CONSERVATION OF THREATENED TREES ON MOUNT CAMEROON

Cameroon is a priority for threatened trees and within the country Mount Cameroon in the south west is a particular hotspot, with 15 Critically Endangered tree species. Following the designation of the area as a National Park in 2010, the Global Trees Campaign are supporting local partners ERuDeF to enhance the protection of endangered tree species on Mount Cameroon.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Cameroon is a top priority for threatened trees: with 175 globally threatened trees, 25 of which are Critically Endangered and 28 Endangered, it rates second in Africa and 16th globally for threatened trees. Within Cameroon, 15 of the country's Critically Endangered trees are recorded from Mount Cameroon. The Mount Cameroon and Bioko forests are recognised as being exceptionally diverse, having a continuous gradient from low-altitude moist forest to sub-altitude vegetation.

The forests of Mount Cameroon are highly threatened by conversion to agriculture, logging and hunting. Threatened trees include Microberlinia bisulcata (commonly known as Zebrawood), a large Critically Endangered forest tree endemic to Cameroon which has been heavily exploited for its striking stripy timber. The enigmatic Crudia bibundina is only known from Mount Cameroon and is also Critically Endangered.

FFI’s partner in Cameroon, ERUDEF, is located in the foothills of Mount Cameroon. Founded in 1999, they are a young and developing group focusing on research, conservation and community engagement. After many years of pressure, the government of Cameroon officially designated the Mount Cameroon National Park in January 2010, covering 58,178 ha around the mountain. The structures and management to support the park are yet to be developed. There is thus an opportunity to ensure that threatened and rare trees are recognised as one of the priority groups for protection and to develop the capacity of the park management and local communities.

This project aims to enhance the protection of endangered tree species on Mount Cameroon. Park staff and local communities will be trained in tree identification; protection, propagation and planting, and nurseries will be established to grow selected rare species for restoration in the National Park and surrounding area as well as supporting the government of Cameroon to promote tree planting in critically important habitats across the country.

Update: December 2011

The project was launched in the presence of 40 government officials and key stakeholders including Mount Cameroon National Park staff and representatives of 21 local villages, which have been identified for participation in the project

Field staff have spent a day in each community to identify and mark nearby individuals of the target tree species. The next activities will include rehabilitation of nursery facilities at Limbe Botanical Gardens, expeditions to more remote forest areas to search for target tree species, and further engagement with local communities.  

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