Sustainable management insights from the population ecology and carbon storage of Uapaca kirkiana Müll., Arg. across geographic regions in Malawi (Southern Africa)

IF 2.9 Q1 FORESTRY

Trees, Forests and People Pub Date : 2025-07-29 DOI:10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100959

Bruno Kokouvi Kokou , Wouyo Atakpama , Ulemu Msiska , Sèdjro David Igor Thierry Kévin Ahouandjinou , Séverin Biaou , Joyce Nababi , Georges Lufungula Alunga , Prudence Agnandji , Prosper Kimwanga Salumu , Clément Soloum Tételi , Alioune Badara Diop , Kouagou Raoul Sambieni , Frank Mnthambala , Mavuto Tembo , Paul Munyenyembe

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Abstract

Understanding the ecological dynamics of multipurpose tree species such as Uapaca kirkiana Müll., Arg. is crucial for their sustainable management, particularly under increasing climate change pressures. Using forest inventory data from 149 plots, this study assessed the population ecology parameters (size class distribution, structural diversity, species diversity and stability), regulating ecosystem services (carbon storage potential) and importance value indices of U. kirkiana across three regions and six altitudinal classes in Malawi. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare ecological parameter means across regions and altitudes; correlation among these parameters was tested for their association. Overall, we found 124 species, 89 genera, and 39 botanical families, with Fabaceae, Phyllanthaceae, and Combretaceae being the most dominant. Species richness and Shannon diversity indices were higher in the central and southern regions. Structurally, U. kirkiana populations were dominated by small diameter classes (10-20cm), with few mature individuals (>45cm), indicating regeneration disturbance. Diameter at breast height (DBH) was positively correlated with the structural quotient (Qs) and inter-tree distance, but negatively correlated with diameter differentiation, suggesting low heterogeneity in mature stands. U. kirkiana tolerated mixed-species stands (mingling index: 20-44%), supporting its suitability for agroforestry systems. The Northern region had the highest carbon storage (57.80 tCO₂/ha), significantly higher than the Southern (51.25 tCO₂/ha) and Central (43.80 tCO₂/ha) regions (p < 0.05), because this region is characterized by greater annual rainfall (>1,600mm), which supports better tree growth and biomass accumulation. The estimated economic value of U. kirkiana was 1,011,997.57 MWK (577.95 USD/ha), highlighting its significance for both ecological and livelihood purposes. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the ecological behavior and service provision by U. kirkiana, in Malawi.

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基于种群生态与碳储量的可持续管理见解。,参数。马拉维（南部非洲）的跨地理区域

了解多用途树种的生态动态，如乌帕卡kirkiana m ll.。,参数。对可持续管理至关重要，特别是在气候变化压力日益增加的情况下。利用马拉维149个样地的森林清查数据，评估了马拉维3个地区、6个海拔等级的kirkiana种群生态参数（大小类分布、结构多样性、物种多样性和稳定性）、调节生态系统服务功能（碳储量潜力）和重要值指数。采用方差分析（ANOVA）比较不同地区和海拔的生态参数均值；对这些参数之间的相关性进行相关性检验。结果表明，该植物共分39科89属124种，以蚕豆科、千层草科和菊科为优势种。物种丰富度和Shannon多样性指数在中南部地区较高。在结构上，柠条种群以小径级（10 ~ 20cm）为主，成熟个体（45cm）较少，表明再生受到干扰。胸径（DBH）与结构商（Qs）和树间距离呈正相关，与直径分化呈负相关，表明成熟林分异质性较低。kirkiana耐受混合种林分（混合指数：20-44%），支持其适合农林复合系统。北部地区碳储量最高（57.80 tCO₂/ha），显著高于南部地区（51.25 tCO₂/ha）和中部地区（43.80 tCO₂/ha）（p < 0.05），这是因为该地区年降雨量较大（> 1600 mm），有利于树木生长和生物量积累。估计kirkiana的经济价值为1,011,997.57 MWK（577.95美元/公顷），突出了其对生态和生计目的的重要性。这些发现有助于更好地理解马拉维的U. kirkiana的生态行为和服务。

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