Stand structure and species co-occurrence in mixed and monodominant Central African tropical forests

Djuikouo, Marie Noel K., Peh, Kelvin S.-H., Nguembou, Charlemagne K., Doucet, Jean-Louis, Lewis, Simon L. and Sonke, Bonaventure (2014) Stand structure and species co-occurrence in mixed and monodominant Central African tropical forests. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 30 (5), 447-455. (doi:10.1017/S0266467414000352).

Abstract

We compare forests dominated by Gilbertiodendron dewevrei at the Dja Biosphere Reserve (Cameroon) with adjacent high-diversity mixed forests in terms of tree-species composition and stand structure, in order to understand the co-occurrence of mixed forest tree species in the monodominant forest. A total of 18 1-ha permanent plots were established in the two forest types. In each plot, all trees with dbh ?10 cm were identified as were those <10 cm dbh within a subsample of 300 m2. Species richness was significantly different between the two forest types. Mixed forest had an average of 109 species ha?1 for trees ?10 cm dbh and 137 species for trees <10 cm dbh. By contrast, G. dewevrei-dominated forest had an average of 47 species ha?1 (?10 cm dbh) and 92 species (<10 cm dbh). There was no significant difference in terms of stem density of the trees with dbh <10 cm between the two forests (mixed: 3.7 stems m?2; monodominant: 3.1 stems m?2). As G. dewevrei is a shade-tolerant species that can regenerate under its own shade, its higher stem density and basal area can reduce species richness of an area.

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Contributors

Author: Kelvin S.-H. Peh

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