Production of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth. for reforestation in southern Benin

The viability of Acacia auriculiformis production system in southern Benin was studied from an analytical perspective combining the production techniques and the financial profitability. The driving research question was as follows: "Will the nurseries be able to supply the seedlings suited to successful reforestation programmes?" A survey was carried out among nursery holders in the Atlantique Department. The snowball sampling method enabled to survey 55 nursery holders, based on semi-structured interviews. Respondents provided data on the organisation of production, production techniques, production costs, and sales revenues. There were two types of nurseries: individual nurseries and collective nurseries. The stages of acacia seedlings production were as follows: seed collection, dormancy breaking, sowing, and cares for young seedlings. Overall, the production techniques used by nursery holders were effective. The net revenue for 1000 seedlings ranged between XOF 9000 and 26000. Collective nurseries had lower production costs, hence higher revenues, compared to individual nurseries. It is essential to support nursery holders through capacity strengthening training and the availability of good quality seeds

Importance Socio-Économique De Xylopia Aethiopica (Dun) A. Rich. Pour Les Populations Du Sud-Bénin

Xylopia aethiopica is a multi-purpose Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP) which products are consumed across Africa. This study aimed at generating useful information to support the sustainable management of Xylopia aethiopica in southern Benin. A survey was carried out to interview 122 stakeholders, including consumers and traders. Data were collected on the consumption of Xylopia aethiopica products, the income generated by their marketing, and the management the species trees by local people. As results, the species was mainly used in traditional medicine. Other forms of consumption included: spiritual rituals, fuelwood, food, and construction timber. Among Xylopia aethiopica products, the fruits were the most commercialized. The stakeholders operating in the commercialization system were: collectors, processors-wholesalers, and retailers. The gross margin per 100 kg of fruits averaged XOF 4500 for collectors and processors- wholesalers, and XOF 2500 for retailers. Xylopia aethiopica trees were privately managed based on land ownership. Given the decrease of the species, because of over-exploitation and cultural beliefs, the sensitizing of local people and the promotion of domestication are expected to support its conservatio

Impacts of forest pests on wood production in Khaya senegalensis plantations established in three climatic regions of Benin

Empirical data reporting forest pest damage on Khaya senegalensis have raised concerns over their potential economic impacts. Although the problem was also reported in Benin, scientific data on their economic impact on plantations are lacking. In this study, we combined dendrometry and survey data to estimate the economic impact of wood damage caused by pests in K. senegalensis plantations in Benin. We found that four major pest guilds cause damage to the plantations with severe wood production loss. Wood borers are the most economically damaging guild, mainly in mature plantations, while shoot borers and defoliators predispose trunks to bifurcation and deformation in young plantations. We estimated damage to 8.3 ± 5.4 m3 ha-1 of wood production, corresponding to an economic loss of 825.5 ± 635.4 USD ha-1. Our findings suggest that pest management in K. senegalensis plantation should focus on the developmental stages and ecological interactions between host and pest to reduce the economic impacts of wood damage. Keywords: African mahogany, Major pest, Destruction of wood, Economic impac

Systèmes Agroforestiers A Garcinia Kola Heckel Au Sud-Est Du Bénin : Distribution Géographique, Connaissances Endogènes Et Retombées Financières

This study was carried out in three districts (Avrankou, Adjarra, and Ifangni) of south-eastern Benin, and aimed to analyze the socio-economic and ethnobotanical importance of Garcinia kola Heckel, in order to contribute to their sustainable management. Focus groups were conducted with three groups, composed of 10 owners of G. kola per district each and the result showed that Garcinia kola Heckel became extinct in their naturally occurring state in Benin. Besides, a survey was conducted among 140 owners of G. kola randomly selected in the study area. The results showed that the average number of G. kola feet per owner varies between 3 and 4, and the annual income generated from seeds marketing by an owner is XOF 1036000 in Adjarra district, XOF 356250 in Avrankou district, and XOF 290892 in Ifangni district. Furthermore, the ethnobotanical study showed that G. kola organs are well known and used by local people for medicine, food (for both humans and animals), commercial, spiritual purpose, and for timber and shading. The medicinal use was the most widespread with a diversity of uses (UD = 0.64 in Adjarra, UD = 0.61 in Avrankou and UD = 0.68 in Ifangni). The old men held more knowledge about the use of various organs of the species (ID = 0.91, IE = 0.91), while young women hold less knowledge (ID = 0.20, IE = 0.20). The seeds are the most common part used regardless of the district considered

Régénération Naturelle Assistée Du Teck (Tectona Grandis L. F.) Dans La Forêt Classée De La Lama Au Bénin

La régénération naturelle assistée, technique utilisée pour favoriser le développement du potentiel adventif et du potentiel séminal des arbres, est un mode de reproduction adopté de nos jours pour renouveler et pérenniser les formations forestières. La présente étude a été réalisée dans les plantations de la forêt classée de la Lama, situées entre 6°55' et 7°00' de latitude Nord et entre 2°4' et 2°12' de longitude Est. Elle vise à proposer une technique de régénération naturelle assistée peu coûteuse adaptée aux peuplements de teck installés sur des vertisols hydromorphes. Trois méthodes de régénérations naturelles assistées ont été testées sur quatre types de sols (vertisol argilosableux, vertisol argileux, vertisol argilo-calcaire et vertisols argilo-calcaire superficiel). Pour chaque traitement sur chaque type de sol, deux placeaux carrées de 100 m2 ont été matérialisés avec chacun huit placettes de 4 m2. La régénération a été inventoriée dans chaque placette et des relevés ont été effectués par rapport au nombre, hauteur et circonférence au collet des jeunes plants. L’évaluation des coûts de la méthode a été réalisée grâce à une comptabilité analytique régulière prenant en compte toutes les dépenses d’installation et de maintenance des parcelles expérimentales. La densité, hauteur et circonférence au collet varient significativement en fonction des types de sol. Toutefois, les plants sont plus développés en hauteur et en circonférence au collet dans les interlignes que sur les lignes. La régénération sur sol non travaillé est le moins coûteuse et donc celui à recommander aux gestionnaires des teckeraies de la Lama. Assisted natural regeneration is a technique used to promote the development of the seminal potential of trees. Actually, it is a mode of reproduction adopted to renew and sustain the forests. This study was carried out in the plantations of the Lama reserve (between 6° 55' and 7° 00' north and between 2° 4'and 2° 12' east). It aims to propose an inexpensive assisted natural regeneration method adapted to teak stands installed on hydromorphic vertisols. Three assisted natural regeneration methods were tested on four soil types ((clay-sandy vertisol, clay vertisol, clay-limestone vertisol, and superficial clay-limestone vertisols). For each treatment about each type of soil, two square plots (100 m2) were materialized with eight plots of 4 m2 each one. Regeneration was inventoried in each plot and data are collected about number, height, and circumference at the neck of seeding. The production costs were assessed through regular cost accounting taking into account all the installation and maintenance expenses of the experimental plots. From the results, density, height, and collar circumference vary significantly with soil types. However, the seedlings are more developed in height and circumference at the collar in the interlinings than on the lines. Regeneration on unworked soil is the least expensive and therefore the one to recommend to managers of teak plantations of the Lama

Floristic and structural changes in secondary forests following agricultural disturbances: the case of Lama forest reserve in Southern Benin

Structural changes in secondary forests are less known in West Africa, and this precludes their management. This study aims at providing quantitative information on floristic composition and structure of the Lama secondary forests (Benin), so as to contribute to their restoration, and fill part of knowledge gaps on West African secondary forests. Data of 77 permanent plots each of 0.5 ha were used to analyze the floristic composition, the trajectory of the recovery and the recovery of stocking in these forests, compared to nearby old-growth forests. The results showed that the forests were less diversified with few species very common in the forest stands; the most dominant were Lonchocarpus sericeus and Anogeissus leiocarpa in the secondary forests, and Dialium guineense, Diospyros mespiliformis and Afzelia africana in the old-growth forests. The secondary forests hold more species than the mature ones. Their compositions will recover that of the original forest because species of the original forest were actively regenerating in the secondary forests. About 28 years after recovery, large trees were insufficient and basal area was about 60% of those of the mature forests. Further studies are needed to elucidate barriers to tree regeneration and dynamics of tree population.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Secondary forest, recovery, diversity, species composition, timber stock, Beni

Facteurs déterminants de la volonté des petits pêcheurs d'adopter la cogestion des droits de propriété dans le complexe lagunaire du lac Nokoué et de Porto-Novo au sud-est du Bénin.

peer reviewedThe estuarian and lagoon areas of southeast Benin are atypical lake territories where private property rights are hereditary from endogenous legal tradition. People live in stilt dwellings and are exclusively dedicated to free-to-access fishing. Consequently, an increasing number of fishers with low respect for the State’s general rules for sustainable fishing contribute to legal pluralism and the tragedy of the commons. Co-management of small-scale fisheries has been advocated to offer various benefits, including improved socio-ecological integration, shared sustainable livelihoods, and adherence to biodiversity objectives. This study aims to assess the factors that influence the willingness of small-scale fishers to adopt property rights co-management options in southeast Benin. The data were collected using the discrete choice experiment method. The results show that 44% of fishers are willing to adopt property rights co-management options. This willingness is determined by their involvement in the co-management committee, access to a subsidy and livelihood diversification options. These fishers are the oldest in the sample and primarily owners of Acadja, a traditional fishing tool made of bush and tree branches planted in the lake. Institutional agreements for co-management establishment, such as subsidies to support small-scale fishers’ livelihood diversification and capacity-building, must be set up to achieve co-management goals.14. Life below wate

Facteurs déterminants de la volonté des pêcheurs artisanaux d'adopter la cogestion des droits de propriété dans le complexe lac Nokoué et lagune de Porto-Novo au Bénin : Approche par une expérience de choix discret

The estuarian and lagoon areas of southern Benin are an atypical lake territory where private property rights are inherited from endogenous law. In this area, people live in stilt dwellings and exclusively for free-to-access fishing. Consequently, an increasing number of fishers with low respect for the State’ general rules for fishing sustainability contribute to the tragedy of commons. Co-management of small-scale fisheries has been advocated to offer various benefits, including improved socio-ecological integration, shared sustainable livelihoods and adherence to biodiversity objectives. This study aims to assess the factors that influence the willingness of small-scale fishers to adopt property rights co-management options in southern Benin. We interviewed a random sample of 277 small-scale fishers. The data collected using the Discrete Choice Experiment were analysed using mixed and latent class logit models. The results show that only 44% of fishers are willing to adopt property rights co-management options. This willingness to adopt is determined by their involvement in the co-management committee, access to a subsidy and livelihood diversification options. However, they would prefer to keep the area of water granted as small as possible, even if they are motivated to contribute to more open space on the water bodies. These fishers are primarily owners of Acadja, members of fishers’ associations, and are the oldest in the sample. Institutional agreements for co-management establishment, subsidies to support small-scale fishers’ livelihood diversification and capacity-building must be set up to reduce their fishing time and ensure fishery viability.6. Clean water and sanitatio

Plantations de teck, Tectona grandis L.f., en sylviculture paysanne au Sud-Bénin

peer reviewedThis article used the farming system framework to characterise smallholder plantings of teak, Tectona grandis L.f., in southern Benin. The intention of this study was to show the policy line best suited to capturing the potential of smallholder forestry. The specific question addressed was as follows: how do smallholder farmers manage to integrate tree growing on their farms? Empirical assessments were based on a sample of 221 farmers selected through a cluster sampling procedure in five municipalities in the Atlantic district. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews based on a standardised questionnaire. A multivariate approach associating cluster analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to build a typology of teak planting systems. This was based on production objectives, the teak plantation area, overall farm size and the contribution of family labour to timber production. The study enabled to identify three planting systems related to different strategies for integrating teak planting on smallholdings. These planting systems were classified as “small - labour dominant” (33.48% of the sample), “medium - capital dominant” (37.56%), and “large - capital dominant” (28.96%). The farmers specialised in pole-wood production to supply urban demand for cheap construction timber in the region. The first three motivations for growing teak were to earn income, to satisfy household timber needs and to secure title to the land; however, the ranking of the last two motivations was reversed among farmers in the “large - capital dominant” planting system. Secure land tenure and the existence of a domestic market outlet are essential to successful development of on-farm tree growing.Cette étude se place dans le cadre du système agricole pour caractériser les modes de culture du teck, Tectona grandis L.f., sur les petites exploitations au Sud Bénin, avec pour objectif de cerner des orientations politiques à même de valoriser le potentiel de la sylviculture paysanne. La question posée est la suivante : par quels moyens les petits agriculteurs intègrent-ils la sylviculture sur leurs exploitations ? Une évaluation empirique a été menée en se basant sur un échantillon de 221 petits exploitants sélectionnés par échantillonnage en grappes sur cinq communes du département de l’Atlantique. Les données ont été recueillies par le biais d’entretiens en tête-à-tête à l’aide d’un questionnaire standardisé. Une approche à variable multiples associant analyse typologique et analyse en composante principale (Acp) a permis d’établir une typologie des systèmes de plantation du teck. Cette typologie se base sur les critères suivants : objectifs de production, superficies plantées en teck, taille de l’exploitation et contribution de la main-d’oeuvre familiale à la production de bois. L’étude a permis d’identifier trois systèmes de plantation associés aux différentes stratégies d’intégration d’une activité de sylviculture paysanne. Ces trois systèmes ont été classés selon les critères suivants : « petite taille à main-d’œuvre dominante » (33,48 % de l’échantillon), « taille moyenne à capital dominant » (37,56 %), et « grande taille à capital dominant» (28,96 %). Les exploitants se spécialisent dans la production de perches pour satisfaire la demande régionale de bois d’oeuvre à bas prix pour la construction urbaine. Les trois raisons principales motivant l’intégration des plantations de teck sont, dans l’ordre, la recherche de revenus, la satisfaction des besoins en bois de construction des ménages et la sécurisation des titres fonciers. Cependant, l’ordre des deux dernières est inversé dans le cas du système « grande taille à capital dominant ». La sécurité foncière et l’existence d’un marché domestique sont indispensables pour réussir le développement d’une sylviculture paysanne