Data from: Impact of forest degradation and invasive species on Mimusops andongensis in Lama Forest Reserve in Benin

Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) harvesting can threaten target species, especially those with limited distribution and density. Simultaneously, exploited species also face threats from other sources such as habitat fragmentation, fire and invasive species. We assessed the impact of human disturbances and invasive alien species on the population of a key multipurpose NTFP species, Mimusops andongensis, in Lama Forest reserve (Benin). Densities of adult trees and regenerative stems decreased from non degraded sites to degraded sites. The proportional contribution of M. andongensis to total tree density decreased with increasing human pressure and disturbance. There was a significant negative relationship between the cover of the invasive alien Chromolaena odorata and the number of M. andongensis recruits, whereas the number of recruits was positively related to the number of mature trees. Diameter size class distributions showed dominance of small diameter individuals 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 lower than 2 trees/ha. Also, individuals with dbh> 20 cm were rare in degraded sites. The density of mature trees and seedlings was low in degraded sites and this may undermine the long-term viability of M. andongensis, despite current levels of protection against NTFP harvesting and other anthropogenic pressures. More management emphasis should be given to facilitating recruitment subsidies and limitation of C. odorata.

非木材林产品（Non-Timber Forest Product, NTFP）的采收活动会对目标物种构成生存威胁，尤其是分布范围狭窄且种群密度较低的物种。与此同时，被开发利用的物种还面临生境破碎化、火灾及外来入侵物种等多类额外威胁。本研究针对贝宁拉马森林保护区内一种关键的多用途非木材林产品物种Mimusops andongensis，评估了人为干扰与外来入侵物种对其种群的影响。从非退化样地到退化样地，成年植株与更新茎秆的密度均逐步降低。M. andongensis占林木总密度的比例随人为压力与干扰程度的加剧而持续下降。外来入侵物种飞机草（Chromolaena odorata）的盖度与M. andongensis的更新苗数量呈显著负相关关系，而更新苗数量则与成熟植株数量呈显著正相关关系。径级结构分布结果显示，在非退化与中度退化样地中，小径级个体占据种群优势；而在重度退化样地中，种群结构呈现负指数分布趋势，小径级个体密度低于2株/公顷。此外，胸径（diameter at breast height, dbh）大于20厘米的个体在退化样地中极为稀少。退化样地内成熟植株与幼苗的密度均处于较低水平，即便当前已针对非木材林产品采收及其他人为干扰采取了保护措施，这仍可能损害M. andongensis的长期种群存续能力。未来应强化管理举措，助力种群更新补充，并对飞机草（C. odorata）的扩散加以限制。