The problem of invasive plants in protected areas. Chromolaena odorata in the regeneration process of the dense, semideciduous forest of Lama in Benin

The Lama’s protected forest is one of the largest and most conserved semideciduous forest relicts in the Dahomey-Gap. It covers 16 250 ha classified as forest reserve by law in 1946. The absence of management plan during the period 1946-1986 gave the way to local farmers to encroach on the forest domain. This has resulted in the fragmentation followed by the degradation of the original continuous close forest. The zoning plan following the eviction of illegal farmers permitted to recover 4 777 ha of forest representing the core unit, the so-called “noyau central”. This core unit is nowadays preserved for biodiversity conservation and scientific research purposes. The “noyau central” is a mosaïc of dense forest and succession stages of secondary vegetation, some of which are dominated by Chromolaena odorata. The phytosociological data show that Chromolaena odorata is a major handicap for species regeneration. In fallows, the natural regeneration potential is precluded by the dense, oppressive, and stifling bush of Chromolaena odorata. The seedling density under Chromolaena odorata is five times less than in close forest. Chromolaena odorata with its enormous flammable biomass is a serious threat for the damaged forest ecosystems like Lama’s forest.

Auteurs: Pierre Onodjè Agbani, Brice Sinsin

Adresses:  

Université d'Abomey Calavi, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Appliquée (UAC/FSA/LEA)- Bénin- 03 BP 1974 Cotonou, Benin Tel: +229 21 36 01 26 / +229 21 31 79 93/229 21 30 30 84
Fax: +229 21 30 30 84