A checklist of rheophytes of Cameroon
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Date
2019-05-09
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PhytoKeys
Abstract
Rivers in Cameroon were surveyed to collect and document rheophytic plants. Rheophytes are the dominant
aquatic macrophytes in tropical river systems, where they are adapted to extreme environments of rushing
water (e.g., river rapids, waterfalls and flash floods). Rheophytic plants are useful indicators of river health.
However, their habitats are threatened by human activities such as agriculture, plantation development,
alluvial mining and dam construction, particularly in tropical countries. In this survey we documented 66
rheophytic species in 29 genera and 16 families. Two ferns, 8 monocotyledons and 56 dicotyledons were
listed. Apart from the Podostemaceae family in which all species are rheophytic, the other 15 families have
few species which are rheophytic. Five of these families have up to four species and the remaining 10 have
only one member as a rheophytic species. The conservation status of each species is assessed and discussed.
This work urges botanists, conservationists, and policy makers to do more to protect the habitats of rheophytes
and put in place strategies and action plans for the conservation of this important biological group.
Keywords
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Cameroon, conservation, distribution, inventory, Rheophyte diversity