Does Nypa Palm Affect Floristic Composition of the Mangroves of the Wouri Estuary?

Abstract

Mangroves are essential ecosystems for the environment and are home to a particular biological diversity. They face many constraints, in particular, that of the invasion of exotic species such as Nypa fruticans. The research aim consisted of the characterization of Nipa palm traits in the Wouri estuary. The study was carried out in five points located in the main and secondary streams of the Wouri River. Floristic statements were inside twenty-five plots of 10 m x 10 m, and structural parameters such as the number of individuals, and DBH, with equidistance of 20m, were installed in five sites. The results showed that Nipa palm has an occurrence of 60 % in the studied sites. The higher density was obtained inAkwa-nord with 1309 individuals.ha-1 . The number of leaves significantly differed between the sampling points (K= 6.91; p= 0.03); Youpwe was the site with the higher number. Stalk width also differed significantly between the sites, from 25.2 cm in Essengue to 47.3 cm in Youpwe. Factor analysis revealed more matures and adults in Youpwe, juvenile plants in Essengue, and seedlings in Akwa-nord. This work showed that Youpwe would represent the oldest site and would have been the focus of the propagation of Nypa fruticans in the Wouri estuary.