Abstract
Patterns of semi—deciduous forest are investigated in Benin by means of phytosociological relevés and multivariate analyses. Species and family importance values are assessed for each forest type. The classifications and DCA ordination of 176 semi—deciduous forest relevés result in six forest types, patterned along climatic and edaphic gradients. The described forest types and their floristic composition (both at species and family levels) are comparable to those recognised in other parts of West Africa where the semi—deciduous forest is more continuous. The leading dominant families were Malvaceae, Fabaceae, Cannabaceae, Putranjivaceae, Ebenaceae and Moraceae. The Drypetes aframensis—Nesogordonia papaverifera forest type appears to be that in which the Cannabaceae, Malvaceae, Putranjivaceae and Violaceae are best represented. The record of many Upper Guinean endemic species in Benin's forest islands provids strong evidence for past floristic connections of the Dahomey Gap with the West African rain forest zone.
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