Restoration and conservation of mangroves along the Gbaga channel (Togo): issues and challenges

nonele chenal de Gbaga est situé au sud-est du Togo, il es bordé par des mangroves tout le long. Au fil des années, ces mangroves on été en partie détruites par les populations locales pour des multiples raisons. Mais aujourd'hui des conséquences tels que les inondations, la rareté des espèces halieutiques, impacte la population local. Des activités de sensibilisations et de reboisement au été faites, mais elles ont eu plus d'échec que de réussites. Cette recherche consiste à ressortir les causes des destruction des mangroves et proposer un plan de reboisement inclusif et participatif. Ceci contribuera à limiter les conséquence de la destruction des mangroves et surtout bénéficier des services écosystémiques rendu par les mangroves.The gbaga channel is located in the south-east of togo, it is bordered by mangroves all along. Over the years, these mangroves have been partly destroyed by the local population for many reasons. But today, consequences such as flooding, scarcity of fish species, impact on the local population. Awareness raising and reforestation activities have been carried out, but they have had more failure than success. This research consists of identifying the causes of mangrove destruction and proposing an inclusive and participatory reforestation plan. This will help to limit the consequences of mangrove destruction and above all benefit from the ecosystem services provided by mangroves

Sur une approche thermodynamique de la croissance des végétaux (Application au sorgho)

L'objectif de ces travaux est d'étudier les effets du niveau d'oxydation du carbone (Cx) des substances humiques sur la croissance des plantes, notamment le sorgho, en culture hydroponique. Les composés humiques sont remplacés par les acides formique (Cx=+2), acétique (Cx=0) et heptanoïque (Cx=-1,43). L'analyse élémentaire des plantes permet de calculer les groupements fonctionnels fictifs CH2O, CO, CH2, C"libre", leurs rapports et le Cx du carbone. Les relations entre ces valeurs et le Cx des acides organiques, ainsi que l'application de raisonnements identiques aux substances humiques montrent les points suivants. Lorsque le milieu est oxydé, le C des racines est oxydé (C+x), hydraté (CH2O/Ct plus ou moins élevé) et dépolymérisé (existence de CO/Ct). Ces résultats correspondent à la synthèse de cellulose dans les racines, à l'augmentation du poids sec et de la consommation d'eau avec peu de besoins en N de la plante. A l'inverse, quand le milieu est réduit, le C des racines est réduit (C-x), déshydraté (CH2O/Ct faible) et polymérisé (existence de CH2/Ct) avec C"libre"/Ct et C"libre"/CH2O plus ou moins élevé. Ces résultats correspondent à la synthèse de la lignine dans les racines, à la diminution du poids sec et de la consommation d'eau et à des besoins en N plus forts. La partie aérienne donne des résultats différents de ceux obtenus pour les racines.The aim was to study the effects of the carbon oxidation level (Cx) of humic compounds on plant growth, notably sorghum, in hydroponic culture. The humic compounds were replaced by formic acid (Cx=+2), acetic acid (Cx=0) and heptanoic acid (Cx=-1,43). Elemental analysis of the plants was used to calculate the fictitious functional groups CH2O, CO, CH2, C"free", their ratios and the level of oxidation Cx of the carbon. The following points were apparent from the relationships between these values, the Cx of the initially added organic acids and applying the same reasoning to humic compounds: A positive Cx in the environment leads to the oxidation, hydration and slight polymerization of the C in the roots, corresponding to cellulose synthesis. So, there is an increase both in dry weight and water consumption with a relatively low N requirement. In contrast, a negative Cx in the environment induces phenomena of reduction, dehydration and polymerization of the root C, which means lignin formation. In these conditions, less dry matter is produced, the plant consumes less water and requires more N. Aerien parts of plant has different resultsPERPIGNAN-BU Sciences (661362101) / SudocSudocFranceF

Not-for-profit Business Consulting Firm in Africa

Among the entire continent in the world, Africa is the one with plenty valuable resources and many business opportunities. But African themselves, don’t have enough cash to auto-finance their project or to exploit such resources. With the existing financial crisis in Europeans countries, the slowdown of economic into several part of the world and the higher probability of gain from return on investment opportunity in Africa, many European and Asian choose to go to Africa for their business development. Unlikely, the result in terms of economic and social growth is still negative for many African countries. Taking into consideration the fact that many foreign business enterprises which were attracted by Africa business opportunities went to bankrupt after invested a lot of money, and the necessary need of African countries economic development, we propose to launch a consulting firm to bring our modest contribution. Since we have well knowledge of Africa social, political and geographical structure, moreover our knowledge of Asian’s and European’s way of doing business, and our experience of developing and running successful foreign business entities in Africa, we decided to setup our organization. We believe that our organization will be very helpful and a benefic tool for both foreign investors and African countries. Our organization is a not-for-profit organization, which aims to help foreign investors who plan to go to Africa for business purpose, to avoid them to do wrong investments and lose their money and to help African countries to get into social and economic growth. To sustain our organization, will be charging African governments for each valuable investor will bring to them, our clients for consultancy services through personal contact and later on a dedicated Website click and pay services

Use patterns, use values and management of Afzelia africana Sm. in Burkina Faso: implications for species domestication and sustainable conservation

Abstract Background The lack of literature on the interactions between indigenous people and the valuable agroforestry trees hinder the promotion of sustainable management of plant resources in West African Sahel. This study aimed at assessing local uses and management of Afzelia africana Sm. in Burkina Faso, as a prerequisite to address issues of domestication and sustainable conservation. Methods One thousand forty-four peoples of seven dominant ethnic groups were questioned in 11 villages through 221 semi-structured focus group interviews. The surveys encompassed several rural communities living around six protected areas along the species distribution range. Questions refer mainly to vernacular names of A. africana, locals’ motivations to conserve the species, the uses, management practices and local ecological knowledge on the species. Citation frequency was calculated for each response item of each questionnaire section to obtain quantitative data. The quantitative data were then submitted to comparison tests and multivariate statistics in R program. Results A. africana is a locally well-known tree described as a refuge of invisible spirits. Due to this mystery and its multipurpose uses, A. africana is conserved within the agroforestry systems. The species is widely and mostly used as fodder (87.55%), drugs (75.93%), fetish or sanctuary (70.95%), food (41.49%), and raw material for carpentry (36.19%) and construction (7.05%). While the uses as fodder, food and construction involved one organ, the leaves and wood respectively, the medicinal use was the most diversified. All tree organs were traditionally used in 10 medical prescriptions to cure about 20 diseases. The species use values differed between ethnic groups with lower values within the Dagara and Fulani. The findings reveal a total absence of specific management practices such as assisted natural regeneration, seeding, or transplantation of A. africana sapling. However, trees were permanently pruned and debarked by local people. Harvesting of barks mostly contributed to the decline of the species populations. Local people acknowledged declining populations of A. africana with lower densities within the agroecosystems. They also perceived between individuals, variations in the traits of barks, leaves, fruits and seeds. Significant differences were found between ethnic groups and gender regarding the species uses. Local knowledge on the species distribution differed between ethnic groups. Conclusion This study showed the multipurpose uses of A. africana throughout Burkina Faso. The results provide relevant social and ecological indicators to all stakeholders and constitute a springboard towards the species domestication and the elaboration of efficient sustainable conservation plans

Plant-pollinator networks in savannas of Burkina Faso, West Africa

West African savannas are severely threatened with intensified land use and increasing degradation. Bees are important for terrestrial biodiversity as they provide native plant species with pollination services. However, little information is available regarding their mutualistic interactions with woody plant species. In the first network study from sub-Saharan West Africa, we investigated the effects of land-use intensity and climatic seasonality on plant–bee communities and their interaction networks. In total, we recorded 5686 interactions between 53 flowering woody plant species and 100 bee species. Bee-species richness and the number of interactions were higher in the low compared to medium and high land-use intensity sites. Bee- and plant-species richness and the number of interactions were higher in the dry compared to the rainy season. Plant–bee visitation networks were not strongly affected by land-use intensity; however, climatic seasonality had a strong effect on network architecture. Null-model corrected connectance and nestedness were higher in the dry compared to the rainy season. In addition, network specialization and null-model corrected modularity were lower in the dry compared to the rainy season. Our results suggest that in our study region, seasonal effects on mutualistic network architecture are more pronounced compared to land-use change effects. Nonetheless, the decrease in bee-species richness and the number of plant–bee interactions with an increase in land-use intensity highlights the importance of savanna conservation for maintaining bee diversity and the concomitant provision of ecosystem services

Trends and impacts of climate change on crop production in Burkina Faso

Understanding past climate trends and their impacts in the Sahel region is fundamental for climate change (CC) adaptation and mitigation. This study analyses climate trends from 1961 to 2020 in three climatic zones in Burkina Faso and the impacts of CC on five major crops production. Long time series of daily rainfall and temperature data from National Meteorology Agency for the period 1961 to 2020 has been compiled. Crop production data (1984–2020) were retrieved from the agriculture department. Climate temporal variations in each climatic zone were analyzed using extreme climate indices and principal component analysis. Linear regression was used to assess climate impacts on crop production. The results showed a high rainfall variability and changes in temperature extremes in the three zones. The climate window, 1991–2020, was hotter than 1961–1990, while the last decade (2011–2020) was the wettest. Most climate indices (67%) showed significant correlations with crop yields. Dry spells, cool days, cold nights, average daily wet days and rainfall intensity showed positive and negative effects on maize, cowpea, millet and sorghum yields. This study highlights the importance of climate-smart policy promoting drought-resistant and short-duration varieties in addressing the adverse effects of CC on crop production. HIGHLIGHTS The warm tails of the daily temperature distributions are changing faster than the cold tails witnessing a warming climate in Burkina Faso.; Recent decade was wetter across the Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian zones, supporting rain resumption and the Sahel greening hypothesis.; The major crops were differently affected by climate extremes and were more sensitive to these extremes than the average climate conditions.