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Main Article Content
Floristic composition and biodiversity conservation of urban green spaces in Porto-Novo, Benin- Implications for sustainable urban lanning
Abstract
In Benin, particularly in urban areas, rapid population growth has led to significant biodiversity loss in green spaces. This study analyzes the vegetation of Porto-Novo, aiming to assess the diversity of plant communities in a city undergoing rapid urbanization. A floristic inventory was conducted across 39 green spaces in the city. The results highlight the floristic composition, phytogeographic, and biological types, as well as the distribution of species within these green spaces. The study identifies 72 species belonging to 63 genera and 30 families, with the most dominant families being Moraceae (7 species), Sterculiaceae (6 species), Combretaceae (5 species), Fabaceae (5 species), and Mimosaceae (5 species). The five most frequent species are Terminalia catappa, with a relative frequency of 22%, followed by Mangifera indica (17%), Terminalia mantaly (17%), Khaya senegalensis (11%), and Acacia auriculiformis (11%). A comparison with the city's flora in 2015 reveals a significant decline in biodiversity, underscoring the need for conservation practices. The protection and sustainable management of urban green spaces should be integrated into urban development policies, emphasizing not only the preservation of existing spaces but also the creation of new ones. Environmental education and public awareness are crucial to the success of these initiatives
