Floristic and stand characteristics of riparian forests throughout Omo
Twenty-nine (29) tree species (39%) occurred repeatedly along the riparian systems (major rivers and stream). These included Diospyros dendo, Drypetes sp., Cleistopholis patens, Strombosia postulata, Macaranga barteri, Musanga cecropioides, Alstonia boonei, Grewia pubescens, Bombax buonopozense, Margaritaria discoidea, Pycnanthus angolensis, Sterculia rhinopetala, Celtis zenkeri, Homalium aylmeri, Blighia sapida, Elaeis guineensis, Terminalia superba, Funtumia elastica, Ricinodendron heudelotii, Ficus exasperata, Lecaniodiscus cupanioides, Nesodogornia papaverifera, Bosqueia angolensis, Rauvolvia vomitoria, Spondias mombin, Diallium guineense, Sterculia tragacantha, Pavetta corymbosa, Dillenia indica. Also Twenty one (21) tree species were strictly found only along the major rivers, while twenty three (23) species occurred only along the stream. Diospyros dendo had the highest total occurrence in the 60 plots surveyed from the riparian system while Pterocarpus osun had the least occurrence (1) within the riparian systems
Table 1 shows that the highest total dbh was found in Diospyros dendo (2918 cm), Drypetes species (2384 cm) and Cliestopholis patens (2372 cm) while the lower total dbh was found in Trichillia gilgiana (33.9 cm), Aningeria robusta (27 cm), and Pterocarpus osun (17 cm). Importance value index (IVI) was highest in Diospyros dendo (26.90) followed by Drypetes sp. (19.68) and Cleistopholis patens (16.22) while it was lowest in Aningeria robusta (0.417), Carica Papaya (0.446) and Cola acuminata (0.461) Basal area per hectare was highest in Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (4.918), Strombosia postulata (4.025) and Cola nitida (3.693) and low in Scotellia coriacea (0.843), Diospyros soubreana (0.775), Annonidium manni (0.156). The total basal area per hectare of all tree species was 164.68 cm3 with a total volume of 2116.3 m3 per hectare.
Table 1
Tree Species Richness in Riparian Zones of Omo Biosphere Reserve
SPECIES NAME | Total occu | Freq. | T dbh(cm) | M dbh(cm) | density | Dominance | R. Freq | R.den | R. Dom | IVI | | BA/ha (cm3/ha) | | Volume (m3/ha) | |
Afzelia africana | 7 | 5 | 71 | 25.6 | 0.011 | 0.0013 | 0.577 | 0.400 | 0.190 | 1.167 | | 1.6 | | 18.9 | |
Albizia auxilary | 3 | 3 | 64 | 28.2 | 0.005 | 0.0011 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.171 | 0.689 | | 1.762 | | 18.41 | |
Albizia ferruginea | 13 | 5 | 254.1 | 30.2 | 0.021 | 0.0045 | 0.577 | 0.743 | 0.680 | 2.000 | | 1.887 | | 24.52 | |
Albizia zygia | 4 | 4 | 101 | 28.8 | 0.006 | 0.0018 | 0.461 | 0.228 | 0.270 | 0.960 | | 1.8 | | 20.43 | |
Alstonia boonei | 35 | 22 | 895.6 | 28.4 | 0.056 | 0.0159 | 2.540 | 2.001 | 2.396 | 6.938 | | 1.775 | | 30.09 | |
Amphimas tetracoides | 3 | 3 | 64.2 | 31.5 | 0.005 | 0.0011 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.17 | 0.689 | | 1.968 | | 18.43 | |
Aningeria robusta | 2 | 2 | 27 | 33.1 | 0.003 | 0.0005 | 0.230 | 0.114 | 0.072 | 0.417 | | 2.068 | | 14.59 | |
Annonidium manni | 30 | 16 | 271.6 | 2.5 | 0.048 | 0.0048 | 1.847 | 1.715 | 0.726 | 4.289 | | 0.156 | | 24.81 | |
Anthocleista djalonensis | 10 | 7 | 439.3 | 37.8 | 0.016 | 0.0078 | 0.808 | 0.571 | 1.17 | 2.55 | | 2.365 | | 26.94 | |
Anthocliesta vogelii | 52 | 9 | 1270 | 23.7 | 0.083 | 0.0226 | 1.039 | 2.973 | 3.397 | 7.410 | | 1.481 | | 31.64 | |
Anthonotha macrophylla | 5 | 3 | 91 | 22.3 | 0.008 | 0.0016 | 0.346 | 0.285 | 0.243 | 0.875 | | 1.393 | | 19.97 | |
Artocarpus communis | 11 | 7 | 113.8 | 29.3 | 0.018 | 0.002 | 0.808 | 0.628 | 0.304 | 1.741 | | 1.831 | | 20.69 | |
Bambusa vulgaris | 7 | 6 | 1139 | 22.8 | 0.011 | 0.0202 | 0.692 | 0.400 | 3.047 | 4.146 | | 1.425 | | 31.16 | |
Baphia nitida | 6 | 5 | 85 | 21.5 | 0.01 | 0.0015 | 0.577 | 0.343 | 0.227 | 1.147 | | 1.343 | | 19.67 | |
Blighia sapida | 23 | 20 | 570.1 | 23.6 | 0.037 | 0.0101 | 2.309 | 1.315 | 1.525 | 5.150 | | 1.475 | | 28.1 | |
Blighia unijigata | 3 | 3 | 48 | 19 | 0.005 | 0.0009 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.128 | 0.646 | | 1.187 | | 17.4 | |
Bombax buonopozene | 27 | 14 | 443.6 | 18.2 | 0.043 | 0.0079 | 1.616 | 1.543 | 1.187 | 4.347 | | 1.137 | | 26.98 | |
Bosqueia angolensis | 7 | 5 | 193.6 | 22.2 | 0.011 | 0.0034 | 0.577 | 0.400 | 0.518 | 1.495 | | 1.387 | | 23.31 | |
Brachystegia eurycoma | 14 | 5 | 355.5 | 37.8 | 0.022 | 0.0063 | 0.577 | 0.800 | 0.951 | 2.329 | | 2.362 | | 26 | |
Bridelia ferruginea | 15 | 12 | 315 | 24.5 | 0.024 | 0.0056 | 1.385 | 0.8576 | 0.842 | 3.086 | | 1.531 | | 24.47 | |
Carica papaya | 2 | 2 | 38 | 17 | 0.003 | 0.0007 | 0.230 | 0.114 | 0.101 | 0.446 | | 1.062 | | 16.1 | |
Cassia saimea | 38 | 5 | 1088 | 19.7 | 0.061 | 0.0193 | 0.577 | 2.17 | 2.91 | 5.661 | | 1.231 | | 30.96 | |
Ceiba pentandra | 6 | 6 | 68.5 | 21.1 | 0.01 | 0.0012 | 0.692 | 0.343 | 0.183 | 1.219 | | 1.318 | | 18.71 | |
Celtis zenkeri | 39 | 27 | 613.3 | 23.6 | 0.062 | 0.0109 | 3.117 | 2.229 | 1.641 | 6.988 | | 1.475 | | 28.42 | |
Chrysophyllum albidum | 4 | 4 | 57 | 32.5 | 0.006 | 0.001 | 0.461 | 0.228 | 0.152 | 0.843 | | 2.031 | | 17.9 | |
Cleistopholis patens | 92 | 40 | 2373 | 26.5 | 0.147 | 0.0422 | 4.618 | 5.260 | 6.350 | 16.229 | | 1.656 | | 34.41 | |
Cola acuminata | 2 | 2 | 43.6 | 21.5 | 0.003 | 0.0008 | 0.230 | 0.114 | 0.116 | 0.461 | | 1.343 | | 16.71 | |
Cola nitida | 10 | 7 | 107 | 59.1 | 0.016 | 0.0019 | 0.808 | 0.571 | 0.28 | 1.666 | | 3.693 | | 20.69 | |
Corynante pachycercus | 3 | 3 | 320.6 | 48.5 | 0.005 | 0.0057 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.857 | 1.375 | | 3.031 | | 25.55 | |
Diallium guineense | 11 | 10 | 117.8 | 27.2 | 0.018 | 0.0021 | 1.154 | 0.628 | 0.315 | 2.098 | | 1.7 | | 21.11 | |
Dillenia indica | 2 | 2 | 62.7 | 29.4 | 0.003 | 0.0011 | 0.230 | 0.114 | 0.167 | 0.513 | | 1.837 | | 18.32 | |
Diospyros dendo | 233 | 50 | 2918 | 33.6 | 0.373 | 0.0519 | 5.773 | 13.3 | 7.809 | 26.90 | | 2.1 | | 35.32 | |
Diospyros melistoformis | 6 | 2 | 39.5 | 22.4 | 0.01 | 0.0007 | 0.230 | 0.343 | 0.105 | 0.679 | | 1.4 | | 16.28 | |
Diospyros soubreana | 6 | 3 | 58 | 12.4 | 0.01 | 0.001 | 0.346 | 0.343 | 0.155 | 0.844 | | 0.775 | | 17.98 | |
Diospyros undebunda | 1 | 1 | 32 | 32 | 0.002 | 0.0006 | 0.115 | 0.057 | 0.085 | 0.258 | | 2 | | 15.34 | |
Drypetes sp. | 154 | 39 | 2384 | 14.6 | 0.246 | 0.0424 | 4.503 | 8.805 | 6.379 | 19.68 | | 0.912 | | 34.43 | |
Elaeis guineensis | 37 | 16 | 1080 | 48.7 | 0.059 | 0.0192 | 1.847 | 2.115 | 2.888 | 6.851 | | 3.043 | | 30.92 | |
Ficus exasperata | 18 | 13 | 520.2 | 27.5 | 0.029 | 0.0092 | 1.501 | 1.02 | 1.392 | 3.922 | | 1.718 | | 27.69 | |
Ficus macrophylla | 26 | 8 | 726 | 22.6 | 0.042 | 0.0129 | 0.923 | 1.486 | 1.942 | 4.353 | | 1.412 | | 29.17 | |
Funtumia africana | 5 | 3 | 199 | 23.6 | 0.008 | 0.0035 | 0.346 | 0.285 | 0.532 | 1.164 | | 1.475 | | 23.44 | |
Funtumia elastica | 30 | 22 | 343.1 | 43.9 | 0.048 | 0.0061 | 2.540 | 1.715 | 0.918 | 5.173 | | 2.745 | | 25.85 | |
Garcinia kola | 7 | 6 | 92 | 21.2 | 0.011 | 0.0016 | 0.692 | 0.400 | 0.246 | 1.339 | | 1.325 | | 20.02 | |
Gmelina arborea | 22 | 10 | 581.3 | 17 | 0.035 | 0.0103 | 1.154 | 1.257 | 1.555 | 3.968 | | 1.062 | | 28.18 | |
Grewia pubescens | 28 | 12 | 719.8 | 16.9 | 0.045 | 0.0128 | 1.385 | 1.600 | 1.926 | 4.912 | | 1.056 | | 29.13 | |
Harungana madagascariensis | 7 | 5 | 169.9 | 16.9 | 0.011 | 0.003 | 0.577 | 0.400 | 0.454 | 1.432 | | 1.056 | | 22.74 | |
Hexalobus crispiflorus | 11 | 3 | 398.2 | 28.4 | 0.018 | 0.0071 | 0.346 | 0.628 | 1.06 | 2.041 | | 1.775 | | 26.51 | |
Hildegardia barteri | 3 | 3 | 78 | 28 | 0.005 | 0.0014 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.208 | 0.726 | | 1.75 | | 19.29 | |
Holarrhena floribunda | 6 | 5 | 89.5 | 36.9 | 0.01 | 0.0016 | 0.577 | 0.343 | 0.239 | 1.159 | | 2.306 | | 19.9 | |
Homalium aylmeri | 20 | 15 | 977.3 | 21.1 | 0.032 | 0.0174 | 1.732 | 1.143 | 2.615 | 5.491 | | 1.318 | | 30.48 | |
irvingia gabonensis | 5 | 5 | 118.3 | 28.5 | 0.008 | 0.0021 | 0.577 | 0.285 | 0.316 | 1.179 | | 1.781 | | 21.13 | |
Lecaniodiscus cupanioides | 18 | 16 | 268.1 | 26.5 | 0.029 | 0.0048 | 1.847 | 1.02 | 0.71 | 3.594 | | 1.656 | | 24.75 | |
Lonchocarpus ciliata | 3 | 2 | 211.8 | 28.4 | 0.005 | 0.0038 | 0.230 | 0.171 | 0.566 | 0.969 | | 1.775 | | 23.71 | |
Lonchocarpus cyanescens | 3 | 3 | 29.3 | 27.7 | 0.005 | 0.0005 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.078 | 0.596 | | 1.731 | | 14.95 | |
Macaranga barteri | 38 | 12 | 1493 | 38.9 | 0.061 | 0.0265 | 1.385 | 2.17 | 3.996 | 7.554 | | 2.431 | | 32.36 | |
Maesobotrya barteri | 9 | 6 | 140 | 37.4 | 0.014 | 0.0025 | 0.692 | 0.51 | 0.374 | 1.582 | | 2.337 | | 21.88 | |
Margaritaria discoidea | 34 | 22 | 661.2 | 31.7 | 0.054 | 0.0118 | 2.540 | 1.943 | 1.769 | 6.253 | | 1.981 | | 28.75 | |
Melacantha alnifolia | 3 | 1 | 173.8 | 27.6 | 0.005 | 0.0031 | 0.115 | 0.171 | 0.465 | 0.752 | | 1.725 | | 22.84 | |
Milicia excelsa | 2 | 2 | 84 | 46 | 0.003 | 0.0015 | 0.230 | 0.114 | 0.224 | 0.570 | | 2.875 | | 19.62 | |
Millettia thoningii | 3 | 3 | 56.4 | 39.1 | 0.005 | 0.001 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.150 | 0.668 | | 2.443 | | 17.85 | |
Mitragyna cilliata | 10 | 3 | 102 | 19.5 | 0.016 | 0.0018 | 0.346 | 0.571 | 0.272 | 1.191 | | 1.218 | | 20.48 | |
Monodora tenuifolia | 7 | 4 | 185.5 | 57.2 | 0.011 | 0.0033 | 0.461 | 0.400 | 0.496 | 1.358 | | 3.575 | | 23.12 | |
Musanga cecropioides | 36 | 22 | 892.2 | 21.4 | 0.058 | 0.0159 | 2.540 | 2.058 | 2.387 | 6.986 | | 1.337 | | 17.66 | |
Nauclea diderrichii | 17 | 9 | 390.6 | 18.8 | 0.027 | 0.0069 | 1.039 | 0.971 | 1.045 | 3.056 | | 1.175 | | 30.08 | |
Nesodogornia papaverifera | 41 | 22 | 388 | 17 | 0.066 | 0.0069 | 2.540 | 2.344 | 1.038 | 5.922 | | 1.062 | | 26.42 | |
Nothospondia staudtii | 6 | 2 | 199.5 | 21.7 | 0.01 | 0.0035 | 0.230 | 0.343 | 0.533 | 1.107 | | 1.356 | | 23.45 | |
Pavetta corymbosa | 3 | 3 | 66.8 | 27.7 | 0.005 | 0.0012 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.178 | 0.696 | | 1.731 | | 18.6 | |
Picralima nitida | 34 | 12 | 1080 | 25.8 | 0.054 | 0.0192 | 1.385 | 1.943 | 2.88 | 6.218 | | 1.612 | | 30.92 | |
Piptadeniastum africana | 3 | 3 | 63.8 | 24 | 0.005 | 0.0011 | 0.34 | 0.172 | 0.170 | 0.688 | | 1.5 | | 18.4 | |
Pterocarpus osun | 4 | 4 | 17 | 30.5 | 0.006 | 0.0003 | 0.461 | 0.228 | 0.045 | 0.736 | | 1.906 | | 12.54 | |
Pterocarpus santalinoides | 9 | 3 | 304 | 36.8 | 0.014 | 0.0054 | 0.346 | 0.51 | 0.813 | 1.674 | | 2.3 | | 25.31 | |
Pycnanthus angolensis | 28 | 21 | 810.4 | 32 | 0.045 | 0.0144 | 2.424 | 1.600 | 2.168 | 6.194 | | 2 | | 29.65 | |
Rauvolvia vomitoria | 9 | 5 | 135.8 | 44 | 0.014 | 0.0024 | 0.577 | 0.51 | 0.363 | 1.45 | | 2.75 | | 21.74 | |
Ricinodendron heudeloti | 24 | 22 | 995.1 | 26.7 | 0.038 | 0.0177 | 2.540 | 1.372 | 2.66 | 6.575 | | 1.668 | | 30.56 | |
Rinorea dentate | 4 | 2 | 112 | 39.4 | 0.006 | 0.002 | 0.230 | 0.228 | 0.299 | 0.75 | | 2.462 | | 20.89 | |
Rothmania hispida | 2 | 2 | 44 | 17.9 | 0.003 | 0.0008 | 0.23 | 0.114 | 0.117 | 0.463 | | 1.118 | | 16.75 | |
Scotellia coricea | 31 | 13 | 82.6 | 13.5 | 0.05 | 0.0015 | 1.501 | 1.772 | 0.221 | 3.494 | | 0.843 | | 19.54 | |
Spondias mombin | 5 | 5 | 154 | 19 | 0.008 | 0.0027 | 0.577 | 0.285 | 0.41 | 1.275 | | 1.187 | | 22.3 | |
Sterculia oblonga | 2 | 2 | 107 | 43.4 | 0.003 | 0.0019 | 0.230 | 0.114 | 0.28 | 0.631 | | 2.712 | | 20.69 | |
Sterculia rhinopetala | 36 | 25 | 742.3 | 33.2 | 0.058 | 0.0132 | 2.886 | 2.058 | 1.986 | 6.931 | | 2.075 | | 29.26 | |
Sterculia tragacantha | 4 | 3 | 137.7 | 21.4 | 0.006 | 0.0024 | 0.346 | 0.228 | 0.368 | 0.943 | | 1.335 | | 21.81 | |
Strombosia postulata | 85 | 41 | 1682 | 64.4 | 0.136 | 0.0299 | 4.734 | 4.85 | 4.501 | 14.09 | | 4.025 | | 32.89 | |
Terminalia superba | 35 | 17 | 731.9 | 53.5 | 0.056 | 0.013 | 1.96 | 2.001 | 1.958 | 5.922 | | 3.343 | | 29.2 | |
Tetrapleura tetraptera | 2 | 22 | 73.9 | 16.6 | 0.003 | 0.0013 | 2.540 | 0.114 | 0.197 | 2.852 | | 1.03 | | 19.05 | |
Theobroma cacao | 38 | 15 | 50.8 | 31.2 | 0.061 | 0.0009 | 1.732 | 2.17 | 0.135 | 4.040 | | 1.95 | | 17.39 | |
Trema orientalis | 2 | 2 | 76.5 | 40.1 | 0.003 | 0.0014 | 0.230 | 0.114 | 0.204 | 0.5500 | | 2.506 | | 19.2 | |
Trichilia gilgiana | 3 | 3 | 33.9 | 26.7 | 0.005 | 0.0006 | 0.346 | 0.171 | 0.090 | 0.608 | | 1.668 | | 15.6 | |
Trichilia monadelpha | 31 | 14 | 703.4 | 32.1 | 0.05 | 0.0125 | 1.616 | 1.772 | 1.882 | 5.271 | | 2.006 | | 29.03 | |
Uapaca heudelotii | 7 | 6 | 237 | 35.1 | 0.011 | 0.0042 | 0.692 | 0.400 | 0.634 | 1.727 | | 2.193 | | 24.21 | |
Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides | 5 | 5 | 375 | 78.7 | 0.008 | 0.0067 | 0.577 | 0.285 | 1.003 | 1.866 | | 4.918 | | 26.24 | |
90 | 1749 | 866 | | | 2.798 | 0.6643 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 300 | | 164.68 | | 2116.3 | |
In all, 74 tree species (dbh ≥ 10) from 31 families and 65 genera were recorded along major rivers and streams. Tree species with the highest abundance are Diospyros dendo, Drypetes specie, Cleistopholis patens, Strombosia pustulata, Macaranga barteri, Cassia siamea, Picralima nitida, Musanga cecropioides, and Trichilia monadelpa. The 10 most important species had about half (48.5%) of the total percentage while remaining 64 tree species had 51.49%. Though the 10 most important species had a very low portion (10.74%) of the total basal area, the remaining 64 tree species had a larger percentage of the total basal area (89.26%) in Table 2.
Table 2
Floristic and Stand Characteristics of Riparian Forest in Omo Biosphere Reserve
Riparian forest tree species dominance: number of individuals and basal area 10 most important species |
SPECIES | Absolute Abundance | Relative Abundance (%) | Total dbh (cm) | BA (m2) | Relative Basal Area (%) |
Diospyros dendo | 120 | 20.58 | 2918 | 669.01 | 28.25 |
Drypetes sp. | 106 | 18.18 | 2384.1 | 446.55 | 18.86 |
Cleistopholis patens | 88 | 15.09 | 2372.8 | 442.07 | 18.67 |
Anthocliesta vogelii | 52 | 8.91 | 1269.7 | 126.52 | 5.34 |
Strombosia postulata | 45 | 7.71 | 1682.1 | 222.28 | 9.38 |
Macaranga barteri | 38 | 6.51 | 1493.4 | 175.13 | 7.39 |
Cassia siamea | 38 | 6.51 | 1088 | 93.00 | 3.92 |
Picralima nitida | 34 | 5.83 | 1079.6 | 91.47 | 3.86 |
Musanga cecropioides | 31 | 5.31 | 892.2 | 62.51 | 2.64 |
Trichilia monadelpha | 31 | 5.31 | 703.4 | 38.83 | 1.64 |
Total of the 10 most important tree species | 583 | 48.50 | 15883.3 | 2367.4 | 10.74 |
Total of the remaining 64 tree species | 619 | 51.49 | 20302.7 | 19675.5 | 89.26 |
Overall total of the 74 tree species | 1202 | 100 | 36186.0 | 22042.9 | 100 |
Table 3 shows the Shannon index of trees varies from 2.17 to 3.036 through the major rivers and streams in the core, buffer and transition zones. Riparian forests trees along streams had higher diversity (3.486), followed by the major rivers (3.395) and uplands (3.253). The overall riparian forest tree diversity was 3.743 the Equitability index of Pielou was 0.562. Sorenson similarity index for riparian system and upland in the core, buffer, and transition are 36.7%, 26.9% and 30% respectively. The overall Sorenson index for all riparian system and upland plots is 90%
Table 3
Diversity of tree species in the riparian systems of Omo Biosphere Reserve
Region | Site | No of species | Abundance N | Shannon DiversityH+ | Evenness E | Margalef Simpson Index | Fisher alpha | Sorensons index % |
CORE | Major river | 26 | 267 | 2.773 | 0.615 | 4.304 | 0.906 | 6.78 | 36.7 |
| Stream | 24 | 182 | 2.895 | 0.753 | 4.25 | 0.924 | 7.051 | |
| Upland | 24 | 227 | 2.467 | 0.491 | 4.079 | 0.832 | 6.469 | |
| Major river | 25 | 173 | 2.757 | 0.629 | 4.473 | 0.905 | 7.603 | |
BUFFER | Stream | 33 | 221 | 3.036 | 0.631 | 6.647 | 0.995 | 15.57 | 26.9 |
| Upland | 28 | 230 | 2.82 | 0.598 | 4.793 | 0.907 | 7.983 | |
| Major river | 27 | 137 | 3.14 | 0.859 | 5.178 | 0.949 | 9.984 | 30 |
TRANSITION | Stream | 14 | 209 | 2.17 | 0.626 | 2.250 | 0.847 | 3.078 | 30 |
| Upland | 18 | 90 | 2.3 | 0.554 | 3.62 | 0.818 | 6.473 | |
All region | UPLANDS | 54 | 548 | 3.253 | 0.479 | 11.67 | 0.9582 | 19.61 | |
All region | MAJOR RIVERS | 53 | 583 | 3.395 | 0.561 | 8.037 | 0.9418 | 13.92 | 90.5 |
| STREAMS | 52 | 619 | 3.486 | 0.616 | 7.792 | 0.9558 | 13.23 | |
Riparian Forest of Omo | All major rivers and streams | 75 | 1202 | 3.743 | 0.562 | 10.3 | 0.9625 | 17.44 | |
Figure 2 represents the cluster analysis (Jaccard) showing the similarity in relationship within the 60 plots of major rivers and streams in the core, buffer and Transition zones. There are two major groups relating at 5%, In the first group, plots in the stream of the transition zone (STP8 and STP5) showing the highest similarity at 100% and in the second group, plots in the major river and streams of the core and buffer showed more similarities (MBP6 and SCP6; MBP2 and SCP2) both relating at 100% .
Figure 3 shows the three plant communities in accordance with the cluster shown in Fig. 2 The first community represents the Community ofCleistopholis patensandAnthocleista vogelii as a result of their maximum abundance in the community. These species are found strictly along riparian forests of the Stream and are also restricted mainly to the buffer and transition zones. They were found mainly in the following plots; SBP 1, SBP 2, SBP 6, SBP 10, SBP 5, SBP 9, STP 1, STP 9, STP 2, STP 6, STP 8, STP 7, STP 10, STP 4, STP 8, and STP 5. The Second community represents the Community ofDiospyros dendoandDrypetes species. These species were found in both major rivers and streams and are also restricted to the core and buffer zones. They are found mainly in the following plots SBP 3, SBP 7 SBP 4, SBP 8, MBP 5, SCP 5, MBP 1, MBP 10, SCP 1, MBP 3, SCP 9, MBP 6, MBP 9, MBP 4, SCP 4, MBP 7, SCP 7, SCP 8, MCP 8, MCP 1, MBP 1, SCP2, MBP 8, SCP 10, SCP 6, MCP 6, MCP 10, MCP 4, MCP 5, MCP 2, MCP 3, MCP 7, MCP 9. The third community is the Community ofAfzelia africana. These species are found mostly in the Major rivers and are restricted to the transition zones. They were found in plots MTP 1, MTP 2, MTP 9, MTP 4, MTP 6, MTP 7, MTP 10, MTP 5, MTP 8.