Structure des groupes de primates et leur régime alimentaire dans la forêt sacrée de Kikélé au Bénin

This study aimed at accessing the population size and structure of primates and inventorying plants and organs on which they feed in the sacred forest of Kikélé in the district of Bassila in northern Benin. Diurnal and nocturnal primates were counted by the complete count method. Surveys of 60 resource persons and field observations during 90 days were carried out to inventory the plants and organs consumed by primates. Results showed that the sacred forest of Kikele shelters three species of primates including a nocturnal species Galago senegalensis (16 individuals) and two diurnal species, Cercopithecus mona (2 individuals) and Colobus vellerosus (28 individuals). In total, 35 plant species have been inventoried as food resources for C. vellerosus, 39 plant species for C. mona and 12 plant species for G. senegalensis. G. senegalensis consumed only mature fruits, while the two other species consumed mainly fruits and leaves. Leguminosae and meso-phanerophytes were the most represented in the diet. Primates show flexibility in their diet linked to the phenology of the plants. Keywords: Primates, size, feeding, Kikele, BeninLa présente étude a été conduite dans le but de dénombrer les populations de primates et d’inventorier les plantes et organes dont ils se nourrissent dans la forêt sacrée de Kikélé dans la commune de Bassila au Nord-Bénin. Les primates diurnes et nocturnes ont été dénombrés par la méthode de comptage complet. Des enquêtes auprès de 60 personnes ressources et observations de terrain durant 90 jours ont été faites pour inventorier les plantes et organes consommés par les primates. La forêt sacrée de Kikélé, abrite trois espèces de primates dont une espèce nocturne Galago senegalensis (16 individus dénombré) et deux espèces diurnes dont Cercopithecus mona (2 individus) et Colobus vellerosus (28 individus). 35 espèces végétales ont été inventoriées comme ressources alimentaires pour C. vellerosus, 39 espèces végétales pour C. mona et 12 espèces végétales pour G. senegalensis. G. senegalensis se nourrit exclusivement de fruits matures, tandis que les deux autres espèces se nourrissent principalement des fruits et de feuilles. Les leguminosae et les méso-phanérophytes étaient les plus représentés dans le régime alimentaire. Les primates manifestent une flexibilité dans leur régime alimentaire liée à la phénologie des plants. Mots clés: Primates, taille, alimentation, Kikélé, Béni

Structure des groupes de primates et leur régime alimentaire dans la forêt sacrée de Kikélé au Bénin

La présente étude a été conduite dans le but de dénombrer les populations de primates et d’inventorier les plantes et organes dont ils se nourrissent dans la forêt sacrée de Kikélé dans la commune de Bassila au Nord-Bénin. Les primates diurnes et nocturnes ont été dénombrés par la méthode de comptage complet. Des enquêtes auprès de 60 personnes ressources et observations de terrain durant 90 jours ont été faites pour inventorier les plantes et organes consommés par les primates. La forêt sacrée de Kikélé, abrite trois espèces de primates dont une espèce nocturne Galago senegalensis (16 individus dénombré) et deux espèces diurnes dont Cercopithecus mona (2 individus) et Colobus vellerosus (28 individus). 35 espèces végétales ont été inventoriées comme ressources alimentaires pour C. vellerosus, 39 espèces végétales pour C. mona et 12 espèces végétales pour G. senegalensis. G. senegalensis se nourrit exclusivement de fruits matures, tandis que les deux autres espèces se nourrissent principalement des fruits et de feuilles. Les leguminosae et les méso-phanérophytes étaient les plus représentés dans le régime alimentaire. Les primates manifestent une flexibilité dans leur régime alimentaire liée à la phénologie des plants. Mots clés: Primates, taille, alimentation, Kikélé, Béni

Effect of climate and habitat on morphological characteristics and fruit production of Picralima nitida (Stapf) in West Africa

Picralima nitida is an important African medicinal plant species used in pharmaceutical industries and traditional medicine to treat several diseases. Despite its importance, the species faces conservation problem. This study evaluated the effect of climate and habitat on morphological characteristics and fruit production of P. nitida. A total of 132 fruiting trees was randomly sampled from three habitat types (home gardens, botanical garden and natural forest) and three soils (Nitisols, Arenosols and Acrisols) in Dahomey Gap and Guineo-Congolese zone.  A total of 5 morphological traits and fruit production were recorded per tree to describe the relationship between morphological determinism of the species and climate. Pearson correlation was performed to identify the suitable habitat type in each climatic zone. Harmonized World Soil Database was used to determine physicochemical characteristics of the soil types on which the species occurred. Results revealed that the climatic zones (p<0.001) and habitat types (p<0.0001) influenced significantly the morphological characteristics and fruit production of P. nitida. High trees with more number of fruits were observed in home gardens on acid soils (Nitisols (pH: 5) and Arenosols (pH: 5.3)) in Dahomey Gap. In Guineo-Congolese zone, the species was more present in natural forest on acid Acrisols (pH: 5)

Effects of unpaid caring activities and social norms on women’s employment in mangrove areas of Ramsar site 1017 in Benin (West Africa)

Social norms drive women to practice unpaid caring activities that constitute an important barrier to their access to paid activities within the labour market in Benin. Assessing how far unpaid caring activities affect their business activities will help to improve the livelihoods of women. A survey was carried out in the district of Ouidah, with 300 households randomly selected to be issued with a questionnaire. Four types of households were identified according to their different characteristics. Payment for domestic work varied from one household to another. Most of the household types entrusted the care of their children to family members. Childcare, eldercare, and other home tasks were assigned to women according to the social norms, with men carrying out the more physically demanding roles (coconut harvesting, moto riding, basket lixiviation, palisade construction, fishing). The time allocated to work by women decreased with the increased coverage of the households' needs and the education level of women in the household. This study provides knowledge that could help decision makers to design appropriate strategies to reduce women's unpaid domestic work and to close the gender gap in the different households in mangrove areas of Ramsar site 1017 in Benin

Effect of climate and habitat on morphological characteristics and fruit production of <i>Picralima nitida</i> (Stapf) in West Africa

Picralima nitidaP. nitid

How Far the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Protects Biodiversity in the Dahomey-Gap Corridor, West Africa?

Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (MTBR) is rich in biodiversity associated with different multi-functional ecosystems in the Dahomey-Gap corridor in the southern border between Benin and Togo. The reserve has been facing many anthropogenic pressures since few years including the uncontrolled exploitation of forest resources, and fragmentation of habitats and permanent search for arable land. Thus, it becomes important to develop prospective analysis approaches in order to provide specific insights for a balanced biodiversity. This study aims to provide scientific evidence to better understand and project future changes in LULC in the MTBR at different spatial and temporal scales. Changes in LULC were used to map the MTBR in 1986, 2000, and 2015 and to predict the LULC in the future up to 2070 using Markovian chain analysis. During 1986–2000, urban agglomeration/bare soil (8.79 ha/year) increased, whereas the natural vegetation cover increased during the period 2000–2015, particularly mangroves (9.81 ha/year). Assuming the dynamic observed, the mangroves will increase by 2070 (6% of its cover). However, an important increase is also expected for farmland (13% of its cover). It is, therefore, important to strengthen the actions and strategies around and within the MTBR for sustainable management of biological resources

Valeur des bois-énergie, bois d’œuvre et de service dans les zones de mangroves des sites Ramsar 1017 et 1018 au Bénin

This study aims to determine the value of wood and the share of household income allocated to wood consumption expenses in the mangrove areas of RAMSAR sites 1017 and 1018 in Benin, with a view to better planning reforestation programs in the peripheral areas of RAMSAR sites and reducing pressure on natural forests. Surveys were carried out among 1,060 stakeholders from various trades involved in wood processing (heads of households, housewives, food vendors, firewood collectors and retailers, charcoal manufacturers and retailers, loggers, carpenters and sawyers) in the mangrove areas of the two sites. The results showed that a household spends an average 18 446 Fcfa/year on timber consumption, 8 311 Fcfa/year on service wood, 110 230 Fcfa/year on firewood and 30 295 Fcfa/year on charcoal at RAMSAR site 1017. At site 1018, average expenditure per household is 33,938 CFA francs per year for timber, 17,700 CFA francs per year for service wood, 94,535 CFA francs per year for firewood and 24,090 CFA francs per year for charcoal. The study suggests developing a policy of planting the species used for wood and promoting less costly sources of energy for households

What shapes the mammal species poaching in protected areas: biophysical or anthropogenic factors? A case study in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve

Understanding what shapes the mammal species poaching in protected areas is critical to developing targeted management strategies for reducing poaching. We collected the data for poaching incidents on the GPS coordinates from 2011 to 2017 to map poaching incidents in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve. Poaching incidents were then related to environmental and anthropogenic variables using regression analyses. The study shows that poaching is more concentrated along the main river in the Pendjari National Park. Only nearest distance to the main river significantly predicted the location of high poaching incidents. These results could be used as the starting point by the park managers when planning the anti-poaching activities

What shapes the mammal species poaching in protected areas: biophysical or anthropogenic factors? A case study in Pendjari Biosphere Reserve

Understanding what shapes the mammal species poaching in protected areas is critical to developing targeted management strategies for reducing poaching. We collected the data for poaching incidents on the GPS coordinates from 2011 to 2017 to map poaching incidents in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve. Poaching incidents were then related to environmental and anthropogenic variables using regression analyses. The study shows that poaching is more concentrated along the main river in the Pendjari National Park. Only nearest distance to the main river significantly predicted the location of high poaching incidents. These results could be used as the starting point by the park managers when planning the anti-poaching activities