Evaluation of assisted natural regeneration and stored carbon in Prioria balsamifera (Vermoesen) Bretteler plots of the Luki Biosphere Reserve in Central Kongo, Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Extensive programs of enrichment through natural assisted regeneration were implemented between 1946 and 1959 by INEAC (Institute National pour étude Agronomique du Congo belge). He has conducted several studies for the implementation of silvicultural techniques in tropical environments, particularly in the Luki Biosphere Reserve (RBL) in the DRC. The Prioria balsamifera natural assisted regeneration (RNA) plots were part of the various silvicultural treatments implemented between 1956 and 1962 after clear-cutting. Five decades after their establishment, no evaluation has been undertaken. The objective of this study is to evaluate the natural assisted regeneration in the P. balsamifera plots and to account for the carbon sequestered in the P. balsamifera RNA after clear-cutting. The methodological approach to floristic, dendrometric and allometric inventories was used to determine the specific richness and diversity of the different study plots and to account for the carbon of the RNA biomass of the fifteen sampling plots of 0,25 ha each at three sites: Camp1; Camp2 and the RBL Post. The study revealed a higher density per hectare in the Camp1 plot, almost double the last two plots of the sampling. The density / ha varied between 380 to 980 stems / ha. The same trend was observed on the basal area (m2 / ha). This varied between 43 and 68 m2 / ha. The Shannon index used for the analysis of wealth and specific diversity varied between 0.8 and 1.6. The Camp1 plot showed little diversity compared to other plots of sampling. The mean téq CO2 / ha values in our fifteen sample plots (Camp1, amp2, RBL station) are estimated to be 1793.96 téq CO2 / ha, 985.28 teqCO2 / ha and 1305.8 téq CO2 / ha respectively for the three plots.