Assessing the state of urban forests in Dédougou, a Sahel city in Burkina Faso

The composition and diversity of urban forests are gaining attention in scholarly research, urban development, and sustainability efforts. Despite their critical ecosystem services, literature on urban forests remains limited, especially in developing countries like Burkina Faso. This study examines the urban area of Dedougou, assessing species composition, diversity, and structural characteristics across different land-use and land-cover (LULC) types. Botanical investigations were conducted in five of the city's six sectors, covering administrative, school, residential, and roadside areas. Data, including species, origin, height, and diameter at breast height, were collected from 47 plots (50 m x 50 m) in administrative, school, and residential areas, and 17 plots (50 m x 20 m) along roadsides. A total of 71 species, distributed across 57 genera and 31 families, were identified. Among these, 57% were exotic, 51% were edible, 89% had medicinal properties, and 37% served ornamental purposes. The Shannon diversity index averaged 2.2 +/- 0.8. No significant difference was observed in the distribution of exotic and native species across various LULC types. Residential areas exhibited the highest species richness, with 36 exotic and 30 native species, while roadsides had the lowest, featuring ten exotic and eight native species. The findings have implications for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goals 11, 13, and 15. The study concludes that Dedougou's urban forests are diverse in woody species, particularly in residential areas. This research adds new insights into the floristic diversity and structural characteristics of urban areas in Burkina Faso, offering valuable information for future urban planning and management.

Automated summary

The composition and diversity of urban forests in Dedougou, Burkina Faso, were examined in this study. The research found that the urban forests are diverse in woody species, particularly in residential areas. The findings have implications for United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and offer valuable information for future urban planning and management.