Tree Conservation Information Service
| Nauclea diderrichii
Rubiaceae Opepe; Bilinga Distribution This species is widely distributed: Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Liberia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Uganda and Zaire. Habitat Population Status and Trends In Ghana, this species is found at constant, low densities and is never very abundant (Hawthorne, 1995a). Regeneration This species is light-demanding. It is a pioneer species that requires large light gaps to regenerate.Young trees are often found in secondary bushy growth in humid areas (N'Sosso, in litt. 1995). In Nigeria, this species was found to regenerate well in large canopy gaps, but in a clear-felling N. diderrichii is out competed by Musanga (Lancaster, 1961 in Hawthorne, 1995a). This species is commonly used in plantations (specifically taungya) (Neil, 1983 in Hawthorne, 1995a). Role of Species in its Ecosystem Elephants and other animals disperse the seeds of this species. Many small seeds are found in the fruit. The seeds can remain dormant in the forest soil (Hall & Swaine, 1980 in Hawthorne, 1995a). The seeds are stimulated into germination by increased light exposure. The effect on germination of the seed passing through an animal's gut has yet to be examined; seedlings, however, are commonly found along elephant tracks (Hawthorne, 1995a). Threats This species suffers from heavy exploitation (Hawthorne, 1995a) Utilisation The timber is used in general construction, flooring, furniture production, dock and marine work, and railway crossings (WCMC, 1991). Locally it has medicinal uses. Trade Côte d'Ivoire exported 13,723 m3 of Nauclea spp. logs for an average price of US$ 232.18/m3 in 1994. Ghana exported 4,960 m3 of N. diderrichii logs for an average price of US$ 135.00/m3 in 1994. In addition Ghana exported 1,430 m3 of N. diderrichhi air-dried sawnwood for an average price of US$ 337.00/m3 and an unknown amount of kiln-dried sawnwood (ITTO, 1995a). Gabon exported 1,356m3 from Owendo in 1987 (IUCN, 1990), a total of 3,570.907 m3 in 1994, and a total of 3,010.279 m3 in 1995 (DIAF, 1996). In the first half of 1994, Liberia exported 8 m3 of Bilinga logs for an average price of US$ 80.00/m3 and from June to December they exported 22 m3 for an average price of US$ 50.00/m3 (ITTO, 1995). Conservation Status IUCN Category and Criteria: VU A1c,d (African Regional Workshop, 1996) This species is considered Vulnerable (1994 IUCN threat category) due to excessive exploitation (Hawthorne, 1995b). It has been awarded a scarlet star for Ghana by Hawthorne (1995a), which means that it is common but it is under profound pressure from heavy exploitation. This species requires protection and exploitation has to be limited if it is to be sustainable (Hawthorne, 1995a). Conservation Measures Opepe is subject to a Liberian export ban. References African
Regional Workshop, 1996. Conservation and Sustainable Management
of Trees project workshop held in Harare, Zimbabawe, July, 1996.
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