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FLORISTIC COMPOSITION AND DENSITY OF MAIN WOODY SPECIES OF THE 
PARKLANDS IN TWO PHYTOGEOGRAPHICAL ZONES IN BURKINA FASO   

 

 

Nabaloum 
Moumouni1+ 
Bélem Mamounata2  
Ouoba Pounyala Awa3 

Yaméogo Joséphine4 
Da Dapola Evariste 
Constant5 

 

1,3,5University of Ouagadougou. Training and Research Unit in Human 
Sciences. Laboratory in Dynamics of Spaces and Societies, 03 BP: 7021 
Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso. 

 
2,4National Center for Scientific and Technological Research / Institute of 
Environment and Agricultural Research. Department of Environment and 
Forests. 03 BP: 7047, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso. 

 
 

 
(+ Corresponding author) 

 ABSTRACT 
 
Article History 
Received: 21 January 2019 
Revised: 1 March 2019 
Accepted: 4 April 2019 
Published: 27 May 2019  
 
 
 

Keywords 
Burkina Faso 
South-Sudanian sector 
North-sudanian sector 
Parklands 
Species  
Trees density 
Genus 
Botanic families. 

 
This study carries out in three villages belonging to the two phytogeographical zones 
(South-Sudanian and North-Sudanian sectors) in Burkina Faso. It intends to describe 
the floristic composition and calculate three main woody species density of the 
agroforestry parks in those two phytogeographical zones. The methodology consisted, 
on the one hand, to measure the area of fields and, on the other hand, the floristic 
species inventory. The results show that parklands in Bala (South-Sudanian 
phytogeographical zone) contains 14 species from 14 genus and 9 botanical families: 
Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae-Faboideae-Mimosoideae, Bombacaceae, 
Anacardiaceae, Meliaceae Combretaceae, Sapotaceae, Moraceae, and Verbenaceae. The 
parklands of Toessin and Bonogo (North-Sudanian sector) are rich of 51 species, 36 
genus and 22 families which are, in additional to those cited in Bala Rubiaceae, 
Fabaceae-Faboideae, Ebenaceae Rhamnaceae, Balanitaceae, Anonnaceae, Myrtaceae, 
Bignoniaceae, Moringaceae, Apocynaceae, Sterculiaceae and Lythraceae. The 
calculation of trees density showed that the dominant woody species in the parks of 
Bala are in order of importance Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa and Tamarindus 
indica. Their maximum densities are respectively 66; 8 and 1 trees/ha. On the other 
hand, in Toessin and Bonogo, north-sudanian sector Lannea microcarpa, Vitellaria 
paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa predominate with maximum densities respectively from 34, 
38 and 3 trees/ha.  
 

Contribution/Originality: This study contributes to the existing literature concerning floristic composition 

and density of the ligneous in the parklands. This study uses a new estimation methodology: measure, survey. This 

study is one of the very few studies which have investigated in these aspects. This study documents the knowledge 

on the ligneous and distribution. 

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Agroforestry is defined as land use system in which the trees are kept in association with crop and livestock 

production in a given space and where there are both ecological and economic interactions between other 

components of the system and the Woody [1].  

In rural zones of sub-saharan of Africa, trees are included of the traditional farming. They are regularly kept 

because they provide traditional medicines, food commodities and firewood. In parts of West Africa, about 75% of 

Current Research in Agricultural Sciences 
2019 Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 54-67 
ISSN(e): 2312-6418 
ISSN(p): 2313-3716 
DOI: 10.18488/journal.68.2019.62.54.67 
© 2019 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 
 
 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 

https://www.doi.org/10.18488/journal.68.2019.62.54.67


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the harvest of timber and non-timber products comes from agroforestry parks [2]. Trees are also kept to manage 

and improve the physical and chemical soil properties [3-6]. This reconstruction of the fertility and the physical 

and chemical properties require fallow. The effects of the fallow depend on such conditions the initial state of the 

fallow, the type of exploitation, the rigor of the climate and its duration. 

In West Africa, fallows are often owned by groups of families. The criteria for selection of the trees in the parks 

will also depend on ethnicity. This selection is one of the factors of the diversity and floristic composition of the 

trees in agricultural areas [7]. Moreover, the appropriation of land by natives peoples to the detriment of migrants 

has implications on the management and maintaining of the species tree in the parkland because the rights held on 

trees depend on the mode of access [7, 8]. The maintaining of the trees in the Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso seems 

related to the old of the agricultural system. This agricultural technique had the advantage of diversification of the 

age of settlement of the trees but with evolution toward permanent agriculture, they are the emergence of a single 

generation of woody species [9]. 

In Burkina Faso and other African countries, the choice of crops and farm tools can also have consequences on 

the maintaining of the trees. Mechanized cultivation, although allowing for the increase of agricultural production, 

causes the degradation of the parklands [10, 11].  

In western Burkina Faso, cotton, this cash crop is responsible for the tree destruction of these parklands. 

Furthermore, the cotton plant is a sun-loving and annual plant with delicate cultivation and requirement 

development conditions. It requires heat throughout the vegetative and productive cycle. Heat is thus a favorable 

element for the development of cotton plants. The insufficient thermal conditions lead to an extension of its growth 

cycle [12]. The preference of the cotton by the farmers leads thus to the systematic cutting of the trees in the farms 

because of the effect of the shade. It leads to aging of trees because of the lack of natural regeneration, to the 

decrease of the density of the trees and therefore affects the physiognomy of the parklands. Thus, forms of 

agricultural development promoted by states institutions preferring the monoculture in the farms excluded more in 

more tree cover [13]. Diversity and floristic composition, however, are the essential elements that perform the 

function of parklands. Despite preferences of local populations for commercial species [14] few studies conducted 

on the floristic composition of parklands in the different phytogeographical zones, except those conducted by 

Nikiema [15] which focused on the comparison of the ligneous flora in classified forests and parks in South-

Sahelian and North-Sudanian zones in Burkina Faso. The association of the trees to the other components of the 

parklands system depends on the ecological conditions in the environment which affects the phenology and the 

distribution of the tree species. However, the flora of Burkina Faso is distributed following a north-south climate 

gradient. This distribution corresponds to the phytogeographical subdivision proposed [16]. The North-Sudanian 

zone is the most intensively cultivated because of the high population growth and the vegetation, the rustic 

landscapes dominated by protected species. On the other hand, due to the low population density, the vegetation of 

the South-Sudanian zone presents the less disturbed forest areas [17]. The aim of this article is to study the 

floristic composition of the species in the agricultural areas of the phytogeographical zones, North-Sudanian and 

South-Sudanian. Specifically, the study intends to describe the floristic composition of ligneous and to estimate the 

density of the main ligneous species of parklands. 

 

2. MATERIAL AND METHOD 

2.1. Presentation of the Study Area 

2.1.1. Village of Bala 

Bala is located in the department of Satiri (Houet province). The data collected from the national meteorology 

of Bobo-Dioulasso station indicate that the annual average rainfall between 1986 and 2015 are 1080 mm, 

distributed on 4 at 6 months, from May to October. The below Figure 1 shows that the average temperatures have 

a maximum value of 33°C in April and a minimum value of 26, 2°C in December. 



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The choice of the data of the meteorological station in Bobo-Dioulasso is due to the absence of reference station 

in the department of Satiri and also the proximity of the village to study with this town (Bobo-Dioulasso). Indeed, 

Bala is located 50 km from Bobo-Dioulasso. As shown in Figure 2, it is located in the South-Sudanian 

phytogeographical zone and therefore, in the South-Sudanian climate zone according to the classification of Guinko. 

Four types of soil are found in the village of Bala: soils on the breastplate, tropical ferrallitic and ferruginous 

soils, alluvial soils and hydromorphic soils [18]. 

The main subsistence crops are millet, sorghum, and corn. Cotton is the cash crop. Farming is put on poultry, 

cattle, sheep and goats. According to Serpantié [4] the South-Sudanian savannahs are partly cotton and received 

migrants. The annual growth of land use was 2% between 1986 and 1998. The northeast region of Bobo-Dioulasso 

is the center of Burkina Faso official cotton zone. In 1998, this area produces half the cotton of Burkina Faso. The 

proportion of cotton in crop rotation is around 25% of the acreage (12% in 1975, 19.4% in 1986; 23% in 1998). The 

part of crops has progressed strongly since 1985; following the evolution of the populations. At Bala, the cotton is 

almost the only cash crop and occupies more than half of agricultural land. Manual cropping systems concerns 

13,6% of the farms, mechanized cropping systems occupy about 68,2% of farms. Motorized agricultural systems 

concerns 18,2% of the farms. This agricultural system essentially concerns the production of cotton, maize, millet 

and sorghum. 

 

 
Figure-1. Ombrothermic Diagram of the Bobo Dioulasso station (1986-2015). 

                           Source: Data of the National Agency of the Meteorology of Burkina Faso. 

 

2.1.2. Villages of Toessin and Bonogo 

Toessin is located in the department of Samba (Passore province) and Bonogo in the rural zone of Sapone 

(Bazega province). These two villages belong to the North-Sudanian phytogeographical zone Figure 2. Their 

climate is sudano-sahelian. 

Thus, the climate of Toessin and Bonogo is characterized by a dry season from October to May, and a rainy 

season from June to October. Climate data obtained at the national meteorology indicate that the annual rainfall 

average of the town of Yako between 1986 and 2015 is 707,2 mm by year Figure 3. Monthly temperature averages 

indicate also minimum of 27,7°C in January and maximum temperature 35,2°C in April. 

In absence of meteorological station in the Samba department, the choice has been done on the climate data 

from the town of Yako, reference station. On the other hand, the village of Bonogo is located about 7 km from the 

commune of Sapone held the meteorological station. 

Furthermore, the villages of Toessin and Bonogo are characterized by ferruginous soils, grit spreader soils or 

clayey, sandy soils, and hydromorphic soils [19, 20].  Agriculture occupies the whole of the active population. It 

had an extensive character with rudimentary tools. Nowadays, agriculture is more and more semi-mechanized and 



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motorized, using animal traction, manure and a few chemical fertilizers. The land used rate was between 60% and 

90%. Cereals stretched more than 80% of cultivated areas [20]. The crops are millet, sorghum, maize, rice and 

voandzou. The cash crops include sesame, peanut and voandzou. 

Maize and sorghum stretched respectively 28500 ha and 43000 ha between 2008 and 2011, whether a growth 

rate of 17% by year. This hold on the land causes destruction of the vegetation, the desertification and the 

extinction of species. Livestock is the second economic activity after agriculture. Sheep, goats and poultry are 

dominant in the number of livestock in the village of Toessin. 

 

 
Figure-2. Location of study areas. 

            Source: IGB 

 

 
Figure-3. Ombrothermic Diagram of the Yako station (1986-2015). 

    Source: Data of the National Agency of the Meteorology of Burkina Faso. 

 

 

 



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2.2. Data Collection  

2.2.1. Choice of Plots 

The study was conducted between January-March 2015 and February 2016. The study concerned the plots 

cultivated in the three villages. The plots are those that have been exploited in cereals (millet, maize, sorghum) for 

Bonogo and Toessin, in cotton (for Bala village) during the campaign preceding this study. Statistics gathered from 

the departmental direction of the Ministry of agriculture showing that in 2012, 49%, 29% and 20% of the areas of 

Bonogo were cultivated respectively in sorghum, millet and maize whereas Toessin these crops occupied 75%, 22% 

and 2% of the surfaces. In Bala village, cotton, maize and sorghum occupied 29%, 28% and 30% of the areas 

respectively; 13% was devoted to the millet. 

In order to determine the cultivated plots, we asked help from the councillors of decentralization of each 

village. As shown in Figure 4, the plots were selected along two transects oriented from West to East and South to 

the North and were positioned on the plains. In total, 50 plots selected for the study whose 15 for each of the 

villages of Toessin, Bonogo and 20 plots for Bala. The choice has done on the plots of bush because they are very 

large and cultivated in cereals and cotton. The number of ligneous species that they contained is higher than for the 

parklands near the villages [21]. 

 

 
Figure-4. Location of the transects and plots inventoried. 

                                                Source: Field survey, 2016. 

 

2.2.2. Measure of the Plots Superficies  

To determine the area of the plots, we proceeded to the recognition of the limits of the cultivated plot. The 

surface was measured automatically by using the GPS navigation garmin 60. 

 

2.2.3. Inventory of the Dominant Species  

In each plot, we first conducted an inventory of the ligneous species. Later on, we appreciated the general 

physiognomy of vegetation and counted the trees ligneous species. After this count, we have classified the ligneous 

species in order of numerical importance in order to identify the first three dominant ligneous species on each 

agricultural plot. The selected ligneous species are those whose height is superior to or equal to 7 meters in order to 



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consider the category of big trees, according to the classification of the ligneous stratum made by Bandré, et al. 

[22]. The determination of the height of these trees has been made using a graduated pole. 

 

2.3. Analysis of the Data  

2.3.1. Determination of the Species  

The plant species encountered during the floristic inventory and the surveys were identified directly by their 

names in French or in local names (in mooré or dioula). In addition, interpreters have had an important role in 

identifying and naming local species names. In cases where species have not been identified, samples are taken and 

compared to specimens from the Herbarium of the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research of 

Burkina Faso. 

To determine the scientific names, local names were compared to the floristic lists of Bélem [18]; Bélem [19] 

for the Toessin site and the hippopotamus pond and the list obtained by Abegg, et al. [23] for the Sapone forest. 

The concordance of scientific and families names was determined using the nomenclature used in the catalog of 

Burkina Faso vascular plants of Thiombiano, et al. [24]. It is the nomenclature of the African Plants Database 

(APD) of the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva and the South African National Biodiversity 

Institute, Pretoria for Tropical Africa. Thus, we have also opted for their system on the classification of botanical 

families. 

 

2.3.2. Calculation of the Density of the Species 

Areas of the plots being measured using the GPS and the numbers of ligneous species known, density per 

hectare of each of the dominant species was obtained from the following general formula: 

 

D: number of feet per hectare 

N: number of feet of the species concerned 

S: surface 

 

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

3.1. Ligneous Floristic Composition by Phytogeographical Zone  

3.1.1. Ligneous Floristic Composition in Bala 

Ligneous inventoried in the Bala village are rich of 14 species, distributed in 14 genus belonging to 9 families. 

The Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae-Faboideae-Mimosoideae, Bombacaceae, Anacardiaceae and Meliaceae, 

each have two species and represent 71% of the total of species. The other families Combretaceae, Sapotaceae, 

Moraceae and Verbenaceae have each species and constitute in total 29% of the species Table 1. 

The numbers of species and families of species we identified are lower than those obtained by previous studies 

in the same phytogeographical zone. Indeed, the inventories accomplish by Mahamane [1]; Dalliere [25] on the 

lower glacis and the plateaus of Bondoukuy, Nikiema [15] in the Nahouri, Zoundweogo and Bondé, et al. [26] in 

the Tuy, in Burkina Faso. These authors had identified respectively 53 species and 23 families; 94 species and 34 

families; 41 species and 20 families; 76 species and 26 families in the South-Sudanian parklands. They had also noted 

the same dominant families but the exception of the Meliaceae and Bombacaceae. The numbers of species and 

families what they have listed show a great diversity in the floristic composition of the parklands in these zones. 

Studies conducted by each of these authors show that parklands are also colonized by species from the families 

whose the Acanthaceae, Balanitaceae, Bignoniaceae, Boraginaceae, Brassicaceae, Amarantaceae, Celastraceae, 

Cochlorospennaceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Ebenaceae, Hypericaceae, Hymenocardiaceae, Myrtaceae, Olacaceae, 



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Opiliaceae, Palmeae, Papillionaceae, Polygalaceae, Rhamnaceae, Rosaceae, Rutaceae, Sterculaceae, Annonaceae, 

Apocynaceae, Capparidaceae, Loganiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Tiliaceae and Fabaceae-Faboideae. 

According to Mahamane [1] and Bondé, et al. [26] the topography determines the floristic diversity of 

parklands and their composition. Parklands on up of topography position would be relatively more diversified in 

species that encountered at the bottom of the topography. Thus, the glacis contains more species that the shallows 

which would justify the number of species and families identified by these authors. The preponderance of the 

Fabaceae-Faboideae (31%) and Rubiaceae (5%) observed in cultivated areas is related to this change in topography 

between glacis and shallows. For Mahamane [1] this variation in the floristic composition of the parklands also 

depends on the ecological conditions of the environment that justify the choice on some species by farmers. They 

realize a selection of the Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa in favorable environments allowing the 

development of these species. Moreover, these two authors estimate the diversity of species and families would be 

also dependent on the weak traditional clearing, not mechanized which have existed in the past and would have kept 

intact the roots and the stump of some species. These grow again a few years later and contribute to their 

sustainability in cultivated areas. 

Similarly, for Nikiema [15] and Dalliere [25] floristic composition in cultivated areas is justified by the ability 

to regenerate species and this is due to the fallow been preceded the cultivation. The difference with our results is 

probably due to the evolution of culture and agriculture systems. The South-Sudanian became the main cotton zone 

of Burkina Faso [4, 12]. But according to Mallet [11]; Kessler and Boni [27] the choice of this crop by farmers 

resulted in mechanization agricultural leading to the systematic and progressive trees cut in the fields. The facts 

that some trees don’t produce edible fruits or wish to reduce the effect of the shadow on the crops are other main 

reasons for trees destruction. 

 
Table-1. List of ligneous species identified in the Bala parklands. 

Families Species  Local name (mooré) 

Anacardiaceae Lannea microcarpa Engl. et K. Krause Sanbga 
Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hoschst Noabga 

Bombacaceae Bombax costatum Pellegr. et Vuillet Voaka 
Adansonia digitata Linn. Toèega 

Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae Tamarindus indica Linn Pusga 
Cassia sieberiana D.C Kumbrisaka 

Combretaceae Terminalia macroptera Guil. et Perr Goondré 
Meliaceae Azadirachta indica A. Juss Neem 

Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. Kuka 
Fabaceae-Faboideae-
Mimosoideae 

Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G. Don Roanga 
Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev Zaanga 

Moraceae Ficus gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) Steud. ex A.Rich Kankanga 
Sapotaceae Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn. Taanga 
Verbenaceae Tectona grandis L. f. Tec 

      Source: Field survey, 2016. 
 

3.1.2. Ligneous Floristic Composition in Toessin and Bonogo  

Toessin and Bonogo parklands are composed of ligneous from 51 species in 36 genus and 22 botanical families. 

These are the Fabaceae-Faboideae-Mimosoideae (8 species, 16%), Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae (6 species, 12%), 

Combretaceae (6 species, 12%), Anacardiaceae (5 species, 10%), Moraceae (5 species, 10%), Bombacaceae (2 species, 

4%), Meliaceae (2 species, 4%), Rubiaceae (2 species, 4%), Fabaceae-Faboideae (2 species, 4%). Table 2 shows that 

the Sapotaceae, Ebenaceae, Rhamnaceae, Balanitaceae, Anonnaceae, Myrtaceae, Bignoniaceae, Verbenaceae, 

Moringaceae, Apocynaceae, Sterculiaceae, Capparaceae and Lythraceae have every 1 species whether 13 species or 

25% of ligneous. 

 

 



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Table-2. List of ligneous species encountered in the Toessin and Bonogo parklands. 

Families Toessin Bonogo Species Local name (mooré) 

Anacardiaceae x x Lannea microcarpa A. Rich Sanbga 
x x Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hoschst Noabga 
x x Mangifera indica Linn Manguii 
x x Lannea acida A. Rich Sanbtoulga 
 x Lannea velutina A. Rich Waãm-sanbga 

Annonaceae x  Annona senegalensis Pers. Barkudga 
Apocynaceae x x Saba senegalensis (A. D.C) Weèdga 
Balanitaceae x x Balanites aegyptiaca (l.) delile Kieelga 
Bombacaceae x x Adansonia digitata Linn. Toeèga 

x x Bombax costatum Pellegr. Vuillet Voaka 
Bignoniaceae x  Stereospermum kunthianum Cham Vulga 

Fabaceae-
Caesalpinioideae 

x  Cassia sieberiana D.C Kumbrisaka 
x  Cassia siamea Lam. Cassia 
x  Cassia singueana Del. Gyel-poonsre 
x x Piliostigma reticulatum (D.C) Hochst. Bâguendé 
x x Tamarindus indica Linn Pusga 
 x Detarium microcarpum Guill. et Perr. Kaaga 

Capparaceae x  Capparis sepiaria L. var. fisheri (Pax) 
De Wolf. 

Silkoré 

Combretaceae x x Terminalia macroptera Guil. et Perr Goond-poko 
x  Terminalia mollis M.A.Lawson  
 x Terminalia laxiflora Engl. et Diels Goondré 

x  Terminalia avicennioides Guill. et Perr. Goondré 
x  Combretum micranthum G. Don Randga 
x x Anogeissus leiocarpus (D.C) Guill. 

Perr. 
Siiga 

Ebenaceae x x Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst ex A. 
D.C 

Gaanka 

Fabaceae-Faboideae  x Lonchocarpus laxiflorus Guill. et Perr. Yiiga 

 x Erythrina senegalensis A. DC. Kulin-tiiga 

Lythraceae x  Lawsonia inermis L. Lallé 
Meliaceae x x Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss. Kuka 

x x Azadirachta indica A. Juss Neem 
Fabaceae-Faboideae-

Mimosoideae 
x x Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex G. 

Don 
Roanga 

x x Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Gon-pèelega 
 x Acacia macrostachya (Welw) C.C. Bury Zamnega 

x x Prosopis africana (Guill. et Perr.) Taub. Duanduanga 
x  Albizia malacophylla (A Rich.) Walp.  
x x Acacia polyacantha (Willd.) Kâon-peelga 
x  Acacia gourmaensis A.Chev. Gon-sabelga 
x x Faidherbia albida (Delile) A. Chev Zaanga 

Moraceae x x Ficus gnaphalocarpa (Miq.) Steud. ex 
A.Rich 

Kankanga 

x x Ficus ingens (Miq) Miq Kunkwiiga 
 x Ficus iteophylla Miq Kunkwi-peelga 
 x Ficus thonningii Blume Kilusga 
 x Ficus platyphylla Delile Kamsaogo 

Moringaceae  x Moringa oleifera Lam. Arzan-tiiga 

Myrtaceae x x Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh Eucaluptis 
Rhamnaceae x x Ziziphus mauritiana Lam Mougounouga 
Rubiaceae x x Gardenia erubescens Stapf. et Huch. Subdga 

x  Feretia apodanthera Del. Kitinga 
Sapotaceae x x Vitellaria paradoxa Gaertn Taanga 

Sterculiaceae  x Cola cordifolia (Cav.) R. Br. Puka 

Verbenaceae  x Vitex doniana Sweet. Anda 
Source: Field survey, 2015. 

 



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Our results corroborate those of Akpo, et al. [28] and Yossi [29] which had also identified the Fabaceae-

Faboideae-Mimosoideae, Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae, Combretaceae, Anacardiaceae, Moraceae, Rhamnaceae and 

Meliaceae as the main families in the North-Sudanian zone in Senegal and Mali. However, additional the last author 

had inventoried the Tiliaceae, Convolvulaceae, Fabaceae-Faboideae, Malvaceae and the Capparidaceae. The 

difference occurs in the post-cultural state of the plots that were farms or fallows. According to Belem, et al. [30] 

Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea microcarpa, Parkia biglobosa and Tamarindus indica would be among the commons 

species to the provinces of the Central Plateau including the localities of Bonogo and Toessin. 

In North of Togo, in the same ecological zone, the results of Koumoi and Lare [7] in accordance with our 

results, show that the parklands are characterized by the dominance of one or three species such as Vitellaria 

paradoxa, Lannea microcarpa and Parkia biglobosa. The variation in the floristic composition is related to climate 

and soil for each phytogeographical zone. For these authors, it is pledged to farming practices that may vary in 

accordance with the communities because the physiognomy of the parklands is the result that each community will 

modify in its environment. These two authors estimated the arboreous settlement of agricultural areas is an 

indicator of the strategy implemented by each society regarding its environment. 

Tindano [16]; Adomou [31]; Thiombiano, et al. [32] estimate there is an increase of the number of species in 

the Rubiaceae and Combretaceae from the North-Sudanian zone to South-Sudanian zone. This is dependent on the 

gradual increase in rainfall from the North climatic zone to South Sudanian climatic zone. This induces a 

distribution of the trees compared with humidity and changes in floristic composition. 

 

3.2. Trees Density Studies 

3.2.1. Density of the Three Main Dominant Species in the Parklands of Bala 

The inventory carried out in the plots of Bala indicates that Vitellaria paradoxa, Tamarindus indica and Parkia 

biglobosa are the 3 main dominant species. Moreover, as shown in Figure 5, Vitellaria paradoxa is important in 

number of trees with a density between 5 to 66 trees/ha, with an average of 17 trees/ha. Parkia biglobosa is the 

second dominant specie, its presence varies between 1 and 7 trees/ha whose an average of 3 trees/ha. Tamarindus 

indica is one of the species to NTFP frequently associated to the Vitellaria paradoxa and Parkia biglobosa. Its 

density is 1 tree/ha. Our results are in accordance with those of Kaboré, et al. [33] in South-Sudanian zone 

concerning the maximum densities found. In fact, these authors estimated between 23 and 85 trees/ha the number 

of the stool of Vitellaria paradoxa in Sobaka parklands. The results of the study of Kessler and Boni [27]; Nyberg, 

et al. [34] are in accordance with us. These authors have assessed between 10 and 30 trees/ha the average density 

of the Shea-tree in Burkina Faso. The values of the Vitellaria paradoxa densities we found are identical to those of 

Lafleur [35] estimating 23 trees/ha in Togo and 30 trees/ha in Chad. 

 

 
Figure-5. Density of 3 dominant ligneous species in the Bala plots. 

                            Source: Field survey, 2016. 

 



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3.2.2. Density of the Three Main Dominant Species of Toessin and Bonogo Parks 

In the plots of Toessin and Bonogo, from the north-sudanian phytogeographical zone, the 3 dominant species 

are Lannea microcarpa, Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa. Figure 6 shows that in Toessin, Lannea microcarpa is 

one of the dominant species. Indeed, the density of the Lannea microcarpa is estimated between 2 and 34 trees/ha in 

the plots whose an average of 16 trees/ha. 

Contrariwise, in Bonogo, Lannea microcarpa has a density reaching 8 trees/ha and is less abundant and 

frequent. Vitellaria paradoxa is predominant in Bonogo village, Figure 7. In these two localities, Shea-tree density 

varies from 1 to 38 trees/ha with an average of 18 trees/ha.  Finally, Parkia biglobosa is the third predominant 

species in the cultivated plots of the two villages. The density of this species is 3 trees/ha in the parklands. 

The average of trees density of the Vitellaria paradoxa we found is characteristic of the area of distribution of 

this species and seems to corroborate the results of Douamba [36] in the province of Tapoa in the same 

phytogeographical zone (North-Sudanian zone). They had estimated between 16 to 21 trees/ha the density of 

Vitellaria paradoxa in fallows. 

Our results seem to be in accordance, with those of Douamba [36] who has found 1 tree/ha in the Tapoa 

(north-sudanian zone). Douamba [36] has also estimated between 1 to 2 trees/ha the density of Parkia biglobosa in 

Burkina Faso. 

The average value of 16 trees/ha for Lannea microcarpa we have found in Toessin, are near to those estimated 

at 13,71 trees/ha by Agbogan, et al. [37] in the North of Togo. According to these authors, Lannea microcarpa fits 

the deep soils of the plains or low plateaus. This accords with our case because the plots were selected in the plains. 

Furthermore, this great density of Lannea microcarpa in Toessin is due to the importance of the use of fruits in the 

nourishment. Fruits are used in the preparation of sugary beverage and sugary porridge in the households. 

 

 
Figure-6. Density of 3 dominant ligneous species in the Toessin plots. 

               Source: Field survey, 2015. 

 

Vitellaria paradoxa is clearly dominant in the parklands of Bonogo and Bala than those of Toessin. This is 

related to the difference in rainfall observed. Furthermore, Bala, rainier, receives 1080 mm/year and Bonogo 900 

mm/year while Toessin has only 700 mm/year. Bala village is dominated by ferrallitic and ferruginous soils, which 

are the place of great density of Shea-tree (55 trees/ha). On the tropical ferruginous soils, like those of Toessin, the 

density is estimated at 24 trees/ha. Moreover, the wish of the farmers to have some lot of nuts Shea-tree by year 



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leads them to increase the density of Vitellaria paradoxa in the parklands. Then it could correspond to a desire to 

ensure the durability of the settlement. 

The average densities of 3 trees/ha and 1 tree/ha of Parkia biglobosa obtained to explain the state of extinction 

of this specie. It is more impend over in the North-Sudanian zone that in South-Sudanian. 

Otherwise, Lannea microcarpa density is greater in north-sudanian zone than south-sudanian zone. The 

differences may be explained by the climate and the soil because according to Agbogan, et al. [37]; Sakandé [38] 

the topography and type of the soil have an impact on the distribution of this species. 

The density of Tamarindus indica, less 1 tree/ha, inventoried in our study, indicates that this species is 

infrequent or even absent in the phytogeographical zones North-Sudanian and South-Sudanian. These results rejoin 

those found by Bourou [39] in Senegal and Fandohan, et al. [40] in Benin in phytogeographical sudanian zone. 

These authors estimated 7 trees/km2, whether 0,07 tree/ha and 2,04 trees/ha or 0,02 tree/ha, the density of 

Tamarindus indica in these two countries. The studies carried on by Douamba [36] in Barpoa (south-sudanian 

phytogeographical zone in Burkina Faso) confirm the rareness of Tamarindus indica. In fact, this author had 

obtained 0,3 tree/ha. In Togo, differences of the density of the trees, for the dominant species, are due according to 

Koumoi and Lare [7] the mode of access to the land, subsequently rights of use on parklands trees. 

 

 
Figure-7. Density of 3 dominant ligneous species in the Bonogo plots. 

                   Source: Field survey, 2015. 

 

4. CONCLUSION 

This study has allowed us to realize that ligneous flora of parklands in phytogeographical South-Sudanian zone 

includes species of the Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae, Fabaceae-Faboideae-Mimosoideae, Bombacaceae, Anacardiaceae 

and Meliaceae. However, the results we have obtained are inferior to the previous which have revealed the presence 

more species in the family Rubiaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae-Faboideae, Annonaceae. Rutaceae, Boraginaceae, 

Ebenaceae, Tiliaceae, Celastraceae, Myrtaceae.  

Contrariwise, in the phytogeographical North-Sudanian zone, parklands are dominated by species of the 

Fabaceae-Faboideae-Mimosoideae, Fabaceae-Caesalpinioideae, Combretaceae, Anacardiaceae and Moraceae. 

These differences in the floristic composition between these two phytogeographical zones would be tributary to 

climatic conditions.  

In the parklands of the phytogeographical South-Sudanian zone, Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa and 

Tamaridus indica are 3 predominant species. The density of Vitellaria paradoxa reached 66 trees/ha, whith an 



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average of 19 trees/ha. Parkia biglobosa has a maximum value of 7 trees/ha and the tamarind 1 tree/ha. In North-

sudanian, Tamarindus indica is commuted by Lannea microcarpa to form the 3 dominant species with Parkia 

biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa. Their maximum densities respectively are 32, 38 and 3 trees/ha. 

 

Funding: The authors sincerely thank the Livelihood Project Gotenborg of the International Agency for the 
Development of Sweden (AIDS) and the Department Environment and Forests of the INERA of Burkina 
Faso for their financial assistance and their support.   
Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.  
Contributors/Acknowledgement: All authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the 
study. 

 

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