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Forest situated at the vicinity of communities hardly attained a fixed climax community over long period due to anthropogenic and natural factors. We investigated the density, population structure and regeneration status of six tree species (Annickia chlorantha, Baphia nitida, Irvingia gabonensis, Pterocarpus soyauxii, Terminalia ivorensis and Melicia excelsa) harvested for making of wooden mortars and pestles in three forest dependent communities. Data were collected through survey and focus group discussions with wood carvers. Results showed that, the highest tree density of 142.1 trees ha -1 and 54.4 trees ha -1 were recorded for Baphia nitida in unprotected and protected forest stands:Original Research Article respectively. The Melicia excelsa had density of 3.1 trees ha -1 . Most of the trees diameters were within the class sizes 0.0-4.9cm and 5.0-9.9cm in unprotected and protected stands. A total of 248 mortars and 477 pestles were produced in 2007-2012 while in 2001-2006 a total of 155 mortars and 304 pestles were produced in the protected and unprotected stands of the Takamanda rainforest. Kajifu 1 recorded the highest mortar (179) and Pestles (437) while Kekukesem recorded the lowest mortars (96) and pestles (136) produced from 2001-2012. We noticed that, all targeted tree species were found facing harvesting pressure from the increasing human population.

A survey was carried out to determine the type of mycorrhizal association formed by trees within the different habitat types of the disturbed and undisturbed sites of the Takamanda rainforest. Forty-eight tree species of commercial and cultural importance were selected from the two sites for this study. Root samples were collected from a total of 327 individual trees belonging to the 48 species; they were cleared, stained and examined microscopically for mycorrhizal colonization and type. All the forty-eight species examined harbored one or more mycorrhizal structures, which ranged from arbuscules, intercellular hyphae, intracellular hyphae, vesicles, and Hartig net. Thirty-nine species formed exclusively arbuscular mycorrhiza (81.25%), two species; Uapaca guineensis and Angylocalyx oligophyllus formed ectomycorrhiza only (4.17%), while seven species Afzelia bipindensis, Baphia nitida, Anglylocalyx pynaertii, Cieba pentandra, Cylicodiscus gabunensis, Pterocarpus soyauxii and Terminalia ivorensis formed both ecto-and arbuscular mycorrhiza (14.58%). In both forest sites and habitat types, arbuscular mycorrhiza was the most represented among the tree species. In the undisturbed site and in the plain 68% of tree species sampled formed arbuscular mycorrhiza, 12% formed ectomycorrhiza, 16% formed dual mycorrhiza and 4% were non-mycorrhiza. On ridge top, 81.8% of the tree species formed arbuscular mycorrhiza, 13.6% formed ectomycorrhiza with 4.6% being dual mycorrhiza. On hilly slopes, 82.8% of the tree species formed arbuscular mycorrhiza, 13.8% formed ectomycorrhiza and 3.5% were dual mycorrhiza. In the disturbed site, 100% of the tree species sampled on the plain, formed arbuscular mycorrhiza. On the ridge top, 73.3% of the tree species sampled formed arbuscular mycorrhiza, 13.3% formed ectomycorrhiza and 13.3% were non mycorrhizal. On hilly slopes, 83.3% formed arbuscular mycorrhiza, 8.3% formed ectomycorrhiza and 8.3% were non-mycorrhizal. Mycorrhizas are important factors in Takamanda and must be taken into consideration, when designing management strategies for this forest.

Land clearing for plantation and settlement establishment has been a prominent driving force for forest ecosystem destruction. This study aimed at evaluating the status, challenges and mitigation strategies of the selected NTFPs produced and Mark¹eted in the study site. This study was carried out in the municipality of Mundemba South West Region Cameroon. Data were collected with the used of open and close ended questionnaires, key informants interviews and field observations. The questionnaires were divided into IV sections. Section I socio-demographic characteristics, section II on the status of the different NTFPs produced and marketed section III on the challenges and section IV on mitigation strategies. Data were subjected to descriptive analyses and were treated using statistical software program IBM SPSS statistics.  Chi square Pearson test was used to determine the association. Results showed that 59.00 percent were men while 41.00 percent were women. Based on the IUCN red list categories, 6 of the NTFPs were noticed as least concerned, 4 of the NTFP species are near threatened, while none of the species were noticed to be extinct. The main challenge for production was limited land with 51.00 percent while the least challenge of limited knowledge for production was noticed to 2% and was not significantly different(x2cal = 0.593, x2 table value=0.917). The main challenge for marketing was reported as insecurity with 39 % while the least was failure of buyers to keep to time with 8.00 percent and was significantly different (X2cal= 1.052,x2 table value =0.958). The government strategies for mitigating challenges of production and marketing (x2cal =2.988, x2cal =0.224) was significantly different. The major mitigation of road construction had a percentage of 83.00 percent, while the least noticed for mitigations production and marketing was provision of farm inputs with a percentage of 6 %. Therefore, proper management will definitely lead to improve production and marketing of NTFPs.

Tropical montane forests are considered to be one of the most species diverse ecosystems. These areas pose specific edaphic and environmental characteristics which enable these areas to harbour wide varieties of organisms. Some of these organisms are threatened and others are endemic to the area. The quest for food and other resources has resulted to indiscriminate exploitation of these montane forest. This study aimed to investigate the stand structure, distribution patterns and regeneration status of six tree species (Nuxia congesta, Pittosporum mannii, Podocarpu slatifolius, Prunus africana, Schefflera abyssinica and Syzygium guineense) along altitudinal gradients in the Kilum-Ijim Forest Reserve, Cameroon. A total of six study plots of one hectare (100 x100 m) each were laid across a 120 m elevation gradient. Two plots were established at each altitudinal gradient with elevations 2377 m, 2437 m and 2497 m. Measurements were taken for tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH 1.3 m) for the tree and poles. The digital Vernier callipers were used to measure collar diameters of seedlings and saplings. The highest tree density of 385 stems/ha was recorded for N. congesta at altitude 2497 m while the least was 20 stems/ha for S. abyssinica at altitude 2377m. The highest seedling density was 1563 stems/ha recorded for P. mannii at altitude 2377m and the least was noted for S. abyssinica at all the three altitudinal gradients.  Nuxia congesta had the highest basal area of 8809.23m2/ha at altitude 2437 m and the least of 74.82m2/ha for P. latifolius at altitude 2437 m.  The highest IVI occurred in N. congesta (131.91) was recorded at altitude 2377 m and the least (24.91) occurred in P. latifolius at altitude 2437 m. The spatial distributions of studied tree species were generally clumped and irregular. The regenerations of species were generally poor, though fair regenerations were noticed for N. congesta and P. mannii. The results showed that the six tree species were highly disturbed by anthropogenic activities. It is therefore imperative to develop and implement effective conservation measures to sustain the biodiversity of this reserve.