TITLE:
Influence of Topography on the Distribution and Structure of Woody Plants in the Senegalese Sahel (Sandy Ferlo)
AUTHORS:
Moustapha Bassimbe Sagna, Aïssatou Ndong Thiam, Khoudia Niang, Oumar Sarr, Aly Diallo, Sekouna Diatta, Daouda Ngom, Aliou Guissé
KEYWORDS:
Woody Plants, Distribution, Topography, Ferlo, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.15 No.1,
January
15,
2024
ABSTRACT: This study describes the
floristic composition and structure of a woody stand in the Senegalese Sahel,
paying particular attention to the edaphic factors of its floristic
composition. A stratified inventory considering the different relief units was
adopted. Woody vegetation was surveyed using a dendrometric approach. The
results obtained show that the flora is dominated by a few species adapted to
drought, such as Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del., Calotropis procera Ait.
and Boscia
senegalensis (Pers.). The
distribution of this flora and the structure of the ligneous plants are linked
to the topography. In the lowlands, the flora is more diversified and the
ligneous plants reach their optimum level of development compared with the
higher relief areas. In the lowlands, there are a few woody species which, in
the past, were indicative of better climatic conditions. These
are Anogeissus leiocarpus (DC.), Commiphora africana (A. Rich.), Feretia apodanthera Del., Loeseneriella africana (A. Smith), Mitragyna inermis (Willd.) and Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich). It is
important that their reintroduction into reforestation projects takes account
of their edaphic preference.