Floristic Diversity and Regeneration of Agroforestry Parklands in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Cameroon

Agroforestry parklands play a crucial role in biodiversity conservation, soil fertility improvement, and climate resilience in arid and semi-arid regions. This study aimed to assess woody species diversity, regeneration capacity, and agroforestry anthropisation and vulnerability indices and to propose a sustainable management strategy across four sites: Benoue, Mayo-Louti, Mayo-Kani and Diamare in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Cameroon. Floristic inventories were conducted in 50 m × 50 m plots, where all woody individuals were identified and measured. Species diversity was analysed using Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, and Pielou's equitability indices, with principal component analysis supporting the analysis. Tree density, regeneration rates and anthropogenic pressures were also evaluated. A total of 40 woody species belonging to 36 genera and 22 families were recorded. Dominant species included Khaya senegalensis, Adansonia digitata, Balanites aegyptiaca and Faidherbia albida. Tree density ranged from 59 to 179 stems per hectare. Regeneration varied markedly among species, with B. aegyptiaca showing a high rate (97.5%) and A. digitata a very low rate (0.5%). Deforestation, overgrazing and land clearing were major threats. In conclusion, although agroforestry parklands provide significant ecological and socio-economic benefits, targeted sustainable management measures are essential to ensure their long-term resilience and biodiversity conservation.