In developing countries many people depend on woody resources for their livelihoods. Monitoring human impact on the populations of socioeconomically
important species is therefore important for the conservation of vulnerable plants.
In order to assess and compare the population structure and regeneration patterns of three multipurpose species, namely Acacia seyal Del.,
Balanites aegyptiaca Delile and Pterocarpus lucens Lepr. in four ethnic areas of the sub-Sahel of Burkina Faso (Samo, Gourmantche´, Fulani
and Mossi), we used the size-class distribution method (SCD) (Condit et al., 1998). Diameter at breast height (Dbh) of adult individuals of
each species were sampled on 1000 m2 (20 m 50 m) plots in each ethnic domain. Recorded Dbhs were distributed among eight size-classes
of 5 cm intervals. For each species, the slope of the regression of the SCD was considered to be an indicator of the population structure.
Seedlings and saplings were recorded on five nested 25 m2 plots and fell into five height classes of 05 m intervals.
The target species had significant ( p < 0001) negative SCD slopes with an inverse J-shape distribution in all ethnic areas; indicating stable
populations with good regeneration. Kruskal–Wallis test for the SCDs of A. seyal, B. aegyptiaca and P. lucens did not differ significantly
among the ethnic areas (p > 01). This suggests that the dynamics of each of the three species is similar across ethnic domains and the subSahel.
Data from P. lucens depicted an apparent stable population structure which contrasted with our field observations, perception of local
people and previous studies. Co