Authors:
Mamah M., Baye-Niwah, C., Hamawa1, Y., Dangai Y., Oumarou Z., Abdoulaye H.,
Mal Ali
, Fawa G. & Mapongmetsem P.M. |
Abstract:
Agroforestry parklands belong to multistrata agroforestry systems frequent in tropical Africa.
Understanding the structure and carbon storage of these land use systems can be a good step
toward their sustainable management. The objective of the study was to assess the demography
structure and appreciate the carbon stock of the parklands to gauge the farmer perceptions on
climate change. A total of 300 farmers were interviewed in households, thus 100 per agroecological zone. In total, 126 ha areas were set in parklands of the three agro-ecological zones of
Cameroon (Adamawa, North and Far North). The dendrometric parameters recorded were:
diameter (dbh), height and crown diameter. The above and below ground biomass were
determined using allometric equations. The results reveal that B.aethiopum parklands supply
essential ecosystem services to local populations through informal economies. The species
richness ranges from 8 in the Far North to 13 species in the Adamawa agro-ecological zones.
The density is 18.94 stems/ha. The population structure of B. aethiopum is bell-shaped
indepently of the agro-ecological zone. Farmer perceptions vary according to agro-ecological
zone. Nevertheless the following manifestations of climate change were common for the agroecological zones : regular flood, destruction of houses and farms, dryness, delay of rainfall and
agricultural calender upset. Local strategies among which, use of organic fertilizers, reduction of
busfires, reafforestation and respect sacred environments were developed to mitigate climate
change. The ecological and economic services of B. aethiopum parklands are 376.548 tC/ha and
2 165 151 CFA respectively. In addition to the usual socio-economic and environmental
functions of B.aethiopum agroforestry parklands of Cameroon, this study showed their
ecological importance in terms of carbon sequestration capacity and agrobiodiversity. |
