Abstract
To strengthen the regeneration and management of Cameroon's coastal ecosystems, the biological characteristics of seedlings of Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn and associated species were analysed from January 1999 to December 1999 in the mangroves under different environmental conditions. Site factors such as temperature, conductivity, salinity and pH were studied in relation to species distribution, and showed significant variation within species. These factors were strongly correlated in the case of A. germinans. The phenology of Avicennia extends throughout the year. Structural parameters of the trees, seedlings and of associated species have been determined. The survey of plant populations shows that A. germinans species represent more than 95% of the total seedlings of the study area, in spite of their variable density. A correlation was found between seedling diameter and height. The intra-specific competition is high and the percentage of seedlings that reach maturity is extremely low (less than1%). Seedlings are over-scattered and weakly aggregated (Green index: GI = 0.023). Floristic diversity is greater and A. germinans zones appear to be the diversification centre of taxa in the mangroves.
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Din, N., Priso, R.J., Kenne, M. et al. Early growth stages and natural regeneration of Avicennia germinans (L.) Stearn in the Wouri estuarine mangroves (Douala-Cameroon).. Wetlands Ecology and Management 10, 461–472 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021351707822
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021351707822