Diversité des Fougères et leurs alliées le long du gradient altitudinal au sein de l’écosystème forestier des montagnes du Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega (RD CONGO)

A study of Kahuzi-Biega National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Democratic Republic of Congo, reveals that altitude significantly influences the distribution and diversity of ferns and their allies. The research found that species richness decreases linearly with increasing altitude above 2600 meters, a trend consistent across both disturbed and intact sites. Among the 157 species identified, only 37 (23.56%) were adapted to all altitudinal conditions, spanning submontane, montane, and subalpine belts. Canonical analysis indicated that altitude is the dominant abiotic factor explaining 71.7% of the variance in fern distribution, with temperature playing a secondary but crucial role. This suggests that ferns in these regions are categorized as macrothermal, mesothermal, or microthermal based on their altitudinal adaptation.

Mokoso, J. M., Habiyaremye, F. M., Janssen, T., van Diggelen, R., Robbrecht, E., & Habimana, H. N. (2013). Diversité des Fougères et leurs alliées le long du gradient altitudinal au sein de l’écosystème forestier des montagnes du Parc National de Kahuzi-Biega (RD CONGO). International Journal of Environmental Studies, 70(2), 259–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207233.2013.778007