@article{fdi:010042618,
  title = {{I}mpact of {M}acrotermes termitaria as a source of heterogeneity on tree diversity and structure in a {S}udanian savannah under controlled grazing and annual prescribed fire ({B}urkina {F}aso)},
  author = {{T}raor{\'e}, {S}aran and {N}ygard, {R}. and {G}uinko, {S}. and {L}epage, {M}ichel},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}acrotermes termitaria are conspicuous features of savannah ecosystems in the {S}udanian and {S}ahelian zones of {W}est {A}frica. {T}he mounds, alive or abandoned, are a major source of heterogeneity in the landscape. {T}he purpose of the present study was to assess the impact of termitaria on tree community in a state forest of the {S}udanian regional centre ({T}iogo forest, {B}urkina {F}aso), under controlled burning and grazing experiments. {A} comparative inventory was carried out in a split-plot experiment (16 subplots of 2500 m(2)): 8 subplots where fire regime and grazing were controlled and 8 subplots exposed to grazing and with annual prescribed fire since 1992. {A}ll tree individuals (>= 1.5 m) were recorded, both on termitaria and outside and their basal area at stump level was measured. {A} total of 61 observed (or 65.7 +/- 2.4 estimated) tree species were recorded on 28 {M}acrotermes subhyalinus mounds (54 observed species or 60.8 +/- 3.3 estimated), the immediate surroundings (44 observed and 59.0 +/- 0.0 estimated species) and the rest of subplots (56 observed and 63.6 +/- 0.0 estimated). {S}pecific density was higher on mounds in comparison with the surroundings ({P} < 0.05). {R}esults showed that termitaria played a key role in maintaining higher species diversity as compared to their surroundings ({P} < 0.05). {D}ifferences in species diversity between termitaria and immediate surroundings appeared more pronounced in disturbed plots (submitted to both fire and grazing). {S}ome species, such as {T}amarindus indica, {B}oscia senegalensis, {C}adaba farinosa, {C}apparis sepiaria and {M}aerua angolensis are found solely on termitaria. {B}esides, the density of trees was significantly higher on termitaria compared to the surrounding ({P} < 0.05), as well as total basal area per unit of 100 m(2) area ({P} < 0.05). {W}e concluded that {M}acrotermes termitaria play an important role as a source of heterogeneity in this {S}udanian savannah woodland ecosystem. {T}his role is particularly important in ecosystems under stresses. {T}ermitaria acted as refuge for tree vegetation. {T}he density and dynamics of {M}. subhyalinus termitaria should, therefore, be taken into account in the global strategy of the forest resources management and},
  keywords = {{M}acrotermes termitaria ; heterogeneity ; savannah woodland ; tree diversity ; tree structure ; biodiversity conservation},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{F}orest {E}cology and {M}anagement},
  volume = {255},
  numero = {7},
  pages = {2337--2346},
  ISSN = {0378-1127},
  year = {2008},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.foreco.2007.12.045},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010042618},
}