Analysis of dendrometric characteristics of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. (Fabaceae) in the semi-arid Sahelian area: A case study of silvopastoral zone in Senegal

Abstract

The study gives an analysis of the dendrometric parameters of a middle Sahelian species (Acacia senegal) in semi-arid environment to get better knowledge of its behavior. The research lays the principle that the species behaves differently according to the ecogeographical stations. So, its characteristics change from one environment to another. That is why it is important to do a specific study for every big zone. The study was done in Silvopastoral zone, more particularly in the area where A. senegal is popular in the country. The study aims to deepen the knowledge of A. senegal dendrometric parameters. The following parameters were measured: diameter of the base, breastheight diameter (1.3 m), breast- height circumference, total height of the tree, length of the trunk and width of the houppier. The sample consists of a population of 76 feet locust trees in Senegal. The study confirmed the hypothesis that the characters of the species vary according to the zone where it is found.

Keys words: Acacia senegal, dendrometry, Sahel, Senegal.