Agroforestry parkland profiles in three climatic zones of Burkina Faso

Abstract

Agroforestry plays an important role in food security and farmer’s resilience to climate change and variability in West Africa. However agroforestry parkland profile in the climatic zone in Burkina Faso are not well known. Therefore, agroforestry parkland profiles in three climatic zones of Burkina Faso were studied. Thirty (30) farmlands in each climatic zone representing about 35 ha were randomly selected on which systematic woody species inventory and dendrometry data collection was undertaken. Diameter classes’ distribution and agroforestry parkland typologies using Importance Value Index analysis were also done. The results showed 42, 31 and 34 woody species respectively in Sudanian, Sudan-Sahel and Sahel strict zones with corresponding density of 37, 30 and 35 trees/ha. Agroforestry parklands in Sudan-Sahel zone appeared to be unstable compared with the two others climatic zones. Mono-woody species parkland of Vitellaria paradoxa was observed in the Sudanian zone while multi-woody species parklands were observed in the Sudan-Sahel and Sahel strict zones. Both the density of trees/ha and the number of species constituting the agroforestry parklands have a direct impact of carbon sequestration potential. Taking in account agroforestry parklands profile is therefore determinant in evaluating smallholders’ farmers in potential benefit from carbon market in each climatic zone.

Keywords: Parkland typology, woody species, density, smallholders.