Open AccessApplication of the BDq method to complex tropical mixed forest ecosystems in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Friday Nwabueze Ogana,
José Javier Gorgoso-Varela,
Alfred Ossai Onefeli
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
bois et forêts des tropiques/bois et forêts des tropiques
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1777-5760
pISSN - 0006-579X
DOI - 10.19182/bft2021.349.a36779
Subject(s) - basal area , stratum , diameter at breast height , biomass (ecology) , felling , forestry , environmental science , quadrat , logging , tropical forest , tropics , agroforestry , forest management , mathematics , geography , agronomy , ecology , biology , transect , paleontology
The absence of management practice/silvicultural treatments in the complex tropical mixed forests of Nigeria has led to uncontrolled logging in natural forest stands and loss of biodiversity. To sustain production, protection and conservation in these complex tropical mixed stands, this study proposes the application of a selection method – the BDq method (B: basal area, D: maximum diameter, q-ratio) to manage these stands. Two strata were used as a pilot test: stratum 1 consisted of 15 plots and stratum 2 of 7 plots, each with an area of 0.25 ha. Only trees with a diameter at breast height (d) ≥ 10.0 cm were considered in this study. Harvesting with the BDq method was quantified, by setting B at 20 m2, 25 m2 and 30 m2/ha corresponding respectively to intensive, medium and light harvesting regimes. D was set at 65 cm and the q-ratio was computed for each plot. The results showed that the three BDq regimes prescribed (intensive, medium and light) yielded reasonable felling intensities (FI), derived as the percentage of extracted volume (Vext) and biomass (Wext). The Vext and FI for stratum 1 ranged from 39.94-62.30 m3/ha and 11.22-18.18%; the results for stratum 2 were 30.44-51.33 m3/ha and 10.02-17.57%. For biomass, the Wext and FI ranged from 18.46-29.82 t/ha and 9.40-15.95% for stratum 1 and 14.16-24.82 t/ha and 9.73-17.50% for stratum 2. These findings show that applying the BDq method to the complex tropical mixed forests of Nigeria would yield attractive stands.