Variability of stands structure and floristic diversity of the jujube, Ziziphus mauritiana Lam., populations in the semi-arid areas of Burkina Faso (West Africa)

Abstract

Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam.) is a thorny shrub with high socio-economic value in Sahelian coun- tries. However, little is known about the availability of the species in order to plan its sustainable mana- gement. This study aims to assess the demographic variability and the woody species diversity associated with the jujube populations in the Sahel and Sudano-Sahelian areas of Burkina Faso. Vegetation invento- ries were carried out across a climatic gradient according to an oriented sampling scheme, based on jujube occurrence. The demographic and diversity parameters were measured and compared between climatic zones.  Corranalysis  revealed  Flueggea  virosa,  Piliostigma  reticulatum,  Piliostigma  thonningii

Sclerocarya birrea and Vitellaria paradoxa as woody plant species with highest association probability with jujube. The highest densities of adult individuals of jujube occurred in the Sudano-Sahelian zone (87 individuals/ha, p < 0, 05). The stand structure of jujube revealed an abundance of young individuals, a high potential likely to renew the stands. However, the low proportion of healthy individuals and strong human pressure could compromise the conservation of the species in its natural habitats. This situation calls for appropriate strategies for a sustainable management of jujube population.