Caractéristiques écologiques du peuplement ligneux de la réserve de biosphère du Ferlo (Nord Sénégal)

Abstract

Objectives : This study aims to characterize the various structural parameters of the woody vegetation in Ferlo Biosphere Reserve (FBR). Methods and Results: In 2011 measurement of dendrometric characteristics of trees and an inventory of the woody flora was carried out in 110 plots of 900 m² each. The total specific richness was 49 species and theaverage of the specific richness was 5.8 species / plot. The analysis of centesimal frequencies showed that Guiera senegalensis (75%), Combretum glutinosum (65.5%), Boscia senegalensis (63.6%) and Pterocarpus lucens (60.9%) are the most common species. Tree density is higher in the central area (392 ind / ha) while the basal area and the recovery are higher in the buffer zone with respectively 9.17 m²/ha and 43%. Concerning the structure, the woody trees have a relatively high proportion of seedlings. In fact, over 90% of trees surveyed have heights between 0 and 6 m and circumference between 10 and 100 cm, which shows the importance of the shrub layer in the FBR. With regard to the ecological importance, three species are distinguished : Pterocarpus lucens (18%), Guiera senegalensis (16%) and Combretum glutinosum (13%). The rate of regeneration of plant population is 72% in the FBR. It is twice higher in the core area (79%) which is less anthropized than the buffer zone (36%) and the transition zone (39%). Guiera senegalensis has the highest potential of regeneration with a specific regeneration index more than 62%. Conclusion and applicability of the results: These results demonstrate the potential of the FBR to ensure the dual role of biodiversity conservation and provision of ecosystem services to local communities.