Effects of remnant trees in fallows on diversity and structure of forest regrowth in a slash-and-burn agricultural system in southern Cameroon

Carrière Stéphanie M., Letourmy Philippe, McKey Doyle B.. 2002. Effects of remnant trees in fallows on diversity and structure of forest regrowth in a slash-and-burn agricultural system in southern Cameroon. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 18 : 375-396.

Résumé : Remnant trees in fields may facilitate regeneration in fallows by attracting seed dispersers and creating favourable sites for plant establishment. Ntumu shifting cultivators in Cameroon clearing rain forest spare some trees to provide shade for crops. This study examines their effects on regeneration by comparing vegetation in quadrats beneath and away from their crowns, in fallows of varying age (3-20 y). For fallows of all age classes, plant diversity was not significantly different between positions. Trees accounted for larger proportions of species and stems beneath remnant trees. Herbs, principally large monocots, accounted for larger proportions away from trees. Basal area was much higher in quadrats beneath trees. In all quadrats, the majority of individuals belonged to species with animal-dispersed seeds. These. accounted for a larger proportion of individuals beneath trees (75%) than away (64%). Wind-dispersed species accounted for a larger proportion of stems away from trees (23.6%) than beneath (11.7%). These data suggest that enhanced seed rain by attraction of perching animals, demonstrated in a companion study, influenced regeneration patterns. Effects on regeneration were similar beneath trees of all animal-dispersed (Pycnanthus angolensis, Myristicaceae) and a wind-dispersed (Triplochiton scleroxylon, Sterculiaceae) species. Remnant trees in fallows may facilitate succession by nucleation, resulting in more rapid restoration of forest and conservation of nutrients in plant biomass.

Mots-clés Agrovoc : jachère forestière, biodiversité, peuplement forestier, culture itinérante, système de culture, analyse de données

Mots-clés géographiques Agrovoc : Cameroun

Classification Agris : K10 - Production forestière

Auteurs et affiliations

• Carrière Stéphanie M., CEFE (FRA)
• Letourmy Philippe, CIRAD-CA-DIR (FRA) ORCID: 0000-0003-1040-0860
• McKey Doyle B., CNRS (FRA)

Source : Cirad - Agritrop (https://agritrop.cirad.fr/517251/)

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