Kom-Wum Forest Reserve

A(i)Site contains one or more globally threatened species

Kom-Wum qualifies as a potential IPA under criterion A(i) on the basis of several globally threatened species for which it is an important site, particularly Stenandrium thomense (EN), Brachystephanus oreacanthus (VU), Jollydora glandulosa (VU) and Platycoryne megalorrhyncha (provisionally EN).

Kom-Wum Forest Reserve is a habitat of river valleys and steep, dissected hills in a relatively low altitude part of the
Bamenda Highlands of Northwest region, Cameroon. It lies on the eastern side of the N11 road running north-northwest between Bamenda and Wum, along the river Menchum which flows approximately parallel to this road before continuing northwest to the Nigerian border and then joining the Katsina ala river. Other rivers including the Mentar, Mugom and Movum all join the Menchum within the reserve. Chuo et al. (2017) also mention the Ivin, Nzele and Kimbi but these are unmarked and presumed to be alternative names.
The reserve was established in 1951 when it was part of the Southern Cameroons United Nations Trust Territory under British colonial administration. There were reforestation initiatives implemented by the National Forestry Fund but later neglected (Morgan, 2011). In 2013 the Cameroon government transferred the reserve to the councils of Fundong, Boyo Division (80%) and Wum, Menchum Division (20%) (Chuo et al., 2017). Documents specify the Fundong administered area as 8029 ha. The total area of the forest reserve mapped by the Cameroon Forest Atlas is 117 km2 (MINFOF & WRI, 2020). Seven neighbouring villages are mentioned in the agreement: Bu in Wum subdivision and Mentang, Baiso, Mughom, Mbengkas, Mbongkisu and Aboh in the Fundong subdivision (CTFC, 2013).

Kom-Wum is notable as the only site in Cameroon for Brachystephanus oreacanthus (VU; Cheek, 2014). Jollydora glandulosa (VU) is known from two other sites in Cameroon, as well as the Obudu Plateau area in Nigeria, and Stenandrium thomense (EN) from three other Cameroon sites and one in Sao Tome (Cheek and Onana, 2011). Platycoryne megalorrhyncha (provisionally EN) is only otherwise known from the Bamenda/Bamboutos area (Droissart et al 2006). Cylicomorpha solmsii (NT) also has a significant population at Kom-Wum (Cheek et al., 2015). In addition to the other listed species, there are likely to be other threatened species present since there has been very little surveying effort at the site, by Western scientists at least. In particular, species from nearby locations could also potentially occur here such as Saxicolella marginalis (CR) and Dactyladenia johnstonei (CR) both of which are known from nearby locations in Cameroon and over the border in Nigeria. The site is at much lower altitude than much of the Bamenda Highlands and consequently features submontane and lowland forest that is uncommon in the area, highly threatened and seldom protected.

Letouzey (1985) considered submontane forest to occur from 800 to 1,800 m and these altitudinal boundaries were also used by Cable & Cheek (1998) for Mount Cameroon, but Cheek (2004) suggests 1,300 m as the transition from lowland to submontane forest in the Bamenda highlands. The lower lava plateau, on which the major cities of Bamenda and Bali sit, lies in the submontane zone where remaining forest is rare. Most of the Kom-Wum site is much lower than this so the natural vegetation is largely lowland forest, following the categories of Cheek (2004), but extending into the submontane zone in the east of the site. However, the tops of the hills appear on satellite imagery to be mostly lacking vegetation and CTFC (2013) describe savannah vegetation on the summit.
There is no detailed geological information about the site itself but the Bamenda Highlands are part of the volcanic Cameroon Line of highlands extending northwest from the Gulf of Guinea. Tertiary era volcanic rocks sit above more ancient Basement Complex strata. The soils are described as mainly volcanic and sandy (CTFC, 2013), strongly leached, and ferralitic in places but mainly very fertile due to the high organic content, and therefore targeted for cultivation. However, this fertility is quickly lost and soils eroded due to the steep slopes. Landslides are common in the region (Zogning et al., 2007).
At nearby Bamenda (c. 1,250 m.a.s.l.), average annual rainfall (years 1971–2020) is 2,620 mm. There is a single wet season peaking in July and August with over 400 mm monthly rainfall, and a dry season from November to February with <50 mm. Mean minimum daily temperatures range from 16.1 °C in April to 13.1 °C in December, and maxima from 26.8 °C in February to 22.1 °C in August. (World Meteorological Organization, 2020).

The Bamenda Highlands is one of the most densely populated areas of Cameroon and most of the richly diverse primary forest has been lost to cultivation and pasture (Harvey et al., 2004). The population has apparently increased rapidly in and around the site in the last two decades and Bamenda, the third largest city in Cameroon with an estimated population 533,000 (United Nations, 2018) is less than 20 km away.
The Kom-Wum reserve has long been exploited as a production forest and efforts at reforestation have been limited (Morgan et al., 2011). Chuo et al. (2017) show evidence of areas within the forest cleared for cultivation of corn, bananas and coca as well as illegal logging and harvesting of other forest products including bushmeat. The southwest and north are reported to be worst effected. Forest is visibly absent on many of the peaks. At this altitude, this is likely to be anthropogenic.
It is unclear what has been the outcome from transferring the forest management to the local councils, although a management plan was reportedly drafted (CTFC, 2013). The transfer agreement specifies the forest can be used as a production forest, within certain environmental guidelines and limitations, including the requirement for forest to be maintained or restored over 3/4 of the area. Chuo et al (2017) suggest that the area is too large for effective management and protection by the local authorities.
As one of the larger patches of remaining forest in the Bamenda highlands, and with Chimpanzees and other animals present, the site has potential for tourism and education (Chuo et al., 2017). Morgan et al., (2011) classed it as an "exceptional priority site" for conservation action to protect the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee. The steep forested slopes make up part of the Mentchum watershed, buffering heavy rains, preventing soil erosion and landslides, and maintaining water quality. Landslides and soil erosion are a typical concern in the region where land is cleared for forest (Zognig et al., 2007; Ngoufo, 1992).
Cultural taboos have probably hitherto helped protect the forest, and particularly the primates, but are declining in influence (Chuo & Angwafo, 2017). Ebua et al. (2017) report that conservation is unpopular amongst local people who resent being deprived of the fertile soils, bushmeat and other forest products. Negative attitudes towards conservation were particularly associated with limited lack of formal education.
The two parts of the forest reserve are non-contiguous and some important species may have been recorded from a little outside these borders. Consideration should be given to managing a larger continuous area of remaining forest as a conservation site.

The site is an important focus for mammal conservation, supporting the Nigerian-Cameroon Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes ellioti, EN) as well as twelve other primates (including Preuss’s monkey, Allochrocebus preussi, EN), white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis, EN), red river hogs (Potamochoerus porcus), Blue Duiker (Cephalophus monticola), Red Duiker (Cephalophus dorsalis) and Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus). Birds have not been specifically surveyed at the site but Bannerman's turaco (Tauraco bannermani (EN), great blue turaco (Corythaeola cristata) and blackcasqued wattled hornbill (Bycanistes subcylindricus) are known to occur (Fotang et al., 2021).
The forest is used by local communities for a variety of non-timber products (Chuo & Angwafo, 2017; Kah, 2015) and a number of important timber species are harvested.

Bruce Murphy, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Ben Pollard,

Martin Cheek, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew

Kenneth Tah, COMAID (formerly ANCO)