Structure and diversity of agroforestry parks in the Tenghory District (Lower Casamance, Senegal)

Abstract

In Lower Casamance, farmers deliberately keep certain woody species in their fields to increase their crop yields and generate additional income. The objective of this study is to contribute to a better understanding of the state of agroforestry parks in Lower Casamance. To achieve this objective, vegetation surveys were carried out. Thus, a square plot of 2500 m² (50m x 50m) was installed in the fields of each of the 99 farmers selected in the sample, for a total of 99 plots. This sample is distributed among the different municipalities of the arrondissement in proportion to their demographic weight, ie 18; 14; 14; 53 plots respectively in the municipalities of Coubalan, Ouonck, Niamone and Tenghory. The agroforestry parks in the district of Tenghory have a specific richness of 64 woody species divided into 53 genera and 20 botanical families. The observed density of trees is 21.8 feet / ha, the basal area is 3.3 m² / ha with a coverage rate of 13.7%. The height class structure of the woody stand reveals a predominance of individuals ≥ 10 m in height (50.5%). The diameter class [5-25] is the best represented with 45.8% of the individuals. These results thus constitute a source of useful information for the rational management of agroforestry parks in the district of Tenghory.