Stand structure, species diversity and regeneration of an endemic palm forest on the Seychelles

Karl Fleischmann, Peter J. Edwards, Dieter Ramseier, Johannes Kollmann

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The 'Vallée de Mai' on the island of Praslin in the Seychelles group is a World Heritage Site because of its unique forest vegetation dominated by the palm Lodoicea maldivica. However, despite its great conservation importance, the stand structure, species diversity and regeneration of this forest have not previously been studied. Moreover, the conservation value of the reserve is currently threatened by invading alien plants and limited regeneration of some native species. The species composition of the forest was studied in six permanent plots (1985 and 1998) and along seven trail transects (1997). To explain potential variation in tree regeneration, the light climate within all plots was investigated using hemispherical photographs. The results reveal little change in forest structure, species diversity and regeneration in the permanent plots over the 13-year period, but some regeneration of most woody species, presence of some alien species and a relatively high species turnover. We found no significant influence of local light climate upon forest structure, species diversity or regeneration. Although the stand characteristics seem to be relatively stable, the permanent plots and transects should be monitored in order to detect future changes in stand structure and to optimize the protection of this unique forest reserve.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)291-301
Number of pages11
JournalAfrican Journal of Ecology
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alien invasive plants
  • Light climate
  • Lodoicea maldivica
  • Permanent plots
  • Rejuvenation
  • Trail transects

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