Assessing natural regeneration of Pterocarpus erinaceus in Kiang West National Park, The Gambia

Abstract

Trabajo Fin de Máster Propio. Tutor: Dr. Alagie Bah. Forests are a vital component of the earth’s ecosystem, providing wide range of essential ecosystem goods and services that contribute to livelihoods, climate protection and biodiversity conservation. Over the past couple of decades, The Gambia has experienced drastic degradation of its forest cover, mainly due to illegal logging, wildfires, drought, overgrazing, and the spread of competitive species. Pterocarpus erinaceus is under severe threat due to illegal and unsustainable logging, leading to current suspension of its trade from The Gambia by CITES. In 2019, the Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) project implemented Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) in a 900-ha area in Kiang West National Park (KWNP) as a low-cost alternative to natural forest regeneration. This study aims to determine the impact of ANR on stands of Pterocarpus erinaceus in KWNP. Vegetation data measurements showing growth of mother tree and wildlings were conducted in four subplots at the EbA project ANR implementation areas. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was conducted with staff of KWNP and the management committees of communities adjacent to the park. The findings of the study revealed that on average Pterocarpus erinaceus tree density in the ANR plots increased by 100% from 36 trees/ha in 2019 to 72/ha in 2023. In contrast, wildlings density in ANR plots decreased by 44% from 64 trees/ha to 36 tree/ha. The findings also identified fire, overgrazing, illegal logging, termite infestation and drought as the main drivers of degradation in the park. The noticeable increment in the population of Pterocarpus erinaceus trees in the study plots implies the effectiveness of ANR as a low-cost landscape restoration strategy being implemented by the EbA project.