Author/Authors :
BETTI، Jean Lagarde نويسنده 1Department of Botany, Faculty of Sciences, University of Douala, BP 24 157 Cameroon , , FERUZI، Mohamed نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Rushemeza، Jean نويسنده Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Rurantije، Aloys نويسنده National Institute for Geography, Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 79 95 79 12 , , Nzigiyimpa، Léonidas نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Ndabahagamye، François نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Ahishakiye، Jerome نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Manariyo، Diomède نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Buvyiruke، Evariste نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Ndayishimiye، Jean Claude نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Hakizimana، Claude نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 , , Bantegeyahaga، Ezéchiel نويسنده National Institute for the Environment and the Conservation of Nature (INECN), BP 56 Gitega, Tel: 00 (257) 22 40 30 31 ,
Abstract :
Prunus africana (Rosaceae) / Pygeum or African cherry is mountain and light demanding tree species of the tropical Africa. The plant is considered as vulnerable and is listed in appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES). This paper aims to assess the stock of exploitable stems of that tree species as a tool for enhancing its sustainable harvesting. The study was carried out in May – June 2013 in the Teza mountain forest, in the Kibira National Park, north Burundi. The management inventory was conducted in a production forest of 2 800 ha with a sampling intensity of 2.14% using the “Adaptive Clusters Sampling” method. A total of 184 trees of Prunus africana with diameter at breast high more than 10 cm was counted, with 93% of them being living trees. The average density of living trees is 2.85 stems/ha. The density of exploitable living trees is 2.27 stems/ha which yields a total number of 6 347 trees, considered as the stock that can be harvested in a sustainable manner for trade purposes. There are significant differences for what concerns the abundance of seedlings, the thickness of the barks, and the size of stems between the two sides of the park, separated by the Congo-Nil ridge. The specific curves of Prunus trees presented tend to show that the Congo side is less perturbed than the Nil side. This is confirmed by a high number of seedlings in the Nil side, as a result of reaction of light penetration in the forest. Similar research should continue as to cover the 30 000 – 35 000 ha of the production forest estimated in the national park of Kibira and other protected areas which host that tree species.
