which regions these 

corresponding soil types dominate. The Valley Bottom soils are, as the name implies, restricted 

to the valleys and occur all over the area. 

Soil depth, soil stoniness stoniness and and the occurrence occurrence of plinthite in the subsoils subsoils are are other criteria for further further 

subdivision of the soils. During the present reconnaissance survey it has, however, not been 

possible to find systematic relationships between these factors and positions in the landscape. 

Therefore, these criteria have not been used to further subdivide the four main soil types mentioned 

above. 

Soil depths classes are as follows: shallow 0-50 cm; moderately deep 50-100 cm; deep 100-150 cm cm and very very deep 

>150 >150 cm. 

40

Table 5.1 Soil types of the TCP research area and their diagnostic criteria 

Soil type 

Drainage 

Nyangong 

Well drained 

Ebom 

Well drained 

Ebimimbang Moderately well drained 

Valley Bottom Poorly to very poorly drained 

Topsoil Topsoil = 0-10 0-10 cm; cm; subsoil subsoil = 20-60 20-60 cm cm 

Texture 

(% clay topsoil) 

35-70%, very clayey 

20-50%, clayey 

0-25%, sandy 

variable 

Texture 

(% clay subsoil) 

50-80% 50-80% 

35-60% 

20-45% 

variable variable 

5.2.1 Nyangong soils 

The Nyangong soils are deep to very deep, well drained, yellowish brown to strong brown, clays 

with dark yellowish brown to dark brown clay topsoils. They are developed on fine grained, 

pyroxene rich gneisses and granites, or other igneous rocks. Soil depth of the deep soils (100 - 

150cm) is limited by the occurrence of ferruginated gravel, stones, boulders or weathering 

bedrock. Nyangong soils are characterised by a high clay content which can reach 80% in the 

subsoils. The topsoils are none to slightly less clayey than the subsoils whereby the increase in 

clay content with depth is gradual. 

The topsoils are 10 to 20 cm thick with the first 5 to 10 cm having the darkest colours. They 

have dark yellowish brown to dark brown colours and 40 to 70% clay. The subsoils have 

yellowish brown to strong brown colours and clay contents of 50 to 80%. In places few reddish 

mottles and/or laterite gravel is found in the deeper subsoils. 

Locally on summits, upper slopes or very steep mountain slopes, moderately deep to very deep, 

gravelly and stony soils occur as inclusions within the Nyangong soils. These have clay contents 

in the subsoils of 40 to 50% and are less deeply and less intensively weathered than the typical 

Nyangong soils. At the present scale of the survey, these soils could not be mapped separately. 

The Nyangong soils are characteristic for altitudes above 500 m asl and are therefore found in 

the mountains and hills in the eastern part of the TCP area. The complexes of hills and isolated 

hills at altitudes above 500 m are also mainly covered with the Nyangong soils. The soils of the 

eastern uplands form complexes ofNyangong and Ebom soils. 

Full profile descriptions with analytical data of the Nyangong soils are given in Annex IV. 

5.2.2 Ebom soils 

The Ebom soils are deep to very deep, well drained brownish yellow to strong brown, clays with 

yellowish brown to dark brown sandy loam to sandy clay topsoils. They are developed on 

gneisses and migmatites. Soil depth of the deep soils (100-150 cm) is limited by plinthite, 

laterite and/or quartz gravel or bedrock. A relationship between the occurrence of plinthite or 

limited soil depth within 150 cm and topographical position, could not be detected and therefore 

not mapped at the scale on the survey. The Ebom soils are characterized by their clayey subsoils 

with less clayey topsoils whereby an increase in clay content with depth of about 10% generally 

occurs within 20 to 25 cm of the surface. 

The topsoils are 10 to 20 cm thick, have yellowish brown to dark brown colours (with the first 

5 cm having the darkest colours), and have 20 to 40% clay (sandy loam to sandy clay). The 

subsoils generally have 40 to 50% clay with an observed range of35 to 60% and have brownish 

yellow to strong brown colours, with yellowish brown dominating. In a majority of the soils 

41

eddish mottles mottles occur, occur, starting starting between between 20 20 and and 50 cm depth. depth. Iron Iron concretions occur in in the deeper 

subsoils, starting between between 50 to 100 cm depth. depth. 

Locally on summits, steep upper slopes or very steep hill slopes, moderately deep to very deep, 

gravelly and stony soils occur as inclusions within the Ebom soils. These have clay contents in 

the the subsoils subsoils of 40 40 to to 50% and and are are less less deeply deeply and and less less intensively weathered weathered than than the the typical typical 

Ebom Ebom soils. soils. At the present scale scale of the survey, these soils could not be mapped separately. 

The Ebom soils are typically found in the uplands and isolated hills in the central and northern 

regions regions of the TCP TCP area area at at altitudes altitudes between between 350 and and 500 m asl. asl. Complexes Complexes of the Ebom Ebom with with 

Nyangong Nyangong soils are found in the uplands above 500 m. 

Full profile descriptions with analytical data of the Ebom soils are given in Annex IV. 

5.2.3 Ehimimhang Ebimimbang soils 

The Ebimimbang soils are are moderately moderately deep to very deep, moderately moderately well well to well well drained, drained, 

yellowish yellowish brown brown sandy clay clay loams to sandy clays with sand to sandy loam topsoils and with 

gravelly subsoils. They are developed on coarse grained gneisses and migmatites. They are 

characterized characterized by by sandy sandy topsoils topsoils and and a a clay clay increase increase with with depth depth of 15 to 20% 20% which which generally 

occurs occurs within within 20 20 cm cm of the surface. The The depth depth of the moderately moderately deep deep soils (50-100 cm) cm) is is 

limited by weathering bedrock, plinthite or high concentrations of gravel (both iron concretions 

or or quartz quartz gravel). 

The topsoils are 5 to 10 cm thick, with colours in the range of dark greyish brown to black and 

generally with about 20% clay clay but clay percentages percentages as as low as 9% occur as well. well. The subsurface 

horizons horizons are 5 to to 10 cm thick, have yellowish brown to dark brown colours and have clay 

percentages percentages of 16 to 25 %, but in places less. As silt contents are low, sand contents of tops oils 

and and subsurface subsurface horizons horizons are high. 

Subsoils have yellowish brown colours with a range from light yellowish brown to strong brown 

and commonly have about 40% clay. Clay contents ranges between 30 and 64%. Reddish 

mottles start to appear appear between about about 15 and 40 cm depth. In places plinthite occurs with in 150 

cm, cm, starting starting between between 75 and 140 cm cm depth. depth. Iron Iron concretions concretions occur occur in in the the deeper deeper subsoils, subsoils, 

starting starting at at irregular irregular depths, depths, appearing appearing between between 15 and 140 cm cm from from the the surface surface downwards. downwards. Next Next 

to these concretions, quartz gravel and pieces of rotten rock occur in the deeper subsoils giving 

them them a texture of slightly gravelly to gravelly sandy clay loams to sandy clays. 

In In the the survey survey area, area, the the Ebimimbang soils typically typically occur occur at at altitudes below below 350 350 m and and are thus thus 

found found on on the the dissected erosional erosional plains, plains, uplands uplands and and isolated isolated hills hills in in this altitude zone. zone. Valley Valley 

bottom bottom soils occupy occupy up up to to 15% of these areas but could usually not be mapped separately as 

most most valley valley bottoms bottoms are are narrow narrow « 250 250 m). 

Annex IV gives full profiles descriptions with analytical data of the Ebimimbang soils. 

5.2.4 Valley Bottom soils 

The valley bottoms are dominated by moderately deep to very deep, poorly to very poorly 

drained drained soils soils developed developed in unconsolidated recent recent alluvium. alluvium. The The soil soil profiles profiles are stratified 

showing showing alternations alternations of sand, loam and and clay clay layers. layers. Sand, Sand, however, however, is dominant. Flooding, Flooding, high high 

ground water water levels and and locally locally greyish greyish colours colours are characteristics characteristics of this soil soil type. type. Depth Depth of 

groundwater level and soil texture could be used for further subdivision of these soils, although 

at reconnaissance scale scale this this is not feasible. 

42 42

have an udic moisture regime as explained above for the Oxisols. The Hapludults are the normal 

Udults. Ultisols with a kandic horizon have less that 40% clay in the top 18 cm and have a CEC 

clay in the subsoil of less than 16 meq/1 00 g: Kandiudults. The Paleudults are deeper than 150 cm 

and do not have a clay decrease with depth of more than 20%. Plintudults have 50% or more 

plinthite within 150 cm. 

The young Valley Bottom soils with high groundwater levels are classified as Aquents. The sandy 

ones are the Psammaquents and the loamy and clayey ones with irregular decrease in clay contents 

with depth are the Fluvaquents. Lithic Endoquents are shallower than 50 cm. The valley bottom 

soils which are somewhat better drained are classified as Inceptisols. The Inceptisols of the tropics 

are the Tropepts and Dystropepts if they have a base saturation of less than 50% in the subsoil. The 

Aquic Dystropepts have reduction and oxidation mottles within 100 cm. 

CPCS 

The three main soil types in the TCP research area can be placed in the 'Classe des Sols 

FerralIitiques'. These 'sols ferralIitiques' are developed in the humid tropics and are characterized 

by high contents of the minerals kaolinite, gibbsite, goethite and hematite. 

The 'Classe des Sols Hydromorphes' is also found in the TCP research area. These soils are 

characterized by a zone of alternating oxidation-reduction conditions and/or a permanent reduction 

zone (gley). 

The Nyangong soils and the majority of the Ebom soils meet the requirements for the 'sous-classe 

des so Is ferrallitiques fortement desatures en (B)" which are soils with pH lower than 5 and base 

saturation lower than 20%. The Ebimimbang soils and some of the Ebom soils meet the 

requirements for the 'sous-classe des sols ferraIIitiques moyennement desatui'es en (B)" which are 

soils with pH around 5 and base saturation between 20 and 40%. The majority of the Nyangong, 

Ebom and Ebimimbang profiles can be placed in the group 'groupe typique' and and'sous-groupe 

'sous-groupe 

jaune' of the system. In places they are in the 'groupe remanie or rajeuni'. They are all developed 

on 'roches metamorphique' (Segalen, 1957). 

The Valley Bottom soils belong to the 'sous-classe des so Is hydromorphes mineraux ou peu 

humiferes' and the' groupes des so Is hydromorphes peu humiferes it gley'. The depth of the gley 

horizon determines the subgroup. 

5.3 SOIL PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS 

Several physical characteristics were measured to characterize the soils. In Annex III the different 

methods used for texture, bulk density and water retention (physical) analysis are presented. Annex 

IV gives the analytical data of the sampled soil profiles. Table 5.3 presents the ranges of clay, silt 

sand contents and the average values of of bulk bulk densities and water retentions of the three three main soil soil 

types. 

5.3.1 Texture 

In Table 5.3 textures of the topsoils and subsoils of the most common soils are presented. Clear 

clusters are present: (i) Nyangong soils with topsoil clay contents of about 45%, (ii) Ebom soils 

with intermediate clay and sand contents of about 35% and 45% respectively in the topsoils and 

(iii) Ebimimbang soils with topsoil clay contents of only 10%. Clay contents increase with depth 

for all three soil types. The deeper subsoils (BC, CB or C horizons) show slightly lower clay 

contents compared to the horizons directly above. 

45

Table 5.3 Soil physical physical characteristics of the Nyangong, Nyangong, Ebom and Ebimimbang soils 

Soil type type Depth Texture Texture Texture Texture Bulk Bulk density AWe 

(clay%) (silt%) (silt%) (sand%) (g/cm3) (%) 

Nyangong I 35-70 10-20 10-40 1.03 10 

2 50-80 50-80 5-15 10-40 1.21 12 

3 1.26 7 

Ebom I 20-50 5-20 40-60 1.22 17 

2 35-60 35-60 5-15 30-50 1.37 16 

3 1.4 1.4 12 

Ebimimbang I 0-25 5-15 60-90 1.3 11 

2 20-45 5-15 40-80 1.55 15 15 

3 1.63 n.a. 

Soil depth classes: I = 0-20cm; 2 = 20-60 cm; 3 = 60-90cm. Bulk density values are the average of at least 4 

observations. A AWC= WC= Available Water Content (one or two observations per soil depth class). 

The Valley Bottom soils are dominated by a sandy texture, but in fact all all texture texture classes classes may may 

occur in in all possible possible sequences. Stratification is characteristic for these soils. In general, general, the 

Valley Valley Bottom soils have have 5-30% clay and 40-90% sand sand in the topsoil. The subsurface horizons 

generally are more sandy. 

5.3.2 Bulk density 

The ranges ranges in bulk bulk densities densities of of the the soils soils in the TCP research research area area are 0.8 to lA g/cm3 in in the 

topsoils topsoils (0-10 cm) and 1.0 to 1.7 g/cm g/cm 3 in the subsoils (20-90 cm) (Table 5.3). The bulk 

densities of all three three main soil soil types increase strongly with depth, depth, as as effects effects of cultivation cultivation and and 

organic matter matter content decrease. decrease. The The increase of of the bulk densities with depth take place 'within 

25 25 cm from from the the surface. The The bulk densities of of the Nyangong/Ebom soils and the Ebimimbang 

soils are within the normal range of 1.0 to 1.6 g/cm g/cm3 3 and 1.2 to 1.8 g/cm g/cm 3 as given by Landon 

(1991) for clayey and sandy soils, respectively. 

3 as given by Landon 

(1991) for clayey and sandy soils, respectively. 

Average values of bulk densities for the Nyangong, Ebom and Ebimimbang soils at three depths 

(0-20 cm, 20-60 cm and 60-90cm) are given in Table 5.3. The Nyangong topsoils have bulk 

densities of around 1.0 g/cm3, and below 20 cm the bulk densities increase to values of 1.2 to 

1.3 g/cm3. The topsoils and subsurface horizons of the Ebom soils have bulk densities around 

1.2 and lA g/cm3 Average values of bulk densities for the Nyangong, Ebom and Ebimimbang soils at three depths 

(0-20 cm, 20-60 cm and 60-90cm) are given in Table 5.3. The Nyangong topsoils have bulk 

densities of around 1.0 g/cm3, and below 20 cm the bulk densities increase to values of 1.2 to 

1.3 g/cm 

, respectively. Bulk densities of the Ebimimbang soils are the highest of the 

TCP research area, i.e. 1.3 g/cm 3 for the topsoils and 1.5 to 1.7 g/cm 3 for the subsoils. There is 

thus an increasing bulk density with a decreasing clay content. 

3 • The topsoils and subsurface horizons of the Ebom soils have bulk densities around 

1.2 and 1.4 g/cm3 , respectively. Bulk densities of the Ebimimbang soils are the highest of the 

TCP research area, i.e. 1.3 g/cm3 for the topsoils and 1.5 to 1.7 g/cm3 for the subsoils. There is 

thus an increasing bulk density with a decreasing clay content. 

The Ebimimbang soils have less stable aggregates than the Ebom and Nyangong soils (Waterloo 

et al., 1997), resulting in vertical clay movement and lower permeability of the Ebimimbang 

soils. The higher bulk densities of the Ebimimbang Ebimimbang soils are explained by the lower aggregate 

stability and higher sand sand contents of these soils. 

Topsoils under agriculture have decreased organic matter contents and less roots resulting in 

higher bulk densities densities compared to identical soils soils under forest (pers. comm. comm. Yemefack, 1996). 1996). 

46

The pH2 of the Nyangong Nyangong topsoils topsoils and subsoils subsoils is in the range of 3.5 to 4.5 (extremely (extremely acid). 

Khanna and Ulrich (1984) (I 984) define the pH range 3.8-4.2 as the aluminum buffer range, which 

means that aluminum is exchanged against hydrogen with decreasing pH. 

The pH of the Ebom soils is 3.5-5 in the topsoils and 4-5 in the subsurface horizons (very 

strongly to extremely acid). The pH values of the Ebom soils are only slightly higher than those 

of the Nyangong soils, and they are intermediate between the Nyangong and Ebimimbang soils. 

The pH values of the Ebimimbang topsoils are 1-1.5 units higher than those of the Nyangong 

and Ebom soils. The topsoil pH is 5-6 (medium to strongly acidic), and the subsurface soil pH 

is 4.5-5.5 (strongly to very strongly acid). This marked gradient in pH with depth is 

characteristic for soils in the cation exchange capacity buffer (4.2-5). Cations are exchanged 

against hydrogen to buffer changes in pH. Soils with pH values within this range are 

characterized by sharp differences in chemical characteristics (Khanna and Ulrich, 1984), which 

is confirmed by the base saturation data of Ebimimbang topsoils and subsurface horizons. 

The Valley Bottom soil has pH values that resemble those of the Ebimimbang soil. The topsoil 

pH is between 5 and 6 and the subsurface pH is between 4.5 and 5.5. 

All subsoils have pH values between 3.5 and 5.5. In these pH ranges manganese (Mn), 

aluminum (AI), iron (Fe) and trace elements as copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and borium (B) are 

available for plant growth (Euroconsult, 1989; Landon, 1991). In general the aluminum 

concentrations of the soils in the TCP research area are high and exchangeable potassium (K), 

magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) concentrations are very low in the soil solution (see Table 

5.4b.). Crops grown on these soils may experience nutrient deficiencies. High aluminum 

concentrations in the soil solution are toxic to many crops. Low pH values as found in the 

Nyangong soils, facilitate the formation of iron and phosphate aluminium compounds. This 

phosphate phosphate is not available to plants. The somewhat higher topsoil pH values might be explained 

by recent agricultural activities which include the burning of vegetation by which alkaline ashes 

are are formed. formed. 

5.4.2 Organic carbon and total nitrogen 

The organic carbon and related total nitrogen contents of the topsoils differ significantly 

between between the the four four soil soil types. types. The The observed observed organic organic carbon carbon range within within the survey survey area area is 2%-9% 2%-9% 

and the total nitrogen contents range from 0.15%-0.5%. The topsoils have significantly higher 

organic organic carbon carbon and and total total nitrogen nitrogen contents contents than the subsoils. subsoils. Fig. 5.2. shows shows the the relation relation between between 

organic carbon and total nitrogen concentrations for for all all samples. The The CIN value calculated with 

regression regression analysis analysis on all data is 13 (R2 = 0.94). 

The Nyangong topsoils have organic carbon contents between 4% and 9% and total nitrogen 

contents between 0.25% and 0.4%. The CIN values of the topsoils are between 12 and 18. The 

subsurface horizons have organic carbon contents between 1 1% % and 3 3% % and total nitrogen 

contents between 0.1 % and 0.15% (Table 5.4a.). In the subsoils the organic carbon content drops 

rapidly to below 0.5%. The CIN values of the subsurface horizons are in the range of 10 to 14. 

2 With pH, we mean pH(H 20), 20), unless otherwise indicated. 

48

The Valley Bottom soils have organic carbon contents contents of 2.5-6.5% 2.5-6.5% in the topsoils. The total 

nitrogen contents of the topsoil are comparable with the other soils. The subsurface horizons 

show organic carbon and total nitrogen contents similar to those of the Ebom and Ebimimbang 

soils. 

5.4.3 Available and total phosphorous 

The available phosphorous content in the topsoils of the Nyangong soils ranges between 4 and 

11 ppm (low), in the Ebom and Ebimimbang soils between 10 and 26 ppm (moderate) and in the 

Valley Bottom soils between 30 and 60 ppm (moderate to high). With depth, available 

phosphorous contents drop rapidly to values below 5 ppm and are invariably approaching 0 in 

all subsoils. 

Total phosphorous contents of the topsoils are high in the Nyangong soils and range between 

400 and 600 ppm. With depth, these values go down to 50-250 ppm. The Ebom and Ebimimbang 

soils have 150-400 ppm total phosphorous in the topsoils and 50-250 ppm in their subsoils. Total 

phosphorous contents of the Valley Bottom soils are not available. 

Higher available phosphorous contents coincide with higher pH values as at higher pH values 

phosphorous is less fixed in aluminium and iron complexes than at lower pH ranges. The higher 

available phosphorous contents of the Valley Bottoms are explained by colluvial enrichment. 

Table 5.4b 5.4b Ranges in some chemical chemical characteristics of the four soil types types in the TCP TCP research 

area 

Soil type Depth Depth K+ Mg++ Ca++ TEB Al+++ Al+++ ECEC ECEC CEC CEC BS 

(%) 

Nyangong 1 0.1-0.5 0.2-0.8 1-2 1.5-3.5 4-9 6-10 10-20 10-20 

2 0-0.1 0-0.5 0.2-0.6 0.5-1.2 2-6 5-7 6-9 5-15 

Ebom 1 0.1-0.9 0.4-1.6 0.5-4 2-5 0.5-6 4-9 12-25 10-50 

2 0-0.2 0-0.5 0-0.5 0.3-1 2-5 3-6 5-8 5-20 

Ebimimbang 1 0.1-0.7 0-1.5 1-8 3-7 0-3 3-10 4-12 50-100 

2 0-0.2 0-0.5 0-2 0.2-1.5 1-2.5 1.5-1 2-6 10-70 

Valley 0-0.5 0.3-1.5 0.5-4 4.5-6 0-3 5-7.5 7-17 15-50 

Bottom 2 0-0.1 0-0.2 0-0.5 0.5-0.8 0-1.5 0.5-2 1-8 20-40 

Soil depth: 1 = topsoil, generally 0-10 cm; 2 = subsurface horizon of about 20-60 cm depth. TEB = Total 

Exchangeable Bases. ECEC = Effective Cation Exchange Capacity. CEC = Cation Exchange Capacity. BS = Base 

Saturation. All values, except BS, in meq per 100 g. 

5.4.4 Cation exchange capacity and exchangeable bases 

The cation exchange capacities (CEC) of the topsoils in the study area are low to moderate with 

CEC values of 4-20 mellOO gr soil. With depth the CECs drop rapidly to low levels of 1 to 9 

me/lOO gr in the subsurface horizons to even lower levels in the subsoils. The relatively higher 

CEC values occur in the topsoils topsoils of the Nyangong Nyangong and Ebom soils and are between between 10 and 25 

mell me/lOO 00 g soil. These higher values are directly related to the higher organic matter levels of 

these soils. 

The exchange exchange complex complex is dominated dominated by aluminium aluminium (AI) and Al saturation saturation percentages percentages of 30 to 

80% are common. The highest saturation values occur in the soils with the lowest pH values, 

50

Next to kaolinite, the aluminum hydroxide gibbsite, is moderately abundant in the Nyangong 

and Ebom soils. Gibbsite forms in richer parent material (Driessen and Dudal, 1989; 1989; Mohr et 

al., 1972; van Kekem et al., 1997). The drainage conditions of the Ebimimbang soils, are less 

good when compared to the two other soil types. This might be the explanation for the 

difference in gibbsite contents of the different soil types. 

Vermiculite, chlorite and smectite are clay minerals which are absent or only present in 

relatively small amounts in the TCP research area. area. Micas (illite) are moderately abundant in 

some soil samples, but no relation relation is found with the different soil types. Feldspars and quartz 

are absent or only present in small amounts the clay fractions. 

The iron hydroxide goethite is moderately abundant in all soils, whereas whereas the iron oxide hematite 

is absent in the three main soil types of the TCP area. Goethite is formed under a soil climate 

with sufficient moisture in the dry season season even if the soils are well drained. It gives the soil a 

yellowish brown colour (Bilong, 1992). Driessen and Dudal (1989) (1989) state that goethite is formed 

when the iron concentration is low, the organic matter content is high, the temperature is low 

and/or soil pH is lower than 4.0. 

5.4.6 Nutrient contents 

Combining bulk density data data and chemical chemical data makes it possible to calculate the total total amounts 

of nutrients potentially available for plant growth. The data give an indication of the fertility of 

the different soils. The calculated nutrient contents for the three main soil types are averages of 

four four to six profiles. Table 5.5. 5.5. shows the the nutrient contents contents in kg/ha for a soil column of 1 meter 

deep. The majority of these nutrients, however, are concentrated concentrated in the upper 20 cm of the soil 

profile. profile. 

The Nyangong soil has a relatively high nitrogen content (12.5 ton/ha), whereas whereas available 

phosphorous and potassium are present in relatively relatively small amounts of 8 and 360 kg respectively 

(Table 5.5.). Magnesium and calcium amounts are 195 and 1065 kg/ha, respectively. The Ebom 

soil has less less total nitrogen (8900 (8900 kg/ha), but a moderate amount of phosphorous (28 kg/ha). The 

Ebimimbang soil also has a moderate amount of available phosphorous (24 (24 kg/ha) but the total 

nitrogen nitrogen amount is low (7000 kg/ha). The potentially available K, Mg and Ca amounts are in the 

same order of magnitude for all three soils. 

Table 5.5 5.5 Average nutrient contents of the Nyangong, Ebom and Ebimimbang soils in kg/ha kg/ha 

(soil column of of 1m) 

Soil type Total Total N Available P K Mg Ca 

Nyangong soil (n=6) 12500 8 8 360 195 1065 

(7371-24338) (3-16) (168-805) (168-805) (86-336) (607-1876) 

Ebom soil soil (n=4) 8900 8900 28 755 175 1785 

(5616-13022) (5-59) (361-1601) (60-306) (867-3558) 

Ebimimbang soil soil (n=6) 7000 24 370 165 165 1810 

( 4963-8757) (11-42) (11-42) (176-395) (27-535) ( (1295-2088) 1295-2088) 

The nutrient nutrient contents of the soils in the TCP research area area are comparable with data data from other 

studies on on humid tropical forest soils (Anderson and Spencer, 1991; Gillman et al., 1985). 

52

The combination of block faulting and the process of denudation (mechanical (mechanical and and chemical 

erosion) have resulted in planation or erosion levels of different age, which might be the the 

explanation for the differences differences encountered in the landforms and soils in the TCP research area. 

The eastern eastern region of the TCP region has been lifted upwards in relation relation to to the western lowlands lowlands 

along NE-SW orientated faults. The denudation, denudation, which can be be called (valley floor) 

pedimentation (Zonneveld, 1981; Embrechts and Dapper, 1987), has resulted in almost flat 

erosional plains with inselbergs in the the western lowlands and in a very very dissected landscape in the the 

mountainous eastern region. This dissected dissected landscape has been developed originally from an old 

erosional plain. The progressive erosion (slope retreat) from West to East has resulted in very 

small differences in altitude (Iow relief intensity) intensity) between the western part of the TCP research 

area and and the Atlantic Ocean, i.e. the the erosion basis. It is concluded that the landscape in the the 

western part of the TCP research area area is younger than than the the eastern one. 

The soil forming processes, which are mentioned in section 5.5.2., may have been causing 

spatial variations. A downward trend from West to East in rainfall and temperature may have 

caused differences in intensity and nature of the soil forming forming processes. This trend, however, 

is locally disturbed by the topography. Lower amounts of rain are observed around Bipindi 

(Waterloo et al., 1997) and can be an additional explanation for richer and less deep soils in 

these western lowlands. 

Additionally, the age of the landscapes within the TCP research area varies and as a result, the 

soil forming processes differ in their periods of activity. Hydrolysis in the western lowlands is 

not in as advanced state as in the eastern region. Moreover, the importance of soil forming 

processes processes such as plinthite formation and clay illuviation decreases from West to East. Besides 

the variation in rainfall and temperature and the different ages of the landscapes in the research 

area, the spatial distribution of the soil forming processes is also influenced by topographical 

position. All these factors result in in differences in soil drainage, drainage, texture and soil depth. depth. 

The soils are relatively uniform in colour but differ differ in texture, depth or drainage. The variation 

in texture seems to be related to to differences in the age of the landscape. Perhaps small, during 

the the survey not noticed, differences in texture and mineralogical composition of parent material 

could also be important. Younger areas like the western lowlands have less weathered soils, 

resulting in coarser textured textured soils (Ebimimbang soils), soils), whereas whereas the deeply weathered soils in the 

eastern region region have a predominant predominant clayey clayey texture. The less weathered soils are richer in in 

nutrients, have higher pHs and clear clay cutans (evidence of active clay clay movement to the 

subsoils) and are less deep deep than than the the clayey textured textured Nyangong soils formed in an older 

landscape. 

Drainage differences are especially related to topographical positions. The valleys have poorly 

to very poorly drained soils, whereas on the other topographical positions, moderately well to 

well drained soils occur. 

The variability in soil depth may be large at small distances for which relative resistance to 

weathering of the the parent rock and the the degree of fracturing may may be an explanation. 

Further research (e.g. clay mineralogy, geomorphological processes, geology) is needed to 

elaborate these theories. theories. Also, research on the variation of soil depth with topographic topographic position 

(catena) (catena) will will be very useful for a better understanding of processes which are active in the TCP 

research area. 

54

5.5.2 Soil genesis 

The following soil forming processes have been contributing to soil formation in the TCP 

research area: formation A-horizon, hydrolysis, ferralitization, kaolinitization, plinthite and 

laterite formation, eluvation and illuvation of clay and oxidation/reduction processes. 

Accumulation of litter which is decomposed by soil flora and fauna in the mineral topsoils 

results in the formation of an A-horizon. Mineralization of organic matter releases nutrients 

which can be taken up by the surrounding vegetation. The process of decomposition, 

mineralization and uptake by the vegetation is relatively quick, therefore A-horizons are thin. 

Low pH levels, however, will retard the decomposition and organic matter may accumulate 

(Mohr et al., 1972). The chemical fertility of the tropical soil is strongly related to the presence 

of organic matter in the topsoil because of its storage and release capacity of nutrients. In the 

TCP area there are significant differences in organic carbon contents between the different 

topsoils (section 5.4.2.). 

The main soil forming process in the TCP area has been hydrolysis (cations in the primary 

silicate structures of minerals are exchanged against H+-ions). The hydrogen ion weakens the 

mineral structure, facilitating the dissolution of Si and Al from the clay lattices. Ferralitization 

or desilication is hydrolysis in an advanced stage. A combination of slow release and subsequent 

leaching of cations and silica keeps the concentration in the soil solution low. If the soil 

temperature is high and percolation is intense, ultimately all weatherable primary minerals will 

be removed from the soil mass. Less soluble compounds such as iron and aluminum oxides and 

hydroxides, as well as coarse quartz grains, remain behind (Driessen and Dudal, 1989; Mohr et 

al., 1972). A low pH, low concentrations of dissolved weathering products in the soil solution 

(low EC - values) and geomorphic stability over prolonged periods of time are conditions which 

accelerate the process of ferralitization (Driessen and Dudal, 1989). All these conditions are 

present in the TCP area. Due to the presence of gneiss (acid rock) with few easily weatherable 

minerals and much quartz, ferralitization proceeds much slower. Although much silica 

disappears through leaching (desilication), silica contents remain higher than in soils formed on 

basic material. This silica combines with aluminum to the 1: 1 clay mineral kaolinite, which is 

called the kaolinitization process. Gibbsite is normally absent. It is however, formed under 

freely drained conditions and from richer rocks. The dominant minerals in the soils in the TCP 

research area are kaolinite, goethite (FEO(OH» and gibbsite (AI(OH)3)' The colour of the soils, 

orange to yellowish brown, is determined mainly by the presence of goethite (section 5.4.5.). 

Hematite (FeP3)' (Fe20 3), which gives the soil a bright-red colour, is not observed in the TCP research 

area. 

Plinthite is an iron-rich, humus-poor mixture of clay and quartz. It is formed by the (relative 

and/or absolute) accumulation of sesquioxides (i.e. removal of silica and bases by ferralitization 

and/or enrichment from outside) and the segregation of iron mottles (alternating reduction and 

oxidation). In the TCP research area plinthite is regularly found on the lower slopes between 40 

and 500 meters altitude (uplands and dissected erosional plains). Within the Ebimimbang soils, 

a subtype can be distinguished with plinthite in the upper 125 cm. Laterite formation is the 

hardening of plinthite to laterite. The main processes are the crystallization of amorphous iron 

compounds to aggregates of iron oxide minerals and the dehydration of of goethite to hematite hematite and 

of gibbsite to boehmite (Aleva, 1994; Driessen and Dudal, 1989). Laterite gravels are present 

in limited amounts in the TCP research area. The laterite gravels are remnants of old eroded 

surfaces. Ferruginated rock fragments are more common. 

55

Clay eluviationlilluviation is the redistribution of clay in the profile, resulting in an increase in 

clay content with depth. Mobilized clay is transported downward and deeper in the profile where 

it is immobilized (Driessen and Dudal, 1989). Cutans of clay on the structural elements in the 

subsoil subsoil are evidence for recent illuviation. Biological activity may destruct these clay cutans. cutans. 

These cutans are mainly found in the Ebimimbang soils in the western lowlands in the TCP 

research area (40-350 m as!). All soils in the TCP research area have a clay increase with depth, 

but cutans are rarely found in the eastern part. Clay movement is probably related to the past 

when the soil was still less weathered and soil pH was somewhat higher than at present (van 

Kekem et al., 1997). 

In the oxidation phase, the presence of oxygen leads to the transformation of soluble ferrous 

compounds to ferric compounds. These precipitate on soil particles, giving the soil its reddish 

colour. The reverse occurs during the the reduction phase. The lack of oxygen oxygen causes causes dissolution 

of ferric compounds, giving the soil the colour colour of non-ferrous minerals, forming its matrix (grey, (grey, 

olive or blue matrix matrix colours). This soil soil forming process of oxidation-reduction is associated with 

the fluctuation of the groundwater table. In the zone with alternating oxidizing and reducing 

conditions, mottles are often formed (Driessen and Dudal, 1989). This soil forming process is 

important in the Valley Bottom soils. 

56

6. VEGETATION 


Flora and vegetation of Cameroon are relatively well known. The most relevant studies for the 

present vegetation inventory are Letouzey's 'Etude Phytogeographique du Cameroun' (1968) and 

his 'Carte Phytogeographique du Cameroun au 1 :500,000' (1985). 

The TCP research area is part of the Guineo-Congolian domain of dense humid evergreen forests 

(see 2.7) and for the greater part belongs to the Biafran Atlantic district (low and medium altitude). 

Only along the fringes elements of the low and medium altitude Littoral Atlantic district may be 

found. Individual small summit areas belong to the submontane zone of the Guineo-Congolian 

domain (Letouzey, 1968, 1985). 

In Table 6.1, the original french denominations of the districts are presented, together with the in 

the TCP area represented formations. In Figure 6.1 the area relevant to the present survey of 

Letouzey's (1985) phytogeographical map is reproduced. In the following a brief description of 

the different vegetational zones is given. 

Table 6.1 Forest types of the TCP research area and its surrounding; 1 :500,000 

phytogeographical map (Letouzey, 1985) 

Region Guineo-Congolaise 

Etage submontagnard (800-2 200 m) 

Forets submontagnardes 800-2 200 m (n° 117) 

Etage de basse et moyenne altitude (0 - 800 m) 

District atlantique biajreen 

Forets atlantiques biafreennes a Caesalpiniaceae (nO 228) 

Forets atJantiques atIantiques biafreennes it a Caesalpiniaceae encore abondantes, avec Saccoglottis gabonensis et autres indices 

Iittoraux (nO 231) 

Forets mixtes, toujours vertes atlantiques et semi-caducifoliees, avec predominance d'elements de forets toujours 

vertes atlantiques (nO 233) 

Facies de degradation prononcee des forets toujours vertes (n° 234 = n° 251) 

District atlantique littoral 

Forets atlantiques littorales a Caesalpiniaceae relativement rares, avec Saccoglottis gabonensis (nO 247) 

Facies de degradation prononcee des forets toujours vertes (n° 251 = n° 234) 

The majority of the TCP research area lies within the Atlantic Biafran forests zone rich in 

Caesa/piniaceae (n° 228 in Letouzey, 1985). The vegetation can be characterized as evergreen 

tropical moist forest with many species of the Caesalpiniaceae family. Of the total of 130-140 

species of shrubs and trees of this family recorded in Cameroon, more than half appear to be 

concentrated in the Biafran Atlantic forests. Many Caesa/piniaceae species are gregariously 

distributed. The range in altitude of this forest type is (100) 200-500 m as!. 

The mixed evergreen Atlantic and semi-deciduous forest (n° 233) is restricted to the mountainous 

region in the East of the TCP research area. This vegetation type is a transition between the 

evergreen forests of the Biafran district and the semi-deciduous forest of the Central/Oriental 

Atlantic district. Characteristic families are Caesa/piniaceae, Sterculiaceae and Ulmaceae. The 

zone is confined to altitudes higher than 500 m as!. 

57

and the vegetation resembles 'cloud forests' with many epiphytes and a canopy that reaches only 

20-30 m. Another striking characteristic is the near complete absence of members of the 

Caesalpiniaceae family, apart from typical mountain species like Monopetalanthus spp., 

Plagiosiphon sp., Hymenostegia sp. and Anthonotha cf. cladantha. 

Along the main access routes and in the vicinity of the larger villages strongly degraded remnants 

of evergreen forests (nOS 234 and 251) are found. In general the degraded vegetation is 

characterized by the absence of a tree layer, except for a few residual forest trees, and the 

abundance of pioneer species such as Haumania danckelmanniana, Harungana madagascariensis, 

Megaphrynium macrostachyum, Xylopia aethiopica, and Musanga cecropioides. According to 

Letouzey's map, the degraded areas are not differentiated by phytogeographical zone, i.e. littoral 

Atlantic district and Biafran Atlantic district. 

6.2 BOTANICAL DIVERSITY 

A total surface of approximately 20 ha was inventoried during the present vegetation survey. A 

total of 490 taxa have been identified to the species level, be longing to 76 families. The most 

species rich families are: Euphorbiaceae (47 species), Caesalpiniaceae (43 species), Rubiaceae (29 

species) and Annonaceae (18 species). All identified species are listed in Annex Va. 

Identification in the field proved to distinguish some 530 'species', including several (small) 

0" /. .groups ,groups of botanical species. The basis for the vegetation classification is the field identification. 

The number of plant species encountered will surely increase with time when collecting is 

continued and the skill of the collectors grows. It is therefore difficult to indicate the plant diversity 

of the TCP area on the basis of these results. A large and species rich area like ours, needs 

intensive collection to properly reveal species number, rarity and endemics. The second phase of 

the Lul project will give some indications in this respect, while the forthcoming Ecoll project is 

will be properly equipped to address the question of plant diversity. 

6.3 VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION 

The vegetation of the TCP research area can be divided into seven distinct plant communities. 

Information gathered during the reconnaissance vegetation survey clearly indicates that within 

each of the plant communities two or three variants can be distinguished. 

A dendrogram representing the hierarchical vegetation classification is presented in Figure 6.2. The 

hierarchy is based on similarities in species composition as given by the TWINSPAN analysis. A 

division at a high level coincides with major differences in floristic composition. A division at a 

lower level coincides with more subtle differences in species composition. 

Not surprisingly, a distinction is made on the highest level between the floristic composition of 

forest and shrub land. Of more interest is the distinction at the second level between the forest at 

low altitudes and those on high altitudes. The flora of mountain forests (> 700 m above sea level) 

proves to deviate strongly from that of lowland forests, apparently regardless of soil type and 

former disturbances. 

In Table 6.2 an overview of the vegetation types is presented. Each community is named after a 

characteristic combination of occurring genera. 

59

Plant communities communities 

Ha 

lIb 

lIe III IV ·V·· 

Differentiating Maranthes - 

Podococcus 

Strombosia -Diospyros - Diospyros" " Carapa- Xylopia- Xylopia- Macaranga- 

Macaranga- 

species: 

AnisophyUea 

- PolyalthiaPolyalthia Polyalthia Polyalthia 

community 

community 

community 

Polyalthia . MitragynaMusangaChroni.OI!iena 

Mitragyna Musanga Chroni.ol!iena 

community 

• commullity commUllity ..• , community ,. cOmmunity 

Elaeis guineensis 

+ 

III ... 11 III 

Mitragyna stipulosa 

Carapa 'species I' 

III 

Trichillia heudelotii 

+ 

+ 


Xylopia 'group l' 

+ 

11 

II 

IV 

11 II 

Fagara macrophylla + 

11 

11 11 II 11 IV 


Thaumantoc. 'group l' 

I 

IV IV 

11 II 

Eribroma 'group l' 

+ 

.IlI + II II 

Terminalia superba 

11 + 

11 

Myrianthus arboreus 

n 


Musanga cecropioides + 

+ 

II 11 

IV 

Funtumia elastica 


Rauvolfia macrophylla 

+ 

U' 

Macaranga 'group l' 

Chromolaena odorata 

Milicia excelsa 

Rauvolfia vomitoria 

Ceiba pentandra 

Trifolium 'species l' 

Anchom. 'species l' 

Manihot esculenta 

+ 

II II 

+ 

+ 

+ + 

+ 

IV····· IV···'·· 

IV·· IY' 

Ill"· n.I.·.· .. 

(II1) (Ill) .. '. 

m· In 

(!HY UIl)·· .. i ••. 

Frequency classes: classes: . . = absent; r = occurring occurring once; + + = present in 1-9% of the releves; releves; 1= 1= 10-19%; 11 II = 20-39%; III = 40-59%; IV = 

60-79% and V = 80-100% () = cultivated. 

6.4 PLANT COMMUNITIES 

In this section the floristic composition, the physiognomy and the distribution of the seven plant 

communities are described. A A tentative comparison comparison with the vegetation types described described by 

Letouzey (1968, 1985) and UNESCO (1981), and an ecological interpretation is included. 

6.4.1 Marantbes Marantbes - Anisopbyllea community (I) 

The Maranthes-Anisophyllea community includes submontane primary and old secondary forests; 

its distribution within the TCP research area is restricted to hill and mountain tops surpassing 700 

m m asl. asl. Differentiating species species of this community are Drypetes Drypetes 'group 1', Anisophyllea polyneura, 

Maranthes glabra, Scorodophloeus zenkeri, Gambeya 'group l' Cola attiensis, Garcinia lucida 

and Diospyros hoyleana. 

In general, the physiognomy of this forest is characterized by the absence of emergents. Three 

structural structural layers can be be distinguished. The tree layer forms an an irregular canopy at a height of 15-20 

m, occasionally reaching 35 m, with an external foliage cover cover of 70-80 %. The canopy is is often 

climber infested and the presence of epiphytic mosses is is characteristic. The broad-leaved broad-leaved trees, trees, 

probable both evergreen and deciduous, are branched at low heights and may have a a crooked form. 

Stilt roots are common. Scorodophloeus zenkeri, Carapa 'group 1', Monopethalanthus spp., 

Uapaca guineensis, Santira trim era, Allanblackia kisonghi, Anisophyllea polyneura, Baphia 

lepitobotryx, Coelycaryon preussi, Maranthes glabra and Tetraberlinia bifoliata are relatively 

common in the canopy. canopy. In some some localities palms palms (Raphia (Raphia 'species 1 ') are present. The shrub layer 

(3-7 (3-7 m), sometimes replacing the tree tree layer layer as canopy, varies from closed to very open. The shrub 

layer layer is mainly composed of saplings of forest trees. Only a few shrub species are present. 

62 

IV 

·V·'

Climbers such as Haumania danckelmanniana and Ancistrophyllium secundijlorum are frequently 

found. Treculia obovoides, Scorodophloeus zenkeri, Baphia lepitobotryx, Garcinia lucida, 

Garcinia mannii, Mammea africana and Drypetes 'group I '. are the most common species of the 

shrub layer. The herb layer is closed and may reach a height of one meter. This layer is dominated 

either by seedlings of forest trees or by herbs. Diospyros hoyleana, Scaphopetalum thonneri, 

Halopegia spp, Mapania amplivaginata and Palisotha mannii are frequently found. 

The forests of this type appear to be highly dynamic. Many traces of uprooted and broken trees are 

found. The gaps thus created are often infested by climbers that may reach down to the herb layer. 

Pioneer species like Musanga cecropioides are found in the larger gaps. Possible explanations for 

the dynamic nature of this vegetation are exposure to wind and instable steep slopes, often with 

rock outcrops. 

The submontane forest of the Maranthes - Anisophyllea community covers major parts of the 

Bingalanda mountain range in the southeastern part of the TCP area. The predominating landforms 

are mountains and isolated hills. The soils of these areas belong to the Nyangong type, i.e. very 

clayey soils with 40 to 80% clay in the B horizon. 

The structure of this forest type resembles 'cloud forests'. As the elevation surpasses the average 

height of the cloud layer, the vegetation is regularly engulfed in mist and drizzle (Hommel, 1985). 

A characteristic growth form of such forests is beard moss. In the UNESCO classification of 

vegetation (1981), this vegetation can be typified as Tropical ombrophilous submontane forest. 

'The distribution of this community coincides with the forest types n° 117, n° 233 and partly with 

n° 228 of the phytogeographic map of Letouzey (1985, see Figure 6.1). Structurally, it resembles 

Letouzey's Forets submontagnardes (nO 117) although species composition is distinctly different. 

Quite a number of species characteristic for the Maranthes - Anisophyllea community are typical 

for Letouzey's Semi-deciduous forest with Sterculiaceae and Ulmaceae (nOS 160 and 161). Also 

many representatives of the Atlantic Biafran forest with Caesalpiniaceae (n° 228) are found. The 

Maranthes - Anisophyllea community apparently is a transitional vegetation between the moist 

Atlantic forest zone and the drier Guineo-Congolian semi-deciduous forest zone. 

Mbatchou (1995) studied the vegetation of the proposed Etinde Rainforest reserve on the slopes 

ofMt Cameroon (4095 m asl) in the South-West Province ofCameroon. 

The submontane forest described by Mbatchou is divided in closed canopy submontane forest, 

discontinuous canopy submontane forest and submontane scrub. It is found between 800 and 1,700 

m as!.. The submontane forests appears to be the transition between the lowland forest and the 

lower montane forest, and the species composition is a mixture of Guineo-Congolian and 

afromontane species. In structure and floristic composition, the Maranthes-Anisophyllea 

community resembles the closed canopy submontane forest of Mount Cameroon, although it is 

found in the TCP research area at much lower altitudes. The 'telescope-effect', i.e. the vegetation 

of the highest summits in a given area more or less imitates the physiognomy and species 

composition of forest types generally bound to far higher altitudes elsewhere (Hommel, 1987), 

could possibly be an explanation for the difference in altitude range. 

63

6.4.2 Podococcus Podococcus - Polyalthia Polyalthia community (lIa) 

The Podococcus - Polyalthia community is a primary and old secondary lowland forest type; it is 

found at at altitudes between 500 and 700 m as!. Differentiating species are are Hymenostegia ajzeilii, 

Podococcus barteri, Crotonogyne preussii, Tabernaemontana 'species 1', Culcasia dinklagei, dinklagei, 

Duboscia macrocarpa and Petersianthus africana. 

At least four principal strata characterize the physiognomy of the Podococcus - Polyalthia 

community, although their boundaries are often difficult to establish. establish. Large trees, often surpassing 

55 meters in height, form the open (20 -30% cover) emergent layer. Klainedoxa microphylla and 

Monopethalanthus spp. frequently dominate this stratum. The tree layer forms a canopy at 25 to 

40 meters. The external foliage coverage is 60-80 %. Large trees are the most common growth 

form and lianas appear to be be restricted restricted to the canopy and larger gaps. In In general the trees have a 

smooth bark and only few have buttresses surpassing one one meter in height. The most common 

species are are Pycnanthus angolensis, Uapaca guineensis, Strombosia 'group 1', Dichostemma 

glaucescens, Plagiostyles africana, Santira trim era, era, Alstonia congensis, Hymenostegia Hymenostegia ajzeilii, 

Desbordensia glaucescens and Scyphocephalium mannii. The shrub layer is relatively open, 

covering 40-60% and between two and ten meters high. Shrubs and saplings of forest trees are 

most common. Palms (Raphia 'species 1 ' and Podococcus barteri) are frequently present but never 

dominate. Frequently found species of the shrub layer are Ptycopetalum petiolanum, Polyalthia 

suaveolens, Scaphopetalum thonneri, thonneri, Scaphopetalum blackii, Plagiostyles africana, africana, Voacanga 

'group 'group 1', 1', Dialium 'group 1', Coffea 'group 1 l' ' and Grossera 'group 1'. The herb layer is relatively 

open, covering 40-50%, 40-50%, and often low. Broad leaved herbs, seedlings of trees, palms and lianas 

are the major components. Frequently occurring species include Haumania danckelmannia, 

Palisota mannii, Halopegia 'group 1', Calamus deeratus, Scaphopetalum thonneri, Rektophyllium 

'group 1', Cercestis ivorensis, Trachyprhrynium braunianum and Podococcus barteri. 

The Podococcus - Polyalthia community is found at altitudes altitudes between 500 500 and 700 m m as!. as!. It It is is 

found found mainly in the southeastern zone of the TCP research area covering the slopes of the 

Bingalanda mountain range. The soils soils are are mostly of the Nyangong type, i.e. very clayey soils with 

40 to 80% clay in the B horizon. Land forms encountered are, in descending order of importance: 

hilly uplands, complexes of hills, rolling uplands and isolated hills. 

According to the UNESCO classification (1981) this community is a Tropical ombrophilous 

lowland forest. The distribution of Podococcus - Polyalthia community in the TCP area coincides 

with the eastern part of Letouzey's Atlantic Biafran forest with Caesalpiniaceae (no. 228) of which 

the physiognomy and species composition composition indeed resemble the Podococcus - Polyalthia 

community. 

6.4.3 Strombosia Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lib) 

The primary and old secondary lowland forest of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community is found 

between 350 and 500 m as!. as!. On the the basis of the the present vegetation vegetation survey only two (weakly) (weakly) 

differentiating differentiating species have have been been identified, identified, i.e. Grewia coriacea coriacea and Saccoglottis gabonensis. The 

community is intermediate in both altitude and floristic composition between the two other primary 

to old secondary lowland forest communities: the Podococcus - Polyalthia community (Ha) and 

the Diospyros - Polyalthia community (IIc). (IIc). 

The physiognomy physiognomy of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community is similar to that that of of the Podococcus 

Podococcus 

Polyalthia community. The complex structure of the forest has has four principal strata, including an 

emergent layer, a tree layer, a shrub shrub layer and a herb layer. The height of the different strata varies 

and the boundaries are often difficult to establish. The emergent layer is open (external foliage 

cover < 20%) and reaches a height of 45-55 meters. The floristic composition composition is heterogeneous 

64

although Erythrophleum ivorensis appears to be the most common species. The external foliage 

cover of the tree layer is generally 60 - 70 %. The tree layer is found at the height of 25 to 35 

meters. Broad-leaved evergreen trees are the dominant growth form Lianas are relatively rare and 

no palms have been observed. The most common species are Plagiostyles africana, Coula edulis, 

Staudtia kamerunensis, Treculia obovoides, Coelecaryon preussii, Polyalthia suaveolens, 

Strombosia pistulata and Erythrophleum ivorensis. The shrub layer is dense (70-80%) and variable 

in height. In general it reaches from three to eight meters. It consists mainly of saplings of trees 

and shrubs. Lianas are scarce. The floristic composition of the shrub layer is heterogenous. The 

most frequently observed species are Treculia obovoides, Scaphopetaleum blackii, Ptycopetalum 

petiolanum, Carapa 'group 1', Dialium 'group 1', Grossera 'group 1', Polyalthia suaveolens, 

Strombosia pistulata, Coelocaryon preussii, Staudtia kamerunensis and Calpocalyx dinklagei. The 

herb layer is relatively open (40%) and is in general 0.4 to 0.7 meters high. Broad leaved herbs 

(e.g. Rektophyllium 'group 1', Palisota mannii, Halopegia 'group 1', Cercestis ivorensis, 

Stylochiton zenkeri), seedlings of shrubs and trees (e.g. Pentaclethra macrophylla, Treculia 

obovoides, Dialium 'group 1', Scaphopetaleum blackii, Scaphopetalum thonneri) and thorny lianas 

(e.g. Calamus deeratus, Haumannia danckelmanniana) are the most important components. 

The Strombosia - Polyalthia community is found in the central part of the TCP area forming a band 

of 10 to 15 km wide with a general southwest to northeast direction. The altitude range is 350 to 

500 m as!. Rolling and hilly uplands are the most important land forms in this zone. The soils are 

classified as 'Ebom', i.e. clayey soils with 30 to 60% clay in the B horizon. 

According to the UNESCO classification (1981) this community is a tropical ombrophilous 

. lowland forest. The distribution of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community is strictly confined to 

Letouzey's Atlantic Biafran forest with Caesalpiniaceae (n° 228, 1985, see Figure 6.1). Letouzey's 

description of the physiognomy and floristic composition of the Atlantic Biafran forest with 

Caesalpiniaceae corresponds with the Strombosia - Polyalthia community. 

6.4.4 Diospyros - Polyalthia community (lIe) 

The Diospyros - Polyalthia community is a primary to old secondary forest of altitudes below 350 

m as!. Differentiating species of this community are Diospyros suaveolens, Draceana 'group l' 

and Picralima nitida. 

The physiognomy of the vegetation again is very similar to the structure of the other two 

communities of the Polyalthia community group. The forest structure is characterized by four 

principal strata. The emergent stratum is very irregular and its coverage varies between 0 and 30%. 

The average height of this layer is 45 meters. Among the most common species are Desbordensia 

glaucescens, Klainendoxa gabonensis and Distamonanthus benthamianus. The tree layer is dense 

(70-80%) and is, in general, 20 to 35 meters in height. Trees are the sole important growth form 

in the canopy, except for the numerous gaps which are infested with thorny lianas. The most 

frequently occurring species of the tree layer are Plagiostyles africana, Coelocaryon preussii, 

Staudtia kamerunensis, Pycnanthus angolensis, Desbordensia glaucescens, Eribroma 'group 1', 

Hylodendron 'group l' and Distamonanthus benthamianus. The shrub layer is relatively open 

where the canopy is closed, but can be very dense in the vicinity of gaps. Its height is variable but 

generally ranges from three to eight meters. Shrubs, small trees and saplings are the most important 

components. The most common species are Rinorea kamerunensis, Diospyros suaveolens, 

Calpocalyx dinklagei, Scaphopetaleum blackii, Anthonotha macrophylla, Grossera 'group 1', 

Ptycopetaleum petiolanum, Polyalthia suaveolens and Tabernaemontana crassa. The herb layer 

is relatively open (40%), again with the exception of gaps where it is very dense. The average 

height is 0.5 meters and it consists of broad leaved herbs, lianas, ferns, grasses and tree seedlings. 

65

Most common species in the herb layer layer are are Haumannia danckelmanniana, Rektophyllium 'group 

I', Gauduella spp., Cercestis ivorensis, Stylochiton zenkeri and Palisota ambigua. 

The Diospyros - Polyalthia community is found at low altitudes « 3 50 m asl) in the northwest of 

the TCP area. The most important land forms are dissected plains, rolling uplands and hilly 

uplands. The soils in these regions are classified as 'Ebimimbang' type, i.e. moderately well 

drained soils with sandy top soils and less than 40% clay in the sub soil. 

The dissected plains in the northwest are relatively intensively used for shifting cultivation 

practices. Moreover, the area has been repeatedly logged. As a result the vegetation in this area is 

a mosaic of agricultural fields and more or less secondary forest and only small patches of 

relatively undisturbed forest of the Diospyros - Polyalthia community. 

According to the UNESCO classification (1981) this community is a tropical ombrophilous 

lowland forest. The distribution of the Diospyros - Polyalthia community within the TCP area 

includes the area designated by Letouzey (1985, see Figure 6.1) for the Biafran Atlantic forest rich rich 

in Caesalpiniaceae (n° 228) and Biafran Atlantic forest with Caesalpiniaceae still abundant (n° 

231). Although the physiognomy is similar, the species composition of the tree and shrub layer of 

the Diospyros - Polyalthia community community is quite different from the two Letouzey types. In fact, fact, none 

of the Letouzey forest types is similar to this community neither in physiognomy nor in species 

composition. A possible explanation could be that the floristic composition of the forest has 

changed quite recently due to repetitive logging operations, while Letouzey bases his classification 

on more or less primary vegetation. 

6.4.5 Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill) 

The Carapa - Mitragyna community is a swamp forest. Differentiating species for this community 

are Mitragyna stipulosa, Carapa 'species I', Trichillia heudelotii, Diospyros Diospyros preussii Cyathea Cyathea 

'species I' and Curcuma longa. 

The Carapa - Mitragyna community has three principal structural layers. The tree layer forms an 

open (60% (60% cover) canopy at 35-40 m. Lianas like Ancistrophrynium secundiflorum, Haumania 

danckelmaniana and Calamus deeratus are abundant. The trees are often often stilt rooted, rooted, crooked and and 

branching at low heights. Mosses and epiphytes are found found all along the stems. Common species species 

of the tree layer are Coelycaryon preussi, Mitragyna stipulosa, Strombosia 'group 1', Uapaca 

guineensis, Uapaca venhussii, Carapa 'species I' ('engang osoe') and Raphia 'species 2'. The 

shrub layer (2-7 m) is often open and is composed of saplings, lianas, palms, shrubs and tree ferns. 

Anthonotha macrophylla, Elaeis guineensis, Carapa 'species 1', Diospyros preussii, Trichillia 

heudelotii and Raphia 'species 2' 2' are the most common species. In some localities the abundance 

of Draceana spp. is remarkable. The distribution of herbaceous plants is very irregular. Very dense 

patches patches alternate with with stretches stretches with with virtually no terrestrial terrestrial plants. plants. Palisotha mannii, mannii, Ha/opegia 

azurea and Sarcophrynium prionogonium grow gregariously and often dominate the herb layer. 

Other frequently occurring species are are Curcuma longa, Stylochiton zenkeri, Draceana phrynioides 

and Rektophylium m irabiles. 

The community is found in valley bottoms and along creeks and rivers throughout the TCP 

research area. It covers fair surfaces of the dissected plains ofthe western part of the study area. 

Forests of the Carapa -- Mitragyna community are found found between 40-700 m m asl. asl. The vegetation vegetation 

is restricted to the soil type 'valley bottoms', which are poorly to imperfectly drained soils which 

tend to to be shallow and having a thin organic layer. 

66

The vegetation of this community group are broad-leaved tropical ombrophilous swamp forests 

and broad-leaved tropical ombrophilous alluvial forests (UNESCO, 1981). Due to the small scale 

of Letouzey' Letouzey's s phytogeographic map, i.e. 1:500,000, I :500,000, the small areas covered by swamp vegetation 

have not been accounted for individually. They appear as complexes with the surrounding forest 

types. 

6.4.6 Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) 

The Xylopia - Musanga community is a young secondary forest. Differentiating species of this 

community are Xylopia 'group 1', Fagara macrophylla, Palisota ambigua, Thaumantococcus 

'group 1', Megaphrynium secundiflorum and Ancistrophyllum 'group 1'. 

In general, the vegetation consists of three distinct strata: tree, shrub and herb layer. Often relics 

of the undisturbed forest are presents. In general the external foliage cover of these emergents is 

less than ten percent. The tree layer is open (40-50%) and is only 15-25 m high. Dominant growth 

forms are evergreen broad-leaved trees and palms. The most common species are Musanga 

cecropioides, Pycnanthus angolensis, Coelocaryum preussii, Funtumia elastica, Xylopia 'group 

I', Tabernaemontana crassa, Rauvolfia macrophylla and Ricinodendron heudelotti. Other 

frequently occurring species are Fagara macrophylla, Vitex grandifolia and Macaranga 'group 

I'. The shrub layer is 2-7 m high and often merges into the tree layer. It is closed and infested with 

thorny Iianas such as Ancistrophrynium secundiflorum and Haumania danckelmanniana. The trees 

in this layer often have thorns, e.g. Fagara macrophylla. Stilt roots are abundant. Xylopia 'group 

I " Alchornea floribunda, Anthonotha macrophylla, Megaphrynium secundiflorum and Ouratea 

flava are the most common species. The herb layer is rather open and has an average height of 50 

cm. Broad-leaved herbs tend to dominate. Characteristic species are Stylochiton zenkeri, 

Thaumantococcus 'group I', Haumannia danckelmanniana, Palisotha ambigua, Rektophylium 

'group I' and Stipularia africana. 

This community is the typical fallow vegetation in shifting cultivation areas and is found near 

villages and along the main access roads, throughout the TCP area. To a lesser extent it is found 

in logged-over forests. It is induced by human activity and appears to be rather insensitive to soil 

, and landform variation. The Xylopia - Musanga community forms a transitional stage between the 

Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V) and old secondary forest types (IIa, llb, IIc and Ill; all 

p.p.). It develops some five years after fallow. 

The vegetation can be typified as evergreen broad-leaved woodland in the UNESCO classification 

of vegetation (UNESCO, 1981). The distribution of the Xylopia - Musanga community within the 

TCP research area coincides with Letouzey's type n° 251, i.e. remnants of strongly degraded 

evergreen forests. Physiognomy and species composition is also comparable although some 

elements of Letouzey's 'strongly degraded remnants of semi-deciduous forest' (type nO 169) are 

also present. 

6.4.7 Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V) 

The Macaranga - Chromolaena community forms thickets on recently abandoned fields and in 

cacao plantations. The differentiating species of this community are Macaranga 'group I', 

Chromolaena odorata, Albyzia zygia, Costus violaceus, Milicia excelsa, Rauvolfia vomitoria and 

Ceiba pentandra. In addition, some cultivated species are still present, e.g. Trifolium 'species I' 

(groundnut), Manihot esculenta (cassava), Colocasia 'species l' (coco-yam) and Musa 'species 

I' (plantain). 

67

In the shrub like vegetation of of the Macaranga - Chromolaena community three three (sometimes (sometimes only 

two) structural layers can be be discerned. The tree layer is very open (20-40%) and is very low (8-15 

m). The canopy is formed by trees and palms. The most frequent species are, in descending order, 

Musanga cecropioides, Albyzia zygia, Pycnanthus angolensis, Antocleista vogelii and Elaeis 

guineensis. The most characteristic feature of the vegetation of this community is the very dense 

and high shrub layer (up to to five five meters) meters) in which which broad-leaved robust herbs are by far the dominant 

growth form. Additionally, broad-leaved trees, palms, lianas are also also present. The vegetation is 

literally overgrown by Chromolaena odorata. Other non-woody species are Costus violaceus, 

Aframomum alboviolaceum, Megaphrynium Megaphrynium secundiflorum, Thaumantococcus daniellii daniellii and 

Palisota ambigua. Characteristic woody species of the shrub layer are Funtumia elastica, 

Macaranga 'group 1', Rauvolfia macrophylla, Eleais guienens is and F agara agara macrophylla. macrophylla. Also 

many residual agricultural crops are present, e.g. Musa parodisiaca, Manihot esculenta, Colocasia 

sp. and Carica papaya. Underneath the dense shrub layer, a very open (20%) and low herb layer 

(20-40 cm) can be distinguished. Here, herbs, ferns and seedlings form the majority of the plant 

life encountered. Often Trifolium sp. is abundant. 

The Macaranga - Chromolaena community is found in the vicinity of villages and roads and is 

strongly related to recent agricultural activities. It is most common on on the dissected plains in in the the 

western part of of the TCP TCP area, and in the surroundings of Akom H. It does not occur (yet) at 

altitudes above above 600 600 m asl.. 

The vegetation is typical for recently abandoned abandoned fields, approximately between between one and and five years years 

after cultivation. Also Cacao Cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantations plantations with a lush understorey of broadleavedleaved 

herbs are part of this community group. Many transitions between this community and 

young secondary forests (community IV) are found. 

The Macaranga-Chromolaena community can be classified as an evergreen broad-leaved thicket 

according to the UNESCO UNESCO vegetation classification (1981). Because of the small scale of his 

phytogeographic map, Letouzey (1985, (1985, see Figure 6.1) incorporates these these recently abandoned 

agricultural fields in type n° 251, i.e. remnants of strongly degraded evergreen forest. Physiognomy 

and species composition correspond closely closely to what he describes describes as 'ultimate degraded remnants 

of evergreen and semi-deciduous forest' (type nO 170). 

68 68

7. LANDSCAPE ECOLOGICAL MAP 

7.1 LEGEND 

Four altitude zones, seven different landforms, four main soil types and seven broadly defined 

plant communities form the basis of the reconnaissance landscape ecological map of the TCP 

research area (Annex I.) The legend of the the landscape ecological map is based on altitude, landform, 

soil and vegetation, and has a hierarchical structure. A total of 14 main land mapping units is 

discerned. These units are further subdivided based on vegetation characteristics, resulting in 34 

mapping units. Each mapping unit is represented by a code, which is a combination of the 

ecological zone (A to E) and the predominant landform (v, pd, ul, u2, hI, h2 and m). The legend 

is presented on the landscape ecological map (Annex 1). 

Five ecological zones are identified and form the highest level of division of the legend. Soil 

drainage and altitude are the differentiating criteria on this level. Four of the ecological zones have 

well to moderately well drained soils. The altitude ranges of these four ecological zones are: > 700 

m asl (zone A), 500-700 m asl (zone B), 350-500 m asl (zone C) and < 350 m asl (zone D). The 

fifth ecological zone (zone E) comprises swamp forests forests on poorly to very poorly drained soils. soils. 

Altitude is not differentiating for this zone. Although Although swamp environments are found found locally 

throughout the study area, only those of sufficient size to be mapped individually on 

reconnaissance scale are considered part of this ecological zone. Small swamp areas occur as part 

of the vegetation and soil complexes within the zones B, C and D. 

Landform has been introduced at the second level of the legend. Seven landforms are discerned: 

valley bottom (v), dissected erosional plain (pd), rolling upland (ul), hilly upland (u2), isolated hill 

(hI), complex of hills (h2) and mountain (m). Their characteristics are discussed in chapter 4. 

At the third level of the legend the characteristics of soils and vegetation of each landform unit 

within a particular ecological zone are given. These aspects are described in the chapters 5 and 6. 

7.2 LANDUSE 

The aerial photographs, on which the present landscape ecological map is based, were taken in 

1983-1985. Recent changes in vegetation cover can therefore not be accounted for. Field 

observations suggest that especially dynamic forms of land use such as shifting cultivation and 

commercial logging have affected the vegetation to a considerable extent during the last ten years. 

The natural vegetation of the above described landscape ecological units has been affected by 

agricultural practices. Based on the 1983-1985 aerial photographs a subdivision of the land 

mapping mapping units into 'relatively 'relatively undisturbed undisturbed areas', 'Iow intensity intensity shifting cultivation cultivation areas' and 

'high intensity shifting cultivation areas' is made. The degree of disturbance in each unit 

determines the composition of the vegetation. Relatively undisturbed areas are characterized by 

the (near complete) absence of agricultural fields. These areas cover about 70% of the TCP area 

or 116,170 ha. Within the Iow intensity shifting cultivation areas actual and recently abandoned 

agricultural fields cover less than 20% of the unit. Young secondary vegetation accounts for 

another another 20%. 20%. The The Iow Iow intensity shifting cultivation covers about 18% 18% or 29,800 ha. In the high 

intensity shifting cultivation areas actual fields and recently abandoned agricultural fields cover 

more than 40% Additionally, more than 20% of the unit is young secondary forest. The high 

69

intensity shifting cultivation takes up about 13% ofthe TCP area or 21,360 ha. ha. Within the shifting shifting 

cultivation areas patches of forest are found, both undisturbed and disturbed. 

Unlike shifting cultivation activities, which are strongly concentrated in specific areas, the impact 

of of logging on the forest vegetation could not be mapped accurately. This is primarily due to scale 

problems. Moreover, with time the the differences between extensively extensively logged-over forest and and 'virgin' 

forest stands stands become quite quite subtle, whereas whereas the the seven plant communities given in in the the legend are 

broadly defined. Each of the five types of relatively undisturbed forest (1, lIa, llb, lIc and Ill) in in 

fact comprise both virgin stands and various regeneration regeneration stages of old secondary forest. During 

the second phase ofthe LUl-project the the distribution and floristic composition of these these 'variants' 

are studied in more detail. 

7.3 LAND MAPPING UNITS 

The The characteristics of the fourteen main land mapping units of the landscape landscape ecological map are are 

presented in the following section. For more elaborate descriptions of the landforms, soil types and 

plant communities reference is made to the chapters 4,5 and 6. The two table below summarize 

the spatial coverages of each main mapping unit. 

Table 7.1a Surface Surface areas in ha of of the main land mapping mapping units 

Main mapping unit Surface Surface area in in ha. ha. 

Ahl 880 

Am 10,060 

Bhl 3,820 

Bh2 13,890 

Bul 5,400 

Bu2 19,700 19,700 

ChI ChI 4,520 

CuI 31,270 

Cu2 25,070 

Dhl 3,310 

Dpd 11,260 

DuI 12,620 

Du2 23,950 

Ev 1,600 

Total TCP 167,350 

Table 7.1b Extent of of the areas influenced by shifting cultivation 

Intensity of shifting cultivation 

No to hardly any (u) 

Low intensity (I) 

High intensity (h) 

Extent Extent (ha) 

116,170 

29,820 

21,360 

% of total 

0.5 

6.0 6.0 

2.3 

8.3 8.3 

3.2 

11.8 

2.7 

18.7 

15.0 

2.0 

6.7 

7.5 

14.3 

1.0 

100.0 

% % of total 

7.3.1 Am: mountains above 700 m as), well drained soils 

The Am land mapping units coincide with the Bingalanda mountain range in the eastern part of 

the TCP area, with altitudes between 700 and 1,000 m asl. They cover a surface area of 10,000 

ha. The mountainous mountainous area is strongly strongly dissected dissected and has steep steep outer outer slopes. Valley bottoms are are 

narrow and cover only very limited surfaces. The soils are very very clayey and belong belong to the 

70 

69.4 

17.8 

12.8

Nyangong type. The predominant forest type is the submontane Maranthes-Anisophyllea 

community (I). In general, the vegetation is not affected by human activity. 

7.3.2 Ah1: isolated hills above 700 m asl, well drained soils 

These mapping units are found along the fringes of the Bingalanda massive in the eastern part 

of the TCP area where they cover some 880 ha. The altitude of the isolated hills vary from 700 

to 900 m as!. Valley bottoms are not included in this unit. The soils are very clayey (Nyangong). 

The predominant forest type is the submontane Maranthes - Anisophyllea community (I). 

Human activities have not altered the vegetation in these units. 

7.3.3 Bh2: complex of hills between 500 and 700 m asl, well drained soils 

Mapping units Bh2 are complexes of hills between 500 and 700 m asl, and are found in the 

strongly dissected eastern part of the TCP research area. They cover large surfaces just west of 

the Bingalanda mountain range and have a general SW-NE orientation. In addition, Bh2 units 

are found in the southwestern part of the TCP research area, where they form the foothills of the 

mountain range that is situated west of the TCP research area. The total surface area of these 

mapping units is some 13,890 ha. The dominant soils are very clayey (Nyangong). Valley 

bottoms are narrow and cover only limited surfaces. The vegetation is predominantly primary 

and old secondary lowland forest of the Podococcus-Polyalthia community (Ha). Human 

activities have not altered the vegetation of these units. 

7.3.4 Bh1: isolated hills between 500 and 700 m asl, well drained soils 

These mapping units are found scattered as small patches in the eastern part of the TCP area. 

Although their total area does not cover more than 3,820 ha, the isolated hills form a 

characteristic aspect of the landscape. The elevation of the hills is between 500 to 700 m as!. 

The soils are very clayey and belong to the Nyangong type. Valley bottoms are almost 

completely absent. The vegetation is predominantly primary and old secondary lowland forest 

of the Podococcus-Polyalthia community (Ha). Human activities have not altered the vegetation 

of these these units. 

7.3.5 Bu2: hilly uplands between 500 and 700 m asl; well drained soils 

The hilly uplands of the Bu2 units cover some 19,700 ha. They are located at the foot of the 

Bingalanda mountain range in the eastern part of the TCP area and in the northeastern part of 

the area. The uplands are strongly dissected and valley bottoms are estimated to cover between 

5 and 10% of their surface. The soils are an association of very clayey Nyangong soils and the 

clayey Ebom ones. The predominant vegetation type of these units is the primary and old 

secondary lowland forest of the Podococcus - Polyalthia community (Ha). The valley bottoms 

are characterized by poorly drained soils and by the swamp forest of the Carapa - Mitragyna 

community (III). 

The units are to a limited extent affected by agricultural practices. Only along the roads some 

low intensity encroachment is visible on the 1984-1985 air photo's. photo'S. In these areas, especially 

near the villages Nyangong and Ebemvok, the composition of the vegetation has gradually been 

changing into a mosaic of thicket of the Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V), young 

secondary forest of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV), and lowland forest of the 

Podococcus - Polyalthia community (Ha). 

7.3.6 Bu1: rolling uplands between 500 and 700 m asl; well drained soils 

Rolling uplands between 500 and 700 m asl are only found in the most eastern part of the TCP 

area, where they cover a total surface area of 5,400 ha. The rolling uplands are moderately 

dissected and valley bottoms are estimated to cover 10 to 15% of these mapping units. In places, 

71

these valley bottoms are sufficiently large to be mapped individually. The soils form an 

association ofNyangong and Ebom types. The valley bottoms are typically poorly to very poorly 

drained and are occupied by swam forest of the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill). 

The Bul units are affected by human activities especially near the village ofNyangong a large 

area with low intensity shifting cultivation area has been discerned. Primary and old secondary 

lowland forest of the Podococcus-Polyalthia (lIa) community is the predominant vegetation of 

the relatively undisturbed areas. The shifting cultivation areas are characterized by a vegetation 

mosaic that contains obviously disturbed lowland forest forest of the Podococcus -Polyalthia 

community, young secondary forest of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) and thicket of 

the Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V). 

7.3.7 ChI: isolated hills between 350 and 500 m asl, well drained soils 

The isolated hills form a characteristic aspect of the central and northern region of the TCP area, 

which is mainly composed of uplands. The characteristically scattered hills cover a total surface 

area of 4,520 ha. Within the Ch 1 units no valley bottoms are found. The soils are predominantly 

clayey and are classified classified as Ebom soils. The vegetation is primary and old secondary forest of 

the Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb). Human activities have not affected the vegetation 

of these units, most likely because of the steep slopes, 

7.3.8 Cu2: hilly uplands between 350 and 500 m asl; well drained soils 

These mapping units occupy considerable surface areas, i.e., 25,070 ha, in the central and 

northern regions of the TCP area. The general orientation of these mapping units is SW-NE. The 

uplands are strongly dissected and an estimated 5 to 10% of their surface are covered by valley 

bottoms. The soils of the higher parts are clayey (Ebom type) and those of the valley bottoms 

are typically poorly to very very poorly poorly drained. The vegetation of the well well drained part part of of the the Cu2 

units is primary primary and old secondary lowland of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb). 

Swamp forest of the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill) covers the valley bottoms. 

Shifting cultivation is restricted to the southern edge of the unit near the villages of Adjab and 

Akom 1I II and to the northern parts and is generally of low intensity. The vegetation in these areas 

is a mosaic of obviously disturbed lowland forest of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community 

(lIb), and young secondary vegetation of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV), and and the 

Macaranga - Chromolaena Chromolaena community (V). Furthermore it is observed that most of the forest 

has been logged in the recent past. past. 

7.3.9 CuI: rolling uplands between 350 and 500 m asl; well drained soils 

The rolling uplands between 350 and 500 m asl also occupy considerable surface areas, i.e. 

31,270 ha, in the central and northern regions of the TCP area. With the mapping units Cu2 

(hilly uplands) they form the major land mapping units of this regions. Both units have a similar 

SW to NE direction and are found to alternate. Some 10 to 15% of the rolling uplands are 

occupied by valley bottoms. The dominating soils of the slope and summit areas are clayey 

Ebom soils, whereas the soils of the valley bottoms are typically poorly to very poorly drained. 

The well drained areas are covered by primary and old secondary lowland forest of the 

Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb), whereas the vegetation of the valley bottoms belongs 

to the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill). 

Near villages and roads considerable parts of the Cu rolling uplands are occupied by high 

intensity shifting cultivation. The vegetation in these areas is characterized by patches of 

obviously disturbed lowland forest of the Strombosia - Polyalthia community (lIb) and by a 

mosaic of young secondary vegetation: the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV), and the 

72

Within the shifting cultivation areas the vegetation is a mosaic of actual fields, thickets of the 

Macaranga - Chromolaena community CV) on recently abandoned fields, young secondary 

forest of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV), and patches of lowland forest of the Diospyros 

- Polyalthia community (IIc). 

7.3.13 Dpd: dissected erosional plains below 350 m asl; moderately well drained soils 

The dissected erosional plains plains are found found in the the northwest of of the TCP area. The The low relief relief 

intensity and low altitude (40 to to 200 m asl) are a characteristic characteristic features of the landscape. These 

units cover a surface area of 11,260 ha and an estimated 10-15% of them are valley bottoms. 

The soils are an association of Ebimimbang and Valley Bottom soils. 

No significant stretch of natural forest is found within these units which are the core of the 

shifting cultivation area of the TCP area. These units have at least three times been logged for 

commercial timber. The units have been identified as high intensity shifting cultivation areas 

and the vegetation is a mosaic of actual fields, recently abandoned fields with the Macaranga - 

Chromolaena community (V), (V), young young secondary forest (Xylopia - Musanga community (IV» and 

obviously disturbed lowland lowland forest (Diospyros - Polyalthia community (IIc». 

7.3.14 Ev: valley bottom; poorly poorly to very poorly drained soils 

Valley bottoms occur throughout the TCP area. The majority however is too small to be mapped 

individually at reconnaissance scale and appears as inclusions in other mapping units. Some 

large valley bottom areas, however, do exist throughout of the TCP research area. The total 

surface of these units is only 1,600 ha. 

Because of the high ground water table and water stagnation, the vegetation structure and 

composition are very distinct. The soils are typically poorly to very poorly drained, are shallow 

to moderately deep and stratified, i.e. alternation of sand and clay. The swamp forest is 

characterized by the Carapa - Mitragyna (Ill) community. The Ev units appear not to be 

affected by by human activity. 

74

REFERENCES 

Aleva, G.J.J. (ed.). (1994). Laterites. Concepts, geology, morphology and chemistry. ISRIC, 

Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Anderson, J .M. and Spencer, T. (1991). Carbon, nutrient and water balances of tropical rain 

forest ecosystems subject to disturbance. Management implications and research proposals. 

MAB Digest UNESCO, Paris, France. 

Bakkum, A.W.G. (1996). GIS and computer maintenance mission to the Tropenbos-Cameroon 

Programme. SC-DLO mission report. SC-DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Bekhuis, P. (1997). Habitat requirements and potential distribution of some large mammals in 

Southwest Cameroon. MSc thesis. Dept. Terrestrial Ecology and Nature Conservation, 

Wageningen Agricultural University, the Netherlands. 

Bilong. (1992). Caracteres des sols ferrallitiques it plinthite et it petroplinthite developpes sur 

roches acides dans la zone forestiere du sud du Cameroun. Cah. Orstom, ser. Pedol., vol. 

XXVII, No.2: 203-224. 

Braak, C.J.F. ter. (1988). CANOCO - a FORTRAN program for canonical community ordination 

by [partial} [detrendedJ [canonical} correspondence analysis (version 2.0). TNO Institute 

of Applied Computer Science, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Braun-Blanquet, J. (1964). Planzensoziologie. 3rd ed. Springer Verlag, Vienna, Austria. 

Bregt, A.K. and Kekem, A.J. van. (1995). Land inventory and GIS mission to Tropenbos 

Cameroon. International Activities Report 43, SC-DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Breimer, R.F., Kekem, A.J. van and Reuler, H. van. (1986). Guidelines for soil survey and land 

evaluation in ecological research. MAB Technical Notes 17. UNESCO, Paris, France. 

Buckle, C. (1978). Land/orms in Africa. An introduction to geomorphology. Longman, Harlow, 

United Kingdom. 249 pp. 

CENADEFOR. (1987). Carteforestiere, 1:50,000,feuilles Edea 1B, 2A, 2B, Nyabessan 3D, 4A, 

4B. CENADEFOR, Yaounde, Cameroon. 

CGN. (1976). Carte du Cameroun. Feuilles Edea NA 32-XVIII sur l'echelle 1 :200,000. Centre 

Geographique Nationale, Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Champetier de Ribes, G. (1956). Carte geologique de reconnaissance 1:500,000 - Notice 

explicative sur la feuille Yaounde-Est. Direction de Mines et de la Geologie, Yaounde, 

Cameroon. 

CPCS. (1967). Classification des sols. Travaux Commission de Pedologie et de Cartographie 

des Sols (CPCS) 1963-1969. 

Dijk, J.F.W. van. (1997). Ecological and economical assessment of non-timber forest products 

in the Bipindi - Akom 11 area, Cameroon. Final report of the first phase (draft). The 

Tropenbos-Cameroon programme, Kribi, Cameroon. 

Dolman, A.J. and Waterloo, M.J. (1995). Hydrology mission Tropenbos-Cameroon Programme. 

International Activities Report 49, SC-DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Dounias, E. (1993). Dynamique et gestion differentielles du systeme de production a dominante 

agricole des Mvae du Sud-Cameroun forestier. These de Doctorat Academie de Montpelier, 

Universite de Montpelier II, France. 

Driessen, P.M. and Dudal, R. (eds.). (1989). Lecture notes on the major soils of the world. 

Geography, formation properties and use. Wageningen Agricultural U UniversitylKatholieke 

niversitylKatholieke 

Universiteit Leuven, Wageningen, the Netherlands/Leuven, Belgium. 

Duivenvoorden, J.F. and Lips, J.M. (1993). Ecologia del paisaje del Medio Caqueta - 

Landscape ecology of the Middle Caqueta Bassin. Estudios en la Amazonia Colombiana 

IIIa+b. Tropenbos-Colombia, Santa Fe de Bogota, Colombia. 301 pp. + maps. 

75

Duivenvoorden, IF. and Lips, J.M. (1995). A land - ecological study of soils, vegetation, and 

plant diversity in Colombian Amazonia. Tropenbos Series 12. The Tropenbos Foundation, 


Embleton, C. and Thornes, J. (eds.). (1979). Process in Geomorpholgy. Edward Arnold Arnold 

(Publishers) Ltd., London, United Kingdom. 

Embrechts, 1. J. and Dapper, M. de. (1987). Morphology Morphology and genesis of hillslope hills lope pediments in the 

Febe area (South-Cameroon). Catena Vol. 14: 14: 31-43. 

ESRI. ESRI. (1990). PC ARC/INFO ARCIINFO Environmental Systems Research Institute, California, USA. 

ESRI. (1994). Arc View. Environmental Systems Research Institute, California, USA. 

Euroconsult (ed.). (1989). Agricultural Compendium. For rural development in the tropics and 

subtropics. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. 

FAO. (1988). FAO-Unesco Soil map of the world world. World Soil Resources Report 60. FAO, Rome, 

Italy. 

FAO. (1990). Guidelinesfor Guidelines for soil description. 3rd 3rd Edition (Revised). FAO, Rome, Rome, Italy. 

Foahom, B. and Jonkers, W.B.J. (1992). (1992). A programme for Tropenbos Research in Cameroon. 

The Tropenbos Foundation, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Franqueville, A. (1973). Atlas Regional Sud-Ouest 1. Republique du Cameroun. ORSTOM, 

Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Gartlan, J.S. (1989). La conservation des ecosystemesforestiers du Cameroun. IUCN, Gland, Gland, 

Switzerland & Cambridge, United Kingdom. 

Gillman, Gillman, G.P., G.P., Sinclair, Sinclair, D.F., Knowlton, R. and Keys, M.G. (1985). The The effect on some soil soil 

chemical chemical properties properties of selective logging of a North Queensland rainforest. Forest Ecology 

and and Management 12: 195-214. 

Hennekens, S.M. (1995). TURBO(VEG} - Software package for input, processing, and 

presentation of phytosociological data. IBN-DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands & 

University of Lancaster, Lancaster, United Kingdom. 

Hesse, Hesse, P.R. (1971). A textbook of soil chemical chemical analysis. John Murry, Murry, London, United Kingdom. 

Hill, M.D. (1979a). TWINSPAN, a Fortran program for arranging multivariate data in in an 

ordered two-way table by classification of the individuals and attributes. Ecology Ecology and 

Systematics. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, York, USA. 

Hill, M.D. (1979b). DECORANA, a Fortran program programfor for detrended correspondance analysis 

and reciprocal averaging. averaging. Ecology and Systematics. Systematics. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, 

USA. 

Hommel, P.W.F.M. (1987). (1987). Landscape-ecology of Ujung Kulon (West Java, Indonesia). 

Doctoral thesis, Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Hommel, P.W.F.M. (1990). A phyto-sociological study of a forest area in the humid humid tropics 

(Ujung Kulon, West Java, Indonesia). Vegetatio 89: 39-54. 

Hommel, P. W.F.M. (1995). Vegetation survey on a reconnaissance scale, Tropenbos Cameroon. Cameroon. 

International Activities Report 48. SC-DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Hommel, P.W.F.M. and Kekem, AJ. A.J. van. (1996). Forest land evaluation and land inventory 

project of Tropenbos Cameroon Programme. International Activities Activities Report 60. SC-DLO, 


Houba, V.J.G., V.J.G., Lee, J.J., Novozamsky, 1. 1. and Wallinga, Wallinga, 1. 1. (1989). Soil and Plant analysis, a 

series of syllabi. Part 5, Soil Analysis Procedures (5th edition). Wageningen Agricultural 

University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

ISRIC. (1994). FAO-Unesco FAO-Unesco Soil map of the world. world Revised legend with corrections. ISRIC, ISRIC, 

Wageningen, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

IUCN. IUCN. (1988). (1988). IUCN IUCN Red list of threatened animals. mCN, Gland, Switzerland. 

Switzerland. 

Kekem, A.J. A.J. van and P.W.F.M. Hommel. (1997). Land evaluation approachfor the Tropenbos 

Cameroon Programme. Mission April 1997. SC-DLO International Activities Activities Report Report 68. SC 

DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

76

Kekem, A.J. van, Pulles, J.H.M. and Khan, Z. (1997). Soils of the rainforest in Central Guyana. 

Tropenbos-Guyana Series 2, the Tropenbos-Guyana Programme, Georgetown, Guyana. 

Kent, M. and Coker, P. (1992). Vegetation description and analysis: a practical approach. CRC 

Press, Boca Raton, Florida & Belhaven Press, London, United Kingdom. 

Khanna, P.H. and Ulrich, B. (1984). Soil characteristics influencing nutrient supply in forest 

soils, in: G.D. Bowen and E.K.S. Nambiar (eds.), Nutrient of forest trees in plantations. 

Academic Press Inc., London, United Kingdom. 

Koppen, W. (1936). Das geographische System der Klimate, in: W. Koppen and R. Geiger 

(eds.), Handbuch der Klimatologie. Verlag von Gebriider GebrUder Borntrager, Berlin, Germany. 

Kiichler, KUchler, A.W. and Zonneveld, I.S. (1988). Vegetation mapping. Handbook of Vegetation 

Science Vol. 10. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. 

Landon, J.R. (ed.). (1991). Booker Tropical Soil Manual. A handbook for soil survey and 

agricultural land evaluation in the tropics and sub tropics. Longman Scientific & Technical, 

Harlow, United Kingdom. 

Letouzey, R. (1968). Etude phytogeographique de Cameroun. Ed. P. Lechevalier, Paris, France. 

Letouzey, R. (1985). Notice de la carte phytogeographique du Cameroun au 1:500,000. Institut 

de la Carte Internationale de la Vegetation, Toulouse, France. 

Louette, M. (1981). The birds of Cameroon: an annotated checklist. Verhandeling 

wetenschappen. Jaargang 43, no. 163. Brussels, Belgium. 

Martin, D. and Segalen, P. (1966). Notice explicative. Carte Pedologique du Cameroun Oriental 

au 111,000,000. ORSTOM, Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Mbatchou, G.P.T. (1995). The vegetation of the proposed Etinde Rainforest Reserve, Mount 

Cameroon and its conservation. MSc thesis, University of Edinburgh, Royal Botanic Garden, 

Edinburgh, United Kingdom. 

Mohr, E.C.J., Baren, F.A. van and Schuylenborgh, J. van. (1972). Tropical Soils. A 

comprehensive study of their genesis. 3rd ed. Geuze, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. 

MINREST and ORSTOM (1995). Atlas du Sud Cameroun. MINREST/ORSTOM, Yaounde, 

Cameroon. 

Ndjib, G. (1987). Catenary relationships in tropical forest soils (Mbalmayo area, south 

Cameroon). ITC, Enschede, the Netherlands. 

Ngeh, P., Furley, P.A. and Grace, J. (1995). Effect of land clearing methods on soil physical and 

chemical properties in a lowland tropical rainforest at Mbalmayo, Cameroon. 

Olivry, J.C. (1986). Fleuves et Rivieres du Cameroun. Collection Monographies Hydrologiques 

d'ORSTOM No. 9. MESRES-ORSTOM, Paris, France. 

Reeuwijk, L.P. (1995). Procedures for soil analysis. Technical Paper no. 9 (5th edition). 

International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC), Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Reuler, H. van. (1996). Nutrient management over extended cropping periods in the shifting 

cultivation system of south-west Cote d'Ivoire. PhD thesis. Wageningen Agricultural 

University, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Rodewald, P.G., Dejaifve, P.-A. and Green, A.A. (1994). The birds of Korup national park and 

Korup project area, Southwest Province, Cameroon. Bird Conservation International 4: 1-68. 

Rouw, A. de. (1991). Rice, weeds and shifting cultivation in a tropical rainforest. A study of 

vegetation dynamics. PhD thesis. Wageningen Agricultural University, Wageningen, the 

Netherlands. 

Rouw, A. de, Vellema, H.C. and Blokhuis, W.A. (1990). Land Unit Survey of the Tal region, 

southwest Cote d'Ivoire. Tropenbos Technical Series 7. The Tropenbos Foundation, 


Schroevers, P.J. (ed.). (1982). Landschapstaal. Een stelsel van basisbegrippen voor 

landschapsecologie. Reeks Landschaps Studies. Centrum voor Landbouw publikaties en 

Landbouw Documentatie, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

77

Segalen, P. (1957). Atlas du Cameroun. Notice explicative sur les sols du Cameroun. Carte au 

1:2,000,000. ORSTOM, ORSTOM, Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Segalen, Segalen, P. (1967). Les sols et geomorphologie du Cameroun. Cahiers ORSTOM, Serie Serie 

Pedologie: Pedologie: 137-187. ORSTOM, Paris, Paris, France. 

Serle, W. and Morel, G.l (1977). Afield guide to the birds of West Africa. Willam CoUins Sons 

& Co. Ltd. London, United Kingdom. 

Soil Survey Staff. (1992). Keys to Soil Taxonomy. SMSS Technical Monograph No. 19, 5th ed., 

Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. 

Toteu, S.F., S.F., Schmus, W.R. van, Penaye, J. and Nyobe, lB. (1994). U-Pb and Sm-Nd evidence 

for Eburnian and Pan-African high-grade metamorphism in cratonic rocks of southern 

Cameroon. Precambrian Research 67: 67: 321-347. 

Touber, Touber, L. (1993a). Air photo interpretation for overall land inventory of the research area 

(TCP, LUJ). Explanatory note. Internal document, SC-DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Touber, L. (1993b). Report on a mission in support of the Land Inventory Project in the 

Tropenbos Cameroon Programme. International Activities Report 32. SC-DLO, Wageningen, 

the Netherlands. 

Touber, L., Randen, Y. van and Gijsen, N. (1993). Trofolin database. User manual. Tropenbos 

Documents 4. The Tropenbos Foundation, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Touber, L., Smaling, E.M.A., Andriesse, W. and Hakkeling, R.T.A. (1989). Inventory and 

evaluation of tropical forest land. Guidelines for a common methodology. Tropenbos 

Technical Series 4. The The Tropenbos Foundation, Ede, the Netherlands. 

UNESCO. (1981). Carte de la vegetation d'Amerique du Sud. Recherches sur les resources 

natureUes N. 17. Unesco, Paris, France. 

Vivien, J. (1991). Faune du Cameroun: guide des mammiflres et poissons. GlCAM & Ministere 

de la Cooperation et du Developpement, Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Waterloo, M.J., Ntonga, J.C., Dolman, Dolman, A.J. and Ayangma, A.B. (1997). Studies on the impact 

of land use on the hydrology and erosion of rain forest land in South Cameroon. DLO 

Winand Staring Centre Report 134. SC-DLO, Wageningen, the Netherlands. 

Whitmore, T.C. (1984). Tropical rainforests of the far east. Clarendon Press, Oxford, United 

Kingdom. 

Yemefack, M. and Moukam, A. (1995). Biophysical Land Resources Inventory and 

Characterization of ASB Forest Margin Benchmark sites ofCameroon. Report of the field 

tour carried out out from 13 13 to 18 18 November 1995. IRA/ ASB ASB Project, Yaounde, Yaounde, Cameroon. 

Zonneveld, J.I.S. (1981). Vormen in het landschap. Hoofdlijnen van de geomorfologie. Het 

Spectrum, Utrecht/ Antwerpen, the Netherlands/Belgium. 

Zonneveld, I.S. (1995). Land Ecology. An introduction to landscape ecology as a base for land 

evaluation, land land management and conservation. SPB SPB Academic Publishing, Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the 

Netherlands. 

78

00 

o

ANNEX II List of aerial photographs 1983-1985, 1 :20,000 series covering the 

TCP research area (Photo sur Inc.) 

Line Line number Photo numbers 

40 CAM - 84040 L-40 58- 60 

38 CAM- 84044 L-38 46- 53 

37 CAM CAM-- 84040 L-37 33- 42 

36 CAM - 84039 L-36 74- 87 

35 CAM- 84040 L-35 05- 11 

35 CAM - 84039 L-35 49- 68 

34 CAM - 84039 L-34 171-198 

33 CAM -- 85007 L-33 112-137 112-137 

32 CAM- 84029 L-32 34- 44 

32 CAM - 85019 L-32 58- 65 

32 CAM- CAM- 84046 L-32 65- 75 

31 CAM- 84046 L-31 88- 96 

31 CAM - 85023 L-31 57- 62 

31 CAM - 84046 L-31 99-101 

30 CAM - 85023 L-30 141-150 

30 CAM - 85025 L-30 142-154 

29 CAM - 85023 L-29 126-139 

29 CAM - 85023 L-29 63- 75 

29 CAM - 85025 L-29 163-167 

28 CAM - 85008 L-28 203-217 

27 CAM - 84041 L-27 99-118 

26 CAM - 84041 L-26 163-180 

24 CAM - 85010 L-24 23- 26 

81

ANNEX III METHODS FOR CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL SOIL ANALYSIS 

IlIA Laboratory of 'Institute de la Recherche Agricole pour le 

Developpement', D6veloppement', station Ekona 

IlIB Comparison of soil data analysed in duplo (IRAD, Ekona, Cameroon 

and ISRIC, Wageningen, The Netherlands) 

83

IlIA Laboratory of 'Institut de la Recherche Agricole pour le Developpement', 

station Ekona 

The analytical methods used are essentially those described in 'Soil and Plant Analysis, a series 

of syllabi. Part 5, Soil Analysis Procedures', published by the Department of Soil Science and 

Plant Nutrition (Houba et al., 1989) and in 'Procedures for soil analysis'. Techn. Pap. No. 9 (5th 

ed.), published by by Int. Soil Ref. and and Info. Centre (ISRIC) (Reeuwijk, 1995). 

Texture 

Air-dry samples are sieved through a 2 mm sieve, and the material retained is crushed and sieved 

again. The material> 2 mm is indicated as coarse fraction. 

The soil material finer than than 2 2 mm mm is is used used for particle size analysis analysis by the sieve and pipette method 

after treatment with H H20 20 2 to destroy organic matter, and HCI to dissolve carbonates, if present, and 

other cementing agents. The fractions obtained were < 2 Ilm (clay), 2-20 Ilm and 20-50 Ilm (silt), 

and 50-100 Ilm, 100-250 Ilm, 250-500 Ilm and 500-2000 Ilm. These fractions represent the USDA 

classes of very fine, fine, medium + coarse and very coarse sand respectively. 

Moisture content (105 C) 

Air-dry samples are dried 24 hrs at 105°C to give the moisture content. 

pH H 20 20 and KCl KCl 

The pH is is measured potentiometrically in the soil suspension suspension after after equilibrium on 24 24 hours. hours. The The 

soil to liquid ratio was 1:2.5. The liquid liquid was either distilled water (pH-HP) or 1 M potassium 

chloride (pH-KCI). 

Organic carbon (Walkley-Black) % 

After the carbonization of soil organic matter with conc. conc. H H2S0 2S0 4 , carbon was oxidized oxidized by 

dichromate. The green chromium solution is read colorimetrically on Technicon Auto-Analyzer 

H. The method had a recovery of 75% of the total organic C, which is about 58% of the total 

organic matter. 

Total N (Kjeldahl) % % 

Catalytic oxidation of organic and chemically combined N and subsequent alteration to NH4 

(except N0 3 + N0 2 ) by the Kjeldahl process (Hesse, 1971). Nitrogen is measured on Technicon 

AAH. 

Available P (Bray-II) ppm 

The The soil is extracted extracted by a solution solution of 0.03 M NH4F and 0.1 0.1 M HCI. In this way, way, acid-soluble P, a 

major part of the calcium phosphates, and part of the aluminium and iron phosphates are extracted. 

NH4F dissolves aluminium and iron phosphates by formation of complexes with these metal ions 

in acid solutions, then measured on Technicon AA II (Ascorbic-Molybdate blue coloration). 

Total P (with H 2S0 2S0 4 and HN0 HN03 3 ) 

The soil soil sample is is treated with with a a 1: 1 mixture of H 2S04 and RN0 RN0 3 • The catalyzer catalyzer is CuS04 CuS04 -Se -Se 

mixture (10: 1). In this step the larger part of the organic matter is oxidized. After decomposition 

of the excess and evaporation of water (boiling at 360°C for 3-5 hours), the digestion is finished 

by conc. H H2S0 2S0 4 • The molybdenum blue method is used to measure spectrophotometrically the 

concentration of phosphates. 

84

CEC and exchangeable bases (with 1 M NH NH40Ac 40Ac pH 7) 

The soil is leached with a 1 M ammonium acetate solution (pH 7). The total amount of ammonium 

retained by the soil after washing it free of excess ammonium acetate is an estimate of the cation 

exchange capacity. The absorbed ammonium is released by leaching with acidified potassium 

chloride solution (pH 2.5) and subsequently determined colorimetrically on Technicon AA H. In 

the first leachate Na, K, Ca and Mg are determined by spectrophotometry (Na, K and Ca with the 

flame photometer and Mg colorimetrically by titan yellow method). 

AP+ and H+ (with KCI) 

Leaching with 1 M KCI and titration of exchangeable Al + H by 0.1 M NaOH. 

Moisture retention (pF) 

The pF is measured with the help of moisture plates. pF is measured at 0 I / 0.1,0.3,1 and 15 bar 

(respectively pF 0/2,2.5,3.5 0 I 2,2.5,3.5 and 4.2). 

Bulk density 

Soil samples taken with the 100 cc pF rings are dried for 24 hours at 105 QC. The dry weight 

divided by 100 gives the bulk density (g/cm3). 

divided by 100 gives the bulk density (g/cm 3 ). 

X-ray diffraction of clay 

The clay fraction was separated from the fine-earth and deposited in an orientated fashion on 

porous ceramic plates to be analyzed on an X-ray diffractometer (Philips PW 182011710 

assembly). Various treatments (e.g. glycerol, K-saturation, heating) were applied for identification 

oqhe various clay mineral species. 

85

IIIB Comparison of soil data analyses in duplo (IRA, Ekona, Cameroon and 

ISRIC, Wageningen, The Netherlands) 

The comparison of soil data analyses at IRA, Ekona and ISRIC, Wageningen, The Netherlands is 

based based on Hommel Hommel & van Kekem's Kekem's mission mission report report (1996). (1996). 

Conditions 

All soil samples were analyses at IRA Ekona. Some samples were analyses in duplo. Also a 

selected set of soil samples were analysed at ISRIC, Wageningen, The Netherlands. 

Interpretation 

Interpretation 

First of all the course with depth of all elements analyses were interpreted. The original data were 

compared with the duplo analysis of Ekona and ISRIC. 

Results 

Texture analysis do not show large variation comparing the data sets of Ekona and ISRIC. The 

texture with depth is becoming more clayey. The Ekona gravel data are higher as consequence consequence of 

their method of sieving. 

The pH H H20 20 and pH KCI are in general a little higher in the Ekona case. However the differences 

between the two data sets are always smaller than 0.5 unit. 

Organic matter concentration is sometimes a little higher in the surface horizons of the Ekona data 

set. The different nitrogen concentrations (Ekona and ISRIC) are comparable. C/N values are 

therefore higher, in the surface horizons of the Ekona data. The nitrogen and organic carbon 

concentrations decrease with depth. 

Available Available and total total phosphorous phosphorous can not not be be compared compared as as consequence consequence of of different different methods methods used. 

Both data sets decrease also with depth. 

The The exchangeable bases sodium sodium (Na) (Na) and and potassium potassium (K) (K) are are exchangeable exchangeable within within the the data data sets. The The 

data do not differ more than 0.2 unit. 

Magnesium and calcium have sometimes large differences (> 0.2 unit). The methods used in Ekona 

are susceptible to errors if the concentrations of magnesium and calcium in the soil samples are 

low. Two third of the Ekona data is more than 0.2 unit (mainly) too high. Nevertheless the 

differences in total exchangeable bases between the data sets are mostly smaller than 1 unit (in 

meq/lOO g). 

Aluminium (AP+) and hydrogen (H+) data differ not more than 1.5 and 0.4 unit, respectively. The 

hydrogen data have proportional large differences (> 20%). Nevertheless the differences in 

effective cation exchangeable capacity between the data sets are in majority smaller than 2 units. 

In general the Ekona data are higher than the ISRIC data. 

The Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) is largely of the same order for the data sets « 2 units). 

Differences occur mainly in the surface horizons. The surface horizon CEC values of Ekona are 

mainly lower than those oflSRIC. 

86

Conclusions 

The majority of original Ekona data I can be trusted as real values. The difference between the 

original datal and the duplos and/or ISRIC data were small. Sometimes differences were larger, 

but they are ambiguous. Nevertheless this differences were not that big that chemical 

characteristics of the profiles differ differ really between the data sets of Ekona and ISRIC. 

The data used in the description of chemical and physical properties of the different soil profiles 

were original Ekona datal. Exceptions were noted down in the descriptions of the analysis data. 

Original Ekona data concerning a certain sample are data of that sample which was first analysed. 

87

00 

00

ANNEX IV Soil profile descriptions and data of analysis 

IV.A Nyangong soil type 

IV.B Ebom soil type 

IV.C Ebimimbang soil type 

IV.D Valley bottom soil type 

89

'" 

PROFILE 22 

Legend unit: 

Soil classification: 

Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 

Landform and slope: 

Parent material: 

Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 

Depth (cm) Hor. 

0- 6 Ah 

6- 29 BA 

29- 60 Bwsl 

60-170 Bws2 

Bu2 

Xanthic Ferralsol (FAO) 

Typic Hapludox (Soil Taxonomy) 

On 22-03-95 by Gerard Hazeu and Arie van Kekem 

About 2 km E of Nko'Adjap village 

590 m 

Rolling to hilly uplands; middle slope 15% 

Gneisses of the Precambrian shield 

Secondary forest 

Well drained 

Very deep, yellowish brown to strong brown clay 

Description 

brown to dark brown (7.5YR4/4); clay; strong, fme granular to subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; abundant very fine to 

medium roots; clear and smooth transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR4/6); clay; moderate fine subangular blocky; friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to common, fine to medium roots; 

diffuse and smooth transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR5/6); clay; weak to moderate, fme subangular blocky; 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; patchy thin clay cutans; very 

few to few, fine to medium roots; diffuse and smooth transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR5!7); clay; weak fine subangular blocky; friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; patchy thin clay cutans; few very fine 

to fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

BwsI 

Bws2 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws2 

Depth (cm) 

Protile 22 

Particle size distribution 

% of fine earth; in J.lm pH 

-..0 

w 

PROFILE 71 



Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 


Parem material: 

Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 


0- 3 Ah 

3- 8 BA 

8- 42 Bwsl 

42- 135 Bcl 

135- 195 Bc2 

Am 



On 26-04-95 by Gerard Hazeu 

About 4 km SE ofBityili village; 2"56'06 Nand 10°49'55 E 

720 m 

Mountains; middle slope 30% 

Gneisses and/or diorite of the Precambrian shield 

Forest 

Well drained 


Description 

dark yellowish brown (IOYR3/6); clay; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 

crumb to subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common to many, very fine to fine roots; clear and smooth transition to 

dark yellowish brown (IOYR4/6); clay; weak to moderate, fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to common, very 

fine to fine roots; clear and smooth transition to 

yellowish brown (IOYR5/6); clay; weak fine to medium subangular 

blod:y; fim1, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to common, very fine 

to fine roots; clear and wavy transition to 

yellowish brown (IOYR5/6); very gravelly, slightly stony clay; few to 

frequent, small to large, hard irregular to spherical iron concretions; weak 

fine to medium subangular blocky; firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

few to many, fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR5/8); very gravelly, slightly stony clay; few (5%) 

medium faint diffuse 5YR5/8 monies; few to very frequent, small to large, 

hard irregular to angular iron concretions; weak fine subangular blocky; 

firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; no roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

Bel 

Bel 

Be2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

Bel 

Bel 

Be2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

Bel 

Bel 

Be2 

Depth (cm) 

Profile 71 

Particle size distribution % of fine 

earth; in I'm 

pH 

PROFILE 76 



Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 



Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 

Depth (cm) 

0- 7 

7- 16 

16- 42 

42-250 

Am 




About 4 km SE of Bityili village; 2°56'06 Nand 10°49'55 E 

800 m 

Mountains; upper slope 30% 


Forest 

Well drained 


Hor. 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Description 

dark brown (7.5YRJ/3); clay; strong fine granular to subangular 

bloc!,:y; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very 


dark brown to brown (7.5YR4/3); clay; strong fine granular to 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common fine to medium roots; clear and smooth transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR5/6); clay; moderate fine to medium 

subangular bloc!,:y; friable, slightly stick), and slightly plastic; few 

to common, fine to medium roots; diffuse and smooth transition 

to 

strong brown (7.5YR517); clay; very few «5%) fine faint diffuse 

5YR5/8 mottles; moderate, fine to medium subangular blocky; 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine to fine 

roots. 

Horizon Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in J.lm 

pH 

PROFILE 123 

Legend unit: Bh2 

Soil classification: Xanthic Ferralsol (FAO) 

Typic lIapludox (Soil Taxonomy) 

Description: 


Location: 

About 400 m N of Mebanga village; 2°48'64 Nand 10°37'87 E 

Elevation: 

590 m 

Landforrn and slope: Complex of hills; upper slope 40% 

Parent material: Gneisses of the Precambrian shield 

Vegetation: 


Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 


Depth (cm) 

0- S 

5- 16 

16- 54 

54-119 

119-210 

Hor. 

Description 

Ah dark yellowish brown (I OYR3/4); clay; strong, very fine to fine crumb to 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common 

very fine to fine roots; clear and smooth transition to 

BA dark yellowish brown (I OYR4/6); clay; strong very fine to fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; patchy thick clay 

cutans; few to common, very fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth 

transition to 

Bwsl strong brown (7.SYR5/6); clay; moderate very fine to fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; patchy thick clay 

cutans; few to common, fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth 

transition to 

Bws2 strong brown (7.SYRS/8); clay; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to 

few, fine to medium roots; diffuse and smooth transition to 

Bws3 strong brown (7.SYRS/8); clay; very few «2%) very fine fresh gravels; 

weak to moderate, very fine to fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; very few fine to medium roots. 




% of fine earth; in flm 

pH 

-.0 

00 

PROFILE 132 


Soil classification: Acri-xanthic Ferralsol (FAO) 

Typic Kandiudox (Soil Taxonomy) 

Description: 


Location: 

About 300 m N of Mebanga village; Z048'64 Nand 10°37'87 10°37'87 E 

Elevation: 

540 540 m 

Landfoml and slope: Complex of hills; middle slope 25% 


Vegetation: 


Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 


Depth (cm) 

0- 5 

5- 12 

12- 12- 27 

27- 84 

84-122 84-122 

122-190 122-190 

Ilor. 

Description 

Ah dark yellowish brown (lOYR3/4); sandy clay; weak to moderate, very fine 

to fine crumb to subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and and slightly 

plastic; many very fine to fine roots; clear and smooth transition to 

BA dark yellowish brown (lOYR3/6); clay; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 

sub angular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to many, 

very fine to fine line roots; clear and smooth transition to 

Bwsl strong brown (7.5YR517); clay; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 

sub angular blocky; friable, slightly stick), and slightly plastic; patchy thick 

clay cutans; few fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bws2 strong brown (7.5YR5/8); clay; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; patchy thick 

clay cutans; very few to few, very fine to fine roots; diffuse and smooth 

transition to 

Bws3 strong brown (7.5YR5/8); clay; very few «5%) fine fine faint diffuse 5YR5/6 

mottles; mottles; weak very fine to fine fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly slightly sticky 

and slightly plastic; patchy thick clay cutans; very few very fine to fine 

roots; diffuse and smooth transition to 

Bws4 strong brown (7.5YR5/8); (7.5YR5/8); clay; many fine faint diffuse 2.5YR5/6 mottles; 

very few «2%) very fine fresh gravels; weak very fine to fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few very fine to 

fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws3 

Bws4 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws3 

Bws4 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws3 

Bws4 

Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in Ilm 

pH 

PROFILE 134 



Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 

Landfonn and slope: 


Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 


0- 6 Ah 

\0 6- 14 BA 

\0 

14- 50 Bwsl 

50- 651120 Bws2 

65/120-175 BC 

Bhl 

Ferralic Cambisol (FAO) 

Oxic Dystropept (Soil Taxonomy) 


About 3 km N of Esseng village; 2°49'75 N and 10°39'53 E 

690 m 

Isolated hill; summit 0-5% 


Forest 

Well drained 

Very yellowish brown to strong brown clay 

Description 

dark brown (7.5YR3/4); clay; moderate to strong, fine crumb to subangular 

blocJ.,;y; very friable, slightly stid.), and slightly plastic; abundant very fine 

to fine roots; clear and smooth transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR5/6); clay; moderate to strong, fine crumb to 

subangular block)'; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common to 

many, fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

strong brown (10-7 .5YR5/8); clay; weak to moderate, fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to common, 

fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

strong brown (1O-7.5YR5/8); very gravelly, stony clay; frequent small hard 

angular to spherical iron concretions; weak to moderate, fine to medium 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to 

common, very fine to fine roots; gradual and broken transition to 

strong brown (1O-7.SYRS/8); stony, very bouldery clay; weak fine 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; no roots. 

Horizon 

Ab 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 

Horizon 

Ab 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 

Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in I'm 

pH 

o 

o 

PROFILE 214 


Soil classification: Ferralic Cambisol (FAO) 


Description: 


Location: 

About I km S ofMa'amenyin village; 3°03'58 Nand 10°46'42 E 

Elevation: 

580 m 

Landforrn and slope: Complex of hills; summit, upper slope 25 - 30% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses Gneisses of the the Precambrian shield 

Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 

Moderately deep, yellowish brown clay with sandy clay clay loam to to 

sandy clay topsoil 

Depth (cm) 

0- 6 

6-17 

17-55/63 

Hor. 

Description 

Ah dark brown (lOYR3/3); sandy clay; moderate to strong, very fine to fine 

crumb to subangular blocky; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; common to many, fine to medium roots; clear and smooth 

transition to 

BA dark yellowish brown (lOYRJ/6); clay; moderate to strong, very fine 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to 

common, very fine to fine roots; clear and smooth transition to 

Bws yellowish brown (lOYR5/6); clay; moderate very fine to fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common very fine to 

fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

C 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

C 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

C 

Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in J.lm 

pH 

o 

PROFILE 215 


Soil classification: Acri·xanthic Ferralsol (FAO) 

Typic Kandiudox (Soil Taxonomy) 

Description: 

On 12·08·95 by Gerard Hazeu 

Location: 

About I km S of Ma'amenyin village; 3°03'58 Nand 10°46'42 E 

Elevation: 

545 m 

Landfonn and slope: Complex of hills; upper slope 35 ·40% 


Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 

Very deep, yellowish brown clay with sandy clay loam to sandy clay 

topsoil 

Depth (cm) 

o· 7 

7· 22 

22· 98 

98·200 

Hor. 

Description 

Ah dark yellowish brown (lOYRJ/4); sandy clay; moderate very fine crumb 

to sub angular block)'; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very 

few to many, tine to coarse roots; clear and smooth transition to 

BA dark yellowish brown (IOYR4/6); sandy clay; moderate very fine to fine 


common, very fine to medium roots; clear and smooth transition to 

Bwsl yellowish brown (lOYR5/7); clay; many (20%) fine to medium, distinct 

diffuse 5YR5/8 mottles; weak to moderate, very fine to fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to common, very 

fine to fine roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bws2 yellowish brown (IOYR5/8); clay; many (50%) fine to medium, distinct 

diffuse 5YR5/8 mottles; weak to moderate, very fine subangular blocky; 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws1 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in Ilm pH 

o 

N 

PROFILE 253 

Legend unit: Am 

Soil classification: Ferralic Cambisol (FAO) 


Description: 


Location: 

About 8 km S of Meka'all village; 2°56'91 Nand 10°41'59 E 

Elevation: 

Unknown 

Landforrn and slope: Mountains; summit, upper slope 10% 

Parent material: Gneisses and/or diorite of the Precambrian shield 

Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 


Depth (cm) 

0- 5 

5- 13 

13- 55 

55-185 

1I0r. 

Description 

Ah dark brown dark yellowish brown (IOYRJ/6); clay loam; moderate to 

strong, very fine to fine crumb to subangular blod:y; loose, friable, slightly 

stid.,), and slightly plastic; many to abundant, very fine to fine roots; clear 

and smooth transition to 

BA dark yellowish brown (IOYR4/6); (I OYR4/6); sandy clay; moderate to strong, very fine 

to fine crumb to subangular blocky; soft, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; common to many, fine to medium roots; clear and smooth 

transition to 

Bwsl yellowish brown (lOYR5/8); (lOYR5/8); clay; very few «5%) small hard spherical 

iron concretions; moderate to strong, very fine to fine subangular blocky; 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few, medium to coarse roots; 

gradual and smooth transition to 

Bws2 strong brown (7.5YR5/8); (7.5YR5/8); clay; moderate to strong, very fine to fine 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very 

fine to fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws2 

Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in pm 

pH 

PROFILE 254 



Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 



Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 

Depth (cm) /lor. 

0- 7 Ah 

0 7- 44 BA 

w 

44-132 Bwsl 

132- 210 Bws2 

Am 

Ferralic Cambisol (FAO) 



About 8 km S of Meka'all village; r56'91 Nand 10°41'59 E 

Unknown 

Mountains; upper slope 70 - 80% 


Forest 

Well drained 

Very deep, yellowish brown to strong brown sandy clay 

Description 

strong brown (7.5YR4/6); sandy clay loam; moderate to strong, medium 

crumb to granular; loose, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common to abundant, fine to medium roots; clear and smooth transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR516); sandy clay; moderate to strong, medium crumb 

to subangular block],; loose, friable, slightly stick], and slightly plastic; few 

to common, fine to coarse roots; gradual and irregular transition to 

strong brown (7.5YR5/8); sandy clay; moderate fine to medium crumb to 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few, very 


strong brown (7.5YR5/8); siightly gravelly clay; few small hard spherical 

iron concretions; moderate fine to medium subangular blocky; friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine to fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in pm 

pH 

o 

+>- 

PROFILE 255 255 

Legend unit: Am 

Soil classification: Ferric Acrisol (FAO) 

Typic Typic Hapludult (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

Description: 


Location: 

About 8 km S of Meka'all village; 2"S6'91 Nand 10041'S9 E 

Elevation: 

Unknown 

Landforrn and slope: Mountains; middle slope 30 - 40% 

Parent material: Gneisses and/or diorite of the Precambrian shield 

Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 

Moderately well drained 

Soil: 

Deep, yellowish brown to strong brown 

Depth (cm) 

0- 7 

7-18 

18-40 

40-60/80 

60/80-125 

Hor. 

Description 

All dark yellowish brown (IOYR3/6); (I0YR3/6); slightly gravelly loam; moderate fine 

crumb to angular blocky; loose, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

lew few to common, fine fine to medium roots; clear and smooth transition to 

BA dark yellowish brown (IOYR4/6); clay loam; weak to moderate, fine 

angular to subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

few fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bwsl yellowish brown (IOYRS/6); (I0YRS/6); slightly gravelly clay loam; few small hard 

spherical iron concretions; weak to moderate fine angular to subangular 

bloc).,.]'; blod:y; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to few, fine to 

coarse roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bc yellowish brown (IOYRS/6); gravelly clay loam; few to frequent, small to 

large, soft to hard, irregular to spherical iron concretions; weak to moderate 

fine angular to sub angular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; very few very fine roots; gradual and irregular transition to 

BC yellowish brown (IOYRS/8); gravelly, slightly stony, slightly bouldery clay 

loam; few (S%) fine distinct clear SYRS/8 mottles; frequent small soft 

irregular to angular iron concretions; weak fine angular to subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; no roots. 





pH 

e> 

0\ 

IV.B Ebom soil type 

PROFILE 133 



Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 

Landfonn and slope: 


Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 


0- 0- 10 Ah 

10- 21 BA 

21- 50 Bwsl 

50- 78 Bws2 

78-114 BC 

Cui 

Acri-xanthic Ferralsol (FAO) 

Typic Kandiudult (Soil Taxonomy) 


About About 100 m N of Mebanga village; r48'64 Nand 10°37'87 E 

500 m 

Undulating to rolling uplands; lower slope 5% 


Agricultural field 

Well drained 

Deep, yellowish brown clay with sandy loam topsoil 

Description 

dark yellowish brown (IOYR3/4); sandy loam; weak very fine crumb; 

loose, non sticky and slightly plastic; many very fine to fine roots; clear 

and smooth transition to 

dark yellowish brown (IOYR4/6); sandy clay; weak to moderate, very fine 

to fine sub angular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common very fine to fine roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

yellowish brown (IOYR5/6); slightly gravelly clay; weak to moderate, very 

fine to fine fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and and slightly plastic; 

few very fine to fine roots; clear and and smooth transition to 

yellowish brown (I0YRS/6); gravelly clay; few small to large, hard 

irregular iron concretions; weak to moderate, very fine to fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly slightly sticky and slightly plastic; no roots; gradual and 

smooth transition to 

yellowish brown (I (IOYR5/6); OYR5/6); gravelly to very gravelly clay; frequent small 

to large, soft to hard hard irregular iron concretions; weak to moderate, very fine 

to fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; no 

roots. 





pH 

0 

-...l 

PROFILE 135 



Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 



Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 

Depth (cm) Bor. 

0- 7 Ah 

7- 25 BA 

25-40/130 BwsI 

40-130 Bws2 

Bhl 

Acri-xanthic Ferralsol (FAO) 



About 3 km N ofEsseng village; 2°49'75 Nand 10°39'53 E 

5S0 m 

Isolated hill; lower slope 25% 


Forest 

Well drained 

Moderately deep to deep, yellowish brown to strong brown clay with sandy 

clay loam to sandy clay topsoil 

Description 

dark yellowish brown (I OYR4/4); sandy clay loam; strongly coherent; very 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine roots; clear and 


yellowish brown (I0YR4/6); clay; weak to moderate, fine subangular 

block)'; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; common to many, very 


yellowish brown (IOYR5/S); clay; weak, fine subangular blocky; friable, 

slightly stick), and slightly plastic; very few to few, fine to medium roots; 

abrupt and broken transition to C and gradual and smooth to Bws2 

yellowish brown (IOYR5/S); slightly gravelly clay; few (5%) fine distinct 

clear 7.5YR5/S mottles; weak fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly plastic; very few to few, fine to medium roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

C(B) 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

C(B) 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

C(B) 

Depth (cm) 



% of fine earth; in i'm pH 

o o 

00 00 

PROFILE PROFILE 140 140 


Soil classification: Plinthic Axrisol (FAO) 

Typic PlinthuduIt (Soil Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Location: 

About S km NE of Adjap village; 2°55'99 Nand 10°37'29 E 

Elevation: 

Landform and slope: Undulating to rolling uplands; upper slope 5 - 10% 

Parent material: Gneisses and/or migmatites of the Precambrian shield 

Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 


Soil: 

clay loam topsoil 

Legend unit: DuI 

Soil classification: Plinthic Axrisol (FAO) 

Typic PlinthuduIt (Soil Taxonomy) 

Description: 


Location: 

About 8 km NE of Adjap village; 2°55'99 Nand 10°37'29 E 

Elevation: 

Landform and slope: Undulating to rolling uplands; upper slope 5 - 10% 


Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 


Soil: 

Very deep, yellowish brown sandy clay to clay with sandy loam to sandy 


Depth (cm) 

Depth (cm) 

0- 0- 7 7 

7- 17 

7- 17 

17- 35 

17- 35 

35- 72 

35- 72 

72-170 

72-170 

Hor. 

Hor. 

Ah 

Ah 

DuI 


350m 350m 

Very deep, yellowish brown sandy clay to clay with sandy loam to sandy 

Description 

Description 

dark brown to brown (IOYR4/3); sandy loam; weak to moderate, very fine 

dark brown to brown (IOYR4/3); sandy loam; weak to moderate, very fine 

to fine crumb to subangular blocky; very friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few to common, fine to coarse roots; clear and smooth 

transition to 

to fine crumb to subangular blocky; very friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few to common, fine to coarse roots; clear and smooth 

transition to 

BA BA dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR4/6); (I0YR4/6); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; weak weak fine fine subangular subangular 

blod:y; friable, slightly stick]' and slightly plastic; few to common, fine to 


Bwsl yellowish brown (IOYR5/6); slightly gravelly sandy clay loam; very few 

bloc!,.-y; friable, slightly stic!"-y and slightly plastic; few to common, fine to 


Bwsl yellowish brown (I0YR5/6); slightly gravelly sandy clay loam; very few 

small hard spherical iron concretions; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 


common, very fine to fine roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bws2 brownish yellow (I OYR6/6); gravelly sandy clay; very few to few, small 

small hard spherical iron concretions; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 



Bws2 brownish yellow (I OYR6/6); gravelly sandy clay; very few to few, small 

to to large, large, hard hard angular angular to to spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, very very 

fine to fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly stick], and slightly plastic; 

fine to fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly stic!,.-y and slightly plastic; 

few very fine to fine roots; gradual and irregular transition to 

Bv yellow (2.5Y7/8); very gravelly sandy clay; many (25%) medium 

prominent diffuse IOYR4/8 and I OYR 7 18 mottles; few small to large, soft 

few very fine to fine roots; gradual and irregular transition to 

Bv yellow (2.5Y7/S); very gravelly sandy clay; many (25%) medium 

prominent diffuse IOYR4/S and IOYR7/S mottles; few small to large, soft 

to to hard, hard, angular angular to to spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak very very fine fine subangular subangular 

blocky and moderately coherent structure; friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; few very fine to fine roots. 

blocky and moderately coherent structure; friable, slightly sticky and 


Horizon 

Horizon 

Ah 

Ah 

BA BA 

Bws1 Bws1 

Bws2 

Bws2 

Bv Bv 

Bv Bv 

Horizon 

Horizon 

Ah 

Ah 

BA 

Bws1 

Bws2 

BA 

Bws1 

Bws2 

Bv Bv 

Bv Bv 

Horizon 

Horizon 

Ah Ah 

BA 

Bws1 

Bws2 

Bv 

Bv 

BA 

Bws1 

Bws2 

Bv 

Bv 



Depth (cm) % of fine earth; in J.lm pH 



Depth (cm) % of fine earth; in J.lm pH 

0 

\0 

PROFILE 141 

Legend unit: DuI 



Description: 


Location: 

About S km NE of Adjap village; 2°55'99 Nand 10°37'29 E 

Elevation: 

350 m 

Landform and slope: Undulating to rolling uplands; lower slope 10 - 15% 


Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 

Very deep, yellowish brown sandy clay to clay with loamy sand to sandy 


Depth (cm) 

0- 5 

5- 15 

15- 55 

55-136 

136-167 

167-185 

Hor. 

Description 

Ah dark yellowish brown (IOYRJ/4); sandy loam; weak fine crumb; very 

friable, non sticky and slightly plastic; common to many, very fine to 


BA dark yellowish brown (I OYRJ/6); sandy clay loam; weak to moderate, very 

fine to fine crumb to subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; few very fine to fine roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bwsl yellowish brown (I OYR5/6); sandy clay; moderate very fine to fine 


fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bws2 yellowish brown (IOYR5/S); slightly gravelly sandy clay; very few (2%) 

fine faint diffuse 7.5YR5/S mottles; moderate very fine to fine subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to common, fine to 

medium roots; gradual and irregular transition to 

Bws3 yellowish brown (IOYR5/S); gravelly sandy clay; few (10%) fine faint 

diffuse 7.5YR5/S mottles; few small hard spherical iron concretions; weak 

to moderate, very fine to fine subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky 

and slightly plastic; few fme to medium roots; clear and smooth transition 

to 

Bv yellowish brown (IOYR5/8); gravelly sandy clay; many (15%) fine distinct 

clear 2.5YR4/S mottles; frequent small to large, hard angular to spherical 

iron concretions; weak to moderate, very fine to fine subangular blocky; 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few very fine to fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws3 

Bv 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws3 

Bv 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bws3 

Bv 



Depth (cm) % of fme earth; in pm 

pH 

o 

PROFILE 147 

Legend unit: Cui 



Description: 


Location: 

About 8 km NE of Adjap village; 2°55'99 Nand 10°37'29 E 

Elevation: 

380 m 

Landform and slope: Undulating to rolling uplands; summit 0 - 5% 

Parent Parent material: Gneisses of the Precambrian shield 

Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 

Very deep, yellowish brown clay with sandy clay loam topsoil 

Depth Depth (cm) (cm) 

0- 10 

10- 10- 21 

21- 87 

87-160 

160-220 

Bor. Description 

Ah dark yellowish brown (IOYR3/4); (IOYR3/4); sandy clay loam; weak to moderate, very very 

fine to to fine fine subangular blocky; very very friable, slightly sticky and slightly slightly 

plastic; very few few to many, very fine to coarse roots; clear and smooth smooth 

transition to 

BA dark dark yellowish brown brown (IOYR3/6); (IOYR3/6); sandy clay loam; weak very fine fine to to fine 

subangular block}'; friable, slightly stick}' and slightly plastic; few to to many, 

very fine to fine fine roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bwsl yellowish brown (I0YR5/8); sandy clay; moderate very fine to fine crumb 

to subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to 


Bws2 brownish yellow (IOYR6/8); sandy clay; weak to moderate, very fine to 

fine crumb to sub angular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; few to common, fine to medium roots; gradual and smooth 

transition to 

Bws3 brownish yellow (I0YR6/8); slightly gravelly sandy clay; weak very fine 

to fine crumb to subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; few very fine to fine roots. 





pH 

PROFILE 152 

Legend unit: Du2 



Description: 


Location: 

About 900 m SW ofMelen village; 3°02'80 Nand 10°31'64 E 

Elevation: 

900 m 

Landform and slope: Rolling uplands; summit 5% 


Vegetation: 


Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 

Deep, yellowish brown to strong brown clay with sandy clay loam to sandy 

clay topsoil 

Depth (cm) 

0-3 

3-16 

16-45/65 

45/65-101 

101-130 

1I0r. Description 

Ah dark yellowish brown (IOYR4/4); sandy clay loam; strong to moderate, 

fine crumb to subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; common very fine to fine roots; abrupt and smooth 

transition to 

BA yellowish brown (I0YR5/6); sandy clay; moderate fine subangular blocky; 

hard, friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to common, very fine 

to medium roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

Bwsl strong brown (7.5YR5/8); slightly gravelly clay; few (2%) fine distinct 

diffuse 2.5YR5/8 mottles; very few small soft irregular iron concretions; 

weak to moderate, fine to medium subangular blocky; slightly hard, friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to few, very fine to coarse 

roots; gradual and wavy transition to 

Bws2 strong brown (7.5YR5/8); gravelly clay; few (10%) fine distinct diffuse 

2.5YR5/8 mottles; few small hard spherical iron concretions; weak to 

moderate, fine angular to subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; very few very fine roots; gradual and broken transition to 

BC yellow (I0YR7/8); gravelly, bouldery clay; many (25%) medium distinct 

diffuse 2.5YR5/8 mottIes; few small soft to hard, irregular to spherical iron 

concretions; weak to moderate, medium angular to subangular blocky; 

firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few very fine roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 

." 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 

Horizon 

Ab 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 


Particle size dislribulion 

Depth (cm) % of fine earth; in ,"m 

pH 

N 

PROFILE PROFILE 153 



Description: 

Location: 

Elevation: 



Vegetation: 

Drainage: 

Soil: 

Depth (cm) 1I0r. 

0- 7 Ah 

7- 32 BA 

32-112 Bwsl 

112-150 Bws2 

ISO-ISO BC 

Du2 

Haplic Acrisol (FAO) 



About 900 900 m m SW of Melen village; 3 °02'80 N and 10°31 '64 E 

700 m 

Rolling uplands; uplands; middle slope 70% 

Gneisses Gneisses of the Precambrian shield 


Well drained 


topsoil 

Description 

dark brown (lOYR3/3); clay loam; strong to moderate, fine crumb to 


fine to medium roots; clear and smooth transition to 

dark yellowish brown (IOYR4/6); clay loam; moderate to strong, fine to 

medium, angular to subangular blocky; firm, slightly sticky and slightly 

plastic; few to many, fine to medium roots; gradual and wavy transition to 

yellowish brown (lOY5/8); slightly gravelly clay; moderate fine to medium 

angular to subangular blocky; firm, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common very fine to fine roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

brownish yellow (IOYR6/8); slightly gravelly clay loam; weak very fine 

to fine, angular to subangular block)' and strongly coherent porous massive 

structure; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to to few, very 


brownish yellow (IOYR6/S); sandy clay loam; weak fine subangular 

blocky and strongly coherent porous massive; friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; no roots. 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 

Horizon 

Ah Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

BC 





pH 

.j::>. 


Legend Legend unit: 


classification: 

Description: Description: 

Location: Location: 

Elevation: Elevation: 

Landform Landform and slope: slope: 

Parent material: material: 

Vegetation: Vegetation: 

Drainage: Drainage: 

Soil: 


0- 6 Ah 

6- IS AB 

15- 28 BA 

28-118 Bwsl 

118-200 118-200 Bws2 

Cui 

Xanthic Xanthic Ferralsol Ferralsol (FAO) 

Typic Hapludox (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

On 22-07-95 22-07-95 by Gerard Gerard Hazeu Hazeu 

About About I I km S of Ebom Ebom 11 village; village; 3"04'05 3°04'05 Nand Nand 10°42'59 10°42'59 E E 

370 m 

Undulating Undulating to rolling uplands; uplands; lower slope 10 - 15% 

Gneisses of the Precambrian Precambrian shield 

Forest 

Well drained 

Very deep, yellowish yellowish brown clay with sandy clay topsoil 

Description Description 

dark yellowish yellowish brown (lOYRYR4/4); (IOYRYR4/4); sandy clay; moderate to strong, very 

fine crumb to subangular subangular blocky; loose, very friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; common to abundant, fine to medium roots; clear and 

smooth transition transition to 

dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR4/6); (I OYR4/6); sandy sandy clay; moderate moderate very fine to fine 

subangular subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to 

common, common, fine to medium medium roots; gradual gradual and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown (IOYRs/6); (lOYRs/6); clay; moderate moderate very fine to fine subangular subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few few to many, fine to 

coarse roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

yellowish yellowish brown (IOYRs/8); (lOYR5/8); clay; weak to moderate, very fine to fine 

subangular subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few to many, 

very fine to fine roots; gradual and smooth transition transition to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); clay; few (15%) (15%) fine faint diffuse diffuse 2.sYR4/8 2.5YR4/8 

mottles; mottles; weak to moderate, moderate, very fine to fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, 


Horizon 

Ah 

AB 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

AB 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

AB 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Profile Profile 167 

Particle size distribution distribution 

Depth Depth (cm) % of fine earth; in J.lm 

pH 

VI VI 


Legend Legend unit: unit: 

Soil Soil classification: 





Landform Landform and and slope: slope: 

Parent Parent material: material: 



Soil: Soil: 

Depth Depth (cm) (cm) Hor. Hor. 

0- 0- 3 3 Ah Ah 

3- 3- 15 15 BA BA 

15- 15- 30 30 Bwsl Bwsl 

30- 30- 71 71 Bws2 Bws2 

71-145 71-145 Bws3 Bws3 

145-175 145-175 Bv Bv 

Cu2IDul Cu2IDul 

Acri-xanthic Acri-xanthic Ferralsol Ferralsol (FAO) (FAO) 

Typic Typic Kandiudult Kandiudult (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

On On 26-07-95 26-07-95 by by Gerard Gerard Hazeu Hazeu 

About About 2 2 km km NE NE ofObo'otomba ofObo'otomba village; village; 3°04'11 3°04'11 Nand Nand 10°35'68 10°35'68 E E 

Unknown Unknown 

Rolling Rolling uplands; uplands; summit, summit, upper upper slope slope 10% 10% 

Gneisses Gneisses and/or and/or migmatites migmatites of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 

Well Well drained drained 

Deep, Deep, yellowish yellowish brown brown clay clay with with sandy sandy clay clay loam loam to to sandy sandy clay clay topsoil topsoil 


dark dark brown brown (IOYR3/3); (IOYR3/3); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; moderate moderate very very fine fine to to fine fine crumb crumb 

to to subangular subangular blod:y; blod:y; very very friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few 

to to abundant, abundant, very very fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; abrupt abrupt and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR4/6); (IOYR4/6); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, fine fine 

angular angular to to sub sub angular angular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; 

very very few few to to common, common, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and and wavy wavy transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/6); (IOYR5/6); sandy sandy clay clay to to clay; clay; moderate moderate fine fine subangular subangular 

blod:y; blod:y; firm, firm, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few to to common, common, fine fine 

to to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (I0YR5/8); (I0YR5/8); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly clay; clay; very very few few small small soft soft 

irregular irregular iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; firm, firm, 

slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to common, common, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; 

gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); gravelly gravelly to to very very gravelly, gravelly, slightly slightly stony stony clay; clay; 

few few (5%) (5%) fine fine faint faint diffuse diffuse 7.5YR5/8 7.5YR5/8 mottles; mottles; very very few few to to few, few, small small soft soft 

to to hard, hard, irregular irregular to to spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine 

sub sub angular angular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few very very 

fine fine roots; roots; diffuse diffuse and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (I (I OYR5/8); OYR5/8); gravelly gravelly clay; clay; few few to to frequent, frequent, small small soft soft to to 

hard, hard, irregular irregular to to spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few very very 

Horizon Horizon 

Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws3 Bws3 

Bv Bv 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws3 Bws3 

Bv Bv 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws3 Bws3 

Bv Bv 

Profile Profile 181 181 

Particle Particle size size distribution distribution 

Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in I'm I'm 

pH pH 

0\ 


Legend unit: Cu2/Dul 

Soil classification: Haplic Acrisol (FAO) 

Typic Paleudult (Soil Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Location: 

About 2 km NE ofObo'otomba village; 3°04'11 Nand 10°35'68 E 

Elevation: 

Unknown 

Landform and slope: Undulating to rolling uplands; middle slope 20 - 25% 


Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 


Soil: 


topsoil 

Legend unit: Cu2/Dul 

Soil classification: Haplic Acrisol (FAO) 

Typic Paleudult (Soil Taxonomy) 

Description: 


Location: 


Elevation: 

Unknown 

Landform and slope: Undulating to rolling uplands; middle slope 20 - 25% 


Vegetation: 

Forest 

Drainage: 


Soil: 


topsoil 

Depth (cm) 

Depth (cm) 

0- 2 

2- 12 

2- 12 

12- 32 

12- 32 

32-130 

32-130 

130-170 

130-170 

Hor. 

Hor. 


Description 

Description 

Ah brown brown (I (I OYR5/3); OYR5/3); 10anlY 10anlY sand; sand; weakly weakly coherent coherent single single grain; grain; loose loose to to very very 

friable, non sticky and slightly plastic; few fine to medium roots; clear and 


friable, non sticky and slightly plastic; few fine to medium roots; clear and 


BA yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/6); (IOYR5/6); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine 

subangular blocky; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few 

subangular blocky; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few 


Bwsl brownish yellow (lOYR6/8); very gravelly sandy clay; many (15%) fine 

faint diffuse 7.5YR5/8 mottles; frequent small to large, hard irregular to 

angular iron concretions; weak very fine to fine subangular blocky; friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine to medium roots; diffuse and 

irregular transition to 


Bwsl brownish yellow (lOYR6/8); very gravelly sandy clay; many (15%) fine 

faint diffuse 7.5YR5/8 mottles; frequent small to large, hard irregular to 

angular iron concretions; weak very fine to fine subangular blocky; friable, 

slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few fine to medium roots; diffuse and 

irregular transition to 

Bv brownish brownish yellow yellow (IOYR6/8); (lOYR6/8); gravelly, gravelly, slightly slightly stony stony clay; clay; many many (25%) (25%) fine fine 

distinct diffuse 7.5.YR5/8 monies; few to frequent, small to large, soft to 

hard, irregular to angular iron concretions; weak very fine to fine 

subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very 


distinct diffuse 7.5.YR5/8 mottles; few to frequent, small to large, soft to 

hard, irregular to angular iron concretions; weak very fine to fine 

subangular block)'; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very 


BC brownish yellow (lOYR6/8); gravelly, slightly stony clay; many (25%) 

medium distinct diffuse 7.5YR5/8 mottles; few to frequent, small to large, 

soft to hard, irregular to angular iron concretions; weak very fine 

subangular blocky and strongly coherent porous massive structure; friable, 


BC brownish yellow (IOYR6/8); gravelly, slightly stony clay; many (25%) 

medium distinct diffuse 7.5YR5/8 monies; few to frequent, small to large, 

soft to hard, irregular to angular iron concretions; weak very fine 

subangular blocky and strongly coherent porous massive structure; friable, 


Horizon 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

Bv 

Bv 

Bv 

Bc 

Horizon 

Horizon 

Ah 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

Bws 

Bv 

Bv 

Bc 

Horizon 

Horizon 

Ah 

BA 

Bws 

Bws 

Bv 

Bv 

Bc 

Bc 





Depth (cm) % of fine earth; in I'm 

Depth (cm) % of fine earth; in "m 

pH 


Legend Legend unit: unit: Cu2 Cu2 

Soil Soil classification: classification: Acri-xanthic Acri-xanthic Ferralsol Ferralsol (FAO) (FAO) 

Typic Typic Kandiudox Kandiudox (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 



About About 1.5 1.5 km km S S ofEngomba ofEngomba village; village; 3°04'84 3°04'84 Nand Nand 10°39'45 10°39'45 E E 


Landforrn Landforrn and and slope: slope: Rolling Rolling uplands; uplands; summit, summit, upper upper slope slope 10 10 -- 15% 15% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses Gneisses of of the the Prccambrian Prccambrian shield shield 


Forest Forest 


Soil: Soil: 

Very Very deep, deep, yellowish yellowish brown brown clay clay with with sandy sandy clay clay loam loam to to sandy sandy clay clay 

topsoil topsoil 


0- 0- 5 5 

5- 5- 18 18 

18- 18- 61 61 

61- 61- 95 95 

95-152 95-152 

152-185 152-185 

Hor. Hor. 


390m 390m 



Ah Ah very very dark dark brown brown (7.5YR2.5/3); (7.5YR2.5/3); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; moderate moderate to to strong, strong, very very 

fine fine to to fine fine crumb crumb to to subangular subangular blocky; blocky; very very friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and 

slightly slightly plastic; plastic; common common to to many, many, very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth 

transition transition to to 

BA BA dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (I (I OYR4/6); OYR4/6); sandy sandy clay clay to to clay; clay; moderate moderate to to strong, strong, 

very very fine fine to to fine fine crumb crumb to to subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and 

slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to common, common, fine fine to to coarse coarse roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth 


Bws Bws I I yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/6); (IOYR5/6); clay; clay; moderate moderate very very fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular 

blod;y; blod;y; friable, friable, slightly slightly stick), stick), and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to common, common, fine fine to to 

medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and and wavy wavy transition transition to to 

Bws2 Bws2 yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly clay; clay; few few small small hard hard 

spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, fine fine to to medium medium subangular subangular 

blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few to to few, few, very very 

fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual and and wavy wavy transition transition to to 

Bws3 Bws3 yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly clay; clay; very very few few «5%) «5%) fine fine 

distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 2.5YR4/8 2.5YR4/8 mottles; mottles; few few small small hard hard spherical spherical iron iron 

concretions; concretions; weak weak fine fine to to medium medium subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly 

stick), stick), and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few to to few, few, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual 

and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

Bws4 Bws4 yellowish yellowish brown brown (I0YR5/8); (I0YR5/8); gravelly gravelly clay; clay; many many (25%) (25%) fine fine to to medium, medium, 

distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 2.5YR4/8 2.5YR4/8 mottles; mottles; few few small small to to large, large, hard hard irregular irregular to to 

spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak fine fine to to medium medium subangular subangular blocky; blocky; 

friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few very very fine fine to to fine fine roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws3 Bws3 

Bws4 Bws4 

Horizoo Horizoo 

Ab Ab 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws3 Bws3 

Bws4 Bws4 

Horizoo Horizoo 

Ab Ab 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws3 Bws3 

Bws4 Bws4 



Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in I'm I'm 

pH pH 

00 


Legend unit: Cu2 

Soil classification: classification: Acri-xanthic Acri-xanthic Ferralsol (FAO) 

Typic Kandiudult Kandiudult (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Description: 



About 1.5 km km S of Engomba Engomba village; 3°04'84 Nand 10°39'45 E 


360 m m 

Landform and slope: Rolling uplands; lower slope 15 - 20% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses of the Precambrian Precambrian shield 


Forest 

Drainage: 

Well drained 

Soil: 

Very deep, yellowish brown clay with sandy clay loam to to sandy clay 

topsoil 

Depth Depth (cm) 

0- 9 

9- 20 

20- 57 

57-160 

160-200 


Hor. Description Description 

Ah dark brown (lOYR3/3); (lOYR3/3); sandy clay loam; moderate moderate fine crumb to 

subangular subangular blocky; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; 

common fine to medium roots; clear and smooth transition to 

BA dark yellowish brown (lOYR4/4); (lOYR4/4); sandy clay loam; moderate fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very few to to 

common, common, fine to medium roots; clear and wavy transition transition to 

Bwsl yellowish yellowish brown (lOYR5/6); (IOYR5/6); sandy clay; few (5%) medium medium faint to 

distinct, diffuse 5YR5/8 5YR5/8 mottles; weak to moderate, moderate, very fine to fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; patchy patchy thin 

clay and humus humus cutanS; cutanS; very few to common, common, fme to coarse roots; gradual gradual 

and wavy transition transition to 

Bws2 yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/8); (lOYR5/8); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly clay; few medium medium faint 

diffuse 5YR5/8 5YR5/8 mottles; very few « 5 %) %) small hard spherical iron 

concretions; concretions; weak very fine to fine subangular subangular blocky; friable, slightly 

sticky and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; patchy patchy thin clay and humus humus cutans; cutans; few to to 

common, very fine to fine roots; gradual and smooth transition transition to 

Bv yellowish yellowish brown (lOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); gravelly gravelly clay; many (35%) medium medium faint 

diffuse 2.5YR4/8 2.5YR4/8 mottles; frequent small soft irregular iron concretions; 

concretions; 

weak very fine to fine subangular subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and 

slightly plastic; very few to common, common, very fine to medium roots. 


Ah 

BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 

Bv 


Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bv 


Ah 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bv 


Particle Particle size distribution distribution 

Depth (cm) % % offine earth; in J.lm 

pH 


Legend Legend unit: unit: Cu2 Cu2 

Soil Soil classification: classification: Acri-xanthic Acri-xanthic Ferralsol Ferralsol (FAO) (FAO) 

Typic Typic kandiudult kandiudult (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Description: 



About About I I km km S S of of Engomba Engomba village; village; 3°04'84 3°04'84 Nand Nand 10°39'45 10°39'45 E E 


390 390 m m 

Landform Landform and and slope: slope: Rolling Rolling uplands; uplands; upper upper slope slope 10- 10- 15% 15% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses Gneisses of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 


Forest Forest 



Soil: Soil: 




0- 0- 6 6 

6- 6- 16 16 

16- 16- 47 47 

47-200 47-200 

1I0r. 1I0r. Descri Descri ption ption 

Ah Ah dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR3/4); (IOYR3/4); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; moderate moderate to to strong, strong, 

very very fine fine crumb crumb to to subangular subangular blocky; blocky; very very friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and 

slightly slightly plastic; plastic; common common to to many, many, very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth 


BA BA yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/6); (lOYR5/6); sandy sandy clay; clay; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, very very fine fine to to 

fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly stick,), stick,), and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to 

common, common, very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

Bwsl Bwsl yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/8); (lOYR5/8); clay; clay; few few (5%) (5%) fine fine to to medium, medium, faint, faint, diffuse diffuse 

7.5YR6/8 7.5YR6/8 mottles; mottles; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, 

slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; patchy patchy thin thin clay clay cutans; cutans; few few to to 

common, common, fine fine to to coarse coarse roots; roots; diffuse diffuse and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

Bws2 Bws2 yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/8); (lOYR5/8); clay; clay; few few (10%) (10%) medium medium distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 

7.5YR6/8 7.5YR6/8 mottles; mottles; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, 

slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few very very fine fine to to fine fine roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws2 Bws2 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws2 Bws2 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bws2 Bws2 



Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in J.Im J.Im 

pH pH 

N N 












Soil: Soil: 

Depth Depth (cm) (cm) 1I0r. 1I0r. 

0- 0- 6 6 Ah Ah 

6- 6- 20 20 BA BA 

20- 20- 45 45 Bwsl Bwsl 

45-120 45-120 Bws2 Bws2 

120-200 120-200 BC BC 

Bh2 Bh2 




About About I I km km S S of of Ma'amenyin Ma'amenyin village; village; 3°03'58 3°03'58 Nand Nand 10°46'42 10°46'42 E E 

450m 450m 

Complex Complex of of hills; hills; lower lower slope slope 25 25 -- 35% 35% 

Gneisses Gneisses of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 





very very dark dark brown brown (7.5YR2.5/3); (7.5YR2.5/3); sandy sandy clay clay loam loam to to sandy sandy clay; clay; moderate moderate 

very very fine fine to to fine fine crumb crumb to to subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and 

slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to many, many, fine fine to to coarse coarse roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth 


dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR4/6); (IOYR4/6); sandy sandy clay; clay; moderate moderate very very fine fine to to fine fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly stick), stick), and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to many, many, 

fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (I (I OYR5/6); OYR5/6); clay; clay; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, very very fine fine subangular subangular 

block)'; block)'; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few to to many, many, fine fine 

to to coarse coarse roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); clay; clay; very very few few (2%) (2%) fine fine faint faint diffuse diffuse 5YR5/8 5YR5/8 

mottles; mottles; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, very very fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly 

sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to common, common, very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear 

and and wavy wavy transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); gravelly, gravelly, slightly slightly stony stony clay; clay; many many (15%) (15%) fine fine 

faint faint diffuse diffuse 5YR5/8 5YR5/8 mottles; mottles; few few small small to to large, large, hard hard irregular irregular to to angular angular 

iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak very very fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky 

and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few very very fine fine to to fine fine roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

BC BC 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

BC BC 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

BC BC 



Depth Depth % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in J.lnI J.lnI 

(cm) (cm) 

pH pH 





Description: 

Description: 







Soil: Soil: 


0- 0- 6 6 Ah Ah 

6- 6- 22 22 BA BA 

IV IV 22- 22- 74 74 Bwsl Bwsl 

VI VI 

74-127 74-127 Bws2 Bws2 

127-170 127-170 Bvl Bvl 

170-200 170-200 Bv2 Bv2 

DuI DuI 

Ferrali Ferrali ferric ferric Acrisol Acrisol (FAO) (FAO) 



About About 2 2 km km NW NW ofToko ofToko village; village; 2°57'28 2°57'28 Nand Nand 10°29'02 10°29'02 E E 

II0m II0m 

Undulating Undulating to to rolling rolling uplands; uplands; middle middle slope slope 5 5 -- 10% 10% 

Gneisses Gneisses of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 

Moderately Moderately well well drained drained 

Vel)' Vel)' deep, deep, yellowish yellowish brown brown sandy sandy clay clay to to clay clay with with loamy loamy sand sand to to sandy sandy loam loam topsoil topsoil 

Description 

Description 

dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (I (I OYR4/4); OYR4/4); loamy loamy sand sand to to sandy sandy loam; loam; weak weak vel)' vel)' fine fine granular granular 

and and weakly weakly coherent coherent slructure; slructure; loose loose 10 10 vel)' vel)' friable, friable, non non slicky slicky and and slighlly slighlly plastic; plastic; 

common, common, vel)' vel)' fine fine 10 10 fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth Iransition Iransition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/6); (IOYR5/6); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, vel)' vel)' fine fine 10 10 fine fine 

subangular subangular bloc).:y; bloc).:y; friable, friable, slighlly slighlly slicky slicky and and slighlly slighlly plastic; plastic; few few 10 10 common, common, fine fine to to 

coarse coarse rools; rools; gradual gradual and and smoolh smoolh Iransilion Iransilion 10 10 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR518); (IOYR518); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; few few (10%) (10%) fine fine faint faint diffuse diffuse 7.5YR518 7.5YR518 

mOllles; mOllles; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, vel)' vel)' fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slighlly slighlly sticky sticky 

and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to many, many, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition 

to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/8); (IOYR5/8); vel)' vel)' gravelly, gravelly, stony stony sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; few few (15%) (15%) fine fine faint faint 

diffuse diffuse 7.5YR5/8 7.5YR5/8 monIes; monIes; few few to to frequenl, frequenl, small small to to large, large, soft soft 10 10 hard, hard, irregular irregular to to 

spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, vel)' vel)' fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; 

friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few, few, vel)' vel)' fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual and and 

smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (I (I OYR518); OYR518); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly clay clay loam; loam; many many (20%) (20%) medium medium 

prominenl prominenl clear clear 5YR5/8 5YR5/8 monIes; monIes; vel)' vel)' few few 10 10 few, few, small small soft soft to to hard, hard, spherical spherical iron iron 

concretions; concretions; weak weak fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly slicky slicky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; 

vel)' vel)' few few vel)' vel)' fine fine 10 10 fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYRS/8); (IOYRS/8); gravelly gravelly clay clay loam; loam; many many (35%) (35%) medium medium prominent prominent clear clear 

2.5YR4/8 2.5YR4/8 monIes; monIes; vel)' vel)' few few to to frequent, frequent, small small soft soft to to hard, hard, irregular irregular to to spherical spherical iron iron 

concretions; concretions; weak weak fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slighlly slighlly plastic; plastic; 

no no roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bvl Bvl 

Bv2 Bv2 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bvl Bvl 

Bv2 Bv2 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bvl Bvl 

Bv2 Bv2 


Particle Particle size size distribulion distribulion 

Deplh Deplh (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in !lm !lm 

pH pH 

t-.J 

0\ 

PROFILE 139 

Legend Legend unit: unit: DuI 



Description: 


Location: 

About About I I km km NW NW ofToko ofToko village; village; Z056'59 Z056'59 Nand Nand 10°29'84 10°29'84 E E 

Elevation: 

140m 

Landform and slope: Undulating to rolling uplands; lower slope 10% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses Gneisses of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Vegetation: 

Forest Forest 


Moderately Moderately well well to to well well drained drained 

Soil: 

Very deep, deep, yellowish yellowish brown brown sandy sandy clay clay to to clay clay with with loamy loamy sand sand to to sandy sandy 

loam topsoil 


0- 0- 7 

7- 7- 17 17 

17- 42 

42- 82 

82-157 82-157 

157-205 157-205 

1I0r. 1I0r. 

Description 

Ah Ah dark brown brown (lOYR3/3); (lOYR3/3); sandy loam; loam; moderate moderate very fine fine to to fine fine crumb crumb to to 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; very very friable, friable, non non sticky, sticky, slightly slightly plastic plastic and and weakly weakly 

smeary; smeary; common common to to many, many, very very fine fine to to fine roots; roots; clear and and smooth smooth 


BA BA dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR4/6); (lOYR4/6); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, very very 

fine fine to fine subangular subangular blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; 

very very few, fine to medium medium roots; roots; clear clear and smooth transition to 

Bwsl Bwsl yellowish brown (IOYR5/6); sandy clay loam; moderate very fine to fine 

sub sub angular block],; block]'; friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to 

few, few, very fine fine to to fine fine roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

Bws2 yellowish brown (lOYR5/8); sandy sandy clay; clay; few (2-5%) (2-5%) fine faint diffuse 

7.5YR5/8 monies; weak to moderate, very fine to fine subangular blocky; 

friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine to fine roots; 


Bws3 yellowish brown (IOYR5/8); sandy clay to clay; clay; few (10%) fine faint 

diffuse 5YR5/8 monies; weak to moderate, very fine to fine subangular 

block]'; block],; friable, friable, slightly slightly stick], stick], and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few very very fine fine roots; roots; 


Bv Bv yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/8); (lOYR5/8); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly sandy sandy clay clay to to clay; clay; many many 

(25%) (25%) medium medium distinct distinct clear clear 2.5YR4/8 monies; monies; very very few few to to few, few, small small soft soft 

to hard, hard, spherical spherical to to irregular irregular iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak fine fine subangular subangular 

blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky and slightly plastic; plastic; no roots. 

Horizon Horizon Depth (cm) 



% % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in J.lm J.lm 

pH 

PROFILE PROFILE ISO ISO 

Legend Legend unit: unit: Dpd Dpd 

Soil Soil classification: classification: Acri-plinthic Acri-plinthic Ferralsol Ferralsol (FAO) (FAO) 

Plinthudult Plinthudult (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Description: 

On On 11-07-95 11-07-95 by by Gerard Gerard Ilazeu Ilazeu 


About About 300 300 m m NE NE of of Melen Melen village; village; 3 3 °02'80 °02'80 Nand Nand 10°31'64 10°31'64 E E 


Landfarm Landfarm and and slupe: slupe: Undulating Undulating dissech:d dissech:d erosional erosional plain; plain; lower lower slope slope 0 0 -- 5% 5% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses Gneisses and/or and/or migmatites migmatites of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 


Cacao Cacao plantation plantation 



Soil: Soil: 

Deep, Deep, yellowish yellowish brown brown sandy sandy clay clay to to clay clay with with loamy loamy sand sand to to sandy sandy loam loam 



0- 0- 6 6 

6- 6- 17 17 

17- 17- 48 48 

48- 48- 78 78 

78-160 78-160 

Hor. Hor. 

120m 120m 


Ah Ah dark dark greyish greyish brown brown (lOYR4/1); (lOYR4/1); loamy loamy sand; sand; weakly weakly coherent coherent single single grain; grain; 

loose, loose, loose, loose, non non sticky sticky and and non non plastic; plastic; very very few few to to few, few, fine fine to to medium medium 

roots; roots; abrupt abrupt and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

BA BA very very pale pale brown brown (IOYR8/3); (IOYR8/3); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly loamy loamy sand sand to to sandy sandy loam; loam; 

moderately moderately coherent coherent single single grain grain and and porous porous massive; massive; loose, loose, loose, loose, non non 

sticky sticky and and non non plastic; plastic; few few very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth 


Bws Bws yellow yellow (lOYR7/8); (lOYR7/8); very very gravelly gravelly sandy sandy clay; clay; many many (20%) (20%) fine fine faint faint diffuse diffuse 

5YR5/8 5YR5/8 mottles; mottles; few few small small hard hard spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak fine fine 

subangular subangular blocky blocky and and strongly strongly coherent coherent porous porous massive; massive; friable, friable, slightly slightly 

sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual and and 

smooth smooth transition transition to to 

Bv Bv I I yellow yellow (I (I OYR OYR 7/6); 7/6); very very gravelly gravelly clay; clay; many many (20%) (20%) medium medium distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 

2.5YR4/8 2.5YR4/8 mottles; mottles; very very few few to to frequent, frequent, small small to to large, large, soft soft to to hard, hard, 

irregular irregular to to spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular 

blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few fine fine roots; roots; 

diffuse diffuse and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

Bv2 Bv2 light light yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR6/4); (IOYR6/4); gravelly gravelly clay; clay; many many (20%) (20%) medium medium 

prominent prominent diffuse diffuse 2.5YR4/8 2.5YR4/8 mottles; mottles; few few to to frequent, frequent, small small to to large, large, soft soft 

to to hard, hard, irregular irregular to to spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few 

fine fine roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bws Bws 

Bvl Bvl 

Bv2 Bv2 

Bv2 Bv2 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bws Bws 

Bvl Bvl 

Bv2 Bv2 

Bv2 Bv2 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bws Bws 

Bvl Bvl 

Bv2 Bv2 

Bv2 Bv2 



Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; inllm inllm 

pH pH 

10 

00 

PROFILE PROFILE ISI ISI 

Legend Legend unit: Dpd 

Soil classification: classification: Ferrali Ferrali haplic haplic Acrisol Acrisol (FAO) (FAO) 

Typic Kandiudult Kandiudult (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Description: 

On 11-07-95 11-07-95 by Gerard Gerard Hazeu Hazeu 


About 200 m SW of Melen village; 3 °02'80 Nand 10°31 '64 E 


Landform and slope: Undulating Undulating dissected erosional plain; lower slope 0 - 5% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses Gneisses and/or and/or migmatites migmatites of the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 


Secondary Secondary forest lorest 


Well drained 

Soil: 

Deep, yellowish yellowish brown sandy clay loam with loamy sand to sand topsoil 

Depth (cm) 

0- 7 

7- 15 

15- 38 

38- 80 

80-\20 80-\20 

120m 

1I0r. Description Description 

Ah dark greyish greyish brown (IOYR4/1); (IOYR4/I); loamy sand; weakly weakly coherent coherent single grain; 

loose, loose, non sticky and non plastic; plastic; many very fine to fine roots; roots; clear 

and smooth smooth transition transition to 

AB brown (IOYR5/3); (IOYR5/3); sand; moderately moderately coherent porous massive; loose, non 

sticky and slightly plastic; few to common, fine fine to to medium roots; clear and 

smooth smooth transition transition to 

BA pale yellow (2.5Y7/4); (2.5Y7/4); 10anlY sand; weak very fine subangular subangular blocky and 

moderately moderately coherent coherent porous massive; massive; very friable, non sticky and non 

plastic; plastic; few to common, common, fine to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and smooth smooth 

transition transition to 

Bwsl brownish yellow (lOYR6/6); (iOYR6/6); slightly gravelly sandy clay loam; few (2%) 

fine faint diffuse 5YR5/8 mottles; weak very fine to fine subangular subangular 

blocky; very friable, slightly sticky and slightly plastic; few very fine to 

fine roots; clear and wavy transition transition to 

Bws2 brownish brownish yellow (I0YR6/6); (IOYR6/6); very gravelly, gravelly, stony sandy sandy clay loam; few 

(5%) fine faint diffuse 5YR5/8 mottles; few small to large, hard irregular 

iron concretions; concretions; weak fine subangular subangular blocky; friable, slightly sticky and 


Horizon 

Ah 

AB 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 


Ah 

AB 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 

Horizon 

Ah 

AB 

BA 

Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bwsl 

Profile 151 151 

Particle Particle size distribution distribution 

Depth (cm) % offine earth; in ).101 J.Im 

pH 


Legend Legend unit: unit: Du2 Du2 

Soil Soil classification: classification: lIaplic lIaplic Acrisol Acrisol (FAO) (FAO) 

Typic Typic Paleudult Paleudult (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Description: 




Landform Landform and and slope: slope: Rolling Rolling uplands; uplands; lower lower slope slope 20% 20% 

Parent Parent material: material: Gneisses Gneisses and/or and/or migmatites migmatites of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 


Forest Forest 



Soil: Soil: 

Very Very deep, deep, yellowish yellowish brown brown sandy sandy clay clay to to clay clay with with sandy sandy loam loam to to loamy loamy 

sand sand topsoil topsoil 


0- 0- 4 4 

4- 4- 16 16 

16- 16- 36 36 

36-100 36-100 

100-160 100-160 

Hor. Hor. 

About2.S About2.S km km SW SW ofMelen ofMelen village; village; 3°02'80 3°02'80 Nand Nand 10°31'64 10°31'64 E E 

170m 170m 


Ah Ah very very dark dark brown brown (lOYR2/2); (lOYR2/2); sandy sandy loam; loam; weak weak very very fine fine crumb crumb and and 

weakly weakly coherent coherent single single grain; grain; loose, loose, non non sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; 

common common to to many, many, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

AE AE yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYRS/4); (lOYRS/4); loamy loamy sand; sand; weak weak very very fine fine subangular subangular 

blocky blocky and and weakly weakly coherent coherent single single grain; grain; very very friable, friable, non non sticky sticky and and non non 

plastic; plastic; few few to to common, common, very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth 


Bwsl Bwsl yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYRS/6); (IOYRS/6); sandy sandy loam; loam; few few (5 (5 -10%) -10%) fine fine distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 

7.5YR5/8 7.5YR5/8 moUles; moUles; weak weak fine fine subangular subangular blocky blocky and and weakly weakly coherent coherent 

single single grain; grain; very very friable, friable, non non sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few very very fine fine to to 

fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual and and wavy wavy transition transition to to 

Bws2 Bws2 yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYRS/8); (lOYRS/8); gravelly gravelly sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; few few (10%) (10%) fine fine to to 

medium, medium, distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 7.SYR5/8 7.SYR5/8 mottles; mottles; few few small small hard hard spherical spherical iron iron 

concretions; concretions; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, very very fine fine to to fine fine angular angular to to subangular subangular 

blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few very very fine fine to to 

fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual and and wavy wavy transition transition to to 

Bv Bv yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/8); (lOYR5/8); gravelly gravelly clay; clay; many many (30%) (30%) medium medium distinct distinct 

to to prominent, prominent, clear clear IOYR7/8 IOYR7/8 moUles; moUles; few few to to frequent, frequent, small small soft soft to to hard, hard, 

irregular irregular to to spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak to to moderate, moderate, very very fine fine to to fine fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few 

very very fine fine to to fine fine roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

AE AE 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bv Bv 


Ah Ah 

AE AE 

Bwsl Bwsl 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bv Bv 


Ah Ah 

AE AE 

BwsI BwsI 

Bws2 Bws2 

Bv Bv 



Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in Ilm Ilm 

pH pH 

PROFILE 218 







Landform Landform and slope: 




Soil: 

Depth Depth (cm) (cm) 1I0r. 1I0r. 

0-3 Ah Ah 

w 

0 3-16125 AE AE 

16125-S0 16125-S0 Bwsl Bwsl 

80-lIS 80-11S Bv 

118-130 118-130 BC BC 

Du2 Du2 

Ferralic plinthic Acrisol (FAO) 

Plinthudult Plinthudult (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 


About About 2.5 km SW SW of Melen Melen village; village; 3 3 °02'80 °02'80 Nand Nand 10°31 10°31 '64 '64 E E 

220 220 m m 

Rolling uplands; upper slope 15% 

Gneisses Gneisses and/or and/or migmatites migmatites of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 

Moderately Moderately well drained 

Deep, yellowish brown, sandy clay to clay with sandy loam to loamy sand 


Description 

very very dark dark greyish greyish brown brown (IOYR3/2); (IOYR3/2); 10anlY 10anlY sand; sand; weak weak very very fine fine crumb crumb 

and weakly coherent single grain; loose, non sticky and non plastic; 

common common to to many, many, very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish brown (IOYR5/4); sandy loam; weak very fine subangular 

block-y and moderately coherent single grain; very friable, non sticky and 

slightly slightly plastic; few to common, fine to medium roots; gradual and wavy 

transition to 

brownish brownish yellow (IOYR6/S); gravelly sandy clay loam; many (15 - 25%) 

medium medium faint faint to to distinct, distinct, diffuse diffuse 7.5YR5/S 7.5YR5/S mottles; mottles; few few small small hard hard 

spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak to moderate, moderate, very very fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular 

blocky; blocky; friable, slightly slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few to common, 

fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

light light yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR6/4); (IOYR6/4); very very gravelly gravelly sandy sandy clay; clay; many many (25 (25 -- 

40%) 40%) medium medium distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 7.5YR6/8 7.5YR6/8 mottles; mottles; frequent frequent small small hard hard 

spherical spherical iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak to moderate, moderate, very very fine fine to fine fine subangular subangular 

blocky; friable, slightly slightly sticky and slightly plastic; very few very fine to 

fine roots; gradual and smooth transition to 

light light yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR6/4); (IOYR6/4); very very gravelly gravelly sandy sandy clay; clay; many many (25 (25 -- 

40%) 40%) medium medium distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 7.5YR6/8 7.5YR6/8 mottles; mottles; few few small small to to large, large, soft soft 

irregular irregular to to angular angular iron iron concretions; concretions; weak weak very very fine fine subangular subangular blocky blocky and and 

moderately coherent massive; friable, slightly sticky sticky and slightly slightly plastic; 

no no roots. roots. 

Horizon Horizon Depth Depth (cm) (cm) 


Particle size distribution distribution 

% % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in flm flm 

pH pH 

w w 








Landfonn Landfonn and and slope: slope: 




Soil: Soil: 


0- 0- 3 3 Ah Ah 

3 3 -- 14 14 BA BA 

14-79 14-79 Bws Bws 

Du2 Du2 




About About 2.5 2.5 km km SW SW ofMelen ofMelen village; village; 3 3 °02'80 °02'80 Nand Nand 10°31 10°31 '64 '64 E E 

220 220 m m 

Rolling Rolling uplands; uplands; upper upper slope slope 15% 15% 

Gm:isses Gm:isses and/or and/or migmatites migmatites of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 


Moderately Moderately deep, deep, yellowish yellowish brown brown sandy sandy clay clay to to clay clay with with sandy sandy loam loam to to 

loamy loamy sand sand topsoil topsoil 


dark dark brown brown (lOYR3/3); (lOYR3/3); sandy sandy loam; loam; weak weak very very fine fine crumb crumb to to subangular subangular 

blocky; blocky; very very friable, friable, slightly slightly stick), stick), and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; common common to to many, many, 

very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition 

dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR4/6); (IOYR4/6); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; very very friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to 

many, many, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; gradual gradual and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (lOYR5/8); (lOYR5/8); clay; clay; moderate moderate fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; 

friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to common, common, very very fine fine to to 

fine fine roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bws Bws 

CB CB 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bws Bws 

CB CB 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bws Bws 

CB CB 



Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in j.lm j.lm 

pH pH 





Description: 

Description: 



Landforrn Landforrn and and slope: slope: 




Soil: Soil: 


0- 0- 5 5 Ah Ah 

w w 

w 5- 5- 12 12 BA BA 

12- 12- 75 75 Bws Bws 

75-100 75-100 Bo/r Bo/r 

100-135 100-135 Cr Cr 

E E in in Dui Dui 

Ferrali-gleyic Ferrali-gleyic Cambisol Cambisol (FAO) (FAO) 

Oxyaquic Oxyaquic Dystropept Dystropept (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 


About About 2 2 km km NW NW ofToko ofToko village; village; 2° 2° 57'28 57'28 Nand Nand 10°29'02 10°29'02 E E 

lOOm lOOm 

Undulating Undulating to to rolling rolling uplands; uplands; valley valley bottom bottom 

Alluvial Alluvial deposists deposists derived derived from from gneisses gneisses of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 

Poorly Poorly to to imperfectly imperfectly drained drained 

Moderately Moderately deep, deep, yellow yellow loamy loamy sand sand to to sandy sandy loam loam with with humic humic topsoil topsoil 


very very dark dark brown brown (IOYR2/2); (IOYR2/2); loamy loamy sand; sand; weakly weakly coherent coherent structure structure and and 

weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine crumb crumb to to subangular subangular blocky; blocky; loose, loose, non non sticky, sticky, 

slightly slightly plastic; plastic; many, many, very very fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition 

to to 

yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR5/4); (IOYR5/4); loamy loamy sand; sand; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular 

blocky; blocky; non non sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to many, many, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; 


yellow yellow (IOYR7/8); (IOYR7/8); sandy sandy loam; loam; weak weak very very fine fine to to fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; 

slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; very very few few to to few, few, fine fine to to medium medium roots; roots; 

clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

yellow yellow (2.5Y7/6); (2.5Y7/6); gravelly gravelly loamy loamy sand; sand; few few (I (I 5%) 5%) medium medium prominent prominent clear clear 

7.5YR5/8 7.5YR5/8 mottles; mottles; moderately moderately coherent coherent structure; structure; few few fine fine roots; roots; gradual gradual 


grey grey (IG6/5GY); (IG6/5GY); fine fine sand; sand; few few (5%) (5%) medium medium distinct distinct diffuse diffuse 7.5YR5/8 7.5YR5/8 

mottles; mottles; weakly weakly to to moderately moderately coherent coherent structure; structure; few few fine fine roots. roots. 



Horizon Horizon Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in).lm in).lm 

pH pH 

w w 

Vl Vl 








Landforrn Landforrn and and slope: slope: 




Soil: Soil: 


0- 0- 3 3 Ah Ah 

3-15 3-15 BA BA 

15-47 15-47 C C 

47-70 47-70 er er 

E E in in Dpd Dpd 

Dystric Dystric Fluvisol Fluvisol (FAO) (FAO) 

Fluvaquent Fluvaquent (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 


About About 2 2 km km NE NE ofObo'otomba ofObo'otomba village; village; 3°04'11 3°04'11 Nand Nand 10°35'68 10°35'68 E E 

Unknown Unknown 

Undulating Undulating dissected dissected erosional erosional plain; plain; valley valley bottom bottom 

Alluvial Alluvial deposits deposits derived derived from from gneisses gneisses and/or and/or migmatites migmatites of of the the 

Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 

Poorly Poorly drained drained 

Moderately Moderately deep, deep, grey grey to to white white sand sand with with very very dark dark brown brown topsoil topsoil 


very very dark dark brown brown (I (I OYR2/2); OYR2/2); sandy sandy clay clay loam; loam; moderately moderately coherent; coherent; very very 

friable, friable, non non stid:y, stid:y, slightly slightly plastic plastic and and weakly weakly smeary; smeary; few few fine fine to to medium medium 

roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

light light yellowish yellowish grey grey (IOYR6/2); (IOYR6/2); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly coarse coarse sand; sand; weakly weakly 

coherent coherent single single grain; grain; loose, loose, non non sticky sticky and and non non plastic; plastic; few few very very fine fine to to 

fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

dark dark yellowish yellowish brown brown (IOYR3/4); (IOYR3/4); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly loamy loamy sand; sand; moderately moderately 

coherent; coherent; very very friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; no no roots; roots; abrupt abrupt 


(IG7/5GY); (IG7/5GY); slightly slightly gravelly, gravelly, slightly slightly stony stony sandy sandy loam; loam; strongly strongly coherent coherent 

porous porous massive massive structure; structure; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; no no 

roots. roots. 



Horizon Horizon Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % of of fine fine earth; earth; in in Ilm Ilm 

pH pH 

w 

0\ 

PROFILE 184 




Description: 

Location: 




Vegetation: 

Vegetation: 


Soil: 

Depth Depth (cm) (cm) 1I0r. 

0- 3 Ah 

3-13 3-13 Acr Acr 

13-43 Cri 

43-66 43-66 Cr2 

E in Dpd 

Dystric Dystric Fluvisol (FAO) (FAO) 

Psammaquent (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

On On 26-07-95 by Gerard lIazeu 


Unknown 

Undulating Undulating dissected erosional plain; valley bottom 

Alluvial deposits derived from gneisses and/or migmatites of the 

Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 

Forest Forest 

Poorly drained 

Deep, grey to white sand with very dark brown topsoil 

Description 

very dark dark brown brown (IOYR2/2); sandy sandy loam; moderately coherent; coherent; slightly 

stick)" slightly plastic and weakly smeary; many to abundant, very fine to 

fine roots; clear and smooth smooth transition to 

grey (I OYR5/1); loamy loamy fine sand; weakly weakly coherent coherent single grain; very 

friable, non sticky and slightly plastic; very few to few, very fine to fine 

roots; gradual and wavy transition to 

white (lOYR8/1); slightly gravelly loamy medium sand; weakly coherent 

single grain; very friable, non sticky and non plastic; no roots; gradual and 


light grey (IOYR 7 /I); slightly gravelly, slightly stony loamy coarse sand; 

weakly coherent single single grain; grain; very friable, non sticky and slightly plastic; 

no roots. 

Horizon 

Depth Depth (cm) Profile Profile 184 


% % of fine earth; earth; in in um urn 

pH 


Legend Legend unit unit E E in in Cu2 Cu2 

Soil Soil classification: classification: Dystric Dystric Fluvisol Fluvisol (FAO) (FAO) 

Lythic Lythic Endoaquent Endoaquent (Soil (Soil Taxonomy) Taxonomy) 

Description: 

Description: 

On On 10-08-95 10-08-95 by by Gerard Gerard Ilazeu Ilazeu 


About About 1.5 1.5 km km S S of of Engomba Engomba village; village; 3 3 °04'84 °04'84 Nand Nand 10°39'45 10°39'45 E E 


340 340 m m 

Landform Landform and and slope: slope: Rolling Rolling uplands; uplands; valley valley bottom bottom 

Parent Parent material: material: Alluvial Alluvial deposits deposits derived derived from from gneisses gneisses of of the the Precambrian Precambrian shield shield 


Forest Forest 


Poorly Poorly drained drained 

Soil: Soil: 

Moderately Moderately deep, deep, grey grey sandy sandy loam loam with with very very dark dark brown brown topsoil topsoil 


0- 0- 4 4 

4-15 4-15 

15-43 15-43 

43-68 43-68 

Hor. Hor. 


Ah Ah very very dark dark brown brown (IOYR2/2); (IOYR2/2); sand; sand; moderately moderately coherent; coherent; very very friable, friable, 

slightly slightly stick)', stick)', slightly slightly plastic plastic and and weakly weakly smeary; smeary; common common to to many, many, very very 

fine fine to to fine fine roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

BA BA light light yellowish yellowish brown brown (2.5Y6/4); (2.5Y6/4); slightly slightly gravelly gravelly sandy sandy loam; loam; weak weak very very 

fine fine subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to 

common, common, very very fine fine to to coarse coarse roots; roots; clear clear and and smooth smooth transition transition to to 

Bolr Bolr light light yellowish yellowish brown brown (2.5Y6/3); (2.5Y6/3); gravelly gravelly and and slightly slightly stony stony sandy sandy loam; loam; 

few few {I {I 0%) 0%) fine fine to to medium, medium, distinct distinct clear clear 7.5YR6/8 7.5YR6/8 mottles; mottles; weak weak very very fine fine 

subangular subangular blocky; blocky; friable, friable, slightly slightly sticky sticky and and slightly slightly plastic; plastic; few few to to 

common, common, very very fine fine to to coarse coarse roots; roots; abrupt abrupt and and irregular irregular transition transition to to 

CB CB grey grey (2.5Y6/1); (2.5Y6/1); gravelly, gravelly, sandy sandy loam loam and and rock rock boulders; boulders; many many (25%) (25%) 

medium medium distinct distinct clear clear 7.5YR5/8 7.5YR5/8 mottles; mottles; moderately moderately coherent coherent porous porous 

massive massive structure; structure; no no roots. roots. 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bolr Bolr 

CB CB 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bolr Bolr 

CB CB 


Ah Ah 

BA BA 

Bolr Bolr 

CB CB 



Depth Depth (cm) (cm) % % offine offine earth; earth; in).lm in).lm 

pH pH 

00 

M

ANNEX V Vegetation data 

ANNEX V Vegetation data 

V.A List of identified plant species recorded in the TCP research area 

V.A List of identified plant species recorded in the TCP research area 

V.B Summary table of the plant communities in the TCP research area 


139 

139



Distribution of plant species in the different plant communities in the TCP research area. The first 

part concerns the differential species of the plant communities. In the second part, the distribution 

Distribution of plant species in the different plant communities in the TCP research area. The first 

part concerns the differential species of the plant communities. In the second part, the distribution 

of the non-differentiating species is presented in alphabetical order. Species presence is indicated 

of the non-differentiating species is presented in alphabetical order. Species presence is indicated 

as relative frequency; i.e. number of releves in the plant community in which the species is found. 

The lists of both differential and non-differential species include taxonomic entities which are in 

fact clusters of species. These clusters are indicated by the suffix 'group' (gr). 

as relative frequency; i.e. number of reI eves in the plant community in which the species is found. 

The lists of both differential and non-differential species include taxonomic entities which are in 

fact clusters of species. These clusters are indicated by the suffix 'group' (gr). 

Plant communities: I = Maranthes-Anisophyllea community; IIa = Podococcus-Polyalthia 

community; lIb = Strombosia-Polyalthia community; IIc = Diospyros-Polyalthia community; III 

Plant communities: I = Maranthes-Anisophyllea community; IIa = Podococcus-Polyalthia 

community; lIb = Strombosia-Polyalthia community; IIc = Diospyros-Polyalthia community; III 

= Carapa-Mitragyna community; IV = Xylopia-Musanga community; and V = Macaranga 

= Carapa-Mitragyna community; IV = Xylopia-Musanga community; and V = Macaranga 

Chromolaena community. Frequency classes: r= Ix; += 1-9%; 1= 10-19%; II=20-39%; III=40-59%; 

IV=60-79% and V=80-1 00%. An indication of the growth form is added: LT=large tree (diameter 

at breast height (dbh) > 60cm; total height (H) > 40m); MT=medium-sized tree (dbh 20-60cm; H 

15-40m); ST=smaII tree (dbh 5-20cm; H < 15m); S=shrub (dbh< 5; H< 10; often multiple stems); 

WC=woody climber; NC=non-woody climber or vine; PL=palmoid liana; H=terrestrial herb 

(broad leaved); GH=graminoid herb; P=(acaulescent) palm; TF=tree fern. 

Chromolaena community. Frequency classes: FIx; +=1-9%; 1=10-19%; II=20-39%; III=40-59%; 

IV=60-79% and V=80-1 00%. An indication of the growth form is added: LT=large tree (diameter 

at breast height (dbh) > 60cm; total height (H) > 40m); MT=medium-sized tree (dbh 20-60cm; H 

I5-40m); ST=small tree (dbh 5-20cm; H < 15m); S=shrub (dbh< 5; H< 10; often multiple stems); 

WC=woody climber; NC=non-woody climber or vine; PL=palmoid liana; H=terrestrial herb 

(broadleaved); GH=graminoid herb; P=(acaulescent) palm; TF=tree fern. 

1. Differential species 

1. Differential species 

Vegetation type 


Nnmber of releves 

N nmber of rei eves 

la 

11 

11 

13 

lIb IIc III IV 

23 21 12 16 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I) 

Drypetes gr 1 V II I + + 

AnisophyIIea polyneura V II II r + 

Scorodophloeus zenkeri IV II + + + 

Maranthes glabra IV 

Gambeya grl IV II I I I 

Baphia leptobotrys HI I I I + I 

Cola attiensis HI + + + 

Diospyros hoyleana III + I + 

Garcinia lucida II r r 

Anopyxis klaineana II 

Polyceratocarpus parviflorus II + r 

Agelaea hirsuta II + 

Diospyros crassiflora II + r 

Xylopia quintasii I r 

Pachypodanthum barteri I 

Majidea fosteri I 

Strychnos hirsuta I 

Pol ia condensata I 

Olax subscopioidea I + 

Dicranolepis sp I I + 

la 

11 

11 

13 

V Growth form 

18 

ST 

+ LT 

+ LT 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I) and the Podococcus 

Polyalthia community (Iia) 

Monopetalanthus grl IV III II I II + 

Raphia spI (cf. regalis) IV IV + + P 

Geophila sp I II II r + H 

149 

lIb IIc III IV 

23 21 12 16 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I) 

Drypetes gr 1 V II I + + 

AnisophylIea polyneura V II II r + 

Scorodophloeus zenkeri IV II + + + 

Maranthes glabra IV 

Gambeya grI IV II I I I 

Baphia leptobotrys HI I I I + I 

Cola attiensis HI + + + 

Diospyros hoyleana III + I + 

Garcinia lucida II r r 

Anopyxis klaineana II 

Polyceratocarpus parviflorus II + r 

Agelaea hirsuta II + 

Diospyros crassiflora II + r 

Xylopia quintasii I r 

Pachypodanthum barteri I 

Majidea fosteri I 

Strychnos hirsuta I 

Polia condensata I 

Olax subscopioidea I + 

Dicranolepis spI I + 

V Growth form 

18 

ST 

+ LT 

+ LT 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I) and the Podococcus 

Polyalthia community (Iia) 

Monopetalanthus gr I IV III II I II + 

Raphia spl (cf. regalis) IV IV + + P 

Geophila sp I II II r + H 

149 

MT 

MT 

MT 

MT 

MT 

ST 

ST 

ST 

LT 

MT 

ST 

ST 

ST 

LT 

MT 

MT 

WL 

WL 

MT 

MT 

MT 

MT 

LT 

MT 

LT 

MT 

WC 

H 

WC 

H 

MT 

MT 

ST 

ST

Vegetation type la U lIb lIe III IV V Growth form 

Vegetation type la 11 lIb lIe III IV V Growth form 

Number of releves 11 13 23 21 12 16 18 

Number of rei eves 11 13 23 21 12 16 18 

Acioa staudtii Il r MT 

Drypetes leonensis Il ST 

Mapania amplivaginata II GH 

Toubaouate brevipaniculata I I + LT 

Begonia grl I I r + H 

Acioa staudtii Il r MT 

Drypetes leonensis Il ST 

Mapania amplivaginata II GH 

Toubaouate brevipaniculata + LT 

Begonia grI r + H 

Differential species of the Podococcus-Polyalthi community (IIa) 

Differential species of the Podococcus-Polyalthi community (IIa) 

Hymenostegia afzelii IV I r MT 

Podococcus barteri + III I + I P 

Crotonogyne preussii + II r S 

Tabernaemontana sp 1 + II r + ST 

Culcasia dinklagei + II H 

Duboscia macrocarpa + II r r + LT 

Petersianthus africanus II r r + LT 

Rhaptopetalum sp I I ST 

Hymenostegia afzelii IV I r MT 

Podococcus barteri + III I + I P 

Crotonogyne preussii + II r S 

Tabernaemontana sp 1 + 11 r + ST 

Culcasia dinklagei + II H 

Duboscia macrocarpa + II r r + LT 

Petersianthus africanus II r r + LT 

Rhaptopetalum sp 1 I ST 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I), the Podococcus-Polyalthia 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I), the Podococcus-Polyalthia 

community (Ua), and the Strombosia-Polyalthia community (lIb) 

community (IIa), and the Strombosia-Polyalthia community (lIb) 

TrecuIia obovoidea V III V + I + MT 

Calpocalyx gr 1 II I I r 

Treculia obovoidea V III V + I + MT 

Cal pocal yx gr 1 II I I r 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I), and the Polyalthia 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I), and the Polyalthia 

community group (11) 

community group (11) 

Ptychopetalum petiolatum III IV III III + 11 I MT 

Sorindeia sp I II II 11 II + 

Symphonia globulifera I I + I MT 

Dichostemma glaucescens I III 11 I + MT 

Ptychopetalum petiolatum III IV III III + 11 I MT 

Sorindeia sp 1 II II 11 II + 

Symphonia globulifera I I + I MT 

Dichostemma glaucescens I III 11 I + MT 

Differential species of the Polyalthia community group (11) 

Differential species of the Polyalthia community group (11) 

Polyalthia suaveolens IV IV IV 11 I MT 

Grossera gr 1 II IV IV IV I III + 

Scaphopetalum blackii II IV IV III 11 + I ST 

PIagiostyles africana II IV IV IV III I + MT 

DiaIium grl II III IV IV II + 

Agelaea spI II II III + + 

Tricalysia gr I III I III + + S 

Desbordesia glaucescens II III + + + LT 

Diospyros bipindensis II II II + 

Diospyros obliquifolia + II 11 I + ST 

Guarea grl Il 

Carpolobia grl + II II + + I ST 

Antidesma laciantum II + MT 

Erythrophleum ivorense II III + + LT 

Polyalthia suaveolens IV IV IV II I MT 

Grossera gr 1 II IV IV IV I III + 

Scaphopetalum blackii II IV IV III II + I ST 

Plagiostyles africana II IV IV IV III I + MT 

DiaIium grl II III IV IV II + 

Agelaea sp 1 11 II III + + 

Tricalysia grl 1II I III + + S 

Desbordesia glaucescens II III + + + LT 

Diospyros bipindensis II II II + 

Diospyros obliquifolia + Il II I + ST 

Guarea grl II 

Carpolobia grl + Il II + + I ST 

Antidesma laciantum 11 + MT 

Erythrophleum ivorense II III + + LT 

150 

150

Vegetation type la 

N umber of rei eves 23 21 12 16 18 


Number of releves 

11 

11 

13 

lIb IIc III IV V Growth form 

Differential species of the Strombosia-Polylthia community (lIb) 

Grewia coriacea + II r + I MT 

Saccoglottis gabonensis I r + + LT 

Differential species of the Strombosia-Polyalthia community (lIb) and the Diospyros- 

PolyaIthia community (lIc) 

Calpocalyx dinklagei I HI HI I I 

MT 

Rinorea kamerunensis II I HI IV + I 

ST 

Olax staudtii + II I + + ST 

Chrytranthus talbotii II n I + MT 

Klainedoxa gabonensis I II 

LT 

Lasianthera africana + II III I I 

S 

Differential species of the Diospyros-Polyalthia community (lIc) 

Diospyros suaveolens + II I IV HI I 

Dracaena grl + + II I 

Picralina nitida + I II 

Lasianthera sp2 + r I 

Marantaceae sp 1 I 

Pycnocoma macrophylla I + 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I), the Polyalthia community 

group (11), and the Carapa-Mitragyna community (Ill) 

Cola ficifolia I + II I I MT 

Strombosia pustulata I II IV III II MT 

Mammea africana II + II r I LT 

Halopegia grl HI IV IV HI IV H 

Beilschmiedia gr2 I II II II II + 

Aphanocalyx grl I II I II I + 

Santiria trimera III III HI II II + MT 

Differential species of all forest communities (I, 11, III and IV) 

Calamus deeratus HI IV IV HI III HI PL 

Palisota mannii HI IV IV II IV II H 

Strombosia grl III IV II III III II 

Scaphopetalum thonneri II IV III II II I S 

Staudtia kamerunensis II III IV V I IV + LT 

Coula edulis II n III II + I MT 

Rubiaceae spl III III II II I 

Beilschmiedia grl I I I II II I 

Rubiaceae gr2 III IV II II I II + 

TetraberIinia bifoliata III + II II II LT 

Dracaena phrynioides II I + II + 

Glossocalyx brevipes II + III II + ST 

Dacryodes gr 1 II II II + I 

V oacanga gr 1 II III II + + I 

la 

11 

Diospyros gr2 II HI II + II 

Blighia welwitschii + II I I + II LT 

11 

13 

151 

lIb IIc III IV V Growth form 

23 21 12 16 18 

Differential species of the Strombosia-Polylthia community (lIb) 

Grewia coriacea + II r + I MT 

Saccoglottis gabonensis I r + + LT 

Differential species of the Strombosia-Polyalthia community (lIb) and the Diospyros- 

PolyaIthia community (lIc) 

Calpocalyx dinklagei I HI HI I I 

MT 

Rinorea kamerunensis n I HI IV + I 

ST 

Olax staudtii + II I + + ST 

Chrytranthus talbotii II II I + MT 

Klainedoxa gabonensis I n 

I LT 

Lasianthera africana + II III I I 

S 

Differential species of the Diospyros-Polyalthia community (lIc) 

Diospyros suaveolens + II I IV III I 

Dracaena gr 1 + + n I 

Picralina nitida + I II 

Lasianthera sp2 + r I 

Marantaceae sp 1 I 

Pycnocoma macrophylla I + 

Differential species of the Maranthes-Anisophyllea community (I), the PolyaIthia community 

group (11), and the Carapa-Mitragyna community (Ill) 

Cola ficifolia I + n I I MT 

Strombosia pustulata I n IV III II MT 

Mammea africana n + n r I LT 

Halopegia gr I III IV IV III IV H 

Beilschmiedia gr2 I II n n II + 

Aphanocalyx grl I II I n I + 

Santiria trimera III III III II II + MT 

Differential species of all forest communities (I, 11, III and IV) 

Calamus deeratus HI IV IV HI III HI PL 

Palisota mannii III IV IV II IV II H 

Strombosia grl III IV n III III II 

Scaphopetalum thonneri n IV III II II I S 

Staudtia kamerunensis n III IV V I IV + LT 

Coula edulis If If III n + I MT 

Rubiaceae sp I III HI If n I 

Beilschmiedia grl I I I n II I 

Rubiaceae gr2 III IV n n I II + 

TetraberIinia bifoliata III + II n II LT 

Dracaena phrynioides If I + II + 

Glossocalyx brevipes II + III II + ST 

Dacryodes gr 1 II II II + I 

Voacanga gr 1 II III II + + 

Diospyros gr2 II HI II + II 

Blighia welwitschii + II I I + n LT 

151 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

I 

+ 

+ 

+ 

+ 

MT 

MT 

MT 

MT 

H 

H 

S 

S

Vegetation type la II lIb IIc III IV V Growth form 

Vegetation type la II lIb IIc III IV V Growth form 

Number of rei eves 11 13 23 21 12 16 18 

Number of releves 11 13 23 21 12 16 18 

Diospyros gr I II III I I + II 

Costus engleranus I I + + + H 

Stipularia africana + + II r I II H 

Diospyros gr 1 II III I I + II 

Costus engleranus I I + + + H 

Stipularia africana + + II r I II H 

Differential species of all plant communities except the Maranthes - Anisophyllea community 

Differential species of all plant communities except the Maranthes - Anisophyllea community 

(I) 

(I) 

Scyphocephalium mannii II I II I LT 

Piptadeniastrum africanum I II III II III + LT 

Pterocarpus gr I II II II I I 

Nephthytis sp I + 1I II + II I I H 

Lophira alata I II II II II III LT 

Scyphocephalium mannii II I II I LT 

Piptadeniastrum africanum I II III II III + LT 

Pterocarpus gr 1 II II II I I 

Nephthytis sp 1 + 1I II + II I I H 

Lophira alata I II Il II II III LT 

Differential species of the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill), the Xylopia - Musanga 

community (IV), and the Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V) 

Differential species of the Carapa - Mitragyna community (Ill), the Xylopia - Musanga 


Sterculia tragacantha I I II MT 

Sterculia tragacantha I I 

Leea guineensis + II I II S 

Leea guineensis + II I 

PaIisota hirsuta + I I 

Elaeis guineensis + III II 

Palisota hirsuta + I I I H 

Elaeis guineensis + III II III P 

Caloncoba welwitschii + r r I I II MT 

Caloncoba welwitschii + r r I I 

Raphia sp2 + + III II II P 

Raphia sp2 + + III II 

Differential species of the Carapa - Mytragyna community (Ill) 

Differential species of the Carapa - Mytragyna community (UI) 

Mitragyna stipulosa r V + + MT 

Mitragyna stipulosa r V + 

Carapa sp 1 III 

Trichilia heudelotii . + I + III I 

Diospyros preussii + r II 

Rubiaceae sp2 II 

Cyathea manniana II 

Curcuma longa II 

Differential species of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) 

Palisota ambigua I + II II III IV 

Xylopia grl + II I II IV 

Zanthoxylum gillettii + II II I II IV 

Thaumatococcus danielii I I I IV 

Megaphrynium r I III 

macrostachyum? 

Ancistrophyllum 0 r II III 

secundiflorum 

Phyllanthus discoideus II I III 

Ricinodendron heudelotti + + II 

Massularia acuminata + + I 

Caloncoba brevipes 

152 



I 




+ 

I 

+ 






I 

+ 

MT 

S 

H 

P 

MT 

P 

MT 

MT 

Carapa spl III MT 

Trichilia heudelotii . + I + III I I ST 

Diospyros preussii + r II MT 

Rubiaceae sp2 II 

Cyathea manniana II + TF 

Curcuma longa II GH 

Differential species of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) 

Palisota ambigua I + II II III IV II H 

Xylopia grl + II I II IV II 

Zanthoxylum gillettii + II II I II IV III MT 

Thaumatococcus danielii I I I IV II H 

Megaphrynium r I III II H 

macrostachyum? 

Ancistrophyllum 0 r II III PL 

secundiflorum 

Phyllanthus discoideus II I III I MT 

Ricinodendron heudelotti + + II + LT 

Massularia acuminata + + I ST 

Caloncoba brevipes MT 

152 

ST 

MT 

TF 

GH 

H 

MT 

H 

H 

PL 

MT 

LT 

ST 

MT



Number of rei eves 

Number of rei eves 

la 

11 

11 

13 

lib IIc III IV 

23 21 12 16 

V Growth form 

18 

Differential species of the Diospyros - PolyaIthia community (lIc), the Xylopia - Musanga 


Hylodendron gr 1 II III II IV + IV I 

Ouratea flava + If + III + ST 

Eribroma gr 1 + nr + n HI 

Terminalia superba II + n I LT 

Myrianthus arboreus r II n I MT 

Differential species of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) and the Macaranga - 

Chromolaena community (V) 

la 

11 

Musanga cecropioides + + r n IV IV MT 

Funtumia elastica I r r nr HI MT 

Rauvolfia macrophylla r + n n MT 

Vernonia conferta n I ST 

Macaranga gr2 I n ST 

Anthoc1eista schweinfurthii I I MT 

Hamikoa grl r + InS 

Mareya brevipes r I + 

Melastomataceae gr2 r r I n 

Anthoc1eista vogelii I n MT 

Differential species of the Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V) 

11 

13 

Macaranga grl n IV ST 

Chromolaena odorata + IV H 

Fern grl I II n + n IV H 

Costus violaceus 11 nr H 

Trifolium spl (cultivated) nr H 

Milicia excelsa r III LT 

Manihot esculenta (cult.) + HI S 

Anchomanes spl (cult.) + nr H 

Ceiba pentandra + r + HI LT 

Rauvolfia vomitoria I HI ST 

Albizia zygia I + I I n nr LT 

Dioscorea bulbifera 11 NL 

Trema orientalis 

ST 

Sc1eria barteri 

Dioscorea burkeliana 

Colocasia esculenta (cult.) 

n 

Musa gr I (cultivated) 

Jateorhiza macrantha 

NL 

Trifolium sp I (cult.) 

n 

Brucea spl 

r + n 

Millettia macrophylla r r + 

n 

Tetrorchidium didymost. r 

n 

Harungana madagasc. r 

I MT 

Theobroma cacao (cult.) 

I ST 

153 

lib IIc III IV 

23 21 12 16 

+ 

+ 

11 

11 

11 

11 

11 

V Growth form 

18 

Differential species of the Diospyros - PolyaIthia community (lIc), the Xylopia - Musanga 


Hylodendron gr 1 II III II IV + IV I 

Ouratea flava + If + nr + ST 

Eribroma gr 1 + HI + n HI 

Terminalia superba If + n I LT 

Myrianthus arboreus r If n I MT 

Differential species of the Xylopia - Musanga community (IV) and the Macaranga - 

Chromolaena community (V) 

Musanga cecropioides + + r n IV IV MT 

Funtumia elastica I r r nr HI MT 

Rauvolfia macrophylla r + n n MT 

Vernonia conferta n I ST 

Macaranga gr2 I n ST 

Anthoc1eista schweinfurthii I I MT 

Hamikoa grl r + I II S 

Mareya brevipes r I + 

Melastomataceae gr2 r r I II 

Anthoc1eista vogelii I n MT 

Differential species of the Macaranga - Chromolaena community (V) 

Macaranga grl n IV ST 

Chromolaena odorata + IV H 

Fern grl I 11 n + n IV H 

Costus violaceus 11 HI H 

Trifolium spl (cultivated) HI H 

Milicia excelsa r HI LT 

Manihot esculenta (cult.) + III S 

Anchomanes spl (cult.) + III H 

Ceiba pentandra + r + III LT 

Rauvolfia vomitoria I III ST 

Albizia zygia I + I I n III LT 

Dioscorea bulbifera n NL 

Trema orientalis 

ST 

Sc1eria barteri 

Dioscorea burkeliana 

Colocasia esculenta (cult.) 

Musa gr I (cultivated) 

Jateorhiza macrantha 

Trifolium sp I (cult.) 

Brucea spl 

r + 

Millettia macrophylla r r + 

Tetrorchidium didymost. r 

Harungana madagasc. r 

I MT 

Theobroma cacao (cult.) 

I ST 

153 

+ 

+ 

n 


n 

n 

11 


n 


n 

GH 

GH 

WC 

WC 

H 

H 

HIS 

HIS 

NL 

MT 

MT

2. Non-differential species 

2. Non-differential species 

Vegetation type la lIa lIb lIe Illa IVa Va Growth form 

Vegetation type la IIa lIb lIe Illa IVa Va Growth form 

Carapa grl III II III II II II I 

Uapaca guineensis 1II IV III 11 III 11 11 LT 

Coelocaryon preussii III III IV V V IV 11 LT 

Pentaclethra macrophylla II III IV I 11 III I MT 

Cercestis ivorensis II II III IV II III II H 

Tabernaemontana crassa II III III IV I IV I MT 

Rubiaceae gr3 II III III 11 III III I S 

Trachyphrynium spl 11 II I 11 11 III 11 

Haumania danckelmanniana I IV IV V III V III PL 

Pycnanthus angolensis IV II IV III IV III LT 

Rhektophyllum grl II V IV IV V 11 H 

Enantia chlorantha II II I I I I MT 

Anthonotha macrophylla + II II IV III III II MT 

Homalium delicophyllus III II I I I I 11 LT 

Guaduella grl III I II III I I I GH 

Alchornea floribunda I II I I + III I WC 

Acacia pennata + I + + I I WC 

Acroceras zizanioides I 

Aframomum grl + I I II II H 

Afrosersalisia cerasifera + 

Dracaena sp 1 + r I H 

Carapa grl III II III II II II I 

Uapaca guineensis 1II IV III 11 III 11 11 LT 

Coelocaryon preussii III III IV V V IV 11 LT 

Pentaclethra macrophylla II III IV I 11 III I MT 

Cercestis ivorensis II II III IV II III II H 

Tabernaemontana crassa II III III IV I IV I MT 

Rubiaceae gr3 II III III II III III I S 

Trachyphrynium spl II II I II II III II 

Haumania danckelmanniana IV IV V III V III PL 

Pycnanthus angolensis IV II IV III IV III LT 

Rhektophyllum grl II V IV IV V II H 

Enantia chlorantha II II I I I I MT 

Anthonotha macrophylla + II II IV III III II MT 

Homalium delicophyllus III II I I I I II LT 

Guaduella grl III I 11 III I I I GH 

Alchornea floribunda I II I I + III I WC 

Acacia pennata + I + + I I WC 

Acroceras zizanioides I 

Aframomum grl + I I 11 II H 

Afrosersalisia cerasifera + 

Dracaena sp 1 + r I H 

Vegetation type la IIa lIb lIe llla IVa Va Growth form 

Vegetation type la lIa lIb lie llla IVa Va Growth form 

Albizia adianthifolia + r I + LT 

Albizia glaberrima + LT 

Alchornea cordifolia I + WC 

Alchornea hirtella + r r S 

Allanblackia floribunda + r MT 

Allanblackia kisongui III + III II I II + MT 

Allanblackia montana + LT 

Allophyllus africanus r + ST 

Alstonia boonei + + LT 

Alstonia congensis + 11 I + I II 11 LT 

Angylocalyx oligophyllus + MT 

Angylocalyx zenkeri + + + MT 

Antidesma venosum + + r MT 

Antrocaryon klaineanum + r r 11 + LT 

Anubias hastifolia + H 

Aptandra zenkeri ST 

Araliopsis soyauxii + + LT 

Aspilia africana I + I H 

Asystasia macrophylla r 

Bambusa arundinacea + GH 

Baphia laurifolia r MT 

Barteria fistulosa + r I I MT 

Albizia adianthifolia + r I + LT 

Albizia glaberrima + LT 

Alchornea cordifolia I + WC 

Alchornea hirtella + r r S 

Allanblackia floribunda + r MT 

Allanblackia kisongui III + III II I II + MT 

Allanblackia montana + LT 

Allophyllus africanus r + ST 

Alstonia boonei + + LT 

Alstonia congensis + II I + I II II LT 

Angylocalyx oligophyllus + MT 

Angylocalyx zenkeri + + + MT 

Antidesma venosum + + r MT 

Antrocaryon klaineanum + r r 11 + LT 

Anllbias hastifolia + H 

Aptandra zenkeri ST 

Araliopsis soyallxii + + LT 

Aspilia africana I + I H 

Asystasia macrophylla r 

Bambusa arundinacea + GH 

Baphia laurifolia r MT 

Barteria fistlllosa + r I I MT 

154 

154

Vegetation type la IIa lIb lIe IlIa IVa Va Growth form 

Vegetation type la IIa lIb lIe IlIa IVa Va Growth form 

Begonia macrocarpa + H 

Begonia macrocarpa + H 

Begonia sciaphila + H 

Begonia sciaphila + H 

Berlinia bracteosa + I II I LT 

Berlinia bracteosa + I II I LT 

Berlinia confusa + LT 

Berlinia confusa + LT 

Blighia sapida + r MT 

Blighia sapida + r MT 

Bosqueia angolensis + I 

Bosqueia angolensis + I 

Brachystegia cynometroides + r LT 

Brachystegia cynometroides + r LT 

Brachystegia eurycoma r LT 

Brachystegia eurycoma r LT 

Brachystegia mildbraedii r LT 

Brachystephanus jaundensis + + I H 

Brachystegia mildbraedii r LT 

Brachystephanus jaundensis + + I H 

Brenania Brieyi + MT 

Brenania Brieyi + MT 

Bridelia micrantha + MT 

Bridelia micrantha + MT 

Buchholzia coriacea I + r MT 

Buchholzia coriacea I + r MT 

Caloncoba gilgiana + I MT 

Caloncoba gilgiana + I MT 

Caloncoba glauca + I I I MT 

Caloncoba zygas + MT 

Caloncoba glauca + I I I MT 

Caloncoba zygas + MT 

Canarium schweinfurthii + + + I I I LT 

Canarium schweinfurthii + + + I I I LT 

Canthium arnoldianum + MT 

Canthium palma + + MT 

Canthium arnoldianum + MT 

Canthium palma + + MT 

Carica papaya I S 

Carica papaya I S 

Celtis grl + II I I + I MT 

Celtis tessmannii + r LT 

Cephaelis sp 1 I + r I + H 

Cercestis congoensis + H 

Cercestis kamerunianus I II I + H 

Celtis grl + II I I + I MT 

Celtis tessmannii + r LT 

Cephaelis sp 1 I + r I + H 

Cercestis congoensis + H 

Cercestis kamerunianus I II I + H 

Chrytranthus seressii + r MT 

Chrytranthus sp 1 r ST 

Cleistopholis glauca + LT 

Cleistopholis patens + + + + II I LT 

Cnestis grisea r r + 

Chrytranthus seressii + r MT 

Chrytranthus sp 1 r ST 

Cleistopholis glauca + LT 

Cleistopholis patens + + + + II I LT 

Cnestis grisea r r + 

Coelocaryon spl + 

Coelocaryon sp 1 + 

Cola cauliflora r ST 

Cola cauliflora r ST 

Cola cordifolia II + I MT 

Cola grl I II II + I 

Cola cordifolia II + I MT 

Cola grl I II II + I 

Cola gr2 + + + 

Cola lepidota + + + ST 

Cola marsupium + + r + S 

Cola gr2 + + + 

Cola lepidota + + + ST 

Cola marsupium + + r + S 

Cola rostrata I I + + MT 

Cola rostrata I I + + MT 

Commelina cameroonensis H 

Commelina cameroonensis H 

Commelinaceae grl r + + H 

Commelinaceae grl r + + H 

Agelaea grl + + 

Agelaea grl + + 

Cnestis grl r 

Cnestis grl r 

Cordia plathythyrsa + LT 

Cordia plathythyrsa + LT 

Costus afer I + H 

Costus dinklagei I H 

Costus afer I + H 

Costus dinklagei I H 

Costus phaeotrichus r H 

Costus spl r I H 

Craterispermum laurinum r r + ST 

Costus phaeotrichus r H 

Costus spl r I H 

Craterispermum laurinum r r + ST 

155 

155

Vegetation type la lIa lib ne Ilia IVa Va Growth form 

Vegetation type la lIa lib lie Ilia IVa Va Growth form 

Craterispermum longifolium r ST 

Craterosiphon scandens + 

Crotonogyne manniana + S 

Cyliodiscus gabunensis + r + LT 

Mapania grl I I + GH 

Cyperus diffusus + GH 

Dacryodes edulis II II II II I MT 

Dacryodes klaineana r MT 

Detarium macrocarpllm + LT 

Didelotia brevipaniculata r + LT 

Didelotia unifoliolata + LT 

Diospyros conocarpa + r + ST 

Diospyros dendo + MT 

Discoglypremna caloneura + + r I + LT 

Distemonanthus bentham. + II II + II II LT 

Dorstenia picta + + H 

Dorstenia subtriangularis + H 

Dorstenia turbinata r H 

Dracaena cerasifera + HIS 

Dracaena sp 1 

Drypetes gabonensis ST 

Drypetes gossweileri + r LT 

Drypetes molunduana r MT 

Drypetes sp 1 I r MT 

Duparquetia orchidacea + WC 

Entandrophragma angolense + LT 

Entandrophragma utile + + LT 

Eriocoelum macrocarpum + + MT 

Erytroxylum mannii + I LT 

Eugenia spl r 

Euphorbiaceae gr 1 + + 

Euphorbiaceae sp 1 + 

Ficlls exasperata r I LT 

Fillaeopsis discophora r LT 

Flacollrtiaceae sp 1 + II II + II 

Gambeya perpulchra + MT 

Garcinia kola MT 

Garcinia mannii II III II II I + ST 

Garcinia polyantha r r MT 

Garcinia staudtii + + MT 

Gardenia sp I + 

Gilbertiodendron brachyst. r LT 

Gilbertiodendron dewevrei I + I LT 

Gilbertiodendron grandifl. r LT 

Gilbertiodendron ogoouense + LT 

Glyphaea brevis + I ST 

Gossweilerodendron balsam. + LT 

Gossweilerodendron jOlleri + LT 

Craterispermum longifolium r ST 

Craterosiphol1 scandens + 

Crotonogyne manniana + S 

Cyliodiscus gabunensis + r + LT 

Mapania grl I I + GH 

Cyperus diffusus + GH 

Dacryodes edulis II II II II I MT 

Dacryodes klaineana r MT 

Detarium macrocarpum + LT 

Didelotia brevipaniculata r + LT 

Didelotia unifoliolata + LT 

Diospyros conocarpa + r + ST 

Diospyros dendo + MT 

Discoglypremna caloneura + + r I + LT 

Distemonanthus bentham. + II II + II II LT 

Dorstenia picta + + H 

Dorstenia subtriangularis + H 

Dorstenia turbinata r H 

Dracaena cerasifera + HIS 

Dracaena sp 1 

Drypetes gabonensis ST 

Drypetes gossweileri + r LT 

Drypetes molunduana r MT 

Drypetes sp 1 I r MT 

Duparquetia orchidacea + WC 

Entandrophragma angolense + LT 

Entandrophragma utile + + LT 

Eriocoelum macrocarpum + + MT 

Erytroxylum mannii + I LT 

Eugenia spl r 

Euphorbiaceae gr 1 + + 

Euphorbiaceae sp 1 + 

Ficus exasperata r I LT 

Fillaeopsis discophora r LT 

Flacourtiaceae sp 1 + II 11 + II 

Gambeya perpulchra + MT 

Garcinia kola MT 

Garcinia mannii II III 11 11 I + ST 

Garcinia polyantha r r MT 

Garcinia staudtii + + MT 

Gardenia sp I + 

Gilbertiodendron brachyst. r LT 

Gilbertiodendron dewevrei I + I LT 

Gilbertiodendron grandifl. r LT 

Gilbertiodendron ogoouense + LT 

Glyphaea brevis + I ST 

Gossweilerodendron balsam. + LT 

Gossweilerodendron joueri + LT 

156 

156

Vegetation type la Ha lIb lIe IlIa IVa Va Growth form 

Vegetation type la Ha lib lie Ilia IVa Va Growth form 

Grossera macrantha I I r + MT 

Grossera paniculata r MT 

Guarea cedrata + + I + + LT 

Guibourtia tessmannii + LT 

Heckeldora spec. (HNC 49157) + ST 

Heisteria parvifolia + + I + ST 

Hexalobus crispiflorus + I r I MT 

Hunteria umbellata + r S 

Hymenocardia heudelotii ST 

Hymenostegia breteleri + MT 

Hypodaphnis zenkeri + I II II MT 

Hypselodelphys spl r + H 

lodes kamerunensis + + WC 

Irvingia gabonensis + II II I + + LT 

Irvingia grandifolia + + r + LT 

Irvingia robur + + r I LT 

Isolona hexaloba + + MT 

Justica extensa + H 

Khaya ivorensis + r LT 

Klainedoxa microphylla + I + r + LT 

Laccodiscus ferrugineus + r MT 

Landolphia spl II + r + NC 

Lasiodiscus spl r ST 

Lavigeria grJ I I II III I II WC 

Lecaniodiscus cupanioides + MT 

Leptaulus daphnoides + ST 

Leptaulus zenkeri + + r ST 

Leptonychia sp I ST 

Lovoa trichilioides I r + + + LT 

Macarangahurifolia + MT 

Macaranga occidentalis + WC 

Macaranga saccifera + WC 

Maesobotrya acuminata r ST 

Maesobotrya barteri + r MT 

Maesobotrya dusenii + r r ST 

Maesobotrya staudtii I I r + I MT 

Maesopsis eminii + + + MT 

Mangifera indica + MT 

Mapania macrantha I + GH 

Maranthes chrysophylla + MT 

Marantochloa leucantha I + + H 

Mareyopsis longifolia 11 II 11 I I I MT 

Meiocarpidium grJ + + II 11 I + 

Melastomataceae grl + + + + 

Microcalamus barbinodis + + GH 

Microdesmis HNC 49201 + + ST 

Millettia spl r 

Monodora myristica + + r MT 

Grossera macrantha I I r + MT 

Grossera paniculata r MT 

Guarea cedrata + + I + + LT 

Guibourtia tessmannii + LT 

Heckeldora spec. (HNC 49157) + ST 

Heisteria parvifolia + + I + ST 

Hexalobus crispiflorus + I r I MT 

Hunteria umbellata + r S 

Hymenocardia heudelotii ST 

Hymenostegia breteleri + MT 

Hypodaphnis zenkeri + I II II MT 

Hypselodelphys sp I r + H 

lodes kamerunensis + + WC 

Irvingia gabonensis + II II I + + LT 

Irvingia grandifolia + + r + LT 

Irvingia robur + + r I LT 

Isolona hexaloba + + MT 

Justica extensa + H 

Khaya ivorensis + r LT 

Klainedoxa microphylla + I + r + LT 

Laccodiscus ferrugineus + r MT 

Landolphia spl II + r + NC 

Lasiodiscus sp 1 r ST 

Lavigeria grl I I II III I II WC 

Lecaniodiscus cupanioides + MT 

Leptaulus daphnoides + ST 

Leptaulus zenkeri + + r ST 

Leptonychia spI ST 

Lovoa trichilioides I r + + + LT 

Macaranga hurifolia + MT 

Macaranga occidentalis + WC 

Macaranga saccifera + WC 

Maesobotrya acuminata r ST 

Maesobotrya barteri + r MT 

Maesobotrya dusenii + r r ST 

Maesobotrya staudtii I I r + I MT 

Maesopsis eminii + + + MT 

Mangifera indica + MT 

Mapania macrantha I + GH 

Maranthes chrysophylla + MT 

Marantochloa leucantha I + + H 

Mareyopsis longifolia 11 II 11 I I I MT 

Meiocarpidium grl + + II 11 I + 

Melastomataceae gr 1 + + + + 

Microcalamus barbinodis + + GH 

Microdesmis HNC 49201 + + ST 

Millettia sp 1 r 

Monodora myristica + + r MT 

157 

157



Monodora sp 1 r 

Mostuea brunoniste NC 

Mucuna flagellipes + 

Mussaenda sp 1 + 

Myrianthus serratus + + MT 

Napoleonaea sp 1 + ST 

Nauclea diderrichii + + LT 

Newbouldia laevis I I I 11 

Newtonia griffoniana + LT 

Nonthospondias cf. staudtii + + MT 

Ochna calodendron r MT 

Ochna membranacaea + I ST 

Octoknema grl + r ST 

Octo lobus angustatus + I MT 

Olacaceae sp 1 + 

Olax gambecola r ST 

Olax latifolia + ST 

Olax mannii + ST 

Olax suaveolens r ST 

Oldfieldia africana LT 

Olyra latifolia + 

Ongokea gore + r I LT 

Oricia lecontiana I + S 

Oricia trifoliata + MT 

Ormocarpum sp 1 + 

Oubanguia africana + I r I MT 

Oubanguia alata + I r MT 

Ouratea spec. (HNC 40350) + r S 

Pachypodanthum staudtii I I I + LT 

Panda oleosa + r + + ST 

Pandanus candelabrum + ST 

Papilionaceae sp 1 + 

Papilionaceae sp2 r 

Parinari sp 1 + r 

Parkia bicolor I 11 11 r I I + LT 

Parkia filicoidea + r LT 

Paullinia sapinda + WC 

Pausinystalia johimbe I MT 

Penianthus longifolius + + S 

Pentaclethra eetveldeana r + MT 

Pentadesma blltyracea r MT 

Pentas sp 1 11 I + 11 11 H 

Persea americana I + MT 

Petersianthlls macrocarplls r r + LT 

Piper 11mbellatum r + H 

Piptostigma preussii + r MT 

Plagiosiphon grl + + r LT 

Plagiosiphon multijugus r LT 

Monodora sp 1 r 

Mostuea brunoniste NC 

Mucuna flagellipes + 

Mussaenda sp 1 + 

Myrianthus serratus + + MT 

Napoleonaea sp 1 + ST 

Nauclea diderrichii + + LT 

Newbouldia laevis I I I 11 

Newtonia griffoniana + LT 

Nonthospondias cf. staudtii + + MT 

Ochna calodendron r MT 

Ochna membranacaea + I ST 

Octoknema grl + r ST 

Octo lobus angustatus + I MT 

Olacaceae sp 1 + 

Olax gambecola r ST 

Olax latifolia + ST 

Olax mannii + ST 

Olax suaveolens r ST 

Oldfieldia africana LT 

Olyra latifolia + 

Ongokea gore + r I LT 

Oricia lecontiana I + S 

Oricia trifoliata + MT 

Ormocarpum sp 1 + 

Oubanguia africana + I r I MT 

OUbanguia alata + I r MT 

Ouratea spec. (HNC 40350) + r S 

Pachypodanthum staudtii I I I + LT 

Panda oleosa + r + + ST 

Pandanus candelabrum + ST 

Papilionaceae sp 1 + 

Papilionaceae sp2 r 

Parinari sp I + r 

Parkia bicolor I 11 11 r I I + LT 

Parkia filicoidea + r LT 

Paullinia sapinda + WC 

Pausinystalia johimbe I MT 

Penianthus longifolius + + S 

Pentaclethra eetveldeana r + MT 

Pentadesma blltyracea r MT 

Pentas spI 11 I + 11 11 H 

Persea americana I + MT 

Petersianthlls macrocarplls r r + LT 

Piper 11mbellatum r + H 

Piptostigma prellssii + r MT 

Plagiosiphon grl + + r LT 

Plagiosiphon mllltijuglls r LT 

158 

158

Vegetation type la lIa lib lie llla IVa Va Growth form 

Vegetation type la lIa lib lie llla IVa Va Growth form 

Poga oleosa r LT 

Protomegabaria stapfiana + ST 

Pseudospondias cf. macrocera + + + r + LT 

Pseudospondias microcarpa r r + II + LT 

Pteleopsis hylodendron r r + LT 

Ptychopetalum cf. rudentessi + WC 

RhabdophylIum spI + 

Rinorea caudata + r r S 

Rinorea dentata II 11 + I ST 

Rinorea exappendiculata + + S 

Rinorea spI + S 

Rothmannia sp I 

Sabicea calycina + 

Salacia longipes + WC 

Salacia spI r 

Salacia spI II II I I + 

Salacia staudtiana I + + + WC 

Sapindaceae sp I + I + II + 

Sapium elIipticum + MT 

Sapotaceae sp I 

Schumanniophyton 

magnificum + ST 

Sclerosperma mannii r P 

Scottellia mimfiensis r MT 

Scytopetalaceae sp I + ST 

Scytopetalum klaineanum + + MT 

Setaria megaphylIa I GH 

Sorindeia grandifolia HI II II I I MT 

Sorindeia juglandifolia + ST 

Poga oleosa r LT 

Protomegabaria stapfiana + ST 

Pseudospondias cf. macrocera + + + r + LT 

Pseudospondias microcarpa r r + II + LT 

Pteleopsis hylodendron r r + LT 

Ptychopetalum cf. rudentessi + WC 

Rhabdophyllum sp I + 

Rinorea caudata + r r S 

Rinorea dentata II 11 + I ST 

Rinorea exappendiculata + + S 

Rinorea spI + S 

Rothmannia sp I 

Sabicea calycina + 

Salacia longipes + WC 

Salacia spI r 

Salacia spI II II I I + 

Salacia staudtiana I + + + WC 

Sapindaceae sp I + I + II + 

Sapium ellipticum + MT 

Sapotaceae sp I 

Schumanniophyton 

magnificum + ST 

Sclerosperma mannii r P 

Scottellia mimfiensis r MT 

Scytopetalaceae sp I + ST 

Scytopetalum klaineanum + + MT 

Setaria megaphylla I GH 

Sorindeia grandifolia HI II II I I MT 

Sorindeia juglandifolia + ST 

Soyauxia gabonensis r MT 

Soyauxia talbotii + + MT 

Soyauxia gabonensis r MT 

Soyauxia talbotii + + MT 

Spathodea campanulata + LT 

Spathodea campanulata + LT 

Spondias cytherea + ST 

Standfieldiella imperforata + 

Sterculia subviolacea r I + MT 

Strombosia scheftleri + + MT 

Strombosia zenkeri + ST 

Strophanthus gratus + r + WC 

Strychnos aculeata + WC 

Strychnos congolana + WC 

Strychnos eleocarpa + + r WC 

Strychnos phaeotricha + WC 

Strychnos staudtii II + r I WC 

Swartzia fistuloides r LT 

Syzygium guineense r MT 

Syzygium rowlandii + MT 

Syzygium sp I + + 

Tabernaemontana pachys. + ST 

Spondias cytherea + ST 

Standfieldiella imperforata + 

Sterculia subviolacea r I + MT 

Strombosia scheftleri + + MT 

Strombosia zenkeri + ST 

Strophanthus gratus + r + WC 

Strychnos aculeata + WC 

Strychnos congolana + WC 

Strychnos eleocarpa + + r WC 

Strychnos phaeotricha + WC 

Strychnos staudtii II + r I WC 

Swartzia fistuloides r LT 

Syzygium guineense r MT 

Syzygium rowlandii + MT 

Syzygium spI + + 

Tabernaemontana pachys. + ST 

159 

159



Tapura africana + + + LT 

Tetraplaura tetraptera + I + MT 

Thomandersia congolana + + + S 

Trachyphrynium braunianum + II 

Treculia africana r MT 

Treculia spec. (HNC 30012) r 

Trichilia emetica + ST 

Trichilia rubescens + ST 

Trichilia welwitschii r I + MT 

Trichoscypha acuminata + + r MT 

Trichoscypha arborea + + r r + LT 

Trichoscypha ferruginia + I r + ST 

Turraeanthus africanus I + Il + I MT 

Tylophora cameroonica + NC 

Uapaca acuminata + + LT 

Uapaca staudtii + + + I MT 

Uapaca vanhouttei + II 1I MT 

Urera cameroonensis + NC 

Uvariastrum pierreanum r r ST 

Uvariodendron sp 1 + Il r + Il + ST 

Vitex ciliata + LT 

Vitex grandifolia Il + + I II I LT 

Vitex rivularis + I MT 

Vitis aralioides + NC 

Vitis quadricularia + NC 

Vitis spl + I + + + NC 

Voacanga thouarsii r ST 

Xylopia parviflora r r + MT 

Zanthoxylum heitzii r + 11 + LT 

Zanthoxylum tessmannii + r I LT 

Zingiber officinale + H 

Zingiberaceae sp 1 + H 

Tapura africana + + + LT 

Tetraplaura tetraptera + I + MT 

Thomandersia congolana + + I + S 

Trachyphrynium braunianum + I II 

Treculia africana r MT 

Treculia spec. (HNC 30012) r 

Trichilia emetica + ST 

Trichilia rubescens + ST 

Trichilia welwitschii r I + MT 

Trichoscypha acuminata + + r MT 

Trichoscypha arborea + + r r + LT 

Trichoscypha ferruginia + I r + ST 

Turraeanthus africanus I + II + I MT 

Tylophora cameroonica + NC 

Uapaca acuminata + + LT 

Uapaca staudtii + + + I MT 

Uapaca vanhouttei + 1I II MT 

Urera cameroonensis + NC 

Uvariastrum pierreanum r r ST 

Uvariodendron sp 1 + II r + 1I + ST 

Vitex ciliata + LT 

Vitex grandifolia II + + I II I LT 

Vitex rivularis + I MT 

Vitis aralioides + NC 

Vitis quadricularia + NC 

Vitis spl + I + + + NC 

Voacanga thouarsii r ST 

Xylopia parviflora r r + MT 

Zanthoxylum heitzii r + II + LT 

Zanthoxylum tessmannii + r I LT 

Zingiber officinale + H 

Zingiberaceae se 1 + H 

160 

160

ANNEX VI List of bird species observed in the TCP research area 

ANNEX VI List of bird species observed in the TCP research area 

The listed species were recorded in the period May 1995 to November 1997. As no systematic bird 

survey has started yet, the list is a mere compilation of the species lists of Jan Jansen (WAU), 

Patrick Hommel (SC-DLO; 1995; 1996), Thorn Kuyper (WAU) and Barend van Gemerden. 

Nomenclature follows Serle & Morel (1997). 

The listed species were recorded in the period May 1995 to November 1997. As no systematic bird 

survey has started yet, the list is a mere compilation of the species lists of Jan Jansen (WAU), 

Patrick Hommel (SC-DLO; 1995; 1996), Thorn Kuyper (WAU) and Barend van Gemerden. 

Nomenclature follows Serle & Morel (1997). 

Accipitridae 

Accipitridae 

Accipiter toussenelii 

Dryotriorchis spectabilis 

Gyphohierax angolensis 

Kaupifalco monogrammicus 

Macheirhamphus alcinus 

Milvus migrans 

Polyboroides radiatus 

Urotriorchis macrourus 

Circaetus gallicus?' 

Stephanoaetus coronatus?' 

Accipiter toussenelii 

Dryotriorchis spectabilis 

Gyphohierax angolensis 

Kaupifalco monogrammicus 

Macheirhamphus alcinus 

Milvus migrans 

Polyboroides radiatus 

Urotriorchis macrourus 

Circaetus gallicus?' 

Stephanoaetus coronatus?' 

Alcedinidae 

Alcedinidae 

Alcedo quadribrachys 

Ceyxpicta 

Halycon badia 

Halycon senegalensis 

Alcedo quadribrachys 

Ceyxpicta 

Halycon badia 

Halycon senegalensis 

Apodidae 

Apodidae 

Apus apus 

Apus apus 

Ardeidae 

Ardeidae 

Ardeola ibis 

Ardeola ibis 

Bucerotidae 

Bucerotidae 

Bycanistes cylindric us cylindricus 

Bycanistes fistulator 

Bycanistes subcylindricus 

Ceratogymna atrata 

Tockus camurus 

Tockus Jasciatus semifasciatus 

Bycanistes cylindricus cylindricus 

Bycanistes jistulator 

Bycanistes subcylindricus 

Ceratogymna atrata 

Tockus camurus 

Tockus fasciatus semifasciatus 

Capitonidae 

Capitonidae 

Buccanodon duchaillui 

Gymnobucco bonapartei 

Pogoniulus atrojlavus 

Pogoniulus bilineatus 

Trachyphonus pupuratus 

Buccanodon duchaillui 

Gymnobucco bonapartei 

Pogoniulus atrojlavus 

Pogoniulus bilineatus 

Trachyphonus pupuratus 

I (?) Identification uncertain 

(?) Identification uncertain 

161 

161 

West african goshawk 

Congo Serpent-eagle 

Palm-nut vulture 

Lizard buzzard 

Bathawk 

Black kite 

Harrier hawk 

Long-tailed hawk 

Short-toed eagle 

Crowned hawk-eagle 

West african goshawk 

Congo Serpent-eagle 

Palm-nut vulture 

Lizard buzzard 

Bathawk 

Black kite 

Harrier hawk 

Long-tailed hawk 

Short-toed eagle 

Crowned hawk-eagle 

Shining-blue kingfisher 

Pygmy kingfisher 

Chocolate-backed kingfisher 

Senegal kingfisher 

Shining-blue kingfisher 

Pygmy kingfisher 

Chocolate-backed kingfisher 

Senegal kingfisher 

European swift 

European swift 

Cattle egret 

Cattle egret 

Brown-cheeked hornbill 

Piping hornbill 

Black-and-white-casqued hornbill 

Black-casqued hornbill 

Red-billed dwarf hornbill 

Black-and-white-tailed hornbill 

Brown-cheeked hornbill 

Piping hornbill 

Black-and-white-casqued hornbill 

Black-casqued hornbill 

Red-billed dwarf hornbill 

Black-and-white-tailed hornbill 

Duchaillu's yellow-spotted barbet 

Grey-throated barbet 

Red-rumped tinker-bird 

Lemon-rumped tinker-bird 

Yellow-billed barbet 

Duchaillu's yellow-spotted barbet 

Grey-throated barbet 

Red-rumped tinker-bird 

Lemon-rumped tinker-bird 

Yellow-billed barb et

Columbidae 

Columbidae 

Treron australis 

Turtur aJer 

Turtur brehmeri 

Turtur tympanistria 

Treron australis 

Turtur aJer 

Turtur brehmeri 

Turtur tympanistria 

Coraciidae 

Coraciidae 

Eurostomus gular is 

Eurostomus gular is 

Corvidae 

Corvidae 

Corvus albus 

Corvus albus 

Cuculidae 

Cuculidae 

Ceuthmochares aereus 

Chrysococcyx cupreus 

Cuculus solitarius 

Ceuthmochares aereus 

Chrysococcyx cupreus 

Cuculus solitarius 

Dicruridae 

Dicruridae 

Dicrurus adsimilis 

Dicrurus adsimilis 

Estrildidae 

Estrildidae 

Estrilda melpoda 

Estrilda nonnula 

Lonchura bicolor 

Nigrita canicapilla 

Nigrita Jusconota 

Spermophaga haematin a 

Estrilda melpoda 

Estrilda nonnula 

Lonchura bicolor 

Nigrita canicapilla 

Nigrita Jusconota 

Spermophaga haematin a 

Hirundinidae 

Hirundinidae 

Hirundo nigrita 

Hirundo rustica 

Psalidoprocne pristoptera 

Riparia paludicola 

Hirundo nigrita 

Hirundo rustica 

Psalidoprocne pristoptera 

Riparia paludicola 

Meropidae 

Meropidae 

Merops albicollis 

Merops albicoWs 

Monatchidae 

Monatchidae 

Terpsiphone rufiventer neumanni 

Terpsiphone viridis 

Terpsiphone rufiventer neumanni 

Terpsiphone viridis 

Motacillidae 

Motacillidae 

Motacilla aguimp 

Motacilla aguimp 

Muscicapidae 

Muscicapidae 

Artomyias fuliginosa 

Erythrocerus mccali 

Muscicapa striata 

Platysteira castanea 

Platysteira tonsa 

Artomyias juliginosa 

Erythrocerus mccali 

Muscicapa striata 

Platysteira castanea 

Platysteira tonsa 

162 

162 

Green fruit-pigeon 

Red-billed wood dove 

Blue-headed dove 

Tambourine dove 

Green fruit-pigeon 

Red-billed wood dove 

Blue-headed dove 

Tambourine dove 

Broad-billed roller 

Broad-billed roller 

Pied crow 

Pied crow 

Yellowbill coucal 

Emerald cuckoo 

Red-chested cuckoo 

Yellowbill coucal 

Emerald cuckoo 

Red-chested cuckoo 

Glossy-backed drongo 

Glossy-backed drongo 

Orange-cheeked waxbill 

Black-crowned waxbill 

Black-and-white mannikin 

Grey-crowned negro-finch 

White-breasted negro-finch 

Blue-billed weaver 

Orange-cheeked waxbill 

Black-crowned waxbill 

Black-and-white mannikin 

Grey-crowned negro-finch 

White-breasted negro-finch 

Blue-billed weaver 

White-throated blue swallow 

European swallow 

Black saw-wing 

African sand martin 

White-throated blue swallow 

European swallow 

Black saw-wing 

African sand martin 

White-throated bee-eater 

White-throated bee-eater 

Red-bellied paradise-flycatcher 

African paradise-flycatcher 

Red-bellied paradise-flycatcher 

African paradise-flycatcher 

African pied wagtail 

African pied wagtail 

Dusky flycatcher 

Chestnut-capped flycathcer 

Cassin's grey flycatcher 

Chestnut wattle-eye 

White-spotted wattle-eye 

Dusky flycatcher 

Chestnut-capped flycathcer 

Cassin's grey flycatcher 

Chestnut wattle-eye 

White-spotted wattle-eye

Musophagidae 

Musophagidae 

Corythaeola cristata 

Tauraco persa 

Corythaeola cristata 

Tauraco persa 

N ectariniidae 

N ectariniidae 

Anthreptes gabonicus 

Nectarinia chloropygia 

Nectarinia olivaceae 

Nectarinia superba 

Anthreptes gabonicus 

Nectarinia chloropygia 

Nectarinia olivaceae 

Nectarinia superba 

Oriolidae 

Oriolidae 

Griolus brachyrhynchus 

Griolus brachyrhynchus 

Phasianidae 

Phasianidae 

Francolinus lathami 

Francolinus squamatus 

Francolinus lathami 

Francolinus squamatus 

Picidae 

Picidae 

Campethera caillautii 

Campethera nivosa 

Dendropicos gabonensis 

Mesopicos xantholophus 

Verreauxia ajricana 

Campethera caillautii 

Campethera nivosa 

Dendropicos gabonensis 

Mesopicos xantholophus 

Verreauxia ajricana 

Ploceidae 

Ploceidae 

Malimbus nitens 

Malimbus rubicollis 

Malimbus scutatus 

Pirenestes ostrinus 

Ploceus cucullatus 

Malimbus nitens 

Malimbus rubicollis 

Malimbus scutatus 

Pirenestes ostrinus 

Ploceus cucullatus 

Psittacidae 

Psittacidae 

Psittacus erythacus 

Psittacus erythacus 

Pycnonotidae 

Pycnonotidae 

Andropadus virens 

Baeopopgon indicator 

Chlorocichla simplex 

Cringiger calurus 

Ixonotus guttatus 

Nicator chloris 

Phyllastrephus icterinus 

Pycnonotus barbatus 

Thescelocichla leucopleurus 

Andropadus virens 

Baeopopgon indicator 

Chlorocichla simplex 

Cringiger calurus 

Ixonotus guttatus 

Nicator chloris 

Phyllastrephus icterinus 

Pycnonotus barbatus 

Thescelocichla leucopleurus 

Strigidae 

Strigidae 

Ciccaba woodfordi 

Ciccaba woodfordi 

Sturnidae 

Sturnidae 

Lamprotornis splendidus 

Peoptera lugubris 

Lamprotornis splendidus 

Peoptera lugubris 

163 

163 

Blue plantain-eater 

Green-crested touraco 

Blue plantain-eater 

Green-crested touraco 

Mouse-brown sunbird 

Olive-bellied sunbird 

Olive sunbird 

Superb sunbird 

Mouse-brown sunbird 

Olive-bellied sunbird 

Olive sunbird 

Superb sunbird 

Black-headed oriole 

Black-headed oriole 

Latham's francolin 

Scaly francolin 

Latham's francolin 

Scaly francolin 

Green-backed woodpecker 

Buff-spotted woodpecker 

Gaboon woodpecker 

Golden-crowned woodpecker 

Pigmy woodpecker 

Green-backed woodpecker 

Buff-spotted woodpecker 

Gaboon woodpecker 

Golden-crowned woodpecker 

Pigmy woodpecker 

Blue-billed malimbe 

Red-headed malimbe 

Red-vented malimbe 

Seed-cracker 

Village weaver 

Blue-billed malimbe 

Red-headed malimbe 

Red-vented malimbe 

Seed-cracker 

Village weaver 

Grey parrot 

Grey parrot 

Little greenbul 

Honey guide greenbul 

Simple leaf-love 

White-bearded bulbul 

Spotted bulbul 

West african nicitator 

Lesser icterine greenbul 

Common garden bulbul 

Swamp bulbul 

Little greenbul 

Honey guide greenbul 

Simple leaf-love 

White-bearded bulbul 

Spotted bulbul 

West african nicitator 

Lesser icterine greenbul 

Common garden bulbul 

Swamp bulbul 

West African wood-owl 

West African wood-owl 

Splendid glossy starling 

Narrow-tailed starling 

Splendid glossy starling 

Narrow-tailed starling

Sylviidae 

Sylviidae 

Bathmocercus rufus 

Hylia prasina 

Prinia bairdii 

Sylvietta virens 

Bathmocercus rufus 

Hylia prasina 

Prinia bairdii 

Sylvietta virens 

Turdidae 

Turdidae 

Alethe diademata 

Cossypha niveicapilla 

Stiphrornis erythrothorax 

Alethe diademata 

Cossypha niveicapilla 

Stiphrornis erythrothorax 

Zosteropidae 

Zosteropidae 

Zosterops senegalensis 

Zosterops senegalensis 

164 

164 

Black-faced rufous warbler 

Green hyla 

Banded prinia 

Green crombec 

Black-faced rufous warbler 

Green hyla 

Banded prinia 

Green crombec 

Fire-crest alethe 

Snowy-crowned robin-chat 

Forest robin 

Fire-crest alethe 

Snowy-crowned robin-chat 

Forest robin 

Yellow white-eye 

Yellow white-eye

[en] Landscape Ecological Survey of the Bipindi-Akom II ... - ITTO

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?