The mining sector is often presented as a driver of economic growth. However, it has negative effects on flora and vegetation. This study aims to assess the structure and floristic diversity of the vegetation in the area of the SCB-Lafarge cement works of Onigbolo in the municipality of Pobè (southern Benin). The data were collected by means of floristic surveys carried out in 60 rectangular plots of 500 m2 including 30 in abandoned quarries and 30 in non-exploited areas. The vegetation of abandoned quarries has been distinguished into 2 plant formations and that of unexploited areas comprises 4 types of vegetation. A total of 304 species have been recorded, including 180 in quarries and 248 in non-exploited areas. The specific richness varies from one plant formation to another in the two zones. The average specific diversity (4.63 bits) of quarries is lower than that of non-exploited areas (5.62 bits). The density of the woody plants varies from 90 to 132 stems / ha in the quarries and from 160 to 268 stems / ha in the non-exploited areas. The basal area is 2.80 m2 / ha in the quarries and varies from 5.40 to 17.16 m2 / ha in the non-exploited areas. The vegetation of abandoned quarries is floristically less diversified and less structured than that of unexploited areas. The exploitation of limestone therefore participates in the reduction of flora diversity and regressively affects the density and basal area of the woody stand.

Description of the subject: In Benin, honey production is a means of biodiversity conservation and a significant potential source of cash income for the rural people. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify melliferous plants and the nutrients they provide to bees. Method: This study was carried out in the North-West zone of Benin, in the municipal forest of Cobly, in the forest reserve of the hills of Kouandé and in the hunting zone of the Pendjari Park (Tanguiéta). Data collections were conducted from April 2015 to March 2016 using monthly phenological and apiculture releve. Melliferous plants inventories were carried out in a 1 km radius observation area around each apiary made up of 10 Kenyan hives, all colonized by Apis mellifera adansonii on each of the three sites. Results: The total inventoried melliferous flora amounts to 174 species, of which 79 are in the apiary of Cobly, 86 in the apiary of Kouandé and 96 in the apiary of the hunting zone of the Pendjari (Tanguiéta). Leguminosae constitue the most rich family in melliferous species at the three sites. Conclusions: This work allowed to identify 13 species with a high melliferous value, of which Parkia biglobosa and Vitellaria paradoxa represent apiarian plants with high interest in beekeeping in the North-West zone of Benin.

Solanum scabrum Mill. is an important leaf vegetable grown in the tropics and is among the traditional leafy vegetables that are more consumed in food use. In Benin this crop is underused despite its importance in human alimentation, in the traditional pharmacopeia and in socioeconomic plan. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in the Plateau department of southeastern Benin and trials were set up to compare the vegetative growth of the two morphotypes on the one hand and to evaluate the effect of spacings on growth. The values of diversity and fairness indices are low (ID = 0.74 <3 and IE = 0.43 <0.5), indicating an uneven distribution of knowledge about the uses of the species. It is the Nagot (Women, ID = 0.16 and IE = 0.09 and men, ID = 0.14 and IE = 0.08) who hold most of the knowledge about the species. Levels of domestication 0 and 1 were recorded in the villages of Ifangni and Sakété while in Kétou, Pobè and Adja-Ouèrè, levels of domestication are advanced. The Nagot practice picking, the Holli are more market gardening while the Mahi are both picking and market gardening. There is a diversity structured in two morphotypes that are distinguished by recognition traits well defined by the populations. Of the three spacings used (20x50 cm, 30x50 cm and 50x50 cm), that of 30x50cm would optimize vegetative growth and yield for a better productivity of S. scabrum. Further domestication studies are needed to promote the sustainable use of this leaf vegetable in Benin.