Regenerating plant species of a highly anthropised tropical forest in Cte dIvoire, West Africa

Haut-Sassandra classified forest (FCHS) lost more than 70% of its forest cover between 2000 and 2011 due to armed conflict and cocoa cultivation. The government is concerned about the future of this forest and whether it can regenerate naturally. Observations likely to uncover plant species that are capable of regenerating the forest were collected through systematic sampling comprising 18 line transects each containing 20 segments. In each segment, it was noted, firstly, the species present and their height and, secondly, the forest cover and the artificial features that reflect human actions. Different observations recorded in the field were processed by frequency analysis in order to find the species able to regenerate easily for a best forest because they belong to a vegetation reconstitution. Principal results showed that the numerous coexistences, in the segments, of the fallow and forest characters in reconstitution mean that fallow land allows for the reconstitution of the forest, in a progressive vegetation sequence. Fifty-nine species appeared capable of naturally regenerating the classified FCHS. This result will help authorities and other deciders to adopt an adequate scenario for this forest management.   Key words: Deforestation, abandoned cocoa farms, forest regeneration, agricultural activity, tropical forest.