Tree species population dynamics in a secondary forest at Ile-Ife, Nigeria after a ground fire
2007
Muoghalu, Joseph Ikeckukwu
Tree species population dynamics were studied in a 0.25-ha secondary rain forest plot which was accidentally burnt in 1983 by a severe ground fire. The effect of the fire on tree species in the plot was assessed after 14 months in 1984 and 14 years in 1997 to establish the changes in tree species composition and structural characteristics of the plot after the fire. The present study investigated the changes in species composition, mortality, recruitment rates and some structural characteristics of the plot 18 years after the fire. The results from this study were compared with previous studies in the plot. Tree species richness of the plot (37 per 0.25 ha in 1983), which increased to 40 and 71 species 1 and 14 years respectively after the fire dropped to 63 species 18 years after. Fifteen species, which were not originally present before the fire, are established and abundant now. Ten woody species, each of which were originally present and which established 1 year after the fire have died. Stem density increased from 3192 trees ha⁻¹ 1 year to 10,064 trees ha⁻¹ 18 years after the fire. Basal area increased while species diversity, which increased to 3.41 14 years after, decreased to 3.07 18 years after. The annual mortality rate was 2.1% 14 years after and annual recruitment rates were 74.5% year⁻¹ and 35.7% year⁻¹ 1 and 18 years after the fire, respectively. These observations give insight to secondary forest succession after fire.
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