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 the 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 one 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. Vitellaria paradoxa dominated all land use
types. Indicator species analysis identified 19 significant melliferous
species. Among these, Combretum glutinosum, Terminalia avicennioides, and
Terminalia leiocarpa were the principal indicator species associated with
both fallow land and protected area, whereas no species was identified as
specific to farmland. Protected areas 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 three months, with Mitragyna inermis
notably flowering for up to five 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. # Data from: Land-use effects on melliferous woody flora in Sudanian
agroforestry parkland and protected area of West Africa Dataset DOI:
[10.5061/dryad.tb2rbp0hm](
doi.org) ##
Description of the data and file structure
Diversity_species_structural_parameters.xlsx : Data on floristic diversity
Melliferous_plant_species_density_and_flowering_duration_across_land_use_types.xlsx : Data on bee foraging activity, and plant flowering periods **Diversity_species_structural_parameters** * Species: This variable provides the scientific name of melliferous woody species * Families: This variable indicates melliferous woody species families * Genus: This variable indicates melliferous woody species genera * Number of months of flowering: This variable indicates the number of months during which the species flowers * Total height: This variable indicates the total height of the species * Surface area: This variable indicates the area of the plot expressed in m^2^ * Surface area (ha): This variable indicates the area of the plot expressed in ha * Land use types: This variable indicates the land use types. There are three land use types (fallow land, farmland, and protected area) * Diameter_Breast_height: This variable represents the diameter at breast height expressed in m * Diameter_Breast_height_steam This variable represents the circumference expressed in cm * Basal_area_individual_tree (g): This variable represents the cross-sectional area of a tree trunk measured at a height of 1.30 m aboveground level * Basal_area(G): his variable represents the sum of the individual basal areas (g) of all trees with a dense canopy within a given area, expressed in m²/ha **Melliferous_plant_species_density_and_flowering_duration_across_land_use_types** * Species: This variable provides the scientific name of melliferous woody species * Families: This variable indicates melliferous woody species families * Genus: This variable indicates melliferous woody species genera * Land use types: This variable indicates the land use types. There are three land use types (fallow land, farmland, and protected area)