Floristic diversity and structural characteristics of woody savanna vegetation: a case study from Patako Forest (Senegal)

Abstract

Due to the presence of tree species of high socio-economic importance, many protected areas in the sudanian zone are facing anthropogenic pressure that threatens their stability and resources integrity. This study aimed at providing a better understanding of woody plant composition and structure in Patako Forest in Senegal. Data collection was conducted by stratified random sampling in a total of 251 plots in different vegetation types. The results indicated that Combretum glutinosum, Terminalia macroptera, Cordyla pinnata, Elaeis guineensis, Acacia macrostachya and Khaya senegalensis were the most representative species. The Importance Value Indices (IVI) of these species varied significantly among vegetation types. Species diversity and structural characteristics were higher in gallery forest. The most important Shannon diversity indices was recorded in gallery forest (2.81) while it was medium in both woodland (2.12), tree savanna (1.55) and shrub savanna (1.24). Tree density was dominated by multi-stemmed species. Stem density was significantly higher in gallery forest (536 ± 13 per ha) and woodland (526 ± 12 per ha) than in tree savanna (364 ± 15 per ha) and shrub savanna (309 ± 14 per ha). Forest management should focus on gallery forest to enhance biodiversity conservation and increase the potential of carbon sequestration.