Disturbance and Population Structure of Plant Communities in the Wildlife Reserve of Oti-Mandouri in Togo (West Africa)

Abstract

Aims: As a contribution to the sustainable management of protected areas in Togo, this study aims to analyze the impact of anthropogenic activities on plant communities in the wildlife reserve of Oti-Mandouri (North-Togo). Study Design: The study area is located in the Sudanian zone, in northeast Togo. Place and Duration of Study: The field work was carried out during April and June 2009, whilst processing data was done at Lab From July to October 2009. Methodology: Total height and stem diameter at breast height (dbh) greater than 10 cm of all trees species were measured in 126 plots. In each plot, ecological parameters were recorded and the seedling and suckers (dbh<10cm) of species were counted. Results: 116 woody species with dbh greater than 10 cm belonging to 33 families and 84 genera were listed. Presence/absence data of the overall species recorded in each plot was subjected to multidimensional scaling and results showed 4 types of woody vegetation: shrub savannas, tree savannas, wooded savannas and gallery forest. The most common families were Rubiaceae (14.28%), Mimosaceae (13.26%) and Combretaceae (11.22%). Species such as Combretum glutinosum (48.68%), Mitragyna inermis (36.84%), Acacia polyacantha (35.52%) and Piliostigma thonningii (35.52%) were relatively more frequent, but this potential floristic resource was almost threatened by human activities such as farming, grazing, burning, and tree cutting. The structure adjusted by 3-parameter Weibull showed reverse “J” shape for class diameter distribution with shape parameter varies between 1 and 3.6 showing a predominance of individuals with small diameter within the overall study area. Conclusion: The results showed that this protected area is subjected to much degradation, and its conservation is important in the process of biodiversity conservation varices grades.