Consequences de la culture de l'anacardier (Anacardium occidentale L.) sur les caracteristiques de la vegetation dans la region du Parc National de la Comoe (Cote d'Ivoire) [ Consequences of cashew cultivation (Anacardium occidentale L.) on vegetation characteristics in the Comoe National Park region (Cote d'Ivoire) ]

• Published in: International journal of innovation and applied studies Vol. 17; no. 4; p. 1416
• Main Authors: Koulibaly, Annick, Nicaise, Akedrin, Diomande, Masse, Konate, Ibrahim, Traore, Dossahoua, Bill, Ralf, Kouadio, Yatty Justin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2016
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Cote d'Ivoire; Culture; Forests; National parks; Plantations; Regeneration; Vegetation
• ISSN: 2028-9324

In the context of the global change, the loss of biodiversity in the forests-savannas mosaic zone of West Africa constitutes a growing problem. The sale of cashew nuts remains one of the main economic resources of Cote d'Ivoire which is the first world producer. In the Northeast of the country, the Comoe National park region presents several hectares of cashew plantations. The interrelations between the development of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) and plant diversity were rarely studied. The consequences of this culture and the evaluation of the potential of species regeneration inform about the possibilities of land management. Vegetation mapping and land investigation help us to show that 4 or 5 % of forests were transformed into cashew plantations in which the regeneration of the natural species showed a strong regeneration potential in the first steps. However this floristic potential is represented by species like Annona senegalensis and Bridelia ferruginea adapted to less humid conditions. The agricultural activities certainly accompanied with fire, outside of the park lead to open low strata in the forests and also, regeneration of the main forests species such as Cola millenii, Anogeissus leiocarpus and Dialium guineense is compromised by the absence of adults or juvenile plants. All these consequences could drive to a severe reduction of the forest surface and to a loss of biodiversity. Agroforestry systems and the control of bush fires are to be recommended for the resources management.