Population trends and changes in the Faidherbia albida (Del.) A. Chev. agroforestry parkland in the Serer country (Sob, Senegal)

Valerie Delaunay, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)
Magali Deschamps-Cottin, Université de Provence
Valerie Bertaudiere-Montes, Université de Provence
Bruno Vila, Université de Provence
Sébastien Oliveau, Université de Provence
Aram Soumaré, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar
Richard Lalou, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)

A case study in rural Senegal produces an accurate measure of tree parkland dynamics as well as demographic and socio-economical changes during more than 40 years. A first set of studies was led around 1965, followed by a second set around 1985, and a third set in 2005. The pluridisciplinary approach allows us to better understand family adaptations to agricultural crisis and land pressure in the context of economic and social changes. This paper explores recent changes in F. albida parkland according to population changes. Statistical software and GIS are used. A sharp decline in its numbers and park ageing without regeneration was observed between 1965 and 1985. What can we say today? How goes the regeneration during the last two decades? What are farmer’s perceptions about trees? What are their practices and customs? What can we predict for a short- and long-term future of this tree parkland ?