TITLE:
Soil Seed Bank of the Marantaceae Forests of Ouesso Forest Industry (IFO), Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Stevy Endurance Nkellankela, Chauvelin Douh, Christian Moussoumbou, Belvina Chardène Mabengo, Larisa Mbouchi Malonga, Saint Fédriche Ndzaï, Félix Koubouana
KEYWORDS:
Soil Seed Bank, Seedlings, Marantaceae Forests, Natural Regeneration, Forest Resilience, Republic of Congo
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.13 No.11,
November
17,
2023
ABSTRACT: The soil seed bank is a key indicator of natural regeneration and/or
forests resilience after disturbances. This study evaluates the soil seed bank
characteristics in two Marantaceae forests plots of Ouesso Forest Industry
(IFO) in north of the Republic of Congo. In each plot, 12 samples were taken
per soil layers (0 - 5 cm, 5 - 10 cm, 10 - 15 cm and 15 - 20 cm deep).
Diversity and abundance seed were estimated after germination of soil samples.
The results revealed 101 seedlings belonging to 17 species for plot 1 and 129 seedlings
belonging to 15 species for plot 2. The average densities of germinated seeds
were respectively 281 seedling/m2 and 358 seedling/m2.
There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the mean densities
of the two plots. Herbaceous species dominated with percentages of 71% and 73%,
respectively in plot 1 and plot 2. Both plots showed potential of regeneration
from the soil seed bank. However, this potential seems higher in plot 2.
Pioneer taxa were more abundant in the soil seed bank of plot 1 (4 woody
pioneer species) than in plot 2 (1 woody pioneer species). The highest species
richness was obtained in the first two soil layers (0 - 5 cm and 5 - 10 cm
depth) while 25% of species were exclusively found in the deepest layer (15 -
20 cm) in plot 2. The study suggests silvicultural interventions based on
planting or enrichment techniques for contribute to sustainable management of
Marantaceae forests that could prevent the growth and development of seedlings.