Afzelia bipindensis

Leguminosae

Afzelia; (Red) Doussié

Distribution

A. bipindensis is found mostly in the Guineo-Congolian regional centre of endemism, but also extends into the Zambezian region (White, 1983). This species occurs in Angola, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Uganda and Zaire.

This is a rainforest species.

There are reportedly only a few seed trees distributed in a narrow range (African Regional Workshop, 1996).

No information.

This species is heavily exploited throughout its range (African Regional Workshop, 1996).

Timber of Afzelia spp. in general is used for exterior joinery, flooring, heavy construction, furniture, vats and tanks.

5000m³ of A. bipidensis sawnwood was exported from Cameroon in 1994 at an average price of US$1000.00/m³ and the Congo exported 33m³ in 1994 (ITTO, 1995 a). In 1987, Gabon exported 2,595m³ of Doussie from Owendo (IUCN, 1990). Gabon exported 5,302.258 m³ of Doussie in 1994 and 7,560.274 m³ in 1995 (DIAF, 1996).

IUCN Threat Category and Criteria: VU (A1c,d) (African Regional Workshop, 1996)

FAO selected this species for conservation action in Cameroon because of the heavy utilisation pressures it faces (Palmberg, 1987). Vegetative propagation by budding/grafting could be feasible (African Regional Workshop, 1996).

African Regional Workshop, 1996. Conservation and Sustainable Management of Trees project workshop held in Harare, Zimbabawe, July, 1996.

DIAF, 1996. Timber trade statistics for Gabon sent from the Direction des Inventaires et Aménagements des Forêts (DIAF) of the Ministere des Eaux et Forêts for 1994 and 1995 sent by Tom Hammond.

ITTO, 1995(a). Elements for the annual review and assessment of the world tropical timber situation. Draft Document.

IUCN, 1990. La Conservation des Ecosystèmes Forestiers du Gabon. IUCN, Tropical Forest Programme Series. pp. 200.

Palmberg, C., 1987. Conservation of genetic resources of woody species. Paper prepared for Simposio sobre silvicultura y mejoraniento genetico. CIEF, Buenos Aires, 1987. (NOT SEEN)

White F., 1983. The Vegetation of Africa. A descriptive memoir to accompany the Unesco/AETFAT/UNSO vegetation map of Africa. Paris:Unesco. pp.356.

Global Tree Campaign