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Research Article
Impact of Harvesting Method on Bush Mango (Irvingia wombulo) and Nutmeg (Modora myristica) to the Ecosystem of Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary, Nguti, Cameroon
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
160-172
Received:
26 February 2026
Accepted:
9 March 2026
Published:
11 July 2026
Abstract: This study examines the impact of harvesting method on African bush mango (Irvingia wombulu) and African nutmeg (Modora myristica) in the rainforest ecosystem. The research highlights that inadequate harvesting practices such as indiscriminate cutting, premature harvesting, and lack of sustainable techniques have detrimental effects on both species' populations and the broader ecological community. Data were collected through field surveys, interviews with local harvesters, and ecological assessments over a six-month period. Results indicate a noticeable decline in the population of I. wombulo and M. myristica, with associated effects on biodiversity, soil health, and local wildlife species dependent on these trees for food and habitat. The findings suggest a pressing need for education on sustainable harvesting practices and the implementation of conservation strategies to mitigate environmental degradation. This study aims to provide valuable insights for policymakers, conservationists, and local communities to foster sustainable practices that ensure the preservation of the Banyang-Mbo Wildlife Sanctuary’s ecological integrity. The study revealed that the impact of harvesting method of African bush mango (Irvingia wombulu) and African nutmeg (Modora myristica) significantly associated to harvesting period X2=54.699 df=12 P=0.000, species population status over years X2=5.761 df=8 P<0.05, impact of plant species harvesting on plant and wildlife population r=0.357 P=0.053, and harvesting frequency r=0.426 P=0.019 respectively. Furthermore, there was a significant association between the local community awareness/ involvement in managing endangered plant species and their harvesting periods X2=9.655 df=3 P=0.022. Additionally, the local community awareness/involvement in managing endangered plant species associated significantly to their harvesting methods r=0.306 P=0.100. While approximately 70% of local community engagement in managing endangered plant species remains insignificant due to various challenges, there exists a robust 30% where awareness and involvement have led to significant conservation efforts. As the populations of I. wombulu and M. myristica decline, coupled with habitat degradation, the potential for economic returns from these species decreases. Enhancing awareness through education and training programs about the ecological importance of I. wombulu and M. myristica can empower local stakeholders to adopt better practices. Collaborative management approaches that incorporate local knowledge and traditional ecological practices can also foster sustainable usage and conservation.
Abstract: This study examines the impact of harvesting method on African bush mango (Irvingia wombulu) and African nutmeg (Modora myristica) in the rainforest ecosystem. The research highlights that inadequate harvesting practices such as indiscriminate cutting, premature harvesting, and lack of sustainable techniques have detrimental effects on both species...
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Research Article
Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics and Economic Viability of Broiler Chickens Fed Partial Levels of Comfrey Leaf Meal (Symphytum Officinale)
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
173-184
Received:
14 June 2026
Accepted:
29 June 2026
Published:
24 July 2026
Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with comfrey leaf meal (CLM) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic viability of broiler chickens. Fresh Symphytum officinale leaves were harvested, shade-dried, and milled to produce CLM. Four pelleted experimental diets were formulated to contain 0% (control), 4%, 8%, and 12% CLM inclusion levels. A total of 240 day-old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were brooded for 14 days, after which the birds were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments with three replicates of 20 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Growth performance, carcass traits, and economic parameters were evaluated during the growing-finishing phase. Final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in birds fed 4%, 8%, and 12% CLM compared to the control. Final body weights were 2245.40 g, 2119.06 g, 1833.96 g, and 1485.57 g for 0%, 4%, 8%, and 12% inclusion levels, respectively. Corresponding ADG values were 66.26, 61.30, 51.30, and 38.30 g/bird/day, while ADFI values were 149.86, 148.00, 143.76, and 139.79 g/bird/day, respectively. Feed conversion ratio did not differ between 0% and 4% CLM (P>0.05) but was significantly poorer at higher inclusion levels. Slaughter weight differed significantly among treatments (P<0.05), whereas dressing percentage and organ weights were not significantly affected (P>0.05). Economic analysis indicated that 4% CLM inclusion produced the most favorable cost differential (160.96 TSH/kg gain) and relative cost reduction (5.90%) compared to the control. These findings suggest that partial replacement of SBM with CLM at 4% inclusion level maintains acceptable performance and carcass traits while improving economic efficiency, whereas higher inclusion levels negatively affect broiler performance.
Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of partially replacing soybean meal (SBM) with comfrey leaf meal (CLM) on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic viability of broiler chickens. Fresh Symphytum officinale leaves were harvested, shade-dried, and milled to produce CLM. Four pelleted experimental diets were formulated to contain ...
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Research Article
Preliminary Study on Extraordinary Plant Growth Using Cavitated Produced Water
Russ Hill*,
Mark Malmquist
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
185-192
Received:
4 June 2026
Accepted:
24 June 2026
Published:
27 July 2026
Abstract: As global freshwater scarcity intensifies, reclaiming alternative water sources like highly saline oilfield produced water has become an ecological imperative; however, its inherent toxicity traditionally induces acute phytotoxicity in terrestrial vegetation. This preliminary study investigates a non-chemical, mechanically driven alternative by evaluating the physiological and phenotypic effects of irrigating diverse plant species with hydrodynamic cavitated produced water compared to standard local well water. Over an intensive five-day experimental period, identical plant cohorts were maintained under uniform ambient conditions and treated with either non-chemically modified, cavitated produced water or a standard well water baseline. Phenotypic and morphological variations were macroscopically tracked alongside volumetric fluid consumption rates and subsequent resilience to acute desiccation stress. The experimental plants did not merely survive; they exhibited significantly enhanced structural biomass, deeper pigmentation indicative of elevated chlorophyll concentrations, decreased volumetric water consumption rates, and superior turgor pressure maintenance during a simulated mini-drought event. These findings suggest that hydrodynamic cavitation fundamentally alters the chemical matrix of produced water—breaking down complex hydrocarbons into bio-available carbon fragments, elevating dissolved oxygen levels, and reducing active sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations by over 90%. We conclude that this mechanical treatment breaks the osmotic barrier of industrial waste fluids, transforming them into viable agricultural assets. Furthermore, these phenomena are contextualized through modern interfacial water physics, specifically exploring the generation of structured Exclusion Zone (EZ) water matrices to explain the observed structural transformations and frictionless, low-energy cellular uptake.
Abstract: As global freshwater scarcity intensifies, reclaiming alternative water sources like highly saline oilfield produced water has become an ecological imperative; however, its inherent toxicity traditionally induces acute phytotoxicity in terrestrial vegetation. This preliminary study investigates a non-chemical, mechanically driven alternative by eva...
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Research Article
Local Perception of Urban Forestry in Mbour Municipality, Senegal
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2026
Pages:
193-201
Received:
1 June 2026
Accepted:
22 June 2026
Published:
28 July 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20261404.14
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Abstract: The world's population continues to grow up, and the urban population has quadrupled from 1950 to the present day. This urban growth has given rise to serious problems such as environmental degradation, which is worrying, even dramatic, in most of Senegal's municipalities. The Mbour’s municipality, is certainly not spared from this phenomenon. The aim of this study on local perceptions of urban forestry is to identify the importance of trees for local population. To achieve this, three methodology approaches were engaged: the preparatory phase, which included a literature review, the development of data collection tools, sampling and a pre-survey. The data collection consisted of field surveys and the data processing for data integration and analysis. The results show a decline in floristic diversity linked to urbanization and drought, among other factors. People are interested in trees; through the financial flows they came up to generate through young seedlings and the care they take with their growth. Trees play a couple of roles in people's daily lives: family meetings, beautification, medicine, entertainment, small trades and food in the city. However, the shade service makes trees more popular. The forestry service is the key player in urban forestry.
Abstract: The world's population continues to grow up, and the urban population has quadrupled from 1950 to the present day. This urban growth has given rise to serious problems such as environmental degradation, which is worrying, even dramatic, in most of Senegal's municipalities. The Mbour’s municipality, is certainly not spared from this phenomenon. The ...
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,
Kamah Pascal Bumtu
