André Paul Ebanga1,2*, Cédric Djomo Chimi2,3 , Jules Christian Zekeng2,4,5 , Lydie Messado Kamga1, Laurent Florent Etoundi Menyene1,2, Ruth Laure Nnanga1, Guillaine Yonga1,2 , Jean Louis Fobane6 and Marguerite Marie Mbolo
Abstract
This study examines the effects of anthropogenic disturbances on natural regeneration patterns in Angossas Communal Forest (ACF) by conducting a systematic forest inventory of tree species across 40 ha. Disturbance intensity and land-use types were characterised, and woody plants were grouped into diameter-based size classes to evaluate understorey structure and diversity. Tree stumps were inventoried to assess the regeneration capacity of damaged tree species. The understorey accounted for 80.85% of total stem density, with medium-sized trees as the main component of regeneration (66.14%). Regeneration patterns varied significantly along the disturbance gradient (p < 0.05), with the highest density of medium-sized trees observed in highly disturbed areas (875 stems ha⁻¹) and peak densities of small trees in lightly disturbed zones (1467 stems ha⁻¹). Mature secondary forests exhibited the highest understorey density of medium-sized trees (5267 ± 2838 stems ha⁻¹), along with moderate densities of small trees and the greatest species diversity (Shannon-Wiener index: 2.7–2.9), despite low floristic similarity among strata (10%).
Vegetative regeneration was particularly active, with 78.78% of stumps producing an average of 5.00 ± 3.92 sprouts per stump, showing significant correlations with stump diameter and height (p < 0.05). These findings suggest partial ecosystem resilience driven by vigorous vegetative regeneration, alongside ongoing limitations in recruitment success.
Our results show that vegetative regeneration is key to post-disturbance recovery in the Angossas Communal Forest, while seed-based recruitment remains limited along the disturbance gradient. These findings suggest a moderate degree of natural regeneration under current disturbance regimes and emphasise the significance of disturbance intensity and land-use context in shaping forest regeneration dynamics.
Keywords Natural regeneration, Understory vegetation, Disturbance effects, Sustainable agricultural practices, Ecological vulnerability, Forest conservation, Ecosystem resilience