Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(8): 3723-3739 International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 8 (2017) pp. 3723-3739 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Original Research Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2017.608.450 Phytoecological Characterization of the Spontaneous Oleaginous of the Congolese Forest Victor Kimpouni*, Ghislain Bileri Bakala and Josérald Chaîph Mamboueni Ecole normale supérieure, université Marien Ngouabi, B.P. 237, Brazzaville, Congo *Corresponding author ABSTRACT The study of the potential of Congo's spontaneous flora in biofuel resources is based on the parameters of ecological structure. 11 species (22.9%) are present on K e yw or ds the 48 main retained by PROTA 14. The spatial distribution of the species shows that only the Bétou UFA gathers all the species. The best represented in the Congo, Floristic different forest areas are Ongokea gore, Pentaclethra eetveldeana, Pentaclethra diversity, Biofuel, macrophylla and Pycnanthus angolensis. Except for the Conkouati-Douli National Congolese forest, Park, the Lossi Sanctuary and the Aubeville Forest, where there are some NWFP, peculiarities, these species are characterized by low densities ranging from 0.001 Phytoecology. to 5 individuals.ha-1 and basal areas generally less than 1 m².ha-1. The diametric Article Info structure is on the whole erratic type, marker of insufficient regeneration. Phytoecological data reveal that this forest cannot support sustained industrial Accepted: exploitation in the production of second-generation biofuels. These species, which 21 June 2017 Available Online: constitute an energy source for the disseminating agents, are 73% nutritive and 10 August 2017 82% phytotherapeutic to humans. These multi-purpose species are at the same time of interest to the wood and craft industries, while being non-timber forest products of prime choice. Introduction Located in central Africa, the Congo is flooded (20%). Those of the south-Congo covered by 60-65% rainforest and 35-40% developed on the mainland and were savannah (Vennetier, 1977; Hecketsweiler, distributed as follows: the Mayombe (3%) 1990). Forest cover accounts for about 12% and the Chaillu (11%). Congolese forests, of the Congo Basin forests; equivalent to particularly in southern Congo, have been about 10% of tropical forests (IUCN, 1996; exploited since the 1920s for: (i) dam Hecketsweiler, 1990; FAO, 2005). The construction, (ii) bridges, and (iii) locomotive Congolese forest is divided into three boiler feed until 1957, when Fuel oil replaces discontinuous blocks of unequal size, both in solid fuels (Cusset, 1989). Until 1972, logging size and floristic diversity (IUCN, 1996; was the first support of the Congolese Kimpouni et al., 2013a). The northern Congo economy before being supplanted by oil. block, by far the most luxuriant and Studies show that Congolese populations diversified, covers a dry facies (31%) and a derive substantial benefits by exploiting 3723 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(8): 3723-3739 floristic diversity. The most profitable aspects but only 65 (26%) are suitable for this are ethnobotany linked to the traditional purpose. The tests of a second-generation pharmacopoeia, food, crafts and biofuel operation selected 48 (19%) species phytochemistry. The issue associated with with proven potential (Grace et al., 2009). In biofuels is new and almost unknown. the Congo, if the biofuel sector is not yet developed, Ouamba et al., (1985) report that The surge in oil prices and the problems of Congolese flora has a non-negligible wealth pollution caused by the use of fossil and non- of oil-bearing species capable of producing renewable energies, the exploitation of biofuels. However, there are no studies to biofuels is a global deal with multiple determine the behaviour of the biofuel benefits. Biofuels are defined as fuels resources species within the Congolese flora. produced from non-fossil organic materials The characterization of the phytoecological derived from biomass that complement or parameters of the said taxa is the basis of this substitute fossil fuels. Depending on the study. origin of the biomass used and the processing processes, biofuels are classified in three The objectives of this study focus on generations [(i) biofuels produced exclusively improving the knowledge of Congo flora by: from crops (first generation); (ii) biofuels (i) inventorying the second generation biofuel resulting from oilseeds (second generation) resources species of the Congolese flora; (ii) and (iii) biofuels of algal origin known as characterization of phytoecological data for algae fuels (third generation)] and two sectors each taxa; (iii) estimating the potential of the (alcohol and oil and derivatives). Congolese forest for a sustained and rational industrial exploitation of second-generation Currently, only the first generation of biofuels biofuels has reached the industrial stage. In comparison to fossil fuels, biofuels have the Materials and Methods advantage of being less polluting, renewable and inexhaustible if they are managed Presentation of the study site sustainably (Raven et al., 2010). However, their disadvantages include: (i) the allocation Stretching between latitudes 4 ° North and 5 ° of the best agricultural land, and (ii) the South and longitudes 11 ° and 19 ° East conversion of several hectares of forest for (Figure 1), the Congo straddles the equator settlement. The dreaded consequences are: (i) and covers 342000 km² (Vennetier, 1977; Sy occupation of arable land, (ii) food insecurity et al., 2008). Located in Central Africa, it is and famine, and (iii) population migration. bordered by the Central African Republic to Despite the negative aspects, the biofuel the north, Cameroon to the northwest, Gabon sectors are developing more and more and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the everywhere in the world. This is the case in Democratic Republic of Congo to the east and Europe, where consumption of biofuels south-east, Angolan enclave of Cabinda in the increased by more than 3% between 2010 and South (Vennetier, 1977). 2011. From 13.2 million tons of oil equivalent in 2010 to 13.6 million tons of oil equivalent The climate is a wet equatorial type with three in 2011, an increase of 3%. variants: (i) equatorial climate in the northern part, characterized by abundant rainfall In tropical Africa, more than 250 species of throughout the year, with peaks oscillating oilseeds are identified and used for their oil, from 1600 to 2000 mm / year; (ii) subtropical 3724 Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2017) 6(8): 3723-3739 in the center, the characteristics of which are (589,862 hectares, or 2.63% of Congo's (i) a dry season of 1 to 3 months, (ii) forests) are developing in the Plateaux, the precipitation between 1600 and 1800 mm Pool and the Bouenza. The savannahs, mainly (Vennetier, 1977); (iii) low-Congolese in the south of the equator, are interspersed climate in the south-west, characterized by with forest groves and galleries. They are moderate rainfall and a very marked dry divided into three zones of unequal season (June to September) framed by two importance: the Plateau of the Cataracts, the rainy periods, the most abundant from Niari Valley and the large Batéké itself February to May. The precipitations vary heterogeneous (Diafouka, 1997). between 1200 and 1700 mm (M.E.F.E, 2012b). It is characterized by an average Congolesechorology annual temperature of about 25 ° C. The thermal amplitudes do not exceed 5 ° C The territory of the Republic of Congo is during the year. This climate is marked by (i) included in the regional center of Guineo- a dry and cool season from June to September Congolese endemism (White, 1986). Inspired and (ii) a warm and humid rainy season from by the subdivision of Descoings (1975), October to June with a very pronounced Kimpouni et al., (1992) integrated this slowdown in precipitation between January territory into the African chorological system and February (Vennetier, 1977). of White (1979, 1986). Eleven phytogeographical districts grouped into six Soils sectors; three domains and two regions are recognized. Congolese forests are mainly Congo soils are generally ferralitic, poor in located in the (i) Mayombe (Mayombian exchangeable bases and highly permeable due forests) phytogeographical districts; (ii) to the sandy substrate which facilitates the Chaillu (Chaillu forest); (iii) Upper Sangha migration of soil solutions (Vennetier, 1977; and Lower Sangha (Congo northern forest). Denis, 1970). According to Denis (1970), these soils are divided into four main classes: Materials hydromorphic soils, podzols, poorly developed soils and ferralitic soils. The base of the biofuel source species is the inventory of PROTA 14. Taxa whose samples Vegetation and flora are absent from the herbarium, their certification in the Congolese flora is based The forest formations have a floristic on data from the literature; this is the case of composition dominated by Fabaceae, Irvingia wombulu Vermoesen. This activity Malvaceae, Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae not only confirmed the existence of biofuel (White, 1986; Kimpouni, 1993). Dense and source species of the Congolese spontaneous clear forests on land develop in the Mayombe flora; But also to establish their geographical and Kouilou regions (150,3172 hectares, or distribution. 6.69% of Congolese forests), (ii) in Chaillu (4,386,633 hectares, or 19.52% of forest The material is based on specimens of cover), (iii)