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Summary: We revise and update the records of strict and near-endemic species of the Bali Ngemba Forest Reserve, the largest known surviving patch (c. 8 km2 in area) of submontane or cloud forest in the Bamenda Highlands, Cameroon which have lost >96 % of their original forest due to human activities. Nine strict endemics, and 11 near endemics are now documented, a drop from the number recorded after the first survey in 2004, since when five of the provisionally named species have been validly published. We test the hypothesis that a further one of the provisionally named putative Bali Ngemba new species, Vepris sp. A, an 8 – 20 m tall tree from cloud forest in the 1310 – 1700 m altitudinal band, is indeed new to science. We compare it morphologically with other multicarpellate, apocarpous, trifoliolate Cameroon tree species formerly placed in the genus Oricia Pierre until they were subsumed into Vepris by Mziray (1992). These are V. trifoliolata (Engl.) Mziray and V. gabonensis (Pierre) Mziray. We conclude that Vepris sp. A is a new undescribed species here named as Vepris onanae. The new species is illustrated, mapped and its conservation status assessed as Critically Endangered using the 2012 IUCN standard due to severe fragmentation and the threats of habitat clearance from agricultural pressures at its three locations all of which remain formally unprotected. Vepris onanae appears unique among the Guineo-Congolian African oricioid species of Vepris in that it occurs in cloud forest, the other species, apart from V. renieri (G.C.C.Gilbert) Mziray of the Albertine Rift, occurring in lowland forest. It also differs in the very broad, (7.8 –) 11.3 – 18 cm wide leaflets of the flowering stems which have a 6 – 18 (– 30) mm long, narrowly triangular acumen (vs leaflets <12 cm wide, acumen absent or short) and in having both subsessile and pedicellate (pedicels 0.25 – 0.3 mm long and 1 (– 2) mm long) male flowers (vs male flower pedicels all sessile, or all c. 3 mm long). We report for the first time on stage-dependent leaf heteromorphy in Vepris and characterise a level of sexual dimorphism more advanced than usual in the genus. We highlight the importance of protecting Bali Ngemba and other forest patches in the Bamenda Highlands if species such as Vepris onanae are not soon to become extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We revise and update the records of strict and near-endemic species of Mt Kupe, Cameroon respectively from 31 strict endemics in 2004, to 25 today, and with near-endemic species 30, unchanged in number but with turnover. The changes result from new collections, discoveries and taxonomic changes in the last 16 years. While 15 of the provisionally named putative endemic species have now been formally published, a further 18 have not. The majority of the 30 near-endemic species (18) are shared with the adjacent Bakossi Mts, far exceeding the numbers shared with the more distant Mt Etinde-Mt Cameroon, Rumpi Hills and Ebo forest areas (sharing three near-endemic species each with Mt Kupe). We test the hypothesis that a further one of the provisionally named putative Mt Kupe species, Vepris sp. 1 from submontane forest near the summit, is indeed new to science. We compare it morphologically with the two other bicarpellate high altitude Cameroon Highland tree species V. montisbambutensis Onana and V. bali Cheek, concluding that it is a new undescribed species here named as Vepris zapfackii. The new species is illustrated and its conservation status assessed as Critically Endangered using the 2012 IUCN standard, due to habitat clearance from agricultural pressures at its sole location which is unprotected. Vepris zapfackii and V. bali appear unique in African trifoliolate species of the genus in having opposite leaves. Vepris zapfackii differs in having hairy petiolules and midribs and petiolules with the blade decurrent distally, narrowing towards a winged-canaliculate base (vs glabrous and petiolule long, terete), and sparsely golden hairy pistillodes and a glabrous calyx (vs densely black hairy pistillodes, and sepals hairy). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims – This paper reports a further discovery in the context of a long-term botanical survey in the Cross River-Sanaga interval of west-central Africa, focussing on species discovery and conservation. Methods – Normal practices of herbarium taxonomy have been applied to study the material collected. The relevant collections are stored in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London and at the Institute of Research in Agronomic Development – National Herbarium of Cameroon. Key results – Species new to science recently discovered from the cloud (submontane) forests of the Cameroon Highlands in Cameroon are reviewed. Most of these species are rare, highly localised, and threatened by habitat destruction. These discoveries increase the justification for improved conservation management of surviving habitat. Tricalysia elmar Cheek (Coffeeae-Rubiaceae) is described as an additional cloud forest species new to science. Its taxonomic position is discussed, and it is compared with similar species of the genus. Restricted so far to four locations, Mt Kupe, Bali Ngemba, Lebialem and Nta Ali, its conservation status is assessed as Endangered (EN B1+2ab(iii)) according to the 2012 criteria of IUCN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims –This paper reports a further discovery during preparation for a monograph of the genus Cola, and also in the context of a long-term botanical survey in the Cross River-Sanaga interval of west-central Africa, focussing on species discovery and conservation through the Tropical Important Plant Areas programme. Methods – Normal practices of herbarium taxonomy have been applied to study the material collected. The relevant collections are stored in the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London (K) and at the Institute of Research in Agronomic Development – National Herbarium of Cameroon (YA). Key results –Two species new to science, small trees or shrubs of cloud forest, are formally named from the Bakossi tribal area and assessed for their conservation status. Cola etugei, isendemic to the western slopes of Mt Kupe with conservation status assessed as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2ab(iii)) according to the 2012 criteria of IUCN. Cola kodminensis from the Bakossi Mts is also assessed as Critically Endangered (CR B1+2ab(iii)). This publication increases the number of documented narrowly endemic, threatened species in the Bakossi tribal area, and helps make the case for formal protection of Mt Kupe, which with 33 endemic and near-endemic plant species remains an extremely high candidate for such protection. Further effort is needed to publish the remaining informally named species of this location, and investment to support the protection of the mountain by local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims - The rapid expansion of human activities in South Cameroon, particularly mining in mountainous areas, threatens this region's exceptional biodiversity. To comprehend the effects of landuse change on plant diversity and identify conservation priorities, we aim at providing a first comprehensive plant checklist of the Ngovayang Massif, focusing on the two richest plant families, Orchidaceae and Rubiaceae. Location - The Ngovayang Massif Area (NMA) is located in the South Region of Cameroon. It is covered by lowland and submontane rainforest (100 to 1110 m elevation). Methods - We compiled a dataset of 6116 georeferenced herbarium specimens, of which 2787 belong to Rubiaceae and Orchidaceae. We used rarefaction methods to explore sampling and diversity patterns, and investigated the altitudinal distribution of rare and/or threatened taxa. Key results - The NMA, which houses about 1500 vascular plant taxa, is the richest documented area for Rubiaceae in Atlantic Central Africa (ACA) and the fifth for Orchidaceae, with respectively 281 and 111 taxa. Among these taxa, 178 (45%) are endemic to ACA and 67 (17%) are considered globally threatened according to IUCN categories and criteria. We show that higher elevation areas (> 750 m), which are also the main areas targeted for mining, are the richest in endangered and/or rare species. Three new records for Cameroon are reported here. Conclusion - The NMA represents an Important Plant Area of Cameroon as confirmed by its exceptional plant diversity (> 20% of the total Flora of Cameroon), by the concentration of many threatened and/or restricted range species (10 taxa are strict endemics of the massif) as well as by the threat on rare habitats (i.e. the submontane vegetation above ~750 m elevation). A management plan involving in situ and ex situ conservation actions is urgently needed to reduce the potential threats of future mining activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O levantamento de musgos realizado em uma área de Mata Atlântica no município de Santa Terezinha, Bahia, resultou em flora rica, com 61 espécies pertencentes a 23 famílias e 46 gêneros. Sematophyllaceae (sete spp.), Orthotrichaceae (seis spp.), Pilotrichaceae (cinco spp.), Calymperaceae (cinco spp.), Leucobryaceae (cinco spp.) e Meteoriaceae (quatro spp.) apresentaram maior riqueza específica. Actinodontium integrifolium (Broth.) Churchill e Calymperes venezuelanum (Mitt.) Broth. ex Pittier constituem novos registros para o Brasil. Ectropothecium leptochaeton (Schwaegr.) W.R. Buck, Eulacophyllum cultelliforme (Sull.) W.R. Buck & Ireland, Fissidens santaclarensis Thér., Lepidopilidium portoricense (Müll. Hal.) H.A. Crum & Steere, Mittenothamnium reptans (Hedw.) Card., Orthostichella pentasticha (Brid.) W.R. Buck, Pilotrichella flexilis (Hedw.) Ångstr., Porotrichum mutabile Hampe e Thuidium tomentosum Schimp. são novas ocorrências para a Bahia. Houve predomínio de táxons de distribuição neotropical. A comunidade corticícola foi predominante com 70% das espécies, seguida da epíxila, com 23%. A brioflora do fragmento mostrou-se rica já que corresponde a 24% do total de briófitas atualmente conhecido no Estado.This work presents the results of an inventory of mosses carried out in an Atlantic Forest fragment in the Jibóia Mountains, Santa Terezinha, Bahia State, Brazil. A total of 61 moss species distributed in 23 families and 46 genera were found. The families Sematophyllaceae (seven spp.), Orthotrichaceae (six spp.), Pilotrichaceae (five spp.), Calymperaceae (five spp.), Leucobryaceae (five spp.) and Meteoriaceae (four spp.) had higher species richness. Actinodontium integrifolium (Broth.) Churchill and Calymperes venezuelanum (Mitt.) Pitt. are new records for Brazil. Ectropothecium leptochaeton (Schwaegr.) W.R. Buck., Eulacophyllum cultelliforme (Sull.) W.R. Buck & Ireland, Fissidens santa-clarensis Thér., Mittenothamnium reptans (Hedw.) Card., Orthostichella pentasticha (Brid.) Buck, Pilotrichella flexilis (Hedw.) Ångstr., Lepidopilidium portoricense (Müll. Hal.) Crum & Steere, and Thuidium tomentosum Schimp. are new records for Bahia. As regards geografic distribuition, neotropical taxa predominate, while in relation to communities, corticicolous (70%) and epixilous species (23%) predominate. The local flora was considered rich for including 24% of the bryophytes that occur in Bahia State.

Forests and wild life are essential for ecological balance of an area. Forests are important components of our environment and economy. Present study was conducted in a part of submontane forest of Kumaun, Outer Himalaya adjacent to Kashipur, at (29º 14-43.6)–(29º 19-50.5) N latitude and (79º 03-22.6)–(79º 04-23.2) E longitude at an elevation of 253.4–265.5 meter above the sea level, within the districts of Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar to check the various resources and effect of anthropogenic pressure in forest ecosystem.

The article offers information on a study which described Angraecum atlanticum, a new species of the Atlantic central African orchids. A background on the plant species Angraecum is offered. The collection of four orchid specimens in Rio Muni in Equatorial Guinea is briefly described. Also elaborated is the plant's distribution, habitat and ecology, and conservation status.

Four new Psychotria species with conspicuous bacterial nodules in their leaf-blades, P. njumei Cheek, P. ngollengollei Cheek , P. darwiniana Cheek and P. babatwoensis Cheek are described, mapped and illustrated from the submontane forests of the Cameroon Highlands. Their taxonomic and conservation status are assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]