erudefconservation.org

The mission of the plant department is to study, conserve and manage the plant diversity of the Lebialem-Mone Forest Landscape (LMFL) through research, education and capacity building.

- Carry out research to understand the forest flora, ecosystem and biological interactions in the LMFL.
- To evaluate and document the species diversity in the LMFL.
- To produce a geospatial map of plant species in the LMFL.
- To categorize and document all plant species identified in the area as rare, red data, medicinal and underutilized.
- To educate and build the capacity of the forest agencies and local communities on plant conservation.
- To establish an Important Plant Area (IPA) in the LMFL.

Plant studies are carried out in the six different forest blocks of the Lebialem-Mone Forest Landscape of Cameroon. These blocks range from lowland forest of altitudes 200m to sub-montane forest of altitudes up to 2700m above sea level and experience two climatic seasons; the rainy season (April to September) and dry season (October to March). These forest blocks include:

) Bechati-Fossimondi-Besali Forest
) Bechati-Mone Forest Corridor
) Nkingwa Hills
) Mbanga Mpongo/Ebensuk Forest
) Mak-Betchou Forest
) Lebialem Highlands Montane Forest/Mt Bamboutous

What we do:
Research

Everyday the world’s forest is reducing, species disappear, and the ecosystem is being degraded. Studying and documenting information about the forest is inevitable if we have to protect and conserve our forest species from extinction. Through research, we are able to develop new methods for sustainable plant utilization which is beneficial to the local people.
Research is a fundamental aspect of the mission of the plant component of ERuDeF. Our research is based on understanding the forest flora, ecosystem and biological interactions. Our results emphasize the relationship between species, species abundance, species distribution and species diversity.

The communities form an integral part of plant studies. Their activities have great influence in the conservation of the forest. Conservation education is carried out to change the mentality of the locals on their activities in the forest and the way they harvest these plant species. This is done through community meetings, focus discussions.

Ethno-botanical studies are conducted to document existing knowledge on the use of plants in traditional medicine, the conservation status of these plants and whether they could be cultivated or not. These studies are conducted through field work, administering if questionnaires, discussions with traditional healers.

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Major Links

Plants Conservation

Mission of the Plant Department

Power by Ramses II Network System (+237 76903776)