Abstract
The role of termitaria in plant species diversity and conservation was investigated in Pendjari National Park and surroundings. The study objectives were to (i) compare termitaria vegetation similarity, life form and chorological composition between areas, (ii) investigate the difference of species richness and diversity on termitaria between living versus abandoned termitaria, and (iii) predict the species richness and diversity on termitaria as a function of termiaria size. Results show that species from the combretaceae family were the most abundant on termitaria; plant communities on termitaria were different among areas and between living and abandoned termitaria. Phanerophytes were abundant on mounds, therophytes were abundant on termitaria within the protected areas and farms outside of the park; however hemicryptophytes were as abundant as phanerophytes in fallows. From a phytogeographic perspective, species typical of Sudanian ecological region were the most abundant on termitaria. There was no difference in the richness and diversity of termitaria woody species, between termitaria state (dead or live) or between management type (protected or unprotected). Termitaria areas rather than termitaria height significantly correlated with the species richness and diversity. Larger termitaria had the highest diversity. Termitaria vegetation reflects the influence of local climate, moreover termitaria size can be used to predict the species richness and diversity related to them. The termitaria size has no influence on the richness and diversity of woody species related to them.
Highlights
Termitaria play a key role in the maintenance of the tree diversity in savannah across West Africa [1,2,3], our understanding of their contribution to the conservation of natural resources is still limited
We investigate the effect of land-use system on the diversity and functional role of termitaria-related
The number of plant species recorded on termitaria varied among land-use types
Summary
Termitaria play a key role in the maintenance of the tree diversity in savannah across West Africa [1,2,3], our understanding of their contribution to the conservation of natural resources is still limited. Termitaria, colonised by various species of the fungus-growing termites (Isoptera; Macrotermitinae) occur at densities ranging between 2 to 7 mounds per ha [8]. Recent study in the sudanian region of Burkina-Faso [15] revealed that termitaria maintains higher tree species density compared to the surroundings. The type of termitaria as well as the higher diversity and density of plants around them may affect the spatial distribution of wildlife. We investigate the effect of land-use system on the diversity and functional role of termitaria-related. We tested if species diversity, dominant life form and chorological composition of vegetation on termite mounds were different between the protected areas, farms and fallows in the Pendjari Biosphere reserve in Benin. We tested if termitaria status (live or dead and abandoned by termites) and size affect plant species diversity. Thirteen ethnic groups in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve were identified and their main income generating activities are agriculture, animal husbandry and trade
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