DOI: https://doi.org/10.36347/sajb.2026.v14i10.006

Pages: 694-703

Temporary ponds constitute distinct ecological units within the forested-pastoral landscape of the sandy Ferlo region, but their role in maintaining the diversity and structure of woody vegetation remains poorly documented. This study aims to compare the composition, diversity, and structure of woody vegetation across three topographic units (pond, slope and plateau) around 19 temporary ponds located in Widou Theingoly, in northern Senegal. Floristic and dendrometric inventories focused on woody species, their structural characteristics, and their regeneration. Floristic richness and diversity were assessed using the Shannon, Pielou, and Jaccard indices. Differences between topographic units were tested using the Friedman test, supplemented by pairwise comparisons with the Wilcoxon test and a Holm correction. A total of 21 woody species were recorded. The pond unit exhibited the highest species richness with 21 species, compared to 8 on the slopes and 9 on the plateaus. Floristic similarity was low between the ponds and the other units, whereas it was high between the slopes and the plateaus. Balanites aegyptiaca is the dominant species and contributes most significantly to natural regeneration. Statistical analyses reveal highly significant differences among the topographic units in terms of species richness, density, cover, number of individuals, number of suckers, and distance between individuals (p < 0.001). The regeneration rate also differs significantly (p = 0.004), while the number of regenerating species does not vary significantly (p = 0.433). Pools are thus characterized by richer, denser, and more developed woody vegetation. These results highlight their ecological importance and their significance for the conservation of plant diversity and the monitoring of Ferlo ecosystems.