Ecological characterization of an ex situ conservation plantation in south‐eastern Mozambique

Mozambican forests are exposed to risks that contribute to the loss of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. Thus, ex situ conservation represents a key strategy to reduce genetic erosion. In this study, we evaluated the ecological status of the ex situ conservation plantation in Michafutene, Maputo province, one of the most important repositories of forest genetic resources in the country. Thirty plots were established in which all trees, shrubs and grass species were identified. A total of 2092 individuals spanning 39 species were scored. Afzelia quanzensis was the most important species (Importance Value Index – IVI = 203), but with a low silvicultural performance. Other important trees were Albizia adianthifolia (IVI = 32), Albizia versicolor (IVI = 16) and Pterocarpus angolensis (IVI = 12). A complementary genotyping analysis of A. quanzensis was conducted by intersimple sequence repeats, indicating that the germplasm collection has different provenances and represents a wide genetic pool. Thus, despite the poor management, there is a considerable potential for the conservation of A. quanzensis provided immediate and appropriate management activities are implemented to improve its ecological performance. Resume Mozambican forests are exposed to risks that contribute to the loss of biodiversity and associated ecosystem services. Thus, ex situ conservation represents a key strategy to reduce genetic erosion. In this study, we evaluated the ecological status of the ex situ conservation plantation in Michafutene, Maputo province, one of the most important repositories of forest genetic resources in the country. Thirty plots were established in which all trees, shrubs and grass species were identified. A total of 2092 individuals spanning 39 species were scored. Afzelia quanzensis was the most important species (Importance Value Index – IVI = 203), but with a low silvicultural performance. Other important trees were Albizia adianthifolia (IVI = 32), Albizia versicolor (IVI = 16) and Pterocarpus angolensis (IVI = 12). A complementary genotyping analysis of A. quanzensis was conducted by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats, indicating that the germplasm collection has different provenances and represents a wide genetic pool. Thus, despite the poor management there is a considerable potential for the conservation of A. quanzensis provided immediate and appropriate management activities are implemented to improve its ecological performance. Les forets mozambicaines sont exposees a des risques qui peuvent contribuer a la perte de leur biodiversite et des services ecosystemiques qui y sont associes. La conservation ex situ constitue donc une strategie cle pour reduire cette erosion genetique. Dans cette etude, nous avons evalue le statut ecologique de la plantation ex situ de Michafutene, dans la province de Maputo, qui compte parmi les plus importants depositaires des ressources genetiques forestieres du pays. Trente parcelles ont ete etablies, ou toutes les especes d'arbres, arbustes et herbes ont ete identifiees. Au total, 2092 individus appartenant a 39 especes ont ete denombres. L'espece la plus importante etait Afzelia quanzensis (Indice de valeur d'importance – IVI = 32), mais avec une faible performance sylvicole. Parmi les autres arbres importants, citons Albizia adianthifolia (IVI = 32), Albizia versicolor (IVI = 16) et Pterocarpus angolensis (IVI = 12). Une analyse genotypique complementaire d’A. quanzensis a ete realisee au niveau des microsatellites (Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats – ISSR), qui indique que la collection de germoplasmes vient de differentes provenances et represente un large pool genetique. Donc, malgre une gestion mediocre, la conservation d’A. quanzensis garde un potentiel considerable pour autant que des activites de gestion appropriees soient realisees immediatement pour en ameliorer les performances ecologiques. .