Dynamics of Floristic Diversity of the Haut-Sassandra Classified Forest (Central West of Ivory Coast) and Implications for Conservation

Abstract

The Haut-Sassandra Classified Forest (HSCF), located in the West-Center of Ivory Coast, has suffered from forest cover reduction during the last decade because of both the politico-military crises and claims for cocoa plantations. This reduction led to a decline in floristic diversity. The present study consists in a current characterization and analysis of floristic composition dynamics of HSCF over the past decade based on Kouamé's work in 1998. The methodology used consisted of systematic sampling of the flora along transects. This study shows that the HSCF embeds 622 plant species divided into 410 genera and 104 families. This flora is composed of 45 endemic species from West Africa and 5 endemic species from Ivory Coast. 16 rare species and 23 vulnerable species are composing the other special-status species. The regression of the forest cover has led to a major change in the flora with a decrease of about 40 % of the species richness compared to the inventories of Kouamé in 1998.