Impact of two types of thinning in Cote d'Ivoire rain forest

Abstract

In Cote-d'Ivoire, studies of the growth dynamics of closed production rain forest have been carried out since 1976. The results obtained on the two sites of lrobo, in evergreen forest, and Mopri, in semi-deciduous forest, are described. The available findings cover a 10-year period. Two levels of thinning are tested. Developments in the period of density, recruitment, mortality, land area, standing volume, and commercial volume are examined. The impact of thinnings on the growth patterns of stands of commercial species is quantified. Basic data are available about the regrowth rate of closed production rain forests. The growth dynamics of stands of commercial species are different, depending on the type of production forest being studied. Developments in the period of commercial stand formation are dealing with. Indications are given about the productivity and silviculture of natural closed rain forests with a view to their sustainable management.