TITLE:
Can Stand Density and Stem Stratification Be Indicators of Aboveground Biomass in Woody Plant Recruitment in Savannah
AUTHORS:
Saran Traoré, Sébastien Ange Habih Nombré, Issiaka Keïta, Hassan Bismarck Nacro, Brice Sinsin
KEYWORDS:
Aboveground Biomass, Biodiversity Conservation, Plant Regeneration, Stem Structure, Vegetation Type
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.12 No.1,
November
24,
2021
ABSTRACT: Stem
density and size stratification of woody species are informative of vegetation
conditions and its physiognomy in savannah whereas their variation influence
woody population functioning. Current study endeavoured to evaluate the stand
density and size variability of woody species related to aboveground biomass in
a Sudanian savannah. Total height, stem diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm
were measured in 30 plots of 50 m × 20 m laid in respect to vegetation type as bowal, shrubland and
woodland. Species diversity, stem density, height and basal area were
calculated and compared across sites and variation in stem dbh classes
evaluated. Total aboveground biomass was estimated and thereafter linear
relationships were established between stand density and aboveground biomass, and
basal area. Results revealed three different sites with an overall 58 species
identified through vegetation type including liana species (4 stems in bowal)
with 18 genera and 42 families. Fabaceae Combretaceae, Anacardiaceae and
Rubiaceae were dominant families. Small sized trees represented 72% of total
stem density considered in structure with significant higher basal area, while
large sized trees as 28% were scarcely distributed. More than 70% variation in
biomass was due to stem density and basal area with a dominance of small trees. In
conclusion increase size in tree community indicated increase in accumulated
aboveground biomass as positive regeneration features. But, change in
vegetation structure strongly influence negatively species ability to grow from
lower to upper size class and later on, disrupt ecosystem functioning. Plant
stem density and stratification could be considered as indicators of
aboveground biomass fluctuating in regeneration monitoring.