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2023 Jun 14Updated Date
2023 Jun 14Published on
2019 Jan 31Factors determining the abundance of Sericostachys scandens (Amaranthaceae) in the Kibira National Park in Burundi
Biological invasion is a major threat to the conservation of biological diversity. The main objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence the abundance of Sericostachys scandens Gilg & Lopr. (Amaranthaceae), an invasive liana in Kibira National Park (PNK) in Burundi. Data were collected in 100 plots of 50 m × 50 m, divided equally between the environment invaded by this liana and that which is not, where all its individuals with a dbh ≥ 1 cm were measured at 1.30 m from the ground. The comparison of factors according to the invasion or not and the slope was carried out using the Wilcoxon test, the analysis of variance and the Fisher exact test. Their effect on liana abundance was evaluated by multiple regression on count data. The results identified the distance to the forest edge, tree cover, and altitude as variables that significantly influence the abundance of S. scandens (p = 0.025, p < 0.0001 and p = 0.022 respectively). The density of S. scandens decreases as one evolves from the edge to the heart of the forest or as one rises in altitude or with environments where the tree cover is closed. The study concludes that mainly anthropogenic disturbances are responsible for the expansion of S. scandens in the PNK. PNK managers should strengthen patrols to prevent or reduce direct human disruptive actions.