ABSTRACT Background: In the face of increasing wood demand in climate change context, fast-growing species are considered as a current solution. However, the ability of fast-growing species in agroforestry systems to contribute to bridging the gap between wood demand and supply and climate change mitigation also depends on the properties of the species, which vary based on locality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunningham ex Benth. wood in Benin to contribute to climate change mitigation while sustainably supplying wood. Tissues proportion (Vessels, ray parenchyma, axial parenchyma, fibers), in the wood; fiber parameters (length, diameter and lumen width); organic carbon content and natural durability of A. auriculiformis wood to termite (Macrotermes bellicosus) were determined. Results: The results indicate that the species has a high proportion of fibers (58%), which are quite long (1 mm to 4 mm), an organic carbon content of 35%, and is moderately durable to very durable against termite infestations. Conclusion: The species, thus, has strong potential for wood (high fiber content, high fiber length, greater durability), renewable bioenergy (good fiber length) and pulp (high fiber content) and could be valued to supplement the wood supply from natural forest and contribute to mitigating the effect of climate change (carbon sequestration and limitation of pressure on natural forests).

Abstract: Understanding the drivers of wood density variation both within a tree and between trees is important in predicting the quality of wood logs and improving this quality through adequate forestry management. This study examined the effect of the diameter growth of Acacia auriculiformis on its wood density variation. The study was conducted in the South of Benin in four plantations of Acacia auriculiformis. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method was used to predict the basic density of 225 tree wood cores of Acacia auriculiformis. A predicting model of the average tree density using the diameter as predictor was established. The relationship between wood density and tree diameter was best described by a linear mixed-effect model. The average wood density of trees increased with the diameter. The study concluded that the quality of the species logs can be improved through regular thinning and genetic selection.