The forests of the tropical world are characterized by
particular community structures and specific floristic compositions. The
floristic richness of tropical forests has been highlighted by numerous
studies. The aim of this present study is to summarize the current state of
research on the flora of the Côte d’Ivoire from the SIG IVOIRE database to
better direct future collection efforts. The database of herbarium specimens
for Côte d'Ivoire has been developed at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
of Geneva and summarizes the Ivoirian specimen holdings of herbaria in Abidjan
(CNF), Geneva (CJGB), Natural History Museum of Paris, and University of
Wageningen (WUR). As each record in the database contains geographic
coordinates, it is related to maps through a geographic information system
(GIS) called SIG IVOIRE. Herbarium specimen data used for this study covered
the period from 1894 to 2000 and were assembled by 226 collectors. This
database comprises 15,228 samples, grouped into 3621 species, 1371 genera, and
198 families. A grid system was used to cover the Ivorian territory at a
spatial resolution of 0.75° x 0.75°. Indices of evenness and completeness were
calculated to characterize sampling and identify floristically well-known
regions. The exploration of the Ivorian territory is far from uniform, such
that some areas were more densely surveyed, but others partially or not at all.
The regions of Grands Ponts, Agnéby- Tiassa, Loh-Djiboua, part of Gbèkè,
Boukani, San Pedro and Cavally were floristically well known; environmentally,
the largest gaps in coverage were in the mountains in western Côte d'Ivoire.
So, after more than a century of botanical research in Côte
d'Ivoire, much effort is still needed. Certainly, the work of several prominent
researchers has produced a view of the basic dimensions and characteristics of
the flora and vegetation of Côte d’Ivoire. However, many regions of Côte
d'Ivoire are not known floristically or remain only partially documented. This
study provides detailed analyses and mapping efforts that should guide new
botanical investigations in Côte d'Ivoire. This study also underlines the
importance of continued systematic study of plant diversity as a priority in
botanical gardens, universities, and other research organizations.
Author (s) Details
Koffi Kouao Jean
Laboratory of Ecology and Sustainable Development, UFR Natural Sciences,
University Nangui ABROGOUA, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire, Laboratory of
Botany and Valorization of Plant Diversity, UFR Natural Sciences, University
Nangui ABROGOUA, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire and Ake-Assi Botanical
Institute of Andokoi (IBAAN) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Kouassi Akossoua
Faustine
Ake-Assi Botanical Institute of Andokoi (IBAAN) Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire and
National Center of Floristics (UFHB), 22 B. P. 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire.
Yao N’guettia Francis
Laboratory of Ecology and Sustainable Development, UFR Natural Sciences,
University Nangui ABROGOUA, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Aka Kacou Ulric
Laboratory of Ecology and Sustainable Development, UFR Natural Sciences,
University Nangui ABROGOUA, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
Adou Yao Constant
Yves
University Félix Houphouët Boigny, UFR-BIOSCIENCES, 22 B. P. 1682 Abidjan
22, Côte d’Ivoire and Swiss Center for Scientific Research in Côte d’Ivoire
(CSRS), 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire.
Adama Bakayoko
Laboratory of Ecology and Sustainable Development, UFR Natural Sciences,
University Nangui ABROGOUA, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire, Laboratory of
Botany and Valorization of Plant Diversity, UFR Natural Sciences, University
Nangui ABROGOUA, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire and Swiss Center for
Scientific Research in Côte d’Ivoire (CSRS), 01 BP 1303 Abidjan 01, Côte
d’Ivoire.
Jan Bogaert
Biodiversity and Landscape Unit, University of Liège, Passage des Déportés
2, B 5030, Gembloux-Belgique, Belgium.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/geserh/v5/4191
