La forêt de tapia, écosystème endémique de Madagascar : écologie, fonctions, causes de dégradation et de transformation (synthèse bibliographique)

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2012), 16(4), 541-552

Cet article constitue une synthèse sur la forêt de tapia (Uapaca bojeri Baill.) de Madagascar en vue de présenter son importance dans le développement de la communauté riveraine via l’amélioration des ... [more ▼]

Cet article constitue une synthèse sur la forêt de tapia (Uapaca bojeri Baill.) de Madagascar en vue de présenter son importance dans le développement de la communauté riveraine via l’amélioration des revenus par ménage. La forêt de tapia est une formation « socio-naturelle », à strate arborée quasi monospécifique et endémique de Madagascar. Elle est localisée uniquement dans les hautes terres malgaches. À part les fonctions écosystémiques, la forêt de tapia abrite différentes ressources naturelles, entre autres les produits forestiers non ligneux et ligneux, qui jouent un rôle important dans l’économie locale informelle. Toutefois, cette formation végétale est menacée par la destruction humaine à travers les feux de brousse, la production de bois de chauffe et de charbon de bois, l’extension de l’agriculture et l’envahissement par des espèces exotiques de reboisement. Subséquemment, la gestion durable et la protection de cette forêt sont essentielles afin que les populations riveraines puissent en profiter de génération en génération [less ▲]

Conservation of endangered plant communities: a study case of ecosystem reconstruction in Katanga (DRC)

Conference (2011)

The Katangan copper-cobalt deposits (Democratic Republic of Congo) are part of the Central African Copperbelt, one of the world’s greatest metallogenic province. The ore comes to the surface in a series ... [more ▼]

The Katangan copper-cobalt deposits (Democratic Republic of Congo) are part of the Central African Copperbelt, one of the world’s greatest metallogenic province. The ore comes to the surface in a series of hills isolated in the miombo woodland. These unique ecosystems present high metals concentration levels where a specific vegetation develops. Flora comprises more than 600 species from which 30 are endemics. Due to the recent revival of mining activities in the region, copper plant communities of Katanga and their associated flora are now critically threatened. Tenke Fungurume Mining sarl (TFM), an important mining company operating in Katanga, has developed a Biological Diversity Action Plan (BDAP) to conserve copper-cobalt flora and mitigate potential species extinction risk. One of the most original BDAP tasks is an ecosystem reconstruction experiment that should preserve plant communities representative of the diversity found on the exploited hill and to provide the plant material for further post-exploitation restoration. From December 2007 to April 2009, full vegetation blocks were translocated with their soil mat on an adequate mineral substrate of 1500m². Since 2008, the artificial ecosystem is monitored every year. Three communities were successfully recreated. A total of 144 species were found in the ecosystem which represents more than 80% of the original species richness. The reconstructed ecosystem seems to favour the most tolerant species to copper. This first experience shows that ecosystem reconstruction is successful and may be used as a strategy to conserve copper-cobalt plant communities in their habitat. [less ▲]

Mining and Biodiversity: The Study Case of Ecosystem Reconstruction in Katanga (DRC)

Conference (2010, September)

The Katangan copper-cobalt deposits (Democratic Republic of Congo) are part of the Central African Copperbelt, one of the world’s greatest metallogenic province. The ore comes to the surface in a series ... [more ▼]

The Katangan copper-cobalt deposits (Democratic Republic of Congo) are part of the Central African Copperbelt, one of the world’s greatest metallogenic province. The ore comes to the surface in a series of hills isolated in the miombo woodland. These unique ecosystems present high metals concentration levels where a specific vegetation develops. Flora comprises more than 600 species from which 30 are endemics. Due to the recent revival of mining activities in the region, copper plant communities of Katanga and their associated flora are now critically threatened. Tenke Fungurume Mining sarl (TFM), an important mining company operating in Katanga, has developed a Biological Diversity Action Plan (BDAP) to conserve copper-cobalt flora and mitigate potential species extinction risk. One of the most original BDAP tasks is an ecosystem reconstruction experiment that should preserve plant communities representative of the diversity found on the exploited hill and to provide the plant material for further post-exploitation restoration. From December 2007 to April 2009, full vegetation blocks were translocated with their soil mat on an adequate mineral substrate of 1500m². Since 2008, the artificial ecosystem is monitored every year. Three communities were successfully recreated. A total of 125 species were found in the ecosystem which represents half of the original species richness. Population size decreased for only 12 out of 32 surveyed species. This first experience shows that ecosystem reconstruction is successful and may be used as a strategy to conserve copper-cobalt plant communities in their habitat. [less ▲]

Tenke Fungurume Project - 2009 Flora New Ore Bodies Baseline Study - Annual Report

Report (2010)

Biodiversity Conservation and Mining : a Study Case of Ecosystem Reconstruction in Katanga (DRC)

Conference (2009, September 03)

The South of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Katanga) and adjoining regions in the North of Zambia comprise some of the largest ore bodies of cobalt and copper in the world. Katangan copper hills harbor ... [more ▼]

The South of the Democratic Republic of Congo (Katanga) and adjoining regions in the North of Zambia comprise some of the largest ore bodies of cobalt and copper in the world. Katangan copper hills harbor about 40 endemics as well as particular steppic plant communities. This Biological Diversity Action Plan (BDAP) is an activity program for the conservation of copper-cobalt flora and vegetation and mitigation of potential species extinction risk, during the early construction phase of the Tenke Fungurume Mining Corp. (TFM) project. Six potential taxa of concern (IUCN criteria) have been identified in the TFM concession. In situ conservation is fulfilled through the setting of a single large reserve. In parallel, important efforts have been devoted to ex-situ conservation strategy to re-establish vegetation and species after mining activities cessation. This includes: - Translocation of 3500 individuals of plants of concern to the nature reserve. - Ecosystem engineering with the reconstruction of an artificial copper/cobalt ecosystem. - Ex-situ seed bank with 300 seed samples (at least 50 seeds) collected belonging to 40 species and used for short and long term conservation, germination tests and micro-propagation tests. All these efforts represent an important step towards the conservation of copper-cobalt flora. [less ▲]

Adsorption of essential oil components of Xylopia aethiopica (Annonaceae) by kaolin from Wak, Adamawa province (Cameroon).

in Applied Clay Science (2009), 44(1-2), 1-6

Essential oils of aromatic plants are nowadays cited as suitable tools for better protection of stored grains from insect pest attacks. These chemical insecticides are less attractive to producers because ... [more ▼]

Essential oils of aromatic plants are nowadays cited as suitable tools for better protection of stored grains from insect pest attacks. These chemical insecticides are less attractive to producers because of their low persistence and difficulty to use as pure product. There is therefore a need to formulate themas an easy handling chemical with better persistence. The present work aimed to study the formulation through adsorption of active components of Xylopia aethiopica Dunal (Annonaceae) essential oil on kaolin. X. aethiopica essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger type apparatus unit. Essential oil obtained was analysed by a GC–FID and a GC–MS. The adsorption measurements were performed with collected two kaolin fractions (F1 <100 μm; F2 <50 μm) and two kaolin fractions after H2O2 treatment (F3 <50 μm; F4 <2 μm). The kaolin was characterized by XRD, XRF, FTIR; its specific surface area was determined by the B.E.T method. The amount of essential oil adsorbed was inversely proportional to the particles size. Treatment of kaolin with hydrogen peroxide increased the adsorption capacity of essential oil components. The components adsorbed in highest amounts were sabinene, β-pinene, α-pinene and β-phellandrene. [less ▲]

The alternative food path or the very little diversified diet hypothesis, chapter 5.3

in Big Bone Disease - A multidisciplinary approach of Kashin-Beck disease in Tibet Autonomous Region (P.R. China) (2008)

Ophioglossum polyphyllum A. Braun in Seub. (Ophioglossaceae, Pteridophyta), a rare potherb in south central Tibet (T.A.R., P.R.China)

in Geo-Eco-Trop (2008), 32

Chronic Toxicity Of Essential Oils Of 3 Local Aromatic Plants Towards Sitophilus Zeamais Motsch (Coleoptera : Curculionidae)

in African Journal of Agricultural Research (2007), 2(4), 164-167

Composition of Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. rich essential oils from Cameroon and identification of a minor diterpene: ent-13-epi manoyl oxide.

in Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement = Biotechnology, Agronomy, Society and Environment [=BASE] (2007), 11(3), 193-199