Insights from analyzing local ecological knowledge and stand structure for guiding conservation actions for the endangered tropical tree Pterocarpus erinaceus. Poir

Bibliographic Data

ID19587205
AuthorsSéverin Biaou (0000-0002-7052-5465, Université de Parakou, corresponding author), Gerard N Gouwakinnou (0000-0002-3595-9831, Université de Parakou), Florent Noulèkoun (0000-0003-3261-6451, Korea University), Kolawolé Valère Salako (0000-0002-7817-3687, Université d'Abomey-Calavi), Natacha Bernice Aldina Noumagnan (Université de Parakou), Enagnon B O Ahouandjinou (0000-0001-8717-2005, West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use), Thierry D Houehanou (0000-0002-4162-8094, Université de Parakou)
Year2023
Volume14
Pages100447
Publication date2023-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueTrees Forests and People (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2666-7193 • E-ISSN: 2666-7193
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.tfp.2023.100447
OpenAlexW4387061420
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited77

Sustainable management and conservation of multipurpose tree species in their natural habitats is crucial, given their vulnerability to climate change and increasing human activities. This can be achieved by harnessing insights from local ecological knowledge (LEK) and classical ecological approaches to support biodiversity conservation efforts. Using forest inventory data from 126 plots and information from a semi-structured survey of 234 households, we investigated LEK (perception on population trend, causes, and conservation attitudes toward the species) and population ecology (tree density, size class distribution – SCD, structural diversity, and stability) of the endangered rosewood Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. along the climate gradient in Benin (Sudanian (SZ), Sudano-Guinean (SGZ) and Guinean (GZ)). The results indicated that local communities were aware of the decline of P. erinaceus populations, though variations were observed with respect to ethnicity and age. The protection of the species regeneration by the communities in the GZ (63%) probably led to the high regeneration rate (90%) of P. erinaceus in this zone. Tree density declined from the SZ to GZ (2 and 1.23 times lower in SGZ and GZ compared to SZ), but variation in the mean diameter at breast height – dbh showed the opposite pattern (1.98 and 1.90 times lower in SGZ and SZ than in GZ). The SCD in the SGZ exhibited a bell-shaped pattern, while the populations in the SZ and GZ showed an inverted J-shaped distribution. Pruning intensity was 6.60 to 35.25 times higher in the SZ than in the SGZ and GZ, respectively, where regeneration rates were low, reflecting the potential negative effects of pruning on regeneration. Furthermore, P. erinaceus demonstrated tolerance for mixed-species stands (mingling of 40% to 75%), indicating an opportunity to integrate it into agroforestry systems with other species. This research highlights the impacts of human activity and climate conditions on P. erinaceus populations and informs on potential management actions needed for the conservation of the species

Agroforestry · Biology · Endangered species · Erinaceus · Geography · Habitat · Population · African Botany and Ecology Studies · Demography · Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies · Plant and animal studies · Ecology · Forestry

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