Role of Cities in Native Woody Species Conservation and Carbon Storage Insight From Niger

Abstract

Loss of native tree species constitutes a major socio-economic and ecological problem. Nevertheless, there is scanty data on the role of Sahelian cities in native woody species conservation and climate change mitigation. This study tried to determine the native woody diversity, structure, and carbon stocks in Niamey, and Maradi, Niger. The study used the plot method to inventory dendrometric variables based on a stratified sampling approach from peri-urban areas to the built environment. Biodiversity indices and allometric models were used for the data analysis. A total of 63 native woody species representing 47 genera and 24 families were recorded in the overall urban forests in two cities. In Niamey, 46 species belonging to 35 genera and 19 families were recorded while in Maradi, 50 species, 41 genera, and 19 families were inventoried. Fabaceae was the dominant families in both cities with equal richness (13 species).