Comparative analysis of plants close to houses in urban and rural areas in the littoral region of Cameroon

Global declines in biodiversity, together with widespread degradation of ecosystem services, have led to urgent calls to safeguard. Humans maintain plants around their houses to increase their quality of life. In the present study, 90 and 30 plots of 50 m² each were studied in urbanised and rural areas in Cameroon. In each plot, vascular plant species were identified and their coefficient of abundance–dominance was determined. Different diversity indices were calculated to compare the flora of urbanised and rural areas as well as the distribution of plants. A total of 119 species belonging to 95 genera and 45 families were sampled. Shannon–Weaver diversity index, Pielou and Sheldon values vary when taking into account not only erected or wooded plants, but also herbs and erected or wooded plants. Plots near houses in urban areas comprised weeds, ornamentals and fruits, whereas in rural areas medicinal or edible plants dominated. Based upon the results, we conclude that the use of plants as food, medicinal resources or for other purposes, might be helpful for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services, the management of resources and to fight poverty. However, the composition of the flora is likely to change as urbanisation proceeds.