Sahelian Woody Vegetation in Sénégal

Structure and composition of woody vegetation in Sahelian forest types (not including riparian and riverine types) were studied in Sénégal. The application of classification and ordination resulted in the recognition of seven distinctive woody community types, related to soil and precipitation gradients. The described vegetation types only contained four strictly Saharan species, the rest being of Sahelian and Soudanean affinity, so a floristic change from savanna to desert vegetation after two decades of drought could not be confirmed. Tree density was lower in the northern part than earlier, possibly an indication of degradation. Rejuvenation was greatest at the northernmost arenosolic stations, but low in the southern, ferrouginous areas. This presumably demonstrates the resilience of North-Sahelian vegetation, at the moment being in a dynamic rejuvenation phase, after a period of adverse conditions.