FARMER MANAGED TREE NATURAL REGENERATION AND DIVERSITY IN A SAHELIAN ENVIRONMENT: CASE STUDY OF MARADI REGION, NIGER

A study on tree diversity in farmer’s fields was conducted in 3 village territories in Maradi region in Niger following a north-south rainfall gradient. These villages belong to pastoral, agropastoral and agricultural zones and are located in phytogeographical sectors central north-Sahelian, south – Sahelian and central north – sudanian. Phytosociological investigations coupled with farmer’s survey were carried out in the village territories. Interviewed farmers stated that household disposal of fire and service wood, income generation, desertification control, fodder, and soil fertility replenishment are the prime movers for adopting farmer managed tree natural regeneration. Results from this study showed that more than 80% of adult trees are shrubs. The sprouts and other young trees are dominant for about 69%; wood volume and tree covers rank high in the south –Sahelian sector. The tree populations comprise about 80% of healthy individuals and only 4% are cut. The number of species increases significantly (p<0.01) from north to south and varies from 28 to 37 species. Characteristic species of each site are presented. Rainfall and applied sylvicultural operations and uses are key factors that favor tree diversity in all sites.