Floristic composition and structure of closed and open forests in the Banco National Park, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Abstract. Gnahore E, Douffi KG-C, N’guessan YJ, Amba AJG, Ibrahima D, Kone M, Bakayoko A. 2023. Floristic composition and structure of closed and open forests in the Banco National Park, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Asian J For 7: 17-26. Natural ecosystems are pressured to degradation caused by human activities. To develop conservation guidelines for these ecosystems, it was necessary to have enough information on their biodiversity. This study aimed to investigate the species richness, diversity, structure, and composition of vegetation in the Banco National Park (BNP), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in two forest types, namely closed and open forests. Vegetational data was collected using a sampling plot and itinerant methods. The results showed that 345 and 283 species were recorded in the closed and open forest, respectively, suggesting that the closed forest appears richer than the open forest. Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Apocynaceae were the most dominant families in both forest types. Both forest types had a high Shannon-Weaver diversity index and high Pielou equality index. The most important species in the open forest included Chrysophyllum subnudum Baker (Sapotaceae), Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Clusiaceae) and Funtumia africana (Benth.) Stapf (Apocynaceae), while in the closed forest were Strombosia pustulata Oliv. (Olacaceae), Turraeanthus africanus (Welw. ex C.DC.) Pellegr. (Meliaceae), and Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal (Annonaceae). The diametric structure showed the greatest proportion of individuals with low diameter classes, indicating regeneration potential. However, there were great differences in stand structure between the open and the closed forest, especially in high-diameter classes, indicating that the open forest has been pressured by timber cutting. The results of this study can serve as baseline information to develop conservation and rehabilitation strategies in BNP to sustain its biodiversity components.