Characterization and Risk Assessment of the Collapse of the Woody Stand of Ecosystems of the Fathala Forest (Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve-Senegal)

Abstract

The objective of this study is to characterize and assess the risk of collapse of woody plant formations in the Fathala forest. In recent years, this forest has suffered a sharp reduction in its plant cover to the point of compromising the survival of populations of certain animal species such as the Red colobuses. The methods used are respectively constituted by the transect method, the dendrometric statements method and that of establishing the red list of ecosystems of the IUCN. The specific richness comprises 56 species divided into 47 genera and 22 families. The density is higher in the unfenced area (369 ind/ha in clear forest and 53 ind/ha in gallery forest) compared to the fenced area (160 ind/ha in clear forest versus 48 ind/ha in gallery forest). A study of the plant formations shows a strong degradation of the ecosystems passing from a clear and dry Sudanese forest to a wooded savannah. The cover rate in the fenced area is 20% in gallery forests and 25% in clear forests; in the unfenced area, it is 19% and 23% in gallery forests and clear forests, respectively. The application of the IUCN criteria shows an annual rate of collapse is −6 ind/ha in gallery forests and −4 ind/ha in clear forests. The annual rate of cover collapse would be −3.75% and −2.9% for gallery forests and clear forests, respectively. These results classify the forest in the Critically Endangered category. The main factors responsible for this degradation are, among others, anthropogenic actions and climatic pejoration. These results could constitute a basic tool for undertaking an improvement in the management of this forest, which is a living environment for an animal species.

Contributions of Red Lists of Ecosystems to risk-based design and management of protected and conserved areas in Africa

“…The Red List assessment revealed major declines in both the density of tree stems and tree recruitment rates over the past 40 years, as well as significant shifts in composition to dryland tree species, supporting critically endangered status for both gallery forest and clear forest (Kaly et al 2021). The causes of forest decline were attributed to climatic drying and anthropogenic disturbance, which make conditions less suitable for survival and recruitment of trees and for animal seed dispersers.…”

“…Conceptual models, a recommended step in Red List assessments (Keith et al 2013) were powerful diagnostic tools for understanding the mechanisms and causes of threats to ecosystems in the Burullus Protected Area (Ghoraba et al 2019(Ghoraba et al , 2021, the Southern Benguela (Bland et al 2018) and Western Indian Ocean coral reefs (Obura et al 2022). In these cases, as well as the Fathala forest Protected Area (Kaly et al 2021), the Red List assessments highlighted the permeability of Protected Area boundaries to certain threats and the need for risk-reduction management actions to address processes that occur largely outside the boundaries of PCAs.…”

Contributions of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems to risk‐based design and management of protected and conserved areas in Africa

“…Conceptual models, a recommended step in red-list assessments (Keith et al, 2013), were powerful diagnostic tools for understanding the mechanisms and causes of threats to ecosystems in the Burullus Protected Area (Ghoraba et al, 2019(Ghoraba et al, , 2021, the Southern Benguela (Bland et al, 2018), and WIO coral reefs (Obura et al, 2022). In these cases, as well as the Fathala Forest Protected Area (Kaly et al, 2021), the red-list assessments highlighted the permeability of protected area boundaries to certain threats and the risk-reduction management actions needed to address processes that occur largely outside the boundaries of PCAs.…”

Application of IUCN Red List Criteria for Assessment of Some Savanna Trees of Nigeria, West Africa

“…We observed massive logging of this species, especially in Benue, Niger, and Taraba states, where the wood from the tree is used as timber in furniture and for household items such as chairs, benches, stools, mortars and pestles. However, the abovementioned activities worsened by climate change have fragmented the habitat of this species, thereby reducing its population, as was the case for other regions in Sub-Saharan Africa (Kaly et al 2021;Compaoré et al 2022). Populations of this species range from a maximum of 10-20 individuals at a single site, and these are mostly juvenile trees.…”