• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.184-194
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• 2022

Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum is the plant species most affected by logging activities in the East Region of Cameroon due to its market value. This logging has impacted the ecological niche of the fern plant for which limited research has been done. The aim of this study is to contribute towards improving knowledge of fern richness and biomass on T. scleroxylon within the Central African sub-region. Fern data collection was done on 20 felled/harvested T. scleroxylon where, in addition to fern inventory, fern biomass was collected by the destructive method. The diameter and height of T. scleroxylon measured were used as explanatory variables in allometric equations for fern biomass estimation. Fern inventory was characterized using diversity index. Eight fern species were recorded on T. scleroxylon (≈5 species/T. scleroxylon). The minimum diameter where fern could be found is 59.4 cm. The average fern biomass found was 23.62 kg/T. scleroxylon. Pearson correlation coefficient showed a positive correlation (r>0.55) between fern biomass and T. scleroxylon diameter. For allometric equation, the logarithmic model improved better the adjustment than the non-logarithmic model. However, the quality of the adjustment is improved more when only the diameter is considered as an explanatory variable. Fern biomass is estimated to 90.08 kg/ha^-1 with 76.02 kg/ha^-1 being lost due to T. scleroxylon exploitation in the study area. This study is a contribution towards increasing knowledge of fern diversity specific to T. scleroxylon, and also fern biomass contribution to climate change mitigation and the potential carbon loss due to T. scleroxylon exploitation.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.225-232
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• 2020

Chemical modification of wood is an effective method to enhance the biological durability of wood with no toxic effect on the environment. In this study, wood of Triplochiton scleroxylon was modified using acetylation techniques. A total of one hundred wood blocks, (each 20×20×60 mm) obtained from a 22-year old T. scleroxylon tree were conditioned and acetylated at 120℃ in a bioreactor containing acetic anhydride for 60, 120, 180, 240 and 300 minutes. The percentage weight gain of acetylated wood was determined. The untreated (control) and treated blocks were exposed to Pleurotus ostreatus (white rot fungus) and Fibroporia vaillanti (brown rot fungus) after which moisture content (MC) and weight loss (WL) was monitored for 16 weeks. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p<0.05 level of significance. The percentage weight gain of acetylated wood samples increased with time from 10.4% (60 minutes) to 22.7% (300 minutes). MC of untreated blocks inoculated with Pleurotus ostreatus was significantly higher than those of Fibroporia vaillantii after 16 weeks exposure. There was no significant difference in the MC of the of the acetylated samples for the two fungi after 300 minutes reaction time. The WL of untreated blocks inoculated with Fibroporia vaillantii was higher than those of Pleurotus ostreatus, however, the two fungi showed no significant difference in the WL for the acetylated samples after 16 weeks exposure. Acetylation prevents moisture absorption and inhibition of fungi growth in acetylated wood compared to untreated wood, thereby enhancing the durability of Triplochiton scleroxylon.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2020

Urea formaldehyde resins are widely used in the manufacturing of wood composite and their usage is always combined with release of formaldehyde characterized to be hazardous to health during and after the manufacturing of the products. This study investigates the effectiveness of wood-based adhesive from oil of pyrolysed Triplochiton scleroxylon sawdust for the production of composite board. The wood-derived Pyrolytic Oil (PyO) was blended with Urea Formaldehyde (UF) resin to formed Pyrolytic Oil-Urea Formaldehyde (PyOUF). The obtained PyOUF called Wood-Based Adhesives at four blends and control (UF) viz; 1:1, 1:2, 1:3, 2:1, 1:3 were further employed to prepare the composite board and test for their bonding strength by physical (water absorption-WA and thickness swelling-Th.S) and mechanical properties (modulus of elasticity-MOE, modulus of rupture-MOR, and impact bending-IB). Data obtained was analysed using analysis of variance at α 0.05. The result of analysis of variance conducted on physical properties show significant difference (p≤0.05) between the WA values obtained when testing the different blending proportion of PyOUF and likewise between 2 and 24 h of immersion. PyOUF had significant effect (p≤0.05) on Th. S for 24 h but no significant different (p>0.05) for the 2 h period of soaking. The analysis of variance on mechanical properties of the composite board (MOE, MOR, and IB) show significance differences (p≤0.05) between the strength values obtained when testing the different ratios of PyO with UF. PyO content influenced the properties of the boards and it is evident that PyO can be used in the manufacture of composite board.