STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION AND CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN THE NIEGRE CLASSIFIED FOREST (SOUTH-WEST) IN COTE DIVOIRE

This study was conducted to support the sustainable management of the Niegre classified forest by analyzing its vegetation structure and the carbon stock sequestered within it. The methodology randomly sampled 100 m x 20 m (2,000 m²) plots in various biotopes, including old-growth forests, and fallow of 1-10 years, 11-19 years, 20-30 years, and 30 years or more. In each plot, chest height diameters (CHD) and height measurements were taken for all woody species with a diameter of 2.5 cm or greater. 419 species across 286 genera and 92 families were recorded, with the most dominant families being Fabaceae, Rubiaceae, and Euphorbiaceae. The distribution of individuals across diameter classes followed an inverted J curve in all biotopes, indicating robust natural regeneration. The study also demonstrated the forests significant capacity for carbon storage, highlighting the crucial role of forest plant species in sequestering carbon dioxide emissions from human activities.