Abstract

The integrity of forest stands in logging concessions depends on the logging method. Selective logging is the most commonly used method in the tropics, disturbing a considerable proportion of soil and canopy cover creating distinct sites for plant establishment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the silvicultural requirements in terms of light and moisture of seedlings of some commercial tree species used for enrichment planting. This study was carried out in two Forest Management Units in the East Region and a shade house at the University of Buea campus in the South West Region of Cameroon. 15 of the 20 most exploited species were selected for the assessment of their seedling functional performance. Nineteen log yards with their corresponding skid trails were selected randomly for enrichment planting. Monthly height measurements of the seedlings were recorded for 34 months. The shade house experiment had an unbalanced factorial experiment incorporating light and moisture. The growth rate in height was significantly higher in log yards (3.8 cm/month) and least under the forest canopy (1.2 cm/month). The growth rate in height was highest under high light and high moisture in Pterocarpus soyauxii (13.3 cm/month) and least under low light and high moisture in Entandrophragma cylindricum (0.7 cm/month). Mortality was highest under the forest canopy (11.1%) and least in the skid trails (0%). The results indicated that plant species should be planted according to their light and moisture requirements during enrichment planting at the seedling stage and for a  sustainable forest management.

Key words: Enrichment planting, log yards, skid trails, shade house, under forest canopy.