Patterns of Woody Plant Species Composition and Diversity in Dinder National Park, Sudan

Abstract

Dinder National Park (DNP), Sudan, established in 1935, is one of the oldest parks in Africa. The park supports a diverse array of fauna and flora which may not be found elsewhere in the region. This study was conducted in 2009 to assess the composition and diversity of woody species in five different habitats in the DNP. These habitats are Acacia seyal-Balantines aegyptiaca; Combretum-Balanites-Acacia seyal-Acacia sibirana; Acacia seyal-Balanites-Acacia complycantha; Hyphaenesp-Ficus sp and Acacia seyal-Acacia complycantha-Acacia senegal. Twenty sample plots (20x20 m) were randomly allocated in each habitat. Number of stems for woody species was inventoried in each plot. A total of 22 woody species were identified, belonging to 11 families. Families with the highest number of species include Mimosaceae (6 species) and Combretaceae (4 species). Five species with the highest overall occurrence percentages were Acacia seyal var. Seyal (73%), Combretum glutinosum (58%), Piliostigma thonningii (33%), Ziziphus spina- christi (27%) and Combretum hartmanianum (21%). The highest diversity index (1.025) was obtained in Hyphaene sp- Ficus sp habitat which at the same time had the lowest dominance value (0.111). There were distinguished patterns of species distributions and abundance among the five habitats. This documentation on the patterns of species assemblages across habitats is important aim for conservation and monitoring vegetation changes in DNP. The findings of this study will be useful in formulating scientifically sound management and conservation strategies for the forest ecosystem of DNP.