How tightly linked are Pericopsis elata (Fabaceae) patches to anthropogenic disturbances in Southeastern Cameroon?
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Authors
Bourland, N.
Cerisier, F.
Daïnou, K.
Smith, A.
Hubau, W.
Beeckman, H.
Brostaux, Y.
Fayolle, A.
Biwolé, A.
Fétéké, F.
Gillet, J.-F.
Morin-Rivat, J.
Lejeune, P.
Ntoudé Tiba, E.
Van Acker, J.
Doucet, J.-L.
Discipline
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Subject
Heritage studies
Wood biology
Audience
Scientific
Date
2015Metadata
Show full item recordDescription
While most past studies have emphasized the relationships between specific forest stands and edaphic factors, recent observations in Central African moist forests suggested that an increase of slash-and-burn agriculture since 3000 2000 BP (Before Present) could be the main driver of the persistence of light-demanding tree species. In order to examine anthropogenic factors in the persistence of such populations, our study focused on Pericopsis elata, an endangered clustered timber species. We used a multidisciplinary approach comprised of botanical, anthracological and archaeobotanical investigations to compare P. elata patches with surrounding stands of mixed forest vegetation ( out-zones ). Charcoal samples were found in both zones, but were significantly more abundant in the soils of patches. Eleven groups of taxa were identified from the charcoals, most of them also present in the current vegetation. Potsherds were detected only inside P. elata patches and at different soil depths, suggesting a long human presence from at least 2150 to 195 BP, as revealed by our charcoal radiocarbon dating. We conclude that current P. elata patches most likely result from shifting cultivation that occurred ca. two centuries ago. The implications of our findings for the dynamics and management of light-demanding tree species are discussed.
Citation
Bourland, N.; Cerisier, F.; Daïnou, K.; Smith, A.; Hubau, W.; Beeckman, H.; Brostaux, Y.; Fayolle, A.; Biwolé, A.; Fétéké, F.; Gillet, J.-F.; Morin-Rivat, J.; Lejeune, P.; Ntoudé Tiba, E.; Van Acker, J.; Doucet, J.-L. (2015). How tightly linked are Pericopsis elata (Fabaceae) patches to anthropogenic disturbances in Southeastern Cameroon?. , Forests, Vol. 6(2); The 24th IUFRO World Congress: Session 64 What Future for Tropical Silviculture?, 293-310, DOI: 10.3390/f6020293.Identifiers
Type
Article
Peer-Review
Yes
Language
eng