Data from: Forest degradation and invasive species synergistically impact Mimusops andongensis (Sapotaceae) in Lama Forest Reserve, Benin

Harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) can threaten target species, especially those with limited distribution and density. Exploited species also face threats from habitat fragmentation, fire, and invasive species. We assessed the impact of human disturbances and invasive species on the population of a key multipurpose NTFP species, Mimusops andongensis, in Lama Forest reserve (Benin). The densities of adult trees and regenerative stems decreased with increasing degradation. Mimusops andongensis contributed less to total tree density with increasing human disturbance. There were significantly fewer M. andongensis recruits with increasing cover of invasive Chromolaena odorata. Smaller diameter individuals predominated in non-degraded and moderately degraded sites while in degraded sites, the structure showed a negative exponential trend with the density of small diameter individuals being less than two trees/ha. Larger individuals were also rare in degraded sites. The low density of both mature trees and seedlings in degraded sites may undermine the long-term viability of M. andongensis, despite existing protection against NTFP harvesting and other anthropogenic pressures. Management should emphasize facilitating recruitment subsidies and limiting the presence of C. odorata.

非木材林产品（Non-Timber Forest Products，NTFPs）的采收活动可对目标物种构成生存威胁，尤以分布范围狭窄、种群密度偏低的物种为甚；遭受开发利用的物种还会面临栖息地破碎化、火灾及外来入侵物种带来的多重威胁。本研究以贝宁拉马森林保护区内的多用途非木材林产品关键物种Mimusops andongensis为研究对象，评估了人为干扰与外来入侵物种对其种群的影响。结果显示，随着生境退化程度加剧，成年植株与更新茎秆的种群密度均呈下降趋势；随着人为干扰程度加深，Mimusops andongensis在总林木密度中的占比逐渐降低；随着入侵物种紫茎泽兰（Chromolaena odorata）盖度的增加，M. andongensis的更新株数量显著减少。在未退化与中度退化的生境中，小径级个体占据种群主体；而在重度退化生境中，种群结构呈负指数分布趋势，小径级个体的密度不足2株/公顷，大径级个体也极为稀少。尽管当前已针对非木材林产品采收及其他人为活动压力采取了保护措施，但退化生境中成年植株与幼苗的低种群密度，仍可能危及Mimusops andongensis的长期种群存续，因此相关管理措施应重点关注促进种群更新补充，并限制紫茎泽兰的种群扩散。