Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (WNAD)

Managing Institute:
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology

Contractor:
Natural Resources Institute

National Office for the Development of Forests (ONADEF)

Project Code: 012-502-010	Start Date: May 21, 1991	End Date: 30/06/1996
Commitment: £2,856,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
In 1988 an economic consultancy of theTropical Forestry Action Plan reported the poor success of forestry plantations in the high forest zones of Cameroon, coupled with the very high cost incurred owing to poor organisation and lack of financial planning and budgeting. Although it is technically straightforward to grow trees in plantations, it had not yet been done economically in Cameroon.

Therefore there was the need to fill th gap, and this was presented to the TFAP round table conference in April 1989, as a Programme. The idea for the Forest Management and Regeneration Project at Mbalmayo was developed at this round table, at which it was decided to draw together all the previous training, research nursery work and silvicultural work. The project was approved in February 1991 by both Governments

The FMRP has been aiming to develop an effective management system for replanting degraded rainforest, whereby a land manager (be it government forester, villager, community or commercial company) can assess the land, labour, capital and markets available and chose the best way of establishing a plantation of timber trees. The project had to provide data for this decision-making process and a step-by-step guide to procedures, with their economic, social and environmental impacts. This improved forest management should be undertaken through better execution of silviculture; monitoring and research, and genetically improved planting stock: better project management; trainng of professional and technical staff, preparation of a management plan for the Mbalmayo Forest Reserve, and involvement of the village communities.

Project Objectives:
Phase 1

Develop operational guidance on methods of forest regeneration by artificial regeneration after logging in the lowland high forest zone for use by the Government of Cameroon.

Identify Key
1 Social

2 Economic and

3 Environmental

Parameters relevant to choice of regeneration method in representative sites.

Establish in-service capacity for training in forest regeneration and dissemination of information within the Forestry sector.

Promote management of Mbalmayo Forest Reserve.

Improve the genetic quality of planting stock of selected rain forest species.

Phase 2

To develop the capacity within Cameroon to artificially regenerate lowland forest so that the demonstration trials can be continued and regeneration methods applied at Mbalmayo and elsewhere without further external support.

Intended Outputs:
Demonstrations of five silvicultural treatments plus a control treament maintained.

Land use survey of Nyong and Soo District.

Socio-economic survey of project area sector and training strategy.

For each forest treatment data on:
1 Costs of establishment and management.

2 Growth and yield of trees.

3 Key environmental impacts.

4 Socio-economic implications including labour requirements.

Predictive models of costs and benefits associated with the different regeneration technqiues under representative site conditions.

Literature review on performance of artificial regeneration treatments in similar ecozones.

Identification of superior genetic resources of tree species.

Collections of genetically superior stock and facilities for propagation and supply of planting material.

Personnel trained in biological, economic and social aspects of forest management and practical forestry skills.

Phase 2

Demonstrations of silvicultural treatments established and maintained.

Data on each treatment collected and analysed.

Predictive model of costs and benefits of the treatments developed.

Literature review on performance of artificial regeneration treatments in similar ecozones completed.

Collection of sources of phenotypically superior trees (ayous first priority) completed and propagated.

Selected sources of trees (ayous first priority) screened for vigour and health.

GoC staff trained in aspects of forest management and regeneration.

Project experience and results disseminated to GoC staff, private sector and rural communities.

Management Plan for Mbalmayo Forest Reserve agreed with stakeholders.