Influence of anthropization on floristic diversity and carbon stocks in a Sudano‑Sahelian vegetation landscape

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Résumé

Mosaic landscapes integrating protected
areas and agroecosystems with variable exploitation
intensities constitute critical ecosystems for biodiversity
conservation and ecosystem service provision.
This study evaluated how anthropogenic pressure gradients
influence plant community structure, diversity,
and carbon sequestration in the Sudano-Sahelian zone
of Burkina Faso. Using a stratified sampling design
across four anthropization levels: (i) savannah woodland
= level 1, (ii) forest-edge fields = level 2, (iii)
bush fields = level 3, and (iv) homestead fields = level
4, we analyzed 80 forest plots distributed along transects
from inhabited areas toward the Sissili classified
forest. Within each plot, floristic composition,
dendrometric parameters, and aboveground carbon
stocks were measured. The results revealed a significant
decline in woody species richness from savannah
woodland (21 ± 4 species) to homestead fields
(5 ± 1 species) (p < 0.05), alongside a reduction in
aboveground carbon stock from savannah woodland
(15.22 ± 6.33 t C·ha−1) to bush fields (4.06 ± 1.90 t
C·ha−1). Diameter distributions across all anthropization
levels showed a predominance of juvenile
individuals in savannah woodland and forest-edge
fields (Weibull shape parameter c ≤ 2.5). Community
composition analysis revealed distinct assemblages
across anthropization levels (PERMANOVA:
p < 0.05). TITAN analysis identified 24 species sensitive
to anthropogenic stress and one tolerant species
(Parkia biglobosa). Forest-edge fields presented an intermediate diversity profile, hosting both forest
and open-habitat species. These findings highlight the
significant role of intermediate land-use zones in biodiversity
buffering and underscore the need for management
strategies reconciling agricultural intensification
with ecosystem service provision.

Mots-clés

Anthropization gradient, · Agroforestry, Landscape, · Biodiversity conservation, · Plant community composition, · Aboveground carbon, · Burkina Faso