Fine root production and distribution in the tropical rainforests of south-western Cameroon: effects of soil type and selective logging

doi:10.3832/ifor0549-003

Fine root production and distribution in the tropical rainforests of south-western Cameroon: effects of soil type and selective logging

A Ibrahima⁽¹⁾ , ZEA Mvondo⁽²⁾, JC Ntonga⁽³⁾

iForest - Biogeosciences and Forestry, Volume 3, Issue 5, Pages 130-136 (2010)
doi: https://doi.org/10.3832/ifor0549-003
Published: Sep 27, 2010 - Copyright © 2010 SISEF

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Little information on fine roots that play an important role in nutrient cycling was available in tropical rainforests. Distribution of fine root production and effects of selective logging on root biomass and nutrient content change were studied in the tropical rainforests of south-western Cameroon. Twenty five root samples were excavated in each of two soil depths (0-10 and 10-25 cm) and in each of three undisturbed forests (Ebom, Ebimimbang and Nyangong) and one disturbed forest by logging, using a square metallic frame of 25 x 25 cm and 30 cm high. Root samples were categorized in three diameter classes: fine (<2 mm), small (2-5 mm) and medium roots (5-20 mm). Root biomass of three diameter classes and nutrients (N, Ca, Mg, K, Na and P) of the two first diameter classes were determined. Results have shown that total root biomass varied from 9.62 (Ebom) to 29.88 t ha^-1 (Ebimimbang); those of fine roots decreased from Nyangong (7.43 t ha^-1) to Ebom (1.74 t ha^-1). In the top soil, the fine root biomass was 2 to 4 time lower in Ebom (1.43 t ha^-1) than in other undisturbed forests (3.28 and 5.87 t ha^-1). From 70 to 80% of fine root biomass were produced in the first 10 centimeters of soil depth. Nutrient amount in fine root biomass were also lower in Ebom than in Ebimimbang and Nyangong, except the P amount (kg ha^-1) which remained high in Ebom. On the contrary, no pattern of nutrient content (g kg^-1) changes among forest were found, except N and P that decreased from Ebom to Nyangong. Six years after logging, its effects on root biomass and nutrient changes were not significant and during this period, root production of disturbed forest was high due to rapid regeneration of forest particularly heliophilous tree species.

Keywords

Fine roots, Root biomass, Nutrients, Logging, Tropical rainforest, Cameroon

Authors’ address

(1)

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, P.O. Box 454, Ngaoundéré (Cameroon)

(2)

Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, P.O. Box 234, Dschangs (Cameroon)

(3)

Institute of Geological and Mining Research, P.O. Box 4110, Yaoundé (Cameroon)

Corresponding author

A Ibrahima
aibrahima@hotmail.com

Citation

Ibrahima A, Mvondo ZEA, Ntonga JC (2010). Fine root production and distribution in the tropical rainforests of south-western Cameroon: effects of soil type and selective logging. iForest 3: 130-136. - doi: 10.3832/ifor0549-003

Paper history

Received: Oct 21, 2009
Accepted: Jun 05, 2010

First online: Sep 27, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2010
Publication Time: 3.80 months

Open Access

This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

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