Changes in Plant Species Composition Within a Planted Forest in a Deciduous Agroecosystem in Ghana

Background

Early-successional tree plantations can promote regeneration of second-growth mixed-species forests. While non-native species have been studied for their role in enabling second-growth regeneration, this study surveys understories of plantations of trees native to Ghana in a post-maize site to explore the suitability of native trees for promoting second-growth regeneration.

Research & methods

Ten 1000 m2 plots were established in a one-hectare mixed plantation with a density of 278 trees per Ha. Seedlings were sampled in each plot at year 0 and year 8. At year 8, species diversity had increased by 24% with an average of 47 species found per 1000 m2. The most abundant saplings in the study plots were Chromolaena odorata and Cedrela odorata comprising 54% of surviving individuals.

Conclusions & takeaways

Recruitment to the sapling stage was limited in most other species, suggesting that some form of silvicultural treatment is required to support multi-species regeneration.