The present study characterized the plant diversity of oil palm plantations in function of farming practices and their ages. The plant diversity of 7, 11 and 14 years old oil palm plantations evolving in different farming practices was... more
The present study characterized the plant diversity of oil palm plantations in function of farming practices and their ages. The plant diversity of 7, 11 and 14 years old oil palm plantations evolving in different farming practices was inventoried using 1m x 1m quadrats for herbaceous species and the 20 m wide transects for woody species. The results obtained show that these stands are not very diversified: P7 presents 37 species, 34 genera and 27 families; P11, 27 species 26 genera, 18 families and P14, 31 species, 28 genera, 19 families. Only Ng13 had woody species individualized into trees and shrubs. The combination of manual and chemical weeding and irregular fertilization promotes the diversity of herbaceous species in the different stands. Age and farming practices influence the plant diversity of the stands.
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Petersianthus macrocarpus (P. Beauv.) Liben, from the pilot name Abing or Abale, is a species in the family Lecythidaceae. Nowadays, is belongs to the group of species obtained in the past as secondary and which has exploitable potential,... more
Petersianthus macrocarpus (P. Beauv.) Liben, from the pilot name Abing or Abale, is a species in the family Lecythidaceae. Nowadays, is belongs to the group of species obtained in the past as secondary and which has exploitable potential, especially for wood and non-wood forest products. The present work draws up an ethnobotanical and ecological inventory of this species and provides information in particular on the food potentials for man through the various edible caterpillars of which it is the host. Abing is a woody forest species better known for its edible caterpillar species than for its timber. It is a semi-heliophilic species endemic to the sub-guineocongol region, found in dense evergreen and semi-deciduous forests. Its mode of dispersion is anemochore, its regeneration is slow and it shows and irregular phenology. The abing is host to many species of caterpillars of the family Saturniidae which are highly valued by local populations and which can be marketed. Finally, it ...
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Research Interests: Ecosystem Services, Community Based Natural Resources Management, Biology, Ethnozoology, Non Timber Forest Products (NTFP), and 8 moreLivelihood, Sustainable Livelihoods, Food security and rural livelihoods, Forestry and Natural Resources Management, Forestry Sciences, Rural Livelihood Strategies, Edible Insects, and Wild/Indigenous & Traditional Food Plants
Caterpillars are among the most consumed, traded and economically valuable edible insects in the tropics, where they are excellent sources of proteins and fats for many indigenous peoples. Despite their contribution to global food... more
Caterpillars are among the most consumed, traded and economically valuable edible insects in the tropics, where they are excellent sources of proteins and fats for many indigenous peoples. Despite their contribution to global food security, little is known about the species traded as well as their host plants. Through market surveys, semi-structured interviews and field observations, we identified the edible caterpillars' species commercialized in the Centre region of Cameroon and their host plants, estimated weights and retail values, examined perceptions of change over time, and discussed implications for management. Eleven species of caterpillars and 18 host trees were identified. Seven species accounted for a total of 69482 kg worth US$163,565 being traded annually by interviewed vendors (N = 32). Caterpillars were sold either fresh or smoked, and prices varied significantly among species and urban/rural markets. All hosts were trees from lowland rainforests, most having multiple uses (e.g. medicine, timber). Most vendors reported a decrease in caterpillar species' abundance, mainly attributed to logging of host trees and climatic changes. Future management efforts could be centered on promoting semi-domestication of edible caterpillars and raising awareness on cultivation techniques of host trees.