Diversity and Conservation Value of the Woody Flora of the Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University Campus, Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

In the urban environment, green spaces play a major role in conserving tree diversity and improve the quality of life and attractiveness of cities. However, there is limited data on the woody floristic composition and the biodiversity conservation value of these areas in northern Côte d’Ivoire. This study aims to establish the woody plant species list and assess the biodiversity conservation value of the green space at the Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University campus in Korhogo. Surface surveys were carried out on the campus site. A purposive sampling approach was used for data collection. Species richness, floristic composition, and biocenotic diversity indices were used for the floristic analysis. For the calculation of diversity indices, the MVSP 3.1 software was used. Five compartments within the university campus were selected and served as plots for vegetation surveys. The conservation value of the site’s phytodiversity was assessed through the presence of species with a status. The study identified 57 woody species belonging to 44 genera and 19 families. Fabaceae and Moraceae are the most represented families in terms of species number. Analysis of both the unweighted and weighted spectra of the biological types of the flora highlights the dominance of microphanerophytes, accounting for 71.93% of the species and 52.33% of the individuals. They are followed by mesophanerophytes, which represent 21.05% of the unweighted spectrum and 38.60% of the weighted spectrum. The biocenotic index values highlight the contribution of native species to the aesthetic of the campus green space. Seven families and ten species are found to have significant ecological importance. The most important species are predominantly native (e.g., Isoberlinia doka Craib & Stapf, Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe) Hutch. & Dalziel, Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.Juss). Among the recorded species, 44 are listed as threatened by the IUCN. The green space of the Peleforo Gon Coulibaly University campus thus represents a significant site for phytodiversity conservation, underlining the importance of preserving and enhancing the density and diversity of its threatened species to promote a more sustainable urban ecological balance.