Structural and floristic variability of Shea parks in Chad, Central-Africa
Keywords:
Vitellaria paradoxa, stand structure, floristic diversity, index of ecological importance, sustainable management., sustainable managementAbstract
Vitellaria paradoxa is a high socio-economic value tree in Sahelian countries. However, the levels of knowledge
about the availability of the species are different across the distribution range of the species. The present study
aims to characterize the Shea tree parks and associated woody vegetation in provinces in southern Chad. The data
were collected by means of floristic surveys based on dendrometric measurements of woody species in 96 plots of
2500 m2 each. The index of ecological importance and diversity, density, mean diameter, mean height and basal
area were calculated and compared between provinces. The results revealed that V. paradoxa, P. biglobosa, F.
ingens and T. indica are the species with the highest Values of Importance in Shea tree parks. Density, height and
basal area varied significantly between provinces (p <0.05). The highest tree densities were found in Mandoul and
Western Logone. The population structure revealed a dominance of trees, reflecting a low potential of stand
regeneration. Shea tree parks are disturbed and threatened due to strong anthropogenic pressure and parasitic
attacks. These findings suggest the urgency of developing appropriate strategies for the sustainable management
of Shea tree parks in southern Chad.
