Diversité floristique, structure écologique et classification des communautés végétales des savanes du Plateau des Batéké (République démocratique du Congo)

Publication Date : 04/10/2026

DOI: 10.59228/rcst.026.v5.i4.349

Author(s) :

Grace Mpoyi, Pisco Menga, Joslin Fumukani, Josué Kunga, Blanchard Mayundo, Bonaventure Masens, Félicien Lukoki.

Volume/Issue :

Volume 5

Issue 4

(10 - 2026)

Abstract :

The Batéké Plateau savannas constitute one of the major open ecosystems of Central Africa, yet their floristic diversity and phytosociological organization remain poorly documented in the Kinshasa region. This study aimed to characterize the floristic composition, plant diversity, and phytosociological structure of the Batéké Plateau savannas. Fifty-five phytosociological plots of 625 m² were surveyed across four sites using the Braun-Blanquet approach. Data analyses combined diversity indices, hierarchical clustering, Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA), and the Indicator Value (IndVal) and Similarity Percentage (SIMPER) methods.A total of 277 species belonging to 180 genera and 57 families were recorded. Fabaceae (18.05%), Poaceae (11.55%), Asteraceae (10.11%), and Cyperaceae (10.11%) were the most species-rich families. The flora exhibited high diversity (Shannon index = 4.759; Simpson index = 0.984) and relatively high evenness (Pielou’s index = 0.846). Ecological spectra were dominated by herbs (71%), therophytes (30%), and sclerochorous species (35%), whereas Afrotropical (24.5%) and Guineo-Congolian (22.7%) phytogeographical elements were the most represented. Multivariate analyses identified four distinct plant communities: the Loudetia arundinacea-Ctenium newtonii community, the Loudetia demeusei-Ctenium newtonii community, the Loudetia simplex community, and the Hyparrhenia rufa community. IndVal and SIMPER analyses revealed that floristic differentiation among communities was primarily driven by a limited set of dominant grasses, particularly species of Poaceae.These findings highlight the ecological and biogeographical significance of the Batéké Plateau savannas and provide a valuable baseline for biodiversity monitoring, vegetation classification, and long-term conservation planning in this transitional region of Central Africa.