Poster (Scientific congresses and symposiums)
Recent disturbances in the Congo Basin : an anthracological contribution to vegetation reconstructions
Morin-Rivat, Julie; Hubau, Wannes; Gillet, Jean-François et al.
2012The impact of a major environmental crisis on species, populations and communities: the fragmentation of African forests at the end of the Holocene
 

Files


Full Text
GxABT_Recent disturbances in the Congo Basin.pdf
Publisher postprint (3.14 MB)
Download

All documents in ORBi are protected by a user license.

Send to



Details



Keywords :
Congo Basin; Charcoal; Anthracology; Vegetation reconstruction; Human disturbances; Light-demanding species; Gilbertiodendron dewevrei
Abstract :
[en] In contrast to the well-known vegetation history of the northern hemisphere, few is known about past vegetation change in Central Africa. However, recent palaeoecological and biogeographical studies suggest that early human disturbances had a substantial influence on Central Africa vegetation patterns, particularly allowing the expansion of light-demanding species. This interesting hypothesis is the basis of one of the main research questions of the ERA-net BIODIVERSA CoForChange project: what was and is the relationship between (increasing) human activity and vegetation change? A recently developed protocol for the identification of ancient Central African charcoal fragments opened the door for vegetation reconstructions with a high spatial and taxonomical resolution. Therefore, we chose to study macro-charcoals from pedoanthracological profiles situated in N Congo and SE Camero0n. In total, 48 taxa were found in nine radiocarbon dated profiles. At the moment, three taxa have been identified down to species level. First, we found numerous fragments of Gilbertiodendron dewevrei under a current monodominant forest of G. dewevrei (40 cm depth, 1421-1327 cal. BP). This seems to confirm the presumption that monodominant forests of G. dewevrei, shade-bearer species, are relatively stable. Second, we evidenced the lack of Triplochiton scleroxylon charcoals under a T. scleroxylon stand, which could confirm the hypothesis of the recent nature of those stands. Finally, our results suggest that taxonomic diversity of charcoal findings in open canopy Marantaceae forests is greater than in dense forests. Pterocarpus soyauxii and Millettia drastica have been found under an open Marantaceae forest at 40 cm depth (1184-1055 cal. BP). The abundance of the light-demanding species P. soyauxii appears to be decreasing over time (levels 20 to 40 cm depth) to the benefit of giant herbs. Anthracology in Central Africa is on the rise and the first results of the CoForChange project are promising. More identifications will follow, resulting in a better understanding of the evolution of Central African forests.
Disciplines :
Phytobiology (plant sciences, forestry, mycology...)
Author, co-author :
Morin-Rivat, Julie ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Laboratoire de Foresterie des régions trop. et subtropicales
Hubau, Wannes;  Universiteit Gent - Ugent > Doctorat
Gillet, Jean-François ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Doct. sc. agro. & ingé. biol.
Bremond, Laurent;  Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes - CBAE/UMR 5059
Oslisly, Richard;  IRD - Yaoundé
Gourlet-Fleury, Sylvie;  CIRAD - Montpellier
Doucet, Jean-Louis ;  Université de Liège - ULiège > Forêts, Nature et Paysage > Laboratoire de Foresterie des régions trop. et subtropicales
Beeckman, Hans;  Musée royal de l'Afrique centrale > Laboratoire de Biologie du Bois
Language :
English
Title :
Recent disturbances in the Congo Basin : an anthracological contribution to vegetation reconstructions
Publication date :
01 March 2012
Number of pages :
A0
Event name :
The impact of a major environmental crisis on species, populations and communities: the fragmentation of African forests at the end of the Holocene
Event organizer :
Académie des Sciences de l'Institut de France, Agence Nationale de la Recherche
Event place :
Paris, France
Event date :
du 1 au 2 mars 2012
Audience :
International
Available on ORBi :
since 25 May 2012

Statistics


Number of views
253 (40 by ULiège)
Number of downloads
137 (11 by ULiège)

Bibliography


Similar publications



Contact ORBi