Caractérisation de la végétation de la forêt dense de Kigwena et de la forêt claire de Rumonge au Burundi

The aim of this study is to describe the spatial heterogeneity of the vegetation of the Kigwena and Rumonge forests in Burundi by identifying and characterizing their plant communities. The study also highlights the sociological organization of the two forests and contributes to knowledge on the phytosociology of Burundi's forest ecosystems, which is still fragmentary. The analyses are based on data collected from 23 phytosociological plots in Kigwena forest and from measurements of tree diameter at breast height along 12 transects in Rumonge forest. Four and three plant communities, respectively, were identified and characterized and their higher taxa classified (class, order and alliance). In Kigwena forest, the typology of the vegetation follows a moisture and anthropisation gradient. The forest edge effect clearly influences the biological diversity of the plant communities. In Rumonge forest, however, the heterogeneity of the vegetation seems to correspond to local degradation phenomena in the same vegetation context.SCOPUS: ar.j