DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2026.v14i07.001

Pages: 487-495

In the Congolese Basin, the savannahs serve as grazing lands for N’dama cattle. Overgrazing can lead to a decline in plant diversity and herbaceous production, which would indicate that the pastures are in a state of degradation. The aim of this study is to analyse changes in plant diversity in the pastures of the Okouéssé ranch. The plant inventory was carried out using the aligned quadrat method. Plant diversity was assessed by calculating biological diversity indices. Three types of pasture were identified Trachypogon spicatus (L.f.) Kuntze pasture, Ctenium newtonii Hack. Pasture and Elionorus hensii K. Schum. pasture. Plant biodiversity in the pastures increased slightly in 2024 (2.38 ± 0.13) compared with 2023 (2.14 ± 0.11). The flora of these pastures is poorly diversified and the distribution of individuals within species is uneven (0.65 ± 0.01 to 0.67 ± 0.05). Grazing appears to alter the floristic composition of the pastures. The presence of Ctenium newtonii Hack. And Elionorus hensii K., Schum. Indicates a threat of degradation to the forage potential of the pastures studied. The results of this study could serve as a basis for further work on the sustainable management of pastures in the study area and elsewhere in the Congo and the intertropical zone.