Floristic Composition and Characterization of Legume Flora in Parklands of Aguié Department, Niger, West Africa

Abstract

Due to the absence of a botanical assessment on legume flora in Aguié, so the study was conducted on parklands of Aguié Department to determine the floristic composition and characterize the flora. The characterization consists of determining the legume woody flora density, vertical structure, number of sapling, herbaceous legume biomass and importance socio-economic. Firstly, we used systematic sampling approach to collect legume flora.  A total 51 plots each with a size of 50 m x 50m for all parklands species and within each major quadrat, five sub plots of 5mx5m and 1 m x 1 m were established for the woody regeneration and for herbaceous biomass. All plant species in each plot were recorded. The legume flora was extracted. Some dendrometric parameters such as height, diameter at breast height (1.30 m) and the crown cover were measured. Secondly, we used ethnobotanical questionnaire to collect the socio-economic data about the importance of legume flora to the rural communities. On the other hand, a total of 61 legume species representing 30 genera and the three botanical families namely Fabaceae, Mimosaceae and Caesalpiniaceae. Fabaceae is the floristically the highest family with 30 species representing 13 genera. Mimosaceae constitutes the second family with 16 species representing 7 genera. Caesalpiniaceae was presented with 15 species and 8 genera. The average density of legume woody species is 80 feet per hectare in the parklands. The structural analysis of the parklands revealed that there were two vertical structures namely tree and shrub strata. Ethnobotanical surveys within the parkland communities with 52 people show that legumes play a crucial role in meeting diverse domestic and environmental needs. Among the legumes recorded are cultivated, medicinal, pastoral, ornamental, gum, melliferous and spontaneous human food species. Consequently, based on the results, a further study that will examine the threat to the legume flora is recommended.