Survival and growth of high-value timber species planted in Central African rainforest logging gaps | Survie et croissance des essences à bois d’œuvre de grande valeur commerciale plantées dans les trouées d'abattage de la forêt tropicale d'Afrique centrale

إنجليزي. peer reviewed

إنجليزي. Logging gaps could provide suitable conditions for enrichment plantation of timber species. However, there is little data on the long-term performance of planted species, particularly in Central Africa. In this study, we assessed the performance of 15 species planted in 198 logging gaps in a forest logging concession of South-Eastern Cameroon. A total of 2,304 trees were monitored for up to 14.3 years or 19 years. We assessed the influence of species, species guild, age and tree size on tree survival and growth using linear mixed-effects models. Survival rates varied across species, age and species guild. Five species (Detarium macrocarpum Harms, Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan, Terminalia superba Engl. & Diels, Baillonella toxisperma Pierre and Prioria oxyphylla (Harms) Breteler) had annual survival rates greater than the average, with more than 80% of the trees planted had survived after 14.3 to 19 years. On the other hand, all Entandrophragma cylindricum (Sprague) Sprague individuals had died after 14.8 years. Diameter and height growth also varied across species, age and guild. Terminalia superba had the highest diameter (16 mm.yr-1) and height (103 cm.yr-1) increments. Lovoa trichilioides Harms and B. toxisperma had diameter increments higher than 2 mm.yr-1 while E. utile, L. trichilioides, E. suaveolens, E. angolense and Mansonia altissima (A.Chev.) A.Chev. had height increments higher than 15 cm.yr-1. This study thus recommends enriching logging gaps of South-Eastern Cameroon with a pioneer species, T. superba. The use of other species (e.g., B. toxisperma, E. suaveolens and D. macrocarpum) could only be considered if maintenance can be regularly carried out.

EBO-Reforest (CRIS: 2020/419-588)

12. Responsible consumption and production