Global Advanced Research Journal of Plant Science (GARJPS)
September 2015 Vol. 1(2): pp. 030-038
Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Trees species diversity and above ground biomass in three tropical forest types in Azaguié area, Côte d'Ivoire

VROH Bi Tra Aimé^1*, ADOU YAO Constant Yves^1,2, KOUAME Djaha³, KPANGUI Kouassi Bruno¹, GONE BI Zoro Bertin^1,2, N’Guessan Kouakou Edouard¹

¹ufr Biosciences; Université of Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire

²Département Recherche et Valorisation (DRV), Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifiques en Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS) ; 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01

³Ufr Environnement, Université Of Jean Lorougnon Guède, Daloa, Cote D’ivoire

*Corresponding  Author‘s  Email:  vrohbitra@gmail.com

Accepted 27 August, 2015

Abstract

It is often assumed that diversity, floristic composition, and structural parameters vary according to forest management types. The current study was conducted in three tropical rain forests which are distinguished by their type of management in Azaguié area: Yapo protected forest, a Natural Voluntary Reserve and community forests. The main objective was to assess the aboveground biomass (AGB) and diversity of tree species in these forests. The data consisted of dbh measurement of all tree individuals with dbh ≥ 10 cm in plots of 500 m². Species richness, Shannon diversity index, Pielou evenness, stem density, basal area, and AGB were calculated for each forest type and compared using one-way ANOVA. A total of 2375 stems and 164 tree species with diameter ≥10 cm were recorded in these forests. The Shannon diversity index was significantly higher in Yapo protected forest (5.78) and natural voluntary reserve (5.06) than in community forests (4.64). Evenness did not differ between Yapo protected forest (0.81) and community forests (0.83) but it’s differed significantly in natural voluntary reserve (0.71). Mean AGB values were significantly higher in Yapo protected forest (347.17 ± 101.70 t.ha^-1) and natural voluntary reserve (245.09 ± 31.68 t.ha^-1) than in community forests (35.69 ± 17.12 t.ha^-1). For the three forests, structure described by diameter distribution was inverse J-shaped. This study showed that in Azaguié area, trees species in community forests were most equitable than protected area which have higher stems density and AGB. Further researches are needed to explain causes of these variations.

Keywords:  Tropical forest; climate change, sustainable management, aboveground biomass, Côte d’Ivoire.