Prunus africana, commonly known as African cherry or pygeum, is an Afromontane tree whose bark is internationally traded for its medicinal properties — particularly for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This study focuses on monitoring the harvesting of Prunus africana bark within the agroforest systems of Cameroon’s North-West Region, an area that constitutes one of the most important sources of this valuable species on the continent.
Field surveys were conducted to assess harvesting intensities, bark regeneration rates, and the ecological conditions of trees under exploitation. The research highlights the chronic over-harvesting that threatens the survival of Prunus africana populations and examines the extent to which agroforestry integration offers a more sustainable model compared to extraction from natural forests.
Given Prunus africana’s listing on CITES Appendix II, sustainable management of this species is a matter of international conservation concern. BCL recognizes the importance of rigorous monitoring programs and works with local communities and regulatory authorities to promote harvesting practices that ensure the species’ long-term viability while preserving the livelihoods of bark harvesters in the highlands of Cameroon.
[Insert Heyzine shortcode here]