Premium
How far bowalization affects phytodiversity, life forms and plant morphology in S ub‐humid tropic in W est A frica
Author(s) -
Padonou Elie A.,
Assogbadjo Achille E.,
Bachmann Yvonne,
Sinsin Brice
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/aje.12030
Subject(s) - biology , crown (dentistry) , botany , horticulture , medicine , dentistry
Bowal or ferricrete, the final of land degradation, occurred only in tropical region. This study aimed at assessing the effects of bowalization on phytodiversity, life forms and morphological response of plant species using C ombretum nigricans L eprieur ex G uill. & P err. as a case study. Morphological parameters (height, number of stems, number of branches, diameter at breast height and crown diameter) of C . nigricans were determined in the sub‐humid zone of B enin. Plant communities were determined according to M ulti‐ R esponse P ermutation P rocedures analysis. Plant communities were more diversified on sand‐clay and concretion soils (control) compared with those described on bowal . C . nigricans developed more stems (3.6 ± 1.4 stems vs. 1.3 ± 0.4 stems), more branches (5.9 ± 2.4 branches vs. 3.2 ± 0.6 branches) and large crown diameter (5 ± 1.48 m vs. 3.4 ± 1.2 m) on bowal than on sand‐clay soil. The best adapted life forms on bowal were therophytes. B owalization induced loss of phytodiversity, changes in species life forms and provoked local adaptation of tree species.