FLORISTIC BIODIVERSITY AND STEM VOLUME OF KAMBUI FOREST RESERVE, KENEMA DISTRICT, SIERRA LEONE

Information on floristic biodiversity and stem volume is necessary for the sustainable management of forests in Sierra Leone for the current and future generation. The aim of this paper was to investigate the flora biodiversity and stem volume of Kambui forest reserve. Random sampling quadrat methods of vegetation analysis were used to determine the flora biodiversity and stem volume. Ten sample quadrats (10m ?10m) with a distance of at least 400m away from each other were demarcated. All trees species found in the quadrats were recorded in the local and scientific name. A total of 36 species from 22 families with 122 individual?s trees were recorded. The species Importance Value Index [IVI], Shannon Weiner Index, Species Richness, Simpson Diversity Index, Species Evenness, Species Dominance, Relative Frequency and Relative Density were computed to determine the floral diversity and richness. Diameter at breast height (Dbh) and total height of trees were the parameters used to estimate the stem volume. The total Shannon Weiner index for the ten quadrats was 3.241, species evenness was 0.90 while the Simpson diversity was 0.05. The regression correlation between Dbh and height was R2 0.6344. Parinari excelsa had the highest average Dbh (80.13cm) and height of 47m. The total stem volume was (391.78m3). Paracrolobium coeruleum, Daniella thurifera and Parinari excelsa recorded the highest (IVI). The study revealed that the flora biodiversity of Kambui forest reserve is low as compared to other regions in the country. Biotic pressure among other factors contributed to the decline of the flora biodiversity but the stem volume potential was great. It is recommended that if sound management strategies are put in place, Kambui forest has the potential to increase it biodiversity and stem volume while at the same time meeting the needs of the locals.