Habitat and Population Structure of Five Multipurpose Species in Forest Management Site of Tiogo, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Understanding the dynamics of multipurpose species in savanna ecosystems is essential for their sustainable conservation. This study aims to assess the population structure of five target species (<i>Tamarindus indica,</i> <i>Vitellaria paradoxa,</i> <i>Detarium microcarpum</i>, <i>Anogeissus leiocarpa,</i> and <i>Crossopteryx febrifuga</i>) in the forest management site of Tiogo. Floristic inventory was conducted on 100 plots of 1000 m2. Non-Metric Multidimensional Analysis was carried out to characterized the target species’ habitats. A total of 70 species distributed in 23 families and 55 genera were recorded. Four groups of overlapping plant communities were identified. Each group constitutes a habitat of target species with diverse ecological drivers. Weibull distribution showed an overall good population structure for <i>Vitellaria paradoxa</i>, <i>Detarium microcarpum</i> and <i>Crossopteryx febrifuga</i>. However, <i>Tamarindus indica</i> and <i>Anogeissus leiocarpa</i> showed bad regeneration potential with lack of recruitment in the smaller diameter size classes. It is therefore important to increase the monitoring in the forest management site. This work has provides valuable information for better management of target species, aiding in effective forest management of Tiogo, subject to anthropic pressures.