Borassus aethiopum is a dioecious palm tree of African savannas. A stage-cl
assified matrix population model has been parametrized with field data (Lam
to reserve, Ivory Coast). It enabled the study of the persistence of the po
pulation, and analysis of its sensitivity to different vital rates. Age of
palms in each stage were estimated to complete the description of the palm
life-history. The main results are: (1) Tho studied populations are very cl
ose to the equilibrium but the stable stage distribution (predicted by the
model) and the observed distribution are significantly different indicating
a former change in the vital rates. (2) Reproduction seems to be highly de
layed (first reproduction on average at 114 y), while the estimated duratio
n of the reproductive part of the life-cycle is relatively short (22 y).