Impact of charcoal production on woody plant species in West Africa: A case study in Togo

Abstract

In Togo, fuel wood and charcoal account for more than 80% of total householdenergy requirements. Charcoal production results in a high pressure on the commonly used woody species. This study was carried out to assess the impact of charcoal production on the vegetation. Surveys involving 310 charcoal producers from 4 production areas were carried out. In each production area, density, diameter, height and basal area of woody species were measured both in unexploited plots and exploited plots. Inside the 4 charcoal production areas, 158 woody species were identified including 34 regularly exploited for charcoal production, that is, 15 preferred and 19 by default. Diversity indexes (Species Richness, Shannon and Evenness) and variability of densities are significantly higher in unexploited plots than those in exploited plots. The average heights vary between 4 and 7 m inside the exploited plots and from 6 to 9 m inside the unexploited plots. Average diameter and basal area are statistically not different inside unexploited plots and exploited plots. The most common regeneration methods inside the 4 charcoal production areas are seedlings and coppices. The preferred species regenerate better in exploited plots than those exploited by default. The study concludes that the negative effect of charcoal production on natural ecosystems has resulted in the depletion of the biodiversity, density, height, diameter of the stands and basal area of the woody species. Key words: Charcoal production, plant diversity, woody population structure, regeneration.