Diversity and structure of woody stands in the contracted vegetation of western Niger following a rainfall and anthropisation gradient

The aim of this study was to characterise the diversity and structural parameters woody stand in contracted vegetation western Niger at three sites located along a rainfall human settlement gradient. An inventory flora measurement dendrometric characteristics trees were carried out on 120 plots 2500 m2 subdivided into 12.5 m apart. species richness 17 9 genera 12 families all investigated, with 11 Kouré plateau, 13 Guittodo plateau Gorou Bassounga classified forest. Density 234.79, 555.09 683.79 ind/ha, basal area 4.21, 7.2 8.62m2/ha tree cover 19.8, 45.34 60.75¨%, respectively these sites. In terms structure, has high proportion relatively young individuals. Shannon's (2.37 2.81 bits) indicates that environments are low Pilou's equitability (0.56 0.63) highlights phenomenon dominance stands. lowest similarity index (0.44) is obtained between forest, highest (0.46) plateau. These results testify structure dying vegetation.