In Sahel, wetlands are particularly endangered hence practical knowledge for their sustainable management is needed. The aim of this study was to compare plant community structure between protected and unprotected wetland bank stands in eastern Burkina Faso. Phytosociological and dendrometrical parameters were carrying out in adult trees, seedling individuals and herbaceous species. Discrimination of plant communities and diversity indices were calculated for each group. Weibull distribution was used to compare the diameter structures. The results shows that plant communities located in riverbanks of unprotected wetlands have a greater specificheterogeneity. They are rich inannual speciesand in species with a wide distribution. Finally their woody stands are characterized by lower basal areas than unprotected wetland riverbank stands. Plant community stands …