Abstract

This study is part of the environmental impact assessment realised in the deep sea port area of Kribi. Floristic inventory and diversity assessments were necessary to understand the species composition and diversity status of forests, trees biomass and investigate the potential impact of the project. Floristic analysis shows a high Shannon diversity index (5.3), indicating a rich and diverse flora composed of 83 species, 73 genera and 29 families among which one endanger species (Diospyros crassiflora), two lower risk/near threatened species (Dialium bipendense, Irvingia gabonensis) and vulnerable species mostly wood with high marketing value (Afzelia bipindensis, Entandrophragma angolensis, Entandrophragma utile, Khaya ivorensis, Lovoa trichilioïdes, Pterygota macrocarpa). The mean basal area (28 to 50 m²/ha) reflects the presence of patches of disturbed and non disturbed forest with high frequency of small size trees and few canopy trees with large buttresses. Tree biomass is estimated at 2840 Mg (379 Mg/ha) and carbon stock 189.31 MgC/ha. Ecological impact can be mitigating by a management plan which includes a sustainable choice of urbanization and an emphasis on the protection of biodiversity in the remaining forest especially Campo Ma’an national park known as hot spot of biodiversity and where all the censored species can be found.

Key words: Cameroon-Kribi, deep sea port, deforestation, biomass, mitigating measures.