The Bingerville Botanical Garden is an urban green space which can contribute to the quality of the living environment and to attractivity of tourists in Abidjan city. Its floristic diversity and socio-economic and ecological benefits remain still unknown. The present study was conducted to assess botanical species diversity and the reduction of CO 2 emissions in this space. Trees species with dbh ≥ 10 cm were recorded in 41 plots of 500 m² surveyed in four types of biotopes: two arboretums with 20 and 100 years old, one secondary forest with more than 100 years and a fallow of 20 years old. Floristic indices and aboveground biomass (AGB) were determined for each biotope. A total of 742 trees with dbh ≥ 10 were counted: 127 species. Preponderance species are Cassia siamea, Terminalia mantaly, Milicia excelsa and Ceiba pentandra in arboretums, Pentadesma butyracea and Acacia mangium in the secondary forest, Ficus exasperata and Borassus aethiopum in the fallow. Arboretums are richest (96 species), and they have more AGB (566.7 t/ha). The secondary forest has 71 species with an aboveground equal to 381.4 t/ha. The fallow is less rich (13 species) with an AGB of 21 t/ha. This study has shown the importance of Bingerville Botanical Garden in plant and fighting against climate change. RésuméLe Jardin Botanique de Bingerville (JBB) est un espace vert urbain qui peut contribuer à la qualité du cadre de vie et à l'attractivité des touristes dans la ville d'Abidjan. Ses caractéristiques floristiques et ses bienfaits socio-économiques et écologiques demeurent encore mal connus. La présente étude a été menée pour mettre en exergue le rôle que peut jouer cet espace dans la conservation des espèces végétales et la réduction des émissions de CO 2 . Des inventaires d'espèces arborescentes de dbh ≥ 10 cm, ont été réalisés dans 41 placettes de 500 m² mises en place dans quatre types de biotopes: deux arboretums âgés de 20 et 100 ans, une forêt secondaire de plus de 100 ans et une jachère de 20 ans. Des indices de diversité et la composition floristiques ainsi que la biomasse végétale aérienne ont été déterminés pour chacun de ces biotopes. Au total 742 arbres de dbh ≥ 10 cm ont été recensés. Ils se répartissent entre 127 espèces dont les plus prépondérantes sont Cassia siamea, Terminalia mantaly, Milicia excelsa et Ceiba pentandra dans les arboretums, Pentadesma butyracea et Acacia mangium dans la forêt secondaire, Ficus exasperata et Borassus aethiopum dans la jachère. Les arboretums sont les plus riches (96 espèces); ils présentent la plus forte biomasse aérienne (566,7 t/ha). La forêt secondaire avec 71 espèces, a une biomasse de 381,4 t/ha. La jachère a la plus faible richesse (13 espèces) avec une biomasse aérienne de 21 t/ha. Cette étude démontre l'importance du Jardin Botanique de Bingerville dans la conservation de la diversité arborée et la séquestration du carbone atmosphérique.

In Côte d'Ivoire, Azagny National Park has a small forest elephants population, described as isolated, self-contained and whose survival depends on the diversity of local biological resources. A study was undertaken to assess the diversity of the plant species consumed and the feeding preference of this large mammal. Pedestrian surveys were carried out in the different biotopes traveled by the elephants during one year, in search of fresh and old traces of nutrition and droppings. As a result of these inventories, six organs of 282 plant species have been identified has consumed by elephant. In this plant species list, three families are the most represented: the Apocynaceae, the Euphorbiaceae and the Rubiaceae. Among the elephant diet, five species appear to be the most consumed: Aframomum melegueta (1.45%), Aframomum sceptrum (1.45%), Sacoglottis gabonensis (1.27%), Echinochloa pyramidalis (1.2%) and Albizia adianthifolia (1.2%). Considering the number and type of organs harvested from plants, the study reveals that they varied from one species to another well. In general, leaves (256 species 90.8%) and fruits (95 species or 33.7%) have emerged as the most consumed organs of elephants. In view of this diet importance in elephant survival in the park, it would be important to identify the type of species consumed seasonally and to assess their availability in each of the biotopes traveled.

In Taï National Park (TNP), communities of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus) have been studied since 1979. Studies have characterized the plant species diversity and the vegetation structural parameters of their habitats. However, the variability of the activities and feeding patterns of these chimpanzees have not yet clarified during a full year. The present study aimed to (1) identify the activities and feeding patterns of TNP chimpanzees and (2) determine the basic diet of their feeding during 15 consecutive months. Activity budgets (feeding, travelling, resting, etc.) was quantified from instantaneous focal animal samples on individual chimpanzees of three. Feeding is considered here as active consumption of plant parts as well as soil and animal prey. The diversity of the plant species component in chimpanzees' diet was calculated. Result showed that the chimpanzees of TNP spent more than half of their active time on feeding activities. The chimpanzees' diet in TNP consisted mainly in fruits supplemented by leaves mostly during wet season. A large range of plant species composing the diet and the availability of 30 of them during a full year can contribute to establish the scientific basis for their communities monitoring and their viability.