Kastamonu Uni., Orman Fakültesi Dergisi, 2017, 17 (2): 225-237 Research Article Kastamonu Univ., Journal of Forestry Faculty Doi: 10.17475/kastorman.340150 Structural and spatial patterns of Isoberlinia species in a disturbed community forest (Benin, West Africa) Cedric A. GOUSSANOU1*, Brice A. TENTE2, Gaston AKOUEHOU3, Valere K. SALAKO4, Romain L. GLELE-KAKAÏ4, Brice A. SINSIN1 1Laboratory of Applied Ecology, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, Benin. 2Laboratoire de Biogéographie et d’Expertise Environnementale, University of Abomey-Calavi, 01 BP 526, Cotonou, Benin. 3Centre d’Etudes, de Recherche et de Formation Forestières, 06 BP 707 Cotonou, Benin. 4Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimation Forestières, 04 BP 1525, Cotonou, Benin. *Corresponding author:
[email protected] Received Date: 18.11.2016 Accepted Date: 10.04.2017 Abstract Aim of study: This study focused on the analysis of structural and spatial patterns of Isoberlinia spp stands according to topographic units. Area of study: Data collection were carried out within the Zouzounkan forest reserve, located in Southern Benin. Material and Methods: Square plots of 1 ha were considered for the forest inventory in which, geographical coordinates of Isoberlinia individuals were recorded. Ripley’s K function was used to assess the spatial patterns of the species in the forest whereas dendrometric and ecological parameters was computed to analyze the structure of the species populations. Possible impact of topographic units of the forest reserve on dendrometric and spatial patterns of trees was assessed. Main results: The results show that Isoberlinia spp. is more abundant on the hill side than on the top and down hills.