Scientists catalogue data vital to improved biodiversity, forestry

Scientists of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in south-west London in the United Kingdom, and those in Cameroon’s Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) National Herbarium and the University of Yaoundé I have been working across Cameroon, cataloguing a vast range of plant species to help support efforts to protect vital forest areas at the heart of the Congo Basin region.

Their collaborative work is contained in a 300-page book resulting from the Tropical Important Plant Areas (TIPAs) programme in Cameroon, which was launched at the residence of the British High Commission in Yaoundé on 19 June 2025. The book documents 852 plant species identified in 49 crucial sites in the country.

The Kew International Medal for outstanding accomplishments in line with Kew Gardens’ mission was awarded at the event to the 2025 winner, Dr Cécile Ndjebet, a Cameroonian agronomist, environmental activist, and social forester. (The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, are commonly referred to as Kew Gardens.)

The British High Commissioner to Cameroon, Matt Woods, commended the work that led to the creation of the content-rich book. “This is the product of collaborative work that will go a long way to enrich research and improve biodiversity conservation,” Woods said at the launch.

Safeguarding biodiversity

Professor Philip Stevenson, head of Trait Diversity and Function at Kew Gardens, said the organisation has been collaborating with partners in Cameroon and the wider African region to help safeguard its biodiversity for decades, focusing on initiatives related to community conservation, livelihoods, and species protection as well as documenting and understanding biodiversity.

“Kew researchers have been collaborating with partners to provide nature-based solutions to mitigate climate change, researching wild plants and fungi to address the extinction crisis and ensuring that its unique collections are accessible and useful to researchers worldwide,” Stevenson said.

Professor Marie Louise Avana-Tientcheu, renowned researcher and academic in the fields of agroforestry and climate change, said that such collaborative research work should be encouraged in various African countries to give experts a broader knowledge in the forestry sector.

“Cataloguing important forest species in a book will help empower higher education learning institutions to lead research efforts and facilitate forest data collection in plant species for research students at universities in Cameroon and the Congo Basin region,” she told University World News.

Sharper conservation policy

Government officials agree that the work will be key in helping the administration better shape forest conservation policy, especially with relevant, documented data.

“Collaboration between scientists across continents is imperative for any quality and impactful research work. The rich document will guide and shape our conservation action plan,” Professor Paul Tchawa, secretary general of the Cameroon Ministry of Environment and Nature Protection, or MINEPDED, said at the launch event.

Kew Gardens officials say the book documents the extensive array of plants found in the Ebo forest, intending to recognise it as one of Cameroon’s first TIPAs.

“The book highlights where threatened species are concentrated, helping the national authorities to prioritise protection,” Stevenson said.

Dr Francis Ngome, deputy director general of IRAD, said the rich research findings contained in the book will enhance the work of countless scientists across Africa. “This is important for biodiversity conservation and improving research capacity and support, especially for young plants and forest researchers,” Ngome said.

Development threatens ecosystems

According to the book, part of Cameroon’s rich biodiversity comes from the diverse environments in the country. With a coastline, savanna, desert, mountains and tropical rainforests, Cameroon is often referred to as ‘Africa in miniature’.

The publication also documents how changes in land use threaten Cameroon’s crucial ecosystems. “Acres of rainforest and cloud forest are being cleared to make way for rubber and oil palm plantations, unsustainable logging practices, and other agricultural projects,” the authors note.

Developments such as the Memve’ele Hydropower Dam on the Ntem River in the South Region of Cameroon and iron ore mining exploration projects border the Campo Ma’an National Park, a haven for endangered plants and wildlife such as western lowland gorillas, central chimpanzees, and critically endangered orchid species.

“While these new developments are key to Cameroon’s infrastructure and support its growth, they need to be done in a way that works in harmony with the rich natural environment,” the book reads.

Forests sustain communities

Cameroon’s biodiversity is not only beautiful, but also crucial to the country’s culture and economy. Numerous national dishes derive from indigenous plant species, like ‘ndolé’ (Vernonia amygdalina) and ‘egusi’ (Cucumeropsis mannii). At the same time, culturally important fibres and traditional medicines are derived from local plants, the research shows.

The Ebo forest in the Littoral region of Cameroon is home to a diverse range of communities, including the Banen, who reside on the forest’s edges. These groups rely on the forest for resources, including food and medicine. They also have deep cultural and ancestral links to the forest.

Women lauded

The publication highlights the vital role of women in forest conservation. Woods saluted the work of women who lead forest protection efforts across Africa. Congratulating Ndjebet on her award, Woods said she epitomises the leadership quality of African women.

Ndjebet was honoured for her career-long dedication to campaigning for the involvement of women in forest management and their right to forested lands and resources, he said.

Established in 1992, the prestigious Kew International Medal is given annually to outstanding experts, scientists, researchers, and rights activists for their globally recognised work, which significantly adds to the knowledge, understanding and conservation of the world’s plants and fungi, the officials said.