Vascular Epiphyte Diversity Along an Altitudinal Gradient in the Mount Oku Forest, North-West Cameroon
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Background and Objective: Vascular epiphytes are important components of biological diversity in tropical forests.The survival of the important elements of global vegetation is recognized to be increasingly threatened.This study was conducted in the Mount Oku forest from May-August, 2014.It aimed to assess the diversity and distribution of vascular epiphytes at two altitudinal zones (2200-2500 and 2500-2800 m) in the Mount Oku forest, North-West, Cameroon.Materials and Methods: The floristic data were collected on three phorophytes: Schefflera abyssinica, Nuxia congesta and Rapanea melanophloeos using Johansson's method.A total of 180 host trees (e.g., in each altitudinal range, 30 individuals of each host tree) were sampled.Results: A total of 69 and 55 species of vascular epiphytes were recorded respectively at altitudinal zones 2200-2500 and 2500-2800 m.The richest epiphyte families at both ranges of altitudes were the Aspleniaceae and Orchidaceae with 12 species each.Host trees Schefflera abyssinica and Nuxia congesta support most epiphytes.Epiphytic groups, Pteridophyta with 28 species found in 10 families, Dicotyledonae with 29 species found in 16 families and Monocotyledonae with 13 species found in 2 families.Conclusion: The altitudinal gradient was found to differ in the composition, diversity and structure of the epiphytic groups, which must be considered for the elaboration of conservation action plans for this ecosystem and their vascular epiphytes.
Source: Journal of Plant Sciences
Institutions: Université de Dschang, University of Maroua
Language: English
Topic: Fern and Epiphyte Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4224080608