Invasion of Nypa palm into mangroves is a problem in the Cameroon Estuary. Soil variability is one of the dominant features that support Nypa palm establishment. The objective was to characterize the soil under the different mangrove stands; Purely Nypa palm stands (A), mixed stands i.e Nypa palm and other mangrove species (B) and other mangrove species i.e Nypa palm free (C), determine the principal soil characteristic critical for Nypa spread.  9 plots of 20 x 20 m were laid in each of the sites.  27 soil samples were collected in the North, West, South East and Center at a depth of 30 cm in these three sites using a soil auger. The results in the three sites indicated that; soils were acidic (3.87- 4.39), pH values did not significantly differ (alpha >0.05), organic matter was low in A (12.32%) and B (16.35%).Soil Organic Carbon ranged from (4.52 to 7.06%). High percentage of organic carbon content was recorded in C (7.06%). Low percentage of organic carbon was found in A (4.52%). Total nitrogen varied from 1.04 g/kg, 1.70g/kg, 1.80 g/kg in sites C, A and B. In all the mangrove stands, the values of Exchangeable Ca content were below 4.0 cmolkg-1. Soil texture in the three sites were; sandy, clay and silt. Power test showed no significant different in soil types between the three sites (p>0.05). According to the component matrix the factor is positively loaded by soil EC, moisture content, organic matter, organic carbon, N, C/N, CEC, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Clay, Silt, and negatively loaded by the percent sand. This study therefore, suggests that since soil plays key role in Nypa palm establishment, there should be constant monitoring of soil quality to forestall drastic changes that will jeopardize the survival of the mangroves. Nypa palm seedlings should also be physically removed from mangrove forest to prevent colonization. In addition, more mangrove seeds should be planted in deforested mangrove areas to close the window of opportunity for the palms.

This study assessed the extent, patterns and socio-demographic determinants of community forest use and dependence for livelihood in three community forests areas in Fako Division, Cameroon. The data, collected principally through a questionnaire administered to 295 selected community members, was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Science 20. The study found that most (61.3%) of the respondents directly use the community forest, principally for fuelwood collection (89.4%), NTFPs harvesting (41.3%), subsistence farming (40%) and timber exploitation (25.7%). Community forest use was significantly predicted by user's location (p=0.039), gender (p=0.011), primary occupation (p=0.00), level of education (p=0.00), income level (p=0.023), origin (p=0.010) and membership in Community Forest Management Group (p=0.025). Furthermore, it was observed that most (53.1%) of the forest users depended on the forest for 61-100% of their household food, energy and material needs while the sales of forest resources accounted for 61-100% of the monthly income of 57.9% others. The study concluded that community forest resources make up a considerable portion of the livelihood portfolio of many forest-fringe households in the area and recommended among other things improvements in the current land tenure policy to enable local stakeholders to fully embrace participatory forestry and the training of forest users on value adding activities to enhance returns from the commercialization of forest products.

AimsIn urban areas, human activities result to the discharge of a variety of chemical substances to the environment, playing a substantial role in soil quality, plant species diversity and human security. In order to suggest appropriate management strategies that ensures soil quality, their sustainable utilization and human security in the midst of urbanization, this study assesses the relationship between macrophyte diversity and some soil characteristics of wetlands in Bamenda Municipality, Cameroon at different stages of urbanization. It examines (i) macrophyte diversity and soil characteristics of wetlands adjacent urban and peri-urban areas. MethodsPlant communities were sampled for species composition and relative abundance, using the Braun-banquet method. Species richness was evaluated using the Simpson’s diversity index. Twenty-one soil samples (0 - 25 cm depth) were also randomly collected within the wetlands and analyzed for their physico-chemical characteristics using standard methods. The hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to group the area under managing units. ResultsFrom the results, 50 macrophytes species distributed in 28 families were documented in the area. The species observed were mostly emergent herbaceous plants (grasses) with only few shrubs and trees. The Simpson indices of diversity were 0.94 and 0.96 for the urban and control sites, respectively. The soils were slightly acidic. Sand, pH-H2O, pH-KCl, Na were consistently least variable across the three sites. Two significant clusters representing a combination of urban and peri urban/rural were formed from the hierarchical dendrograms for classification of the chemical variables for the surface soils wetlands with associations to plants species. The Mann-Whitney U test, revealed a significant lower (P <0.05) concentration of the chemical constituents of the control site and the urban sites indicating contamination.ConclusionIntensification and extension of urbanisation is reducing the diversity of the wetlands of the Bamenda municipality warranting monitoring.

Today, agriculture is characterized by low yields due to continuous cropping and subsequent mining of nutrients without adequate external additions. The study was conducted to examine the effects of different organic manures and mineral fertilizer input on maize grown on volcanic soil of the Mt Cameroon area under minimum tillage. It specifically a) characterize the soils of the area, b) evaluates the physiological growth responses of maize under different external inputs, c) determines their yield responses. An experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with four replications where maize of the Acid Tolerate Population (ATP) variety was planted. Soil samples were obtained from three different locations on each plot. The samples were analyzed for their physicchemical properties using standard methods. The maize was evaluated for growth and yield. The data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. The soils of the area were slightly acidic with an average pH value of 6.1. The concentration of calcium and magnesium were low (3.70 cmol(+)/kg) and medium 1.12 cmol(+)/kg), respectively. The average nitrogen content of the soils was very low (0.18%) just as the C/N ratio. Poultry manure fertilization gave the highest yield of 1.4 t ha -1 and the maximum harvest index (17.8%) while the lowest harvest index of 13.60% was recorded in plot where no manure was applied (control). The study, concludes that though organic manures are hailed for their soil amendment properties, the type and duration of handling plays a great role in nutrient availability to plants.

Wetland agriculture brings significant benefits to food security, health and income. However, ill-considered development often leads to deleterious environmental impacts and harmful consequences to people's livelihoods. This study using multi-criteria approach addresses possible environmental and food security hazards' in vegetable gardens in urban wetlands of the Bamenda municipality, besides conflicts over access. It evaluates their ecological status, soil heavy metal loads, and their accumulation in vegetables. Twenty one samples each of surface soils and Solanum scarbrum were collected from vegetable gardens in the municipality and analysed for their heavy metal (Cd, Pb, Cr, and Mn) content using the atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicated that the wetlands of the municipality have been moderately modified with a loss and change of biota such as the Raffia fanifera. Pollution load indices varied considerably at the different sites, and ranged from unpolluted through slight pollution to medium pollution. The mean values of bioaccumulation factor (BAF) for Solanum scarbrum, stood at Cd>Mn>Pb>Cr, with respective values of1.23, 1.14, 1.01, and 0.48, insignificantly higher (P>0.05) than those of the control sample. Cadmium is easily transferred in this vegetable than any other metal. The intake of Cd was estimated at 9E-7 mg, representing approximately 0.009 % of the referenced dose (RfD), established to 0.001 mg kg -1 .Due to the gradual degradation of wetlands in Bamenda and the urgent need to secure and improve people's quality of life while simultaneously safeguarding the ecological benefits derived from the wetland, policy makers should integrate conservation and development in planning.