Woody species composition,diversity and structure of riparian forests of four watercourses types in Burkina Faso

• Published in: Journal of forestry research Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 145 - 158
• Main Authors: Sambaré, Oumarou, Bognounou, Fidèle, Wittig, Rüdiger, Thiombiano, Adjima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Northeast Forestry University 2011; Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologic végétales,UFR/SVT,Université de Ouagadougou,BP 7021 Ouagadougou 03,Burkina Faso.%Botanical Institute,J.W.,Goethe-University,Frankfurt/M.Germany
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Forestry; Life Sciences; Original Paper; 布基纳法索; 木本; 森林; 水道; 沿岸; 物种多样性; 物种组成; 类型; rivers; species richness; dynamic; phytogeographical gradient; biodiversity; streams
• ISSN: 1007-662X; 1993-0607
• DOI: 10.1007/s11676-011-0143-2

Riparian forests are classified as endangered ecosystems in general,particularly in sahelian countries like Burkina Faso because of human-induced alterations and civil engineering works.The modification of this important habitat is continuing,with little attention being paid to the ecological or human consequences of these changes.The objective of this study is to describe the variation of woody species diversity and dynamic in riparian forests on different type of watercourse banks along phytogeographical gradient in Burkina Faso.All woody species were systematically measured in 90 sample plots with sides of 50 m × 20 m.Density,dominance,frequency and species and family importance values were computed to characterize the species composition.Different diver-sity indices were calculated to examine the heterogeneity of riparian forests.A total of 196 species representing 139 genera and 51 families were recorded in the overall riparian forests.The species richness of individuals with dbh ≥ 5cm increased significantly from the North to the South along the phytogeographical gradient and varied significantly between the different types of riparian forests.Similarity in tree species composition between riparian forests was low,which indicates high beta diversity and reflects differences in habitat conditions and topography.The structural characteristics varied significantly along the phyto-geographical gradient and between the different types of riparian forests.The diameter class distribution of trees in all riparian forests showed a reverse ＂J＂ shaped curve except riparian forest of stream indicating vegetation dominated by juvenile individuals.Considering the ecological importance of riparian forest,there is a need to delineate and classify them along watercourses throughout the country.