Abstract. Gnahore E, Kouadio KR, Amba AJG, Kone M, Bakayoko A. 2022. Ethnobotanical survey of plants used by the riparian population of Banco National Park (Abidjan, Ivory Coast). Asian J Ethnobiol 5: 121-129. Situated at the "heart" of Abidjan, Banco National Park (BNP), Ivory Coast, is the rare relics of moist, dense rainforests coveted everywhere. This work was undertaken with an aim of identifying the plants most usually used by the riparian population of BNP in human food, animal food, and pharmacopeia. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out of the riparian population of the BNP. The method consists of an ethnobotanical survey realized among the inhabitants of the park and those of the surrounding urban districts. The method used was semi-structured interviews. This study targeted 294 people, including 20% men and 80% women, aged between 30 and 60. A total of 36 plant species from 34 genera and 28 families were recorded. Thirteen species were used in food, three fodder species, and thirty others used to treat several ailments in the area. Two of these plants have strong ratio utilization in human food: Myrianthus arboreus P.Beauv. (15.25%) and M. libericus Rendle (14%). Thus, in the area study, five species are respectively considered threatened and three species rare. Leaves (32.55%) and bark (20.93%) are the most used organ. Decoction (98%) was the most common traditional medicine preparation method. Indigenous knowledge distribution in the community showed significant differences (p<0.05) in the study groups for factors of age, sex, gender, and educational level. The number of resources used can seriously impact the forest negatively. It is urgent to adopt a lasting management plan for sustainable harvest for the safeguard and preservation of the plant cash of the BNP.

Abstract. Gnahore E, Douffi KG-C, N’guessan YJ, Amba AJG, Ibrahima D, Kone M, Bakayoko A. 2023. Floristic composition and structure of closed and open forests in the Banco National Park, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Asian J For 7: 17-26. Natural ecosystems are pressured to degradation caused by human activities. To develop conservation guidelines for these ecosystems, it was necessary to have enough information on their biodiversity. This study aimed to investigate the species richness, diversity, structure, and composition of vegetation in the Banco National Park (BNP), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in two forest types, namely closed and open forests. Vegetational data was collected using a sampling plot and itinerant methods. The results showed that 345 and 283 species were recorded in the closed and open forest, respectively, suggesting that the closed forest appears richer than the open forest. Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Apocynaceae were the most dominant families in both forest types. Both forest types had a high Shannon-Weaver diversity index and high Pielou equality index. The most important species in the open forest included Chrysophyllum subnudum Baker (Sapotaceae), Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. (Clusiaceae) and Funtumia africana (Benth.) Stapf (Apocynaceae), while in the closed forest were Strombosia pustulata Oliv. (Olacaceae), Turraeanthus africanus (Welw. ex C.DC.) Pellegr. (Meliaceae), and Monodora myristica (Gaertn.) Dunal (Annonaceae). The diametric structure showed the greatest proportion of individuals with low diameter classes, indicating regeneration potential. However, there were great differences in stand structure between the open and the closed forest, especially in high-diameter classes, indicating that the open forest has been pressured by timber cutting. The results of this study can serve as baseline information to develop conservation and rehabilitation strategies in BNP to sustain its biodiversity components.