Floristic Characteristics, Diversity and Population Structure of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del (Zygophyllaceae) in the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Achim Wildlife Reserve in Chad
OUMAR Dany *
University of N'Djamena, Laboratory of Systematic Botany and Plant Ecology, N'Djamena, Chad.
BALAMON Mandeba Reine
University of N'Djamena, Laboratory of Systematic Botany and Plant Ecology, N'Djamena, Chad.
MBAYNGONE Elisée
University of N'Djamena, Laboratory of Systematic Botany and Plant Ecology, N'Djamena, Chad.
DJEKOTA Christophe Ngarmari
University of N'Djamena, Laboratory of Systematic Botany and Plant Ecology, N'Djamena, Chad.
NGARYO Fidèle Tonalta
University of N'Djamena, Laboratory of Systematic Botany and Plant Ecology, N'Djamena, Chad.
NGUINAMBAYE Mberdoum Memti
University of N'Djamena, Laboratory of Systematic Botany and Plant Ecology, N'Djamena, Chad.
ADOUM Dona
Department of Life and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences, Earth and Territorial Planning ATI University of Science and Technology, Chad, P.OBox: 9957, Ati, Chad.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In Chad, the Balanites aegyptiaca is a highly useful species preserved by producers in agroforestry parks, whose sustainability is under threat. The aim of this study is to assess the ecological health of Balanites aegyptiaca and associated woody vegetation in the Ouadi Rimé-Ouadi Ochim Wildlife Reserve in Chad. Data were collected using floristic surveys based on dendrometric measurements of woody species in 110 plots of 900 m2 each. Dendrometric measurements show a low density of individuals across both sites with almost zero species richness. The structure of the stands in both sites reflects a degraded stand with low regeneration potential. In the park reserve, the structure is characterised by a juvenile population, while the grazing area has low regeneration potential. In the early stages, regeneration is significant but quickly disappears under the combined effect of several mesological factors. The park reserve located in the Sahelian sector is the priority site in terms of repopulation of B. aegyptiaca. These findings suggest the urgent need to develop appropriate strategies for the sustainable management of the species in Chad.
Keywords: Balanites aegyptiaca, population dynamics and structure, fauna reserve, Chad