WHICH ABIOTIC FACTORS HAVE THE MOST INFLUENCE ON THE GROWTH OF TREES IN BENINESE COPPICE TEAK STANDS?
Keywords:
Coppice teak plantations, soil properties, undergrowth plant communities, dendrometric characteristics, Tori-Bossito, BeninAbstract
Coppice teak stands are widely established by farmers in Benin as a means to diversify their livelihoods. The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between soil properties and growth performance characteristics of coppice teak stands so as to identify the main ecological parameters which control the species’ growth. Samples from 29 plantations covering various plant communities were selected in the commune of Tori-Bossito located in the Atlantic department. The methodology used was based on the assessment of biological diversity indexes of plant communities, the appraisal of soil tactile texture followed by physic-chemical analysis in the laboratory, and calculation of the trees’ growth parameters. These data were used to perform a principal component analysis and an analysis of correlation to evaluate the relationship between abiotic and biotic factors. Results have revealed the soil clay content as the main factor linked to the growth of coppice teak stands. The increase of the amount of clay in the soil contributes to a reduction in the soil porosity and, as a result, the decrease of the species’ growth. In addition to findings from former studies on Beninese coppice teak stands, the current results are guidelines to help farmers improve their management practices.
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