Protection of economically demanding but endangered plant species.
SPEF is out to ensure the protection of economically demanding but endangered plant species (Pterocarpus eranaceuos) in the Kimbi Fungom national park. Pterocarpus eranaceuos commonly called Madrid OR kosos in Nigeria is one of the endangered species in the world. It is a species of high economic value.
This endangered species is native tree species of the Guineo-Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian zones where natural stands are under constant pressure and heavily exploited for timber, animal feeding and others uses. Pterocarpus. erinaceus is currently reported from Senegal to Cameroon. Apart from the overexploitation, climate change could also become a serious threat to the species natural distribution.. It helps to strengthen the roles of natural forests in providing ecosystem services and mitigating climate change effects. The Kimbi Fungom National Park, North West Region of Cameroon is a fertile ground where this species had occurred in the natural stand. From time immemorial, the economic importance of the tree was not known apart from the manufacture of local guns and use for fuelwood. In late 2015, wood dealers from Nigeria identified the species in the savanna compartment of the park and immediately started exploitation and transportation to Nigeria. Between 2015 and 2022, over 25,000 stems have been illegally cut down for exportation to Nigeria due to its high economic value and the increasing demand. SPEF is out to educate the local population on the importance of promoting the development of innovative silvicultural strategies for the extension and restoration of natural stands of Pterocarpus. erinaceus in order to meet sustainably timber needs of the Nigerians who are the main buyers of the wood from the park while mitigating the increasing effects of climate change. SPEF has as target to train 200 youths in silviculture and plant 100,000 trees in the next five years in and around the Kimbi-Fungom National Park. .
Projects:
- Assessment of local knowledge on the conservation of Pterocarpus. Erinaceus
- Reforestation of degraded landscape in the kimbi-fungom National Park with 100,000 trees
- Restoration of raffia ecosystems for clean water sources and local livelihood in the savanna landscapes
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