Détails Publication
Tree populations show low regeneration of valued species in West Africa,
Discipline: Sciences biologiques
Auteur(s): Anne Mette Lykke, Nanna Rømer, Patrick Gonzalez, Romain Glèlè Kakaï, Habou Rabiou, Kossi Béssan Amegnaglo, Souleymane Ganaba, Bienvenu Sambou, Fatimata Niang, Bruno Herault, Reginald Tang Guuroh, Paulin Ouoba, Jérôme T. Yaméogo, Lassina Traoré, Brice Sinsin, Ogoudje Isidore Amahowe, Signe S. Bay, Thierry D. Houehanou, Laurent G. Houessou, Gérard N. Gouwakinnou, Marius H. Yetein, Boalidioa Tankoano, Amadé Ouédraogo, Issaka Ouédraogo, Paulette Taita, Bienvenu H.K. Amani, Brahima Coulibaly, Amadou Malé Kouyaté, Patrick van Damme, Wouter Vanhove, Ali Mahamane, Carolina Bonache, Simon Sambou, Idrissa Soumana, Abdou Amani, Inoussa Maman Mâarouhi, Anders S. Barfod
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Renseignée par : OUEDRAOGO Amadé
Résumé

Tree populations have declined substantially in West Africa in recent decades, raising concerns since trees provide numerous ecosystem goods and services. Regional information on the population status of tree species could guide more effective conservation and regeneration of natural vegetation. Here, we report results of the first regional analysis of tree population structure across the Sahel and Sudan zones, a meta-study of vegetation inventories, including 23,586 individual trees sampled across nine countries. We evaluated current status and forecast future trends of 16 species and one genus of trees of ecological and socio-economic importance. Size class distribution (SCD) reflects the population structure of an individual species and can provide early warning of composition change and population decline. SCD is analysed widely at a local scale, but analysis at a regional scale is needed to detect widespread population changes. Many native species lacked trees in the smaller size classes, implying unsustainable populations and future decline. Some species show sound regeneration at the regional scale, but high variation among sites. Eight species, including Adansonia digitata and Afzelia africana, show regional declines in regeneration and risks of future extirpations. Four of these severely lack regeneration. Protected areas show higher tree regeneration, but protected status did not assure good regeneration. Our results identify priority tree species across West Africa, indicate a more urgent need for conservation and regeneration of native tree species, and highlight the benefit of effective conservation. More widespread protection could in crease tree populations, conserving biodiversity, and ecosystem services essential for people’s livelihoods.

Mots-clés

Conservation, Degradation, Regional analysis, Size class distribution, Sahel and Sudan zones, Tree population structure

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