Considération des caractéristiques structurales comme indicateurs écologiques d’aménagement forestier au Togo (Afrique de l’Ouest)

Abstract

The dry facies semi-deciduous forest islands of Togodo fauna reserve constitute one of the rare forestry ecosystems in the bare and highly anthropized landscape of the costal plain of Southern Togo. The structural analysis of these forestry islands is conducted through some forestry inventories in 45 plots. In each plot (surface area of 625 m²), each tree (dbh ≥ 10 cm) was the subject of a botanical determination and measurement of its dendrometric characteristics. These data were used to establish a diagnosis on the preservation state of plant species of this protected area. In all, 73 ligneous species were recorded with an average density estimated to 955 ± 303.1 N/ha and a basal area equal to 38.9 ± 18.9 m2/ha. Regeneration average density, all species taken into account, is estimated to 6465 N/ha. The species distribution per regeneration strategy shows that most of the species preferentially regenerate by seedling (84.1 %), slightly by shoots of stumps (12.4 %) and scarcely by sucker (3.5 %). The decreasing exponential curve revealed by the distribution of species according to diameter groups indicates that these forests underwent one or much degradations and are currently being reconstituted but abounds still in with a great potential in ligneous forestry resources. The information gathered through this study constitute important technical bases to test the ecological indicators of sustainable forest management and provides information on the implementation of management guidelines to safeguard this protected area.

Keywords

• forest
• Togo
• structural analysis
• ecological indicator
• sanctuary
• reserve