Influence of Human Activity on Woody Plant Floristic Diversity and Carbon Stock of the Peripheral Areas of Lakes Bini, Transcam and Tison (Adamawa, Cameroon)

Abstract

Lakes are highly productive ecosystems of significant ecological and economical value, locally and globally. They sequester an exceptionally large amount of carbon. In a bid to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, research was conducted in Lakes Tison, Bini and Transcam in the Adamaoua region of Cameroon to contribute in safeguarding these ecosystems through conservation and rehabilitation efforts. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of human activities on woody plant diversity and carbon stocks around these three lakes. A split-plot experimental design was set up for this study. The lakes were considered as primary factors and their cardinal points as secondary factors. Three 20 × 60 m transects were formed on each side of the lakes, spaced 5 m apart. The findings revealed that the main indicators of anthropogenic activities around these lakes were traces of burning (60.28%) in Lake Tison and woodcutting (44.21%) in Lake Bini. The practice of bush fires for weeding and firewood collection around Lake Transcam contributed to the conversion of land for agricultural use, affecting plant diversity. The Shannon index of the three lakes ranged from 1.83 to 3.86. Carbon sequestration was five times higher in Lake Bini on the western side (90.75 tC/ha) of the total stock (91.75 tC/ha) than Lake Tison (17.77 tC/ha). The presence of an orchard to the west of Lake Bini reinforced the results obtained. Given their significance and value, aquatic environments are under enormous pressure from riparian populations and the exploitation of lake peripheries must be regulated.