TITLE:
Determination of Wood Density of Selected Plant Species from the Luki Biosphere Reserve in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for Reforestation
AUTHORS:
Jeannette Luboya Muisangie, Denis Lopema Ongala, Marie Tuluenga Zola, Don de Dieu Mulunda Bigabwa, Willy Samuel Muturi, Jean Claude Liyandja Impofi, Francis Onangomo Ongala, Ali Lemba Nsimba, Pacifique Irenge Lya Hamisi, Therese Mabondo Mbenza, Dieu Merci Efa Mankaru, Bertin Dingadia Wasam, Forturnette Kombo Masonga, Stephanie Songolo Salamu, Thouthou Bonganga Lituli, Junior Matondo Falanga, Eustache Kidikwadi Tango, Patience Ngelinkoto Mpia, Constatin Lubini Ayingweu
KEYWORDS:
Density, Wood, Deforestation, Carbon, Biomass
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
27,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study was conducted on wood fragments of the forest species Canarium schweinfurthii, Gilletiodendron kisantuense, Milicia excelsa, Rauvolfia vomitoria, and Ricinodendron heudelotii, collected from the Luki Biosphere Reserve in Kongo Central Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the aim of determining the wood density of the different plant species under study. These parameters were determined using an experimental method involving oven-drying and water displacement techniques in an Erlenmeyer flask filled with water. The results obtained varied from one species to another and followed the following descending order: Gilletiodendron kisantuense (0.90), Milicia excelsa (0.78), Ricinodendron heudelotii (0.63), Rauvolfia vomitoria (0.61), and Canarium schweinfurthii (0.59). These values will contribute to the development of allometric equations necessary for estimating the amount of carbon sequestered in the tissues of the five species studied.