Floristic Inventory and Evaluation of Carbon Sequestration Potential of the Misomuni Forest Massif, Kikwit City (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

The aim of this study was to inventory plant biodiversity and to evaluate the carbon sequestration potential of the Misomuni forest massif. An inventory of all trees with diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 10 cm measured at 1.30 m height was performed. The aerial biomass (AGB) was used for estimating the stored CO2 and its carbon equivalent. 88 plant species belonging to 71 genera and 32 families were inventoried. Fabaceae family displayed the highest number of species and genera. The highest basal area values were displayed by Scorodophloeus zenkeri (7.34 ± 2.45 m2 /ha), Brachystegia laurentii (5.82 ± 1.94 m2 /ha), Entandrophragma utile (5.28 ± 1.94 m2 /ha), Pentadesma butyracea (4.53 ± 1.51 m2 /ha). The highest values of stored carbon and their carbon equivalent were observed in Pentadesma butyracea (15.13 ± 5.00 and 50.55 ± 16.85 t/ha), Picralima nitida (7.02 ± 2.34 and 23.66 ± 7.88 t/ha), Strombosia tetandra (6.56 ± 2.18 and 22.10 ± 7.36 t/ha). The Misomuni forest massif is thus much floristically diversified and plays a significant role in the sequestration of CO2. The total AGB of the inventoried trees is 183.78 ± 61.26 t/ha corresponding to stored carbon and carbon equivalent of 96.63 ± 32.21 t/ha and 289.92 ± 96.64 t/ha respectively. The protection of this ecosystem is highly needed for combatting climatic changes at local, national and regional scales and for the conservation biodiversity habitat.

Physical characterization of the fruit and nutritional value and microbiology quality of the Pentadesma butyracea fruit pulp collected from various parks in Benin

In Benin, Pentadesma butyracea fruit pulp undergoes significant post-harvest loss due to its low valorization. The collected fruits in five parklands from a survey of transformer's perception were characterized through their visual observations, the determination of their dimensions and pulp proportions. The nutritional value of pulp was evaluated through its chemical characterization. The results of this study revealed that four shapes (ellipsoid, globular, ovoid, ellipsoid twisted) identify the physical aspect of P. butyracea fruits in the P. butyracea parklands. The average length, diameter at the equator, mass and pulp proportion of fruits were 130.93 mm, 86.98 mm, 125.63 g and 35.79%, respectively. The physicochemical characterization showed that the P. butyracea fruit pulp contained 3.37-3.41 pH, 3.33-4.61% protein, 20.37 – 20.78% fiber, 2.78-3.57% ash, 6.31-6.51% crude lipid, 85.77-86.47% moisture, 21.54-23.22 mg/ml total phenolics, 0.73-1.03% acidity titratable, 65.10 – 66.94% carbohydrates, 335.75-338.99 kcal calorie and minerals (Ca, Fe, Zn, Mn). The antioxidant activity result showed that the P. butyracea fruit pulp is a valuable source of antioxidant pigments. Faecal coliforms are not detected in pulps and the aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and moulds, and Staphylococcus aureus were below detection level in P. butyracea fruit pulps.

Structure, plant diversity and future management of Pentadesma butyracea stands, an endangered oil tree species in Burkina Faso, West Africa

This paper aims to assess the population structure of Pentadesma butyracea Sabine, a local oil tree species and to analyze the occurrence of woody plants in P. butyracea natural stands. Data were collected in 41 plots of 50 × 20 m across natural stands of P. butyracea in two regions of the south-Sudanian phytogeographic zone of Burkina Faso. Stem diameter, total height and tree health were recorded and the woody plant diversity was assessed. Stand data were calculated and the diameter structure was analyzed at the regional level using the Weibull distribution. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in density and basal area between regions. In both regions, 32 per cent of trees show signs of poor health. The diameter distributions of individuals showed a structure close to a reverse J-shape (c < 1). Natural stands of P. butyracea exhibit good natural regeneration, but the large trees in the sampled populations commonly had poor health. The data may indicate early signs of stands of P. butyracea changing into savanna in the Banfora region as a consequence of human activities and climate deterioration. P. butyracea is a dominant species in riparian forest, its conservation has a potential to restore the riparian forest; appropriate management guidance and support that involves local communities is required to ensure sustainable management.