Assessing the Floristic Potential of Adakplame Sacred Grove in South Benin

This study aims at characterizing the flora of Adakplam sacred grove in Benin. To do this, a floristic inventory was conducted in 40 square plots of 1000m size. Structural parameters including trees density, average diameter, basal area, bole height, total height, height of Lorey and density of regeneration were estimated. The allometric height-diameter relationship and diameter size classes distribution were established. The non-metric multidimensional positioning to individualize plant communities. We recorded 32 plant species belonging to 20 botanical families. Two plant communities were individualized the semi-deciduous dense forest represented by Ceiba pentandra and Mansonia altissima and the one to Ricinodendron heudelotii and Triplochiton scleroxylon. The specific richness for the two communities was respectively 23 and 30 species considering adult individuals (dbh 10 cm). Shannon index value for the two plant communities was respectively about 3.81 and 3.34 bits. Pielou evenness was respectively of 0.74 and 0.78. This forest was characterized by Guineo-Congolese (43.75 %) and Guinean (34.38 %) species. The phanerophytes and zoochory were respectively the major of biological types and dissemination mode of diaspores. Blackman index was greater than 1 for all vegetal communities translating an aggregate distribution of individuals. The density of natural regeneration was on average 1475 stems/ha.