Mangrove Species Composition and Structural Characteristics Across Degradation and Restoration Statuses in Douala, Limbe And Tiko Sub-Divisions of Southwest Region-Cameroon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jnsrr/V2E7/2026-07Keywords:
Mangroves, Species Composition, Stand Structure, Natural Regeneration, Reforestation, Avicennia Germinans, CameroonAbstract
Mangrove ecosystems provide critical ecological services, including shoreline stabilization, nursery habitat provision, biodiversity conservation and blue carbon storage; however, they remain increasingly threatened by degradation, land-use pressure and unevenly monitored restoration interventions. This study assessed the species composition and structural characteristics of mangrove stands across three degradation and restoration statuses in Douala, Limbe and Tiko, Cameroon. A total of nine 20 m x 20 m plots were surveyed, comprising one non-degraded, one naturally regenerated and one reforested mangrove plot in each municipality. All plant individuals were identified, counted and measured for diameter at breast height and height. Species abundance, family abundance, diversity indices, diameter and height class distributions, basal area, tree volume, importance value index, Sorenson similarity, non-metric multidimensional scaling and PERMANOVA were used to analyze compositional and structural patterns. A total of 3,428 plant individuals belonging to 20 species and 11 families were recorded. Avicennia germinans was the most abundant species, accounting for 1,863 individuals, followed by Laguncularia racemosa with 859 individuals and Rhizophora mangle with 403 individuals. Douala was dominated by A. germinans, Limbe by L. racemosa and Tiko by R. mangle. Naturally regenerated mangroves recorded the highest abundance, while non-degraded mangroves showed stronger structural maturity, particularly in height class distribution. Diameter structure followed a reverse J-shaped pattern, with 77.35% of individuals occurring in the <1 cm DBH class, indicating strong recruitment but limited representation of mature stems. The highest overall importance value index was recorded for A. germinans (91.06), followed by R. mangle (67.22) and L. racemosa (40.85). PERMANOVA showed that species composition differed significantly among sites (p = 0.013), but not among degradation-status categories (p = 0.579). The findings indicated that site-specific conditions influenced mangrove composition more strongly than broad degradation-status categories. Restoration planning should therefore prioritize local hydrology, species-site suitability, long-term monitoring and structural recovery rather than relying only on planting density or seedling abundance.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Floris Atehawung Atem, Longonje Simon Ngomba (Author)
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