Effect of provenance on population structure and regeneration of six multiple-use tree species along Ouémé catchment in Benin: Implications for conservation

• Published in: Trees, Forests and People (Online) Forests and People (Online), 2022-03, Vol.7, p.100206, Article 100206
• Main Authors: Lokonon, Bruno Enagnon, Gbemavo, Charlemagne D.S.J., Sodote, Fabrice E., Manda, Leonard, Glèlè Kakaï, Romain, Sinsin, Brice
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: adults; Afzelia africana; agroforestry; Agroforestry systems; Benin; juveniles; Khaya senegalensis; Milicia excelsa; Multipurpose tree species; Parkia biglobosa; Population structure; Prosopis africana; provenance; Pterocarpus erinaceus; Regeneration; seedlings; Sustainable use; tree and stand measurements; watersheds
• ISSN: 2666-7193; 2666-7193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2022.100206

Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) G. Don, Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir, Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C. C. Berg, Prosopis africana (Guill., Perrot. and Rich.) Taub., Afzelia africana Sm. and Khaya senegalensis (Desv.) A. Juss. are the most highly valued indigenous tree species in the agroforestry systems of the Ouémé catchment area. However, information on the population structure of these species is lacking, thus limiting the development of their sustainable conservation, utilization and restoration strategies. This study addressed this gap. It assessed the population structures and regeneration status of the six species from Don, Tan-Houègbo, Atchabita, Bétékoukou, Glazoué, Tchaorou, Zagnanado, Tévèdji, Sinaou and Bétérou along the catchment. Data were collected from 78 permanent rectangular plots (50 × 30 m) randomly installed within 10 provenances. Dendrometric data including diameter at breast height (dbh) of adult trees (dbh ≥ 10 cm), collar diameter, total height of seedlings and saplings, number of individuals per species according to adult, sapling and seedling were recorded. The population structure was described using ecological and dendrometric parameters (relative frequency, importance value index (IVI), mean densities, basal area, mean height), and diameter size-class distributions. Seedling:sapling and sapling:adult ratios were also computed and analyzed for determining regeneration patterns. Based on IVI, Parkia biglobosa (95.85%) and Khaya senegalensis (65.92%) were the most represented species in the catchment area. The analysis of variances showed that dendrometric parameters of the six species varied significantly between provenances. Seedling:sapling and sapling:adult ratios were