DYNAMICS AND NATURAL REGENERATION OF WOODY SPECIES IN FARMED PARKLANDS IN THE SAHEL REGION (PROVINCE OF PASSORE, BURKINA-FASO)

There are various indications that the farmed parklands in the Sahel r egion are degrading. This study demonstrated that tree densities are d ecreasing rapidly and small diameter classes are rare. Two-year monito ring of natural regeneration on 30 trial plots of 400 m2 showed that s hoots (regeneration from rootstocks) are abundant (up to 935 ha-1), bu t originate from few shrub species, mainly Combretum glutinosum, Guier a senegalensis and Piliostigma reticulatum. Whereas shoots survived th e dry season, seedlings (from sexual regeneration) were few (up to 360 ha-1 in the rainy season) and did not survive the dry season. Most in digenous trees produced seedlings during the rainy season. The presenc e of seedlings seemed to be determined mainly by moisture availability , the presence of seed trees and the intensity of fruit exploitation. Seedling survival was poor, mainly because of the combined effects of drought and browsing. To maintain indigenous fruit trees in the parkla nds the young plants require watering in the dry season and protection against livestock and from damage during field clearing and weeding.