Characterization and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Sacred Forests in the Western Highlands Cameroon

Cameroon has a diversity of forest ecosystems, including sacred forests that have been preserved until now by traditional laws. The aim of this study was to characterize the vegetation of two sacred forests in the Western Highlands and to estimate the quantities of carbon stored by these forests. The inventories were carried out in 24 quadrats measuring 30 m x 30 m installed in the Bansoa and Baloum forests according to their surface area. Individuals with a diameter of 10 cm or more at breast height (1.30 m from the ground) were measured. Phytodiversity was assessed using the Shannon and Simpson indixes. The quantities of carbon stored by the sacred forests were obtained using allometric equations developed by other researchers and appropriate to the tropical zone. Overall, 50 species in 31 genera and 25 families were recorded. The diversity index values are low. They range from 1.47 to 2.52 bits per plot for the Shannon index, and from 0.70 to 0.91 for the Simpson index. Markhamia lutea and Cola acuminata are the most frequent and abundant species in the study area. The densities of individuals per hectare are 368 individuals/ha at Bansoa and 416 individuals/ha at Baloum and the basal area varies from 32.37 m2/ha to 38.44 m2/ha. The shrub layer dominates in both forests. Of the species recorded, 03 are Vulnerable and 02 are Endangered. Carbon sequestration was 286.84 t C/ha at Baloum and 232.44 t C/ha at Bansoa, with CO2 uptake of 1052.12 t CO2/ha and 853.55 t CO2 /ha respectively. The results of this study show that despite their small size, sacred forests play a significant role in the conservation of plant diversity and also help to reduce greenhouse gases in nature.