Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don f., belongs to the
family Leguminosae, is a multipurpose tree and plays several important roles in
the lives of the people of Northern Ghana. The rising demand for Parkia
biglobosa due to its numerous benefits and the lack of active conservation
measures has endangered the species in most of its natural ranges. Data on its
dendrometry, which is a prerequisite for its sustainable management, are
limited, especially in Ghana. This study, therefore, investigated the
relationships between five dendrometry variables and developed models for
predicting them. The prediction models were developed using diameter at breast
height and crown diameter as independent variables. The study was carried out
in the Guinea Savanna Ecological Zone, specifically the Tolon district of the
Northern Region, Ghana. Ten randomly distributed trees were sampled, and data
collected and analyzed using Pearson correlation and simple linear regression.
Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to test for significant differences at a
95% confidence level. The means for stem diameter at breast height, total
height, crown diameter, crown ratio and crown height for Parkia biglobosa were
1.91 ± 0.40 m, 23.23 ± 5.40 m, 19.94 ± 10.00 m, 0.08 ± 0.02 m and 14.44 ± 5.91,
respectively. It was observed that stem diameter was positively correlated with
all four other variables measured. The correlation between stem diameter at
breast height and crown diameter was 0.69. The coefficient of determination
between stem diameter at breast height and total height, crown diameter, crown
ratio and crown height had R2 values of 0.16, 0.48, 0.19 and 0.28,
respectively. Crown diameter, as the second indicator variable, was also
positively related to total height with a correlation coefficient of 0.97 and
R2 value of 0.09. The relationship between stem diameter at breast height and
crown diameter was significant with an F-value of 0.03 at a 95% confidence
level. The results will make significant contributions to the management of
trees in the study area. However, the small sample size limits the
generalizability of the results; further research involving a larger sample
size is recommended to refine and validate the developed models.
Author(s)
Details
Cosmas
S. Abengmeneng
Department of Forestry and Forest Resources Management, Faculty of
Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, P.O. Box
TL 1882, Nyankpala-Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana.
Thomas
M. Daayeng
Department of Forestry and Forest Resources Management, Faculty of
Natural Resources and Environment, University for Development Studies, P.O. Box
TL 1882, Nyankpala-Tamale, Northern Region, Ghana.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v3/5870
