Natural Regeneration of Woody Stands in the Groundnut Basin Lands in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone (Region of Kaffrine, Senegal)

background

This study evaluates the regeneration capacity of woody tree species in lands of South-eastern Groundnut Basin in Senegal.

Research Goals & Methods

Enumeration of woody stands was conducted in a total of 1,143 of 262 ha to identify seedlings and count them. Diameter and height of the highest seedlings were measured. To assess the regenerative potential of the woody species, an inventory of juvenile plants with basal area less than 3.5 cm) was conducted. The woody stands were subdivided into lands of Guiera senegalensis and Combretum glutinosum based on the typology of the stands.

Conclusions & Takeaways

The results show woody stands of 33 families with 59 genera and 75 species dominated by the family Combretaceae that included 72.5% of seedlings, followed by Cesalpiniaceae with 15.2%. Young plants were concentrated in Combretaceae and Cesalpiniaceae. The regeneration rate of the dominant species, Combretum glutinosum and Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum were 36.3%, 29.4% and 13.6% respectively. Results on the distribution of basal diameter indicated that seedlings of the woody species were concentrated in the first classes (0.5-1cm). This was attributed to discharges, which were numerous in the fields but cut annually in the pre-winter and promptly released. The regeneration of the woody stand presented variability depending on the family, the size and lands. Combretum glutinosum, Guiera senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum were species with good regeneration potential and significant regeneration rates. Cordyla pinnata and Acacia macrostachya among the five represented woody species in the environment faced regeneration difficulties.