DIVERSITE FLORISTIQUE ET VALEUR ECOLOGIQUE DE LESPACE FORESTIER DE LA COMMUNAUTE ABEL DE GRAND-BASSAM (SUD DE LA COTE DIVOIRE)

Forest ecosystems contain a great deal of biological diversity and act as carbon sinks. Protecting these environments could therefore reduce the effects of climate change and preserve biodiversity. With this in mind, the Abel community authorities have decided to preserve a forest area dedicated to biodiversity in their logging zone. To this end, a floristic study was initiated to determine the plant diversity of the Communitys forest area. The aim of the study was to enhance the value of the Communaute Abel forest area through its floristic resources. Specifically, the aim was to determine the qualitative and quantitative diversity of flora in the forest area of the Abel Community and to assess its ecological value. The surface survey and roving survey methods were used in the course of this work. The floristic inventory carried out enabled 62 plant species to be recorded, divided into 54 genera and 32 families. The most abundant botanical families are Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, Arecaceae, Moraceae and Apocynaceae. Of all the plant species recorded, three are on the IUCN red list (2023). These are Garcinia afzelii, Milicia regia and Mitragyna ledermannii. These species are all in the vulnerable category. As for the use of the plants, 34 of them were identified as food, medicinal and various other uses.