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This Ph.D thesis explores the complex dynamics of Central African rainforest ecosystems, focusing on the gene flow and insect pollination of canopy-emergent timber tree species such as Cylicodiscus gabunensis Harms and other important timber species. These selected species represent a wide range of flower types, indicative of diverse pollination syndromes. Additionally, some have been the subject of previous genetic research, providing insights into pollen dispersal distances. Special attention is given to C. gabunensis due to its significant importance and the challenges it faces, including low population density and limited natural regeneration within dense forests. Data on gene dispersal within its population are scarce, highlighting the need for immediate attention in developing sustainable management strategies.The first step was focused on developing 24 polymorphic microsatellite markers to study the genetic diversity, structure, and gene flow within C. gabunensis populations. This toolkit subsequently enabled an in-depth exploration of the complex interactions influencing regeneration in C. gabunensis, including human activities, mating systems, and seed/pollen dispersal processes. Spatial and genetic analyses provided insight into population-specific characteristics, highlighting the necessity for context-specific and nuanced management strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of the species.The focus then shifts to the often-overlooked role of insect-mediated pollination in tropical canopy trees. Exploring insect pollination within African canopy-emergent tree species using camera observations, the subsequent section offers insights into a diverse range of floral traits and pollination syndromes. This chapter challenges conventional assumptions regarding flower size, pollinator size, and pollen dispersal distances while also indicating that cross- pollination is not expected to be limited under selective logging based on extensive estimates of poll, Doctorat en Sciences, info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished