Floristic diversity, structure and distribution of plant communities of rangelands of the transhumant in the Lower and Middle Oueme Valley in Benin; [Diversité floristique, structure et distribution des groupements végétaux des parcours d’accueil des transhumants dans la Basse et Moyenne Vallée de l’Ouémé au Bénin]

The loss of plant biodiversity as a sign of the degradation of rangelands is one of the major challenge for transhumant host countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the structural characteristics and the floristic diversity of plant communities in the Lower and Middle Oueme Valley (BMVO). Phytosociological data collected in 113 plots using the Braun-Blanquet method (1932), were submitted to DCA under the software R.3.3.2. About, 173 species belonging to 127 genera and 45 families were inventoried. A total of 4 plant communities have been identified: GI of Andropogon gayanus var squamulatus and Mitragyna inermis; GII of Paspalum notatum and Aeollanthus pubescens; GIII of Panicum maximum and Calopogonium mucunoides and GIV of Tridax procumbens and Daniellia oliveri. The nature of the soil and its humidity, the topography and the land use intensity were decisive for plant communities’distribution and for the flora diversity. The therophytes and phanerophytes were the most abundant in all the plant communities. In contrast, hemicryptophytes were more dominant in the floodplain clusters. Species with large distribution and continental distribution were more abundant and dominant in all the plant communities. This study will be the base line data to analyze the dynamic of vegetation of BMVO rangeland. © 2021 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.