Characterization and Risk Assessment of the Collapse of the Woody Stand of Ecosystems of the Fathala Forest (Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve-Senegal)

The objective of this study is to characterize and assess the risk of collapse of woody plant formations in the Fathala forest. In recent years, this forest has suffered a sharp reduction in its plant cover to the point of compromising the survival of populations of certain animal species such as the Red colobuses. The methods used are respectively constituted by the transect method, the dendrometric statements method and that of establishing the red list of ecosystems of the IUCN. The specific richness comprises 56 species divided into 47 genera and 22 families. The density is higher in the unfenced area (369 ind/ha in clear forest and 53 ind/ha in gallery forest) compared to the fenced area (160 ind/ha in clear forest versus 48 ind/ha in gallery forest). A study of the plant formations shows a strong degradation of the ecosystems passing from a clear and dry Sudanese forest to a wooded savannah. The cover rate in the fenced area is 20% in gallery forests and 25% in clear forests;in the unfenced area, it is 19% and 23% in gallery forests and clear forests, respectively. The application of the IUCN criteria shows an annual rate of collapse is -6 ind/ha in gallery forests and -4 ind/ha in clear forests. The annual rate of cover collapse would be -3.75% and -2.9% for gallery forests and clear forests, respectively. These results classify the forest in the Critically Endangered category. The main factors responsible for this degradation are, among others, anthropogenic actions and climatic pejoration. These results could constitute a basic tool for undertaking an improvement in the management of this forest, which is a living environment for an animal species.

Management of the Water Slide Brought and Saline Flow in Irrigated Onion (<i>Allium cepa</i>L.) Cultivation in the Senegal River Delta

The find for the optimal slide of water to bring to the plot during the irrigated onion crop was important in order to limit the recharge of the water table close to the soil surface. The quantities of water supplied during onion irrigation were estimated from measurements made with a metal crest to the plot positioned at the tertiary canal. The flow rates at the tertiary canal directly irrigating the plot were recorded during irrigation. From this flow rate, the quantity of water supplied to each plot was determined. From then, the performance of the irrigated system in onion cultivation should pass on the management of this water slide at the level of the hydroagricultural facilities. The integrated soil water mass, salinity and water table dynamics monitoring system was used to assess the water requirements of onion following the irrigation. The daily water requirement of onion in the holland soil of the delta was estimated to average 0.45 g/m3. These requirements were varied according to the development stage of the crop. The water level between the ridges was between 6 and 9 mm during irrigation. This was not permanent, it infiltrated between 12 and 18 hours. This type to the stingray irrigation did not favour the arrival of the water table on the surface. The only fluctuations in the water table were observed during the bulb maturation phase. During this phase, the soil water masses were important. The electrical conductivity recorded varied during the campaign. At the beginning of irrigation, it was 3.62 mS/cm on a 30 cm profile, it decreased towards the end of the irrigations to reach 2.06 mS/cm. The quantities of salt recorded on a 30 cm profile varied from one month to the next;they were 0.468 t/ha at the beginning of irrigation (January) and 0.275 t/ha at the end of the campaign (April). From these results we can say that land degradation in the Senegal river delta would be linked to the arrival of salty groundwater on the surface.