@article{fdi:010086930,
  title = {{M}edicinal {V}itex species ({L}amiaceae) occupy different niches in {H}aut-{K}atanga tropical dry woodlands},
  author = {{N}kulu, {S}. {N}. and {M}eerts, {P}. and {I}lunga, {E}. {I}. {W}. and {S}hutcha, {M}. {N}. and {B}auman, {D}avid},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{B}ackground and aims - {S}ustainable management of the medicinal plant resources provided by tropical forests is of utmost importance to human populations in developing countries. {T}rees and shrubs of the genus {V}itex ({L}amiaceae) are of great medicinal importance in {H}aut-{K}atanga ({SE} {D}.{R}. {C}ongo), frequently used to treat tropical diseases. {H}owever, the security of supply is threatened, particularly by urban sprawl and mining. {A} conservation strategy for medicinal plants is urgently needed. {I}n this context, we try to better understand the ecological factors (mostly soil) explaining the distribution of three medicinal species of {V}itex ({L}amiaceae) ({V}. fischeri, {V}. madiensis, and {V}. mombassae) that co-occur in the tropical dry woodlands in the region of {L}ubumbashi. {M}aterial and methods - {I}n 114 plots (10 m radius), comprising at least one species of {V}itex, all woody species with a {DBH} = 10 cm were inventoried and soil samples were collected. {M}ultivariate {R}egression {T}rees ({MRT}) combined with indicator species index {I}nd{V}al and {R}edundancy analysis ({RDA}) were used to characterise habitats and woody plant communities associated to each {V}itex species and to explain the variability of plant community composition. {K}ey results - {F}our habitats were identified, and the three {V}itex species differ significantly in ecological range. {V}itex fischeri is a specialist of a most distinctive community on high {M}g and low {A}l soil (termite mounds). {V}itex mombassae is indicative of one habitat, corresponding to low altitude (< 1230 m) plots. {V}itex madiensis has a broader range, being a generalist of all habitats except termite mounds. {C}onclusion - {T}hese results emphasise the importance of a detailed knowledge of species ecology to design speciesspecific conservation strategies, even for congeneric species occurring in sympatry in the same landscape.},
  keywords = {aluminium ; conservation ; indicator species ; medicinal ; miombo ; niche ; soil ; termite mound ; tropical dry woodlands ; woody species ; {REPUBLIQUE} {DEMOCRATIQUE} {DU} {CONGO} ; {HAUT} {KATANGA}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{P}lant {E}cology and {E}volution},
  volume = {155},
  numero = {2},
  pages = {236--247},
  ISSN = {2032-3913},
  year = {2022},
  DOI = {10.5091/plecevo.89394},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010086930},
}