Variabilité Structurale Des Peuplements D’arbres En Forêt De Montagne Du Parc National De Kahuzi-Biega Et Ses Environs, RD. Congo

A comprehensive analysis of tree populations in Kahuzi-Biega National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo, reveals that the structural dynamics of mountain forests vary significantly with altitude. The study, which surveyed 16,797 trees across 30 hectares, found that while basal area remains relatively stable at around 35 m²/ha regardless of elevation, tree diameter and height decrease progressively with altitude. Dominant tree families include Meliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Moraceae, Fabaceae, and Rubiaceae, with Strombosia scheffleri and Xymalos monospora standing out due to their basal area, abundance, and frequency across different altitude horizons. The research also highlights the need for localized height-diameter (H/D) models due to variations in tree growth patterns along altitudinal gradients.

Gérard, I. M., Louis, Z., Riera, B., Jean-Claude, M. M. I., Franclin, B., & Faustin, B. (2016). Variabilité Structurale Des Peuplements D’arbres En Forêt De Montagne Du Parc National De Kahuzi-Biega Et Ses Environs, RD. Congo. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 12(23), 88. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2016.v12n23p88