Workpackages of Subproject W11

Workpackage WP11.1

Konstantin König, Institute for Physical Geographie, University of Frankfurt, Germany
k.koenig@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Vegetation and land use mapping: analysis of spatial and temporal vegetation patterns

Short description: In this work package we use satellite data to assess phytodiversity in the large regions of West African savannahs. In newly developed methodological approaches we combine botanical field data with remote sensing data, to analyze changes in phytodiversity in relation with land use changes and other anthropogenic impacts.

Workpackage WP11.2

Dr. Karen Hahn-Hadjali, Botanical Institute, University of Frankfurt, Germany
hahn-hadjali@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Dr. Adjima Thiombiano, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Laboratoire d'écologie, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
adjima_thiombiano@univ-ouaga.bf

Prof. Dr. Brice Sinsin, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Appliqué, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques Université Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
bsinsin@bj.refer.org

Phytodiversity dynamics in Biodiversity Observatories

Short description: A long a climatic gradient from the Sahel in Burkina Faso to the Southern Sudanian Zone in Benin monitoring of phytodiversity dynamics is carried out in permanent plots (biodiversity observatories). In each area study sites with different grazing intensities are compared. This approach is part of the standardised monitoring of the whole Biota research network.

Workpackage WP11.3

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Runge, Institute for Physical Geographie, University of Frankfurt, Germany
J.Runge@em.uni-frankfurt.de

Pedisediments, Bioturbation and Biodiversity

Short description: The soil close to the surface is aside of climate one of the most important factor for plant growing (space for roots, water capacity and nutrients) and therefore for biodiversity. Mainly termites strongly contribute by processes of bioturbation to the making and composition of these 'pedisediments'. This workpackage examines the spatio-temporal processes of bioturbation and their effects on biodiversity and suitability of soils for land use in the Soudan region of Westafrica.

Workpackage WP11.4

Marco Schmidt, Research Institute Senckenberg, Frankfurt, Germany
marco.schmidt@senckenberg.de

Diversity and indicator species

Short description: Based on collection and vegetation data nationwide distribution and diversity maps were modelled together with BIOTA W03. Number of seed plant species correlates with the number of grass species which are studied according to their use impact. Regional diversity is analysed based on satellite images in cooperation with WP Remote sensing.

Workpackage WP11.5

Dr. Adjima Thiombiano, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Laboratoire d'écologie, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
adjima_thiombiano@univ-ouaga.bf

Prof. Dr. Brice Sinsin, Laboratoire d'Ecologie Appliqué, Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques Université Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
bsinsin@bj.refer.org

Decreasing woody species

Short description: For selected decreasing woody species highly valued by the local population their ecology, distribution and abundance, their degree of threat and their population dynamics as well as their regeneration potentials are investigated. Moreover laboratoryseedling experiments and in situ-plantations are carried out for developping practical measures for replanting these economically und cultrurally important species

Workpackage WP11.6

Dr. Nikolaus Schareika, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Institute for Ethnologie and Africa studies, schareik@mail.uni-mainz.de

Socio-cultural dimension of plant diversity/ ethnobotany

Short description: Four doctoral research projects and eight DEA and Master's theses cover the dynamic interaction between humans and their plant world (esp. its diversity). The study area is the Fada N'Gourma (Burkina Faso) and the Atakora (Benin) region as well as the Pendjari national park. Research focuses on medicinal plants and healers, wild plant resources as components of the local family and market economy, the implications of cash crop production for local biodiversity, the relevance of socio-political institutions (e.g. land rights) for local resource management, the social and economic aspects of nature reserves and conservation areas, and the cultural meaning of wild plants in local communities. Moreover, measures of wild plant protection and conservation (e.g. botanical gardens and education centers) are being developed in close cooperation with local communities.

Workpackage WP11.7

Dr. Adjima Thiombiano, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Laboratoire d'écologie, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
adjima_thiombiano@univ-ouaga.bf

Restoration of degraded sites

Short description: In order to develop restoration measures for heavily degraded sites regeneration experiments with local woody species of the genus Combretum are carried out. Seedlings and saplings are planted after two different soil treatments (planting wholes and deep plough). The considered species are of high utilization potentials for the local population and therefor well accepted for replanting measures at a local level.

Workpackage WP11.9

Dr. Stefan Dressler, Research Institute Senckenberg, Frankfurt, Germany
stefan.dressler@senckenberg.de

Dr. Adjima Thiombiano, Unité de Formation et de Recherche en Sciences de la Vie et de la Terre (UFR/SVT), Laboratoire d'écologie, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
adjima_thiombiano@univ-ouaga.bf

Collections and databases

Short description: The herbaria in Ouagadougou (OUA) and Frankfurt (Herbarium Senckenbergianum, FR) have been expanded and databased (BRAHMS, Access) which allows scientific data analysis and professional herbarium management. Phytosociological relevés were separately databased. All data are easily interlinked due to shared structural and nomenclatural standards.