Floristic characteristics, diversity and structure of riparian forest in the port area of San-Pédro (South-West Côte d’Ivoire)

Eric Gnahore*, Kouakou Guy-Casimir Douffi, Bienvenu Hippolyte Konan Amani, Moussa Kone

gnahoreeric136@yahoo.com

Abstract

The coastal forest in the San Pédro Port area is under threat, so for the sustainable management of dense and coastal forests, knowledge of their flora and structure is of utmost importance. The objective of the study was to identify the flora and vegetation along the coast in the San Pédro Port area and to determine the vegetation structure along the coast in the San Pédro Port area. Two methods were used to carry out this work: 50 squares of 400 m² each were placed in the vegetation formations, where all individuals with a diameter at breast height greater than 10 cm were measured. A total of 184 tree species were recorded in the dense forest and 139 tree species in the coastal forest. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index for both forests is medium. The structures showed diameter classes dominated by individuals with a diameter of 10 to 20 cm in the shape of an inverted letter “J”, and a height structure dominated by individuals in the range of 5-10 m in both areas. The results obtained indicated that current anthropogenic activities in the study area do not contribute to the sustainable management of the natural resources of the coastal forest. This information revealed the understanding of the floristic and structural biodiversity of coastal vegetation in the port area of San Pédro. The results obtained allowed the assessment of the state of vegetation in relation to ecological factors and can be used by foresters to improve the management, protection and restoration of these natural areas

Keywords

specific richness; riparian vegetation; ecological factors; disturbance; anthropogenic impacts; zonal ecosystems

Suggested citation
Gnahore, E., Douffi, K.G.-C. , Amani, B.H.K. , & Kone, M. (2026). Floristic characteristics, diversity and structure of riparian forest in the port area of San-Pédro (South-West Côte d’Ivoire). Ukrainian Journal of Forest and Wood Science, 17(2), 58-70. https://doi.org/10.31548/forest/2.2026.58
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