Charlene Jordane Piam Djomo
In Deng-Deng national park, overexploitation of forests products, degradation and loss of forests are the major problems contributing to biodiversity loss and livelihoods unsustainability. Given the strong anthropic pressure on parks’ resources due to the increased dependence of populations with few alternatives, there is an increasing and urgent need to improve conservation of over-exploited species in order to reduce pressure on forest resources and improve livelihoods of local populations. Tackling these problems require a combination of approaches including improved management of forests, restoring native forests and building local capacity. This work will contribute to the conservation of the diversity of Non Wood Forest Products species and encourage their sustainable use, reduce harvest pressure, restore degraded habitats, promote sustainable livelihoods and train locals on tree propagation. This will be done through ethnobotanical survey, floristic inventories, participatory restoration activities, propagation trials and training workshop on trees domestication.
Deng-Deng National Park was recently created in 2010 in compensation for the construction of a dam that had significant negative impacts on the environment (Gonmadje et al., 2012). The park is undergoing an intensive and illegal exploitation of timber species including those contributing to livelihood and socioeconomic stability for the well-being of local people called Non-Wood Forest Products (NWFPs) trees such as medicinal products (Diangha, 2015). Many of these tree species have become rare and endangered because of habitat degradation, overharvesting and the high valuable non-wood forest products (NWFPs).
The present project aims at the conservation and management of biological resources of the DENG-DENG National Park, in particular the flora and diversity of Non-Wood Forest Product Trees species (NWFP). This study will enrich knowledge on various aspects including ethnobotany, diversity, abundance, distribution and availability of NWFP species. Also, it will contribute to: enhance the basic needs of rural populations, in terms of food, health, construction and crafts; allow a diversification of the sources of income; restore degraded habitats; increase forest resources.
Furthermore, the populations will be trained on propagation methods and harvesting technics to the idea of sustainable use of these resources and to restore degraded habitats in order to guarantee the regeneration and the durability of the said resources through fighting against unsustainable practices. The overall results will benefit to local populations, the scientific community and park conservation officers.
The overall objective of the study is to evaluate the potential of forests ecosystems in Deng-Deng Park for NWFP tree species and to improve their conservation and use. Specific objectives include:
(1) to carry out floristic inventories on the diversity of NWFP tree species and locally used plant species;
(2) to assess local knowledge about the uses and management methods of locally used and priority species;
(3) to restore degraded habitats with indigenous plant species;
(4) to identify and implement tree domestication best techniques;
(5) to train local stakeholder groups in tree domestication.
Key practical outputs include:
(a) the diversity of local knowledge on the use and management of NWFP plants species are identified and known;
(b) an update on the non-wood forest products trees species and priority plant species;
(c) Best domestication practices are identified and vulgarised;
(d) capacity building of local community via tree domestication and sustainable management workshops.