Etude du comportement de Baillonella toxisperma Pierre (moabi) dans les trouées d'abattage enrichies
Study of the behavior of Baillonella toxisperma Pierre (moabi) in enriched logging gaps. The moabi (Baillonella toxisperma Pierre) is a commercial tree in central Africa. Although forest gaps are generally considered as favorable to the regeneration of this species, in this study, a preliminary inve...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Presses Agronomiques de Gembloux
2009-01-01
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| Series: | Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.pressesagro.be/base/text/v13n2/317.pdf |
| Summary: | Study of the behavior of Baillonella toxisperma Pierre (moabi) in enriched logging gaps. The moabi (Baillonella toxisperma Pierre) is a commercial tree in central Africa. Although forest gaps are generally considered as favorable to the regeneration of this species, in this study, a preliminary inventory conducted within a selective exploitation located in the Dja district, southeastern Cameroon, found a low density of 12.7 seedlings.ha-1 within logging gaps. This suggests that the species was in fact poorly represented in logging gaps. In order to further study the behavior of the moabi in logging gaps, 795 seeds were planted in 15 logging gaps and 410 saplings from a tree nursery were introduced in 15 other gaps. A biannual monitoring spanning a period of 30 months showed a 75.9% survival rate for seedlings and 95.5% for saplings. Despite our observation of a significant difference in growth rates between both methods during the first semester, after 30 months of monitoring, seedlings and saplings had reached similar growth rates (167.5 cm and 160.6 cm for seedlings and saplings, respectively). On average, 6.1% of B. toxisperma saplings emerged naturally from the competitive vegetation and had a higher growth rate than other plants species. Growth differences between plants were mainly explained by the geographical orientation of the logging gap (N-S unfavorable) and the density of Macaranga spp. whose abundance inhibits the development of B. toxisperma. In conclusion, both the high survival rate of B. toxisperma in logging gap and its 10 fold higher growth rate in the latter environment when compared to canopy cover suggest the implementation of forestry methods using logging gap during reforesting operations. |
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| ISSN: | 1370-6233 1780-4507 |