Land‐Use Effects on Melliferous Woody Flora in Sudanian Agroforestry Parkland and Protected Area of West Africa

Abstract

Land-use intensification alters vegetation structure and composition, with potential consequences for pollinator-dependent ecosystems in tropical regions. However, the distribution and availability of melliferous woody flora across contrasting land use types in West Africa remain poorly studied. This study evaluated melliferous floristic composition and woody stand structure across sudanian agroforestry parkland (farmland and fallow land) and protected area in southwestern Burkina Faso. Ninety vegetation plots were surveyed, and flowering dynamics were monitored monthly over 1 year. A total of 48 melliferous woody species belonging to 16 families were recorded, dominated by Fabaceae, Combretaceae, and Sapotaceae. Species composition differed significantly among land use types. Fallow land and protected area supported the highest melliferous species richness, whereas farmland exhibited reduced richness and density but larger individual trees. <i>Vitellaria paradoxa</i> dominated all land use types. Indicator species analysis identified 19 significant melliferous species. Among these, <i>Combretum glutinosum</i>, <i>Terminalia avicennioides</i>, and <i>Terminalia leiocarpa</i> were the principal indicator species associated with both fallow land and protected area, whereas no species was identified as specific to farmland. Protected area maintained the highest melliferous tree densities and greater species evenness. Temporal patterns of flowering varied among land use types. The protected area ensured extended forage availability for a minimum of 3 months, with <i>Mitragyna inermis</i> notably flowering for up to 5 months. These results support integrated landscape management combining conservation of melliferous habitats with targeted enrichment of woody species to sustain pollination services and beekeeping productivity in West Africa.