Ethnobotanical investigations were conducted in Fundong Central Subdivision in the Northwest Region of Cameroon to identify trees growing in the area and collect information on their uses by the local people. This research covered a period of 12 months from May 2007 to April 2008. Ethnobotanical information was collected through the show-and-tell/semi-structured method and personal interviews during field trips. Three villages were investigated. A total of 82 tree species were identified belonging to 70 genera and 42 families. Among these species, 40 were widely used by the local people in traditional medicine to treat 48 human ailments. Tree species were also used for fuel wood, construction materials, wood carving and honey production. Leaves and barks were commonly used in traditional medicine while the wood, branches and the entire plants were commonly used for other purposes. In spite of the scarcity of natural forests in the study area, the local populations continue to depend on indigenous and exotic trees in their surroundings for their survival. There is therefore need for cultivation, protection and sustainable management of these valuable resources for rural livelihoods.

Tree species composition and diversity were investigated in the riparian forest around Lake Barombi Kotto, Cameroon. This study aimed at determining the tree species composition, population structure, and providing evidence of anthropogenic disturbances in the riparian forest of Lake Barombi Kotto. The objectives were to determine the tree species composition and diversity in the riparian forest around Lake Barombi Kotto, to elucidate the forest structure and to document the anthropogenic disturbances in this forest. Five plots were laid within which the tree enumeration and measurement of dbh were carried out. Trees were identified using scientific identification keys in the Flora of West Africa. Disturbance scores were given to each site by qualitatively assessing various disturbances. A total of 340 trees belonging to 70 plant species, 63 genera and 28 plant families were enumerated. Shannon-Wiener diversity varied across sites, with the highest value (H = 3.45) recorded in Tung and the lowest (H = 2.21) in Malenda. Population structure differed across sites, the largest stand basal area of 43.78 m 2 /ha was recorded in Bondokombo while the smallest (2.15 m 2 /ha) was recorded in the Sacred Island. Cecropia peltata L., Pseudospondias macrocarpa Oliv. Pierre and Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn had the largest basal areas across the different sites. Species rich families were Malvaceae (9 species), Fabaceae (9 species), Annonaceae (4 species), and Anacardiaceae (4). This study shows that, there is a high tree species diversity in the protected forest (Tung) but the other unprotected sites are highly disturbed by anthropogenic activities. There is need to develop and enhance existing management policies for this riparian forest, especially by replanting the cut trees and creating a protected riparian buffer to conserve its floristic diversity and ecological functions.

Salacia reticulata which is a well known plant for antidiabetic properties were subject to elicitor application. The field grown plants were sprayed with aqueous extracts of 2% Aspergillus niger mycelium as biotic elicitor and 0.2mM salicylic acid as abiotic elicitor. Elicitation of phenolics and flavonoids were marginal in both the treatments. Formation of seven new compounds in biotic elicitor treatment and eight new compounds in abiotic elicitor treatment was evident from GCMS studies. Significantly Ala-Gly, Trimethylsilyl Ester; Cyclotrisiloxane, Hexamethyl and Eicosanoic Acid, 2,3-Bis[(Trimethylsilyl) Oxy] Propyl Ester were the new compounds found in both the elicitor treatments. Cyclotrisiloxane, Hexamethyl-is a known molecule with Antioxidant, Antiasthmatics and Antogonositic effects. Interestingly, Benzene acetonitrile, Alpha.-(.Beta.-D-Glucopyranosyloxy)-,(R)-, which is a potent anticancer agent and Antioxidant ,was found only upon biotic elicitor treatment. Thus this study has led to the finding of new molecules in Salacia with potent novel medicinal properties.

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