Structure and floristic diversity of inselberg vegetation in south-central Benin

The inselberg vegetation in the southern part of Centre-Benin was investigated using floristic relevés within plots of 900 m2 each. A total of 108 floristic relevés were performed and 380 plant species recorded. Five types of vegetation were identified: dry forest, woodland, tree savannah, fallow, and meadow. The dry forest remnants are located on inselbergs with deep crevices and depressions between the hill tops. The crevices in rocky area constitute moist pockets. Savannah vegetations colonise the rocky that are covered with topsoil. The species richness ranges from 18 species in the meadows to 227 species in dry forest. Two plant species are to be confined to the studied inselbergs in Benin: Cordia millenii and Urera cameroonensis. The most important plant families were Leguminosae (in particular Papilionoideae), Poaceae, and Rubiacea