Ecological adaptation of the shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) along climatic gradient in Bénin (West Africa)

The ecological adaptation of shea butter trees was assessed based on their dendrometric and production traits in four shea butter tree parks occurring in different climatic zones of B nin. A total of 99 rectangular plots of 5 3 m were established within the four parks according to a random sampling scheme. In each plot, all trees with a diameter at breast height (dbh) >1 cm were inventoried and measured for stem and crown diameters, and total height. The production of 12 productive shea butter trees was quantified. Collected data were used to compute structural parameters for each park. Moreover, stem diameter and height structures of the trees were established. Principal component analysis was performed on the dendrometric variables, and the first three components were correlated with the climatic parameters. revealed significant differences between parks in most of the dendrometric and production parameters of shea butter trees.

Source de publication: African Journal of Ecology

Contact: Jean Didier Akpona, ajeandidier@gmail.com