The montane forests of Africa represent some of the Earth's most diverse and threatened ecosystems. In particular, those in West Africa have received comparatively little attention from scientists in terms of understanding the ecology and biodiversity of their species. This thesis wishes to understand genetic and ecological factors that underpin the long-term survival of selected tree species (Cordia millenii, Entandrophragma angolense, Lovoa trichilioides) in the montane forests of the Mambilla Plateau, Nigeria. The results obtained here provide a strong foundation for future work that wishes to preserve the diverse forests of this region.