The present study investigated the biology and ecology of Eremospatha haullevilleana De Wild. in the forest Reserve of the Yoko; one of the remnants of the primary forests in the Congo Basin, Democratic Republic Congo. The study aimed to evaluate the growth rate and the rate of formation of the new buds on the tufts in different conditions of light availability. 32 small rattan tufts were selected along 3000 m of phenologic trail and observed for a period of 9 months, from April to December 2008. The regression analysis was performed to determine the correlation between the growth, new buds formation rates and the light availability. The results showed that the growth rate of stem increased with time in open-up and semi-open-up habitats, whereas it decreased in shaded habitats. The open-up habitats appeared to be favorable environments to the survival of the stems of E. haullevilleana De Wild. Therefore, the formation of new buds was found to be slow (2 to 4 buds during the 9 months of investigation); and the ratio of underground biomass over surface biomass decreased with the density of light.

Though the national Kahuzi-Biega Park be necessarily covered with a forest of well distinguished canopy; it also possesses disturbed areas. This work aims at studying the floristic composition of Ferns and Fern Allies to assess vegetation disturbances in the mountain forests (ranging from 1250 meters to 3000 meters) within the Kahuzi-Biega National Park. Comparisons of vegetation features were made both in disturbed and non-disturbed habitats. Data were collected within 24 plots differently located following the 3 vegetation altitudinal ranges (submontane, montane, afro-alpine) taken into account. In each plot, 4 sampling units of 1ha each were established. Collected data included abundance and dominance features of plant species (both Ferns and their Allies, as well as woody species), tree diameter (DBH), and canopy height, the average of vegetation cover per forest layer (stratum) as well as floristic patterns and species richness. We referred to CANOCO and R (version 2.10.1) softwares to perform our statistical analyses. Results showed that the 3 altitudinal ranges offer differences in their floristic composition. The considered plant features (height, diametric structure) also express variations when disturbed and non-disturbed habitats are taken into consideration. This is for example illustrated by significant differences (results based on a t-test, p-value = 0.007) when one considers the occurrence of Ferns and their Allies. Within stable habitats, Ferns and their Allies particularize themselves by rich and much diversified communities. However, disturbed habitats (following various causes of permanent aggression) face major changes into the floristic composition of their major canopy tree species.