Scientific Research Journal, Volume XII, Issue IV, April 2024 Edition

Scientific Research Journal

Scirj Volume XII, Issue IV, April 2024 Edition
ISSN: 2201-2796

Publication starts: 15th April 2024
Full Paper available from: 15th April 2024

Diversity and Structure of Woody Species in parts of Sahelian dryland of Maradi Region, Niger Republic
Mamane Abdourahamane, Maharazu A. Yusuf and Moussa Massaoudou

Abstract: Changes in woody vegetation cover and woody biomass have been at the center of discussions of environmental trends in Sahel. Understanding woody vegetation diversity and structure is important for guiding management decisions. In Niger Republic, many studies highlighted several threats on Sahelian ecosystems. Therefore, it is useful to further make based field investigations on tree cover in terms of vegetation structure and woody species composition. This study aimed to identify the diversity and structure of woody species in part of Sahelian dryland of Maradi Region, Niger Republic. Transect method was used to collect quantitative data. From the central village, the transects followed the four geographical directions with quadrat (plots) of 50 m x 50 m every 500 m interval were used to measure dendrometric parameters. Fabaceae (70.81%), Balanitaceae (9.85%) and Combretaceae (2.70%) have a high frequency and abundance in this area with Sudanian (S), Sudano-Zambezian (SZ) and Sahelo-Saharan (SS) as dominant phytogeographical classes. Faidherbia albida, Piliostigma reticulatum, Acacia tortilis subsp raddiana and Balanites aegyptiaca are the dominant woody species. This implies the better adaptation of these species to climatic conditions added to the preservation from local communities. The southern part of the study area has the higher woody species diversity which is decreasing from South to Northern part. The phenology of vegetation is an important measure of terrestrial ecosystem processes and an indicator of climate change.

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