Diversity and Distribution of Woody Species in Agrosystems in the Maradi Region along a North-Central-South Gradient

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the diversity and distribution of woody forage species in the agrosystems of the Maradi region along a North-Central-South gradient. Data were collected in 187 plots of 50 x 50 m2 each, i.e., 2500 m² in area. These data were subjected to a factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) followed by a hierarchical ascending classification (HAC) with 50% similarity, which allowed the identification of three plant groupings, G1, G2, and G3, that characterize the Dakoro, Guidan Roumdji, and Madarounfa sites respectively. The results showed that a total of 13 families were identified in all zones, with a predominance of Fabaceae in Guidan Roumdji (81.25%), Dakoro (70.68%), and Madarounfa (41.35%). The highest tree density was obtained in Madarounfa (10.43 individuals/ha), followed by Guidan Roumdji (7.76 individuals/ha), and finally Dakoro (7.6 individuals/ha). The most dominant biological types are microphanerophytes in Guidan Roumdji (92.19%), followed by Mesophanerophytes in Dakoro (65.05%) and Madarounfa (62%). For the phytogeographic type, Sudano-Zambezian-Saharo-Sindian (SZ-Sah.S) species are the most dominant, followed by Sudano-Zambezian (SZ) species for all zones with more than 84%. These results can be indicators for decision-making in the region's fight against the degradation of plant biodiversity.