<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Estimations of Leaf Area Index (LAI) have recently gained attention due to the sensitivity to the effects of climate change and its impact on forest ecosystems. Hence, a study was conducted on the LAI estimation of four vegetation types: (i) gallery forests, (ii) woodland savannas, (iii) tree savannas, and (iv) shrub savannas, at two protected areas of Nazinga Game Ranch and Bontioli Nature Reserve, Burkina Faso. A relationship between LAI and Crown Diameter was also investigated at these two sites. Digital hemispherical photography was used for the LAI estimation. Crown diameters (CD) were determined perpendicular to each other and averaged for each tree and shrub. Overall results revealed that LAI ranged from 0-1.33 and the CD was recorded in the range of 0.46-11.01 m. The gallery forests recorded the highest mean LAI 1.33 ± 0.32 as well as the highest mean CD 7.69 ± 1.90 m. The LAI for the vegetation types were at their lower ends as the study was conducted in summer season, higher values are therefore expected in the wet season, as a significant correlation between LAI and precipitation has been emphasized by various studies. Continuous LAI monitoring and studies on various growth parameters of different vegetation types at the study sites are recommended towards enhanced monitoring and an ecologically feasible forest- and savanna-use and management to maintain essential ecosystem functions and services.</p></abstract>

Estimations of Leaf Area Index (LAI) have recently gained attention due to the sensitivity to the effects of climate change and its impact on forest ecosystems. Hence, a study was conducted on the LAI estimation of four vegetation types: (i) gallery forests, (ii) woodland savannas, (iii) tree savannas, and (iv) shrub savannas, at two protected areas of Nazinga Game Ranch and Bontioli Nature Reserve, Burkina Faso. A relationship between LAI and Crown Diameter was also investigated at these two sites. Digital hemispherical photography was used for the LAI estimation. Crown diameters (CD) were determined perpendicular to each other and averaged for each tree and shrub. Overall results revealed that LAI ranged from 0-1.33 and the CD was recorded in the range of 0.46-11.01 m. The gallery forests recorded the highest mean LAI 1.33 ± 0.32 as well as the highest mean CD 7.69 ± 1.90 m. The LAI for the vegetation types were at their lower ends as the study was conducted in summer season, higher values are therefore expected in the wet season, as a significant correlation between LAI and precipitation has been emphasized by various studies. Continuous LAI monitoring and studies on various growth parameters of different vegetation types at the study sites are recommended towards enhanced monitoring and an ecologically feasible forest- and savanna-use and management to maintain essential ecosystem functions and services.

Rapid Assessment of Key Structural Elements of Different Vegetation Types of West African Savannas in Burkina Faso

Institute of International Forestry and Forest Products, Technische Universität Dresden, Pienner Strasse 7, 01737 Tharandt, Germany

Department of Botany, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Wismarsche Str. 8, 18051 Rostock

Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Martin-Weg 52, 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany

Centre for International Postgraduate Studies of Environmental Management – CIPSEM, Technische Universität Dresden, Zellescher Weg 41c, 01207 Dresden, Germany

Journal of Landscape Ecology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Estimations of Leaf Area Index (LAI) have recently gained attention due to the sensitivity to the effects of climate change and its impact on forest...

Rapid Assessment of Key Structural Elements of Different Vegetation Types of West African Savannas in Burkina Faso

Published Online: Jul 06, 2016

Page range: 36 - 48

Received: Jan 06, 2016

Accepted: Apr 26, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jlecol-2016-0003

Keywords
leaf area index, crown diameter, savanna vegetation, hemispherical photography

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Rapid Assessment of Key Structural Elements of Different Vegetation Types of West African Savannas in Burkina Faso

Published Online: Jul 06, 2016

Page range: 36 - 48

Received: Jan 06, 2016

Accepted: Apr 26, 2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jlecol-2016-0003

Keywordsleaf area index, crown diameter, savanna vegetation, hemispherical photography

© 2016

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
leaf area index, crown diameter, savanna vegetation, hemispherical photography