Distribution and Regeneration Status of Guibourtia copallifera Benn. in Sierra Leone

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the species distributional range, structure, and regeneration status of G. copallifera Benn. A distributional survey was conducted in over 30 villages and communities where claims were made about the presence of this species. At four locations, pairs of large plots measuring 500m x 20m were laid out 400m apart and each subdivided into ten (10) subplots (50m x 20m). For the regeneration studies (Seeds, seedlings and saplings), four quadrats of 5m x 5m were established in each subplot (giving a total of 320 quadrats). A total of 1,294 live individuals from 74 tree species and 12 lianas were recorded, representing 61 genera in 27 families. Guibourtia copallifera has the highest dominance, followed by Nesogordonia papaveriefera (A. Chev.) Capuron ex N. Hallé., Memecylon normandii Jacq.-Fél. and Gmelina arborea Roxb. Species such as Homalium africanum (Hook. f.) Benth. Lindackeria dentata (Oliv.) Gilg, Pentadesma butyracea Sabine. and Santiria trimera (Oliv.) Aubrév. were recorded at low levels. Regarding family dominance, the Leguminosae - Caesalpiniaceae scores the highest, followed by Sterculiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Melastomataceae and Verbenaceae. The density of regenerating individuals varied significantly between subplots based on the amount of degradation. The regeneration and spatial patterns of the species examined in this study exhibited clear relationships with disturbance intensity. Urgent action is needed to conserve this species, together with other ecologically and economically important tree species, before they are locally exterminated.