Structure of Acacia senegal (L.) wild settlements in southwest Niger: Case of the gum tree site in the rural district of Guchm

This study conducted in the rural district of Guecheme (Tibiri county, Dosso region, Niger) aims at characterizing Acacia senegal settlements of the village of Lido. The methodology consisted in floristic sampling of 1000 m2 plots, measuring diameters 20 cm off the ground for shrubs and 1.30 m for trees. The results made it possible to determine the structure of A. senegal, representing significant densities (238.75 plants/ha). The species represent a high regeneration rate on the site (24.71%) but with an increasing mortality rate over time. The diameter variations and average heights among plants of different plantation years are not significant. In contrast, the average annual growth variations in terms of diameter and height are not significant (p = 0.005). The settlements represent a shrubby structure, the C-shape parameter valued at 3.6 (1 < C < 3.6), feature a positive or right asymmetric distribution of monospecific settlements with dominant younger plants or plants with smaller diameters.   Key words: Acacia senegal, Guecheme, Niger, structures.