Perceptions of local populations on the state of phytodiversity in the subwatershed of Kossi river in the municipalities of Dassa-Zoumé and Glazoué in the Center of Benin

In Africa, since several decades a rarefaction of many plant species because of their daily use by people can be observed. This study which was conducted in the subwatershed of the Kossi River aims to collect peasant perceptions about the state of phytodiversity. The data were collected through an individual survey in 10 villages with 492 households. The software CAP version 2.15. and R version 3.3.3. were used for the statistical analysis. In total, 94 species belonging to 83 genera and 38 families were identified. The dominant genera are Ficus, Ocimum, Acacia and Blighia. Forty-six (46) species of the listed species (48.94%) are currently rare and 9 species (19.57%) of those rare species are threatened in Benin. Value of importance (IV) of activity and the consensus value (UCs) of the choice of activity show that logging, agriculture and breeding have greatest influence on species loss. This study gives information on the most used species by the populations and those we can select for reforestation campaigns. As a perspective, a work on the temporal dynamics of the land use units of this sub-basin will be done to better appreciate their evolution over time. En Afrique, on assiste depuis plusieurs décennies à la raréfaction de plusieurs espèces végétales du fait de leur utilisation quotidienne par les populations. La présente étude conduite dans le sous-bassin versant de la rivière Kossi vise à recueillir les perceptions des populations locales sur l’état de la phytodiversité. Les données ont été collectées à travers une enquête individuelle dans 10 villages auprès de 492 ménages. Les logiciels CAP version 2.15. et R version 3.3.3. ont été utilisés pour les analyses statistiques. Au total, 94 espèces reparties en 83 genres et 38 familles ont été recensées. Les genres dominants sont Ficus, Ocimum, Acacia et Blighia et les familles les mieux représentées sont les Caesalpiniaceae, les Papilionaceae et les Combretaceae. Quarante-six des espèces recensées (48,94%) sont actuellement rares et 9 de ces espèces rares (19,57%) sont menacées au Bénin. La Valeur d’Importance (IV) de l’activité et la valeur consensuelle (UCs) du choix de l’activité ont révélé que l’exploitation forestière, l’agriculture et la transhumance sont les principaux facteurs responsables de cette raréfaction. Cette étude renseigne sur les espèces les plus utiles pour les populations et celles à apporter en cas d’enrichissement. Comme perspective, la dynamique temporelle des unités d’occupation du sol de ce sous-bassin sera abordée pour mieux apprécier leur évolution dans le temps

Trade in vulture parts in West Africa:Burkina Faso may be one of the main sources of vulture carcasses

The current catastrophic decline in African vultures is caused mainly by poisoning, and killing for consumption and belief-based use (traditional medicine). To find out more about the key threats to vultures in West Africa, we assessed the main anthropogenic causes of vulture mortality in Burkina Faso. We analysed incidents of mass vulture mortality, based on interviews conducted in 2016 with local butchers, veterinarians, foresters, and abattoir watchmen at 44 sites across the country. A total of 730 interviews revealed that poisoning was the main cause of mortality of vultures in Burkina Faso (20 of the 23 mass mortality incidents described by respondents were caused by poisoning). Poisoning was also the most lethal threat to vultures (779 out of 879 known vulture deaths were due to poisoning). According to the survey, intentional poisoning of vultures with poisoned baits (which comprised 15 out of 23 mass mortality incidents) produced the highest number of victims (577 out of 879 dead vultures). The number of vultures killed by poisoned baits was higher closer to the borders than elsewhere in Burkina Faso and we believe these recent intentional vulture poisoning events in Burkina Faso were intended to meet the growing demand for vulture body parts in West Africa. The survey showed that unintentional poisoning was the second main cause of vulture mass mortality (5 out of 23 mass mortality incidents comprising 202 of 879 dead vultures). Other important anthropogenic causes of vulture mortality included electrocution at electricity poles and motor vehicle collisions. Our results highlight the need for awareness campaigns, improved policy and legislation, and stronger commitment from governments in West Africa, to halt the trade in vultures and prevent their extirpation.</p

Preliminary report on the Pleistocene birds from Crete

A concise account is presented of the Middle-Upper Pleistocene birds from Crete. The elaborate description of this fossil avifauna is in preparation and will be published subsequently.Un bref compte-rendu est donné ici sur les oiseaux du Pléistocène moyen et supérieur de Crète. La description détaillée de cette avifaune est en cours d'élaboration et sera publiée ultérieurement.Weesie Peter D.M. Preliminary report on the Pleistocene birds from Crete. In: Documents des Laboratoires de Géologie, Lyon, n°99, 1987. L'évolution des oiseaux d'après le témoignage des fossiles. Table ronde internationale du CNRS, Lyon-Villeurbanne, 18-21 septembre 1985. pp. 197-200

Breeding Behavior of the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) in the Sudano-Sahelian Area (Garango, Burkina Faso)

Knowledge of Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus) breeding behavior is important for monitoring purposes and to understand factors that may impact their breeding rates. In this study, we describe the breeding behavior of 65 Hooded Vulture pairs during two breeding seasons (2013/2014 and 2014/2015) in the Sudano-Sahelian area, Garango, in central-eastern Burkina Faso. The main behavioral patterns examined were aerial displays, copulation, nest building, incubation, nestling-rearing, and nest attendance. Hooded Vultures appeared highly selective with regard to nesting tree selection (91% of the 65 nests were in one of three species: Parkia biglobosa, Faidherbia albida, and Tamarindus indica). The breeding period of 65 pairs of Hooded Vultures spanned approximately 8 mo from egg-laying to fledging of the young. The constructed nests included a variety of human-made waste (plastic, paper, paperboard, and rags). Incubation lasted 48.1 ± 2.0 (SD) d for 18 hatched eggs. Juveniles continued receiving food from their parents on the nesting site for at least 38 d after fledging, and stayed with their parents for &gt;5 mo post-fledging. Aerial displays were frequently performed by Hooded Vultures in pairs (two adults) or in threes (two adults with juvenile) and those observed early in the breeding season were considered to be courtship displays. Both sexes contributed to nest building and incubation tasks, and nestlings were relatively well attended by parents at all times of the day during the first weeks. Hooded Vultures produced 0.70 fledged young per nest where eggs were laid, or 0.57 fledged young per territorial pair. Hooded Vultures have a relatively healthy reproductive rate, but remain threatened primarily by direct human persecution. Local protection of Hooded Vultures in this area should be strengthened by public awareness campaigns to safeguard the population's long-term persistence.</p

Assessment of renewable energy resources potential for large scale and standalone applications in Ethiopia

This study aims to determine the contribution of renewable energy to large scale and standalone application in Ethiopia. The assessment starts by determining the present energy system and the available potentials. Subsequently, the contribution of the available potentials for large scale and standalone applications are determined taking into account the present energy system. The present energy system shows a large variation between urban and rural consumption. Almost all rural households depend on traditional biomass-based energy for cooking, while about 90% of urban households use electricity for lighting. The current national energy consumption from petroleum and electricity only accounts for 7% of the total energy demand; implying the largest energy need for cooking. The current annual Ethiopian household's energy demand for cooking is ten times as large as the household use for cooking in western countries. About 90% of the energy is lost to the ambient air as a result of the inefficient conversion system during cooking. However, the country has an annual exploitable electric energy potential of 7.5 PWh from solar energy, 4 PWh from wind energy and 0.2 PWh from hydroelectric energy. These renewable sources can supply enough energy to fulfill the demand; however, the energy carrier (electricity) is not appropriate for heating/cooking food, since cooking appliances on electricity are expensive in rural areas. While renewable energy sources can fulfill energy needs at a national scale, they are not at all suitable for fulfilling energy needs in rural areas except lighting and some elementary services. Therefore prevailing western approaches to renewable energy supply systems do not solve energy problems in developing countries. This shows the urgent need for addressing the energy demand for cooking. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Trade in vulture parts in West Africa:Burkina Faso may be one of the main sources of vulture carcasses

The current catastrophic decline in African vultures is caused mainly by poisoning, and killing for consumption and belief-based use (traditional medicine). To find out more about the key threats to vultures in West Africa, we assessed the main anthropogenic causes of vulture mortality in Burkina Faso. We analysed incidents of mass vulture mortality, based on interviews conducted in 2016 with local butchers, veterinarians, foresters, and abattoir watchmen at 44 sites across the country. A total of 730 interviews revealed that poisoning was the main cause of mortality of vultures in Burkina Faso (20 of the 23 mass mortality incidents described by respondents were caused by poisoning). Poisoning was also the most lethal threat to vultures (779 out of 879 known vulture deaths were due to poisoning). According to the survey, intentional poisoning of vultures with poisoned baits (which comprised 15 out of 23 mass mortality incidents) produced the highest number of victims (577 out of 879 dead vultures). The number of vultures killed by poisoned baits was higher closer to the borders than elsewhere in Burkina Faso and we believe these recent intentional vulture poisoning events in Burkina Faso were intended to meet the growing demand for vulture body parts in West Africa. The survey showed that unintentional poisoning was the second main cause of vulture mass mortality (5 out of 23 mass mortality incidents comprising 202 of 879 dead vultures). Other important anthropogenic causes of vulture mortality included electrocution at electricity poles and motor vehicle collisions. Our results highlight the need for awareness campaigns, improved policy and legislation, and stronger commitment from governments in West Africa, to halt the trade in vultures and prevent their extirpation.</p

Local perceptions and sociocultural value of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Hooded Vultures have suffered from dramatic population declines in recent decades owing to anthropogenic pressures. To properly address this threat, the sociocultural perspectives towards this species should be considered. We examined peoples' perceptions, knowledge and beliefs on Hooded Vulture's sociocultural values in Burkina Faso through face to face surveys at 20 sites spread across the country. A total of 900 interviews (with 600 householders and 300 butchers) revealed valuable knowledge and an overall positive perception of Hooded Vultures. More than 72% (n = 653) of interviewees (mostly Mossi, Bissa and Gourmatche ethnic groups) regarded Hooded Vultures as important, venerated and sacred birds, and we received no reports of Hooded Vultures attacking livestock-which is all beneficial to their conservation. Conversely, a minority of interviewees (12%, n = 108) believed that Hooded Vultures are harmful, but the reasons provided for this view were insubstantial. Nevertheless, the negative views towards Hooded Vultures should be urgently examined. Furthermore, the vast majority of respondents (84%, n = 753) viewed Hooded Vulture populations as having decreased and the main reasons provided were decreasing food availability, intentional killing using poisoned baits for beliefmbased use, habitat loss or degradation, and unintentional poisoning. Interestingly, most respondents (84%, n = 760) were acutely aware of the imminence of the Hooded Vulture's possible extinction and are willing to take conservation measures, suggesting both support and eventual success for conservation actions in this area. The key actions suggested by local communities are valuable for vulture conservation and include severely punishing poachers, supplying safe food for Hooded Vultures, preserving and restoring habitat, and raising awareness of Hooded Vulture conservation

Impact of human activities on the reproduction of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in Burkina Faso

During the last decades, the critically endangered Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus has strongly declined across its African range. Although direct persecution has been suggested as a major cause of this decline, little is known about the impact of humans on reproductive output in West Africa. We studied the impact of human activities on the reproductive output of Hooded Vultures in the Garango area of Burkina Faso. Twenty and 56 nesting attempts were monitored, respectively, during the breeding season in 2013/14 and 2014/15, to determine reproductive success and identify causes of nest failure. Annual breeding success varied between 0.68 and 0.71 chicks fledged per breeding pair per year and productivity was assessed at 0.57 chicks fledged per territorial pair in 2014/15. The main threats imposed by humans were poaching of eggs, chicks and collection of nest materials, leading to 20% (13 out of 64 breeding attempts) of nest failures over the two years. An additional important reason for nest failure was the pruning and (partial) cutting of nest trees. Despite this high level of human interference, we found that Hooded Vulture nest success increased with proximity to human settlements, probably because breeding vultures benefit from protection by people against persecution and disturbance.</p

Impact of human activities on the reproduction of Hooded Vultures Necrosyrtes monachus in Burkina Faso

During the last decades, the critically endangered Hooded Vulture Necrosyrtes monachus has strongly declined across its African range. Although direct persecution has been suggested as a major cause of this decline, little is known about the impact of humans on reproductive output in West Africa. We studied the impact of human activities on the reproductive output of Hooded Vultures in the Garango area of Burkina Faso. Twenty and 56 nesting attempts were monitored, respectively, during the breeding season in 2013/14 and 2014/15, to determine reproductive success and identify causes of nest failure. Annual breeding success varied between 0.68 and 0.71 chicks fledged per breeding pair per year and productivity was assessed at 0.57 chicks fledged per territorial pair in 2014/15. The main threats imposed by humans were poaching of eggs, chicks and collection of nest materials, leading to 20% (13 out of 64 breeding attempts) of nest failures over the two years. An additional important reason for nest failure was the pruning and (partial) cutting of nest trees. Despite this high level of human interference, we found that Hooded Vulture nest success increased with proximity to human settlements, probably because breeding vultures benefit from protection by people against persecution and disturbance.Keywords: Burkina Faso, conservation, Hooded Vulture, human impact, reproductio

Influence of micro-habitats on the distribution of macroinvertebrates in Burkina Faso (West Africa)

In this work, we assessed micro-habitat's influence on the distribution of macroinvertebrates in lake Ziga in Burkina Faso from July to December 2016. The water quality variables were measured in situ and the macroinvertebrates were collected with a hand net. The organisms were identified to the lower taxonomic resolution as possible. The results show that the temperature is globally warm, characteristic of tropical area, with a good oxygen content and pH close to neutral. We found five micro-habitats, mainly dominated by fine substrates (32.5%) and aquatic plants (25.83%). The stone, roots and dead woods represented less than 20%. In total, 3,773 individuals of macroinvertebrates were collected. These individuals belong to 33 taxa and three classes. The insects class is the most abundant (88.22%) and the most diversified (24 taxa, 72.72%). The highest taxonomic richness is observed in aquatic plants and root zones. The diversity and density of the macroinvertebrate community varies according to micro-habitats but not according to the size of their surface area. The results showed that coleopterans and hemipterans were strongly and positively correlated to transparency and conductivity (adjusted r&gt;60%, P&lt;0.05). In the local area, the results showed that macroinvertebrates' diversity and distribution are more linked to habitat availability. Our findings reveal a good habitat condition of the lake, and can be served as reference site and hostpot of aquatic biodiversity in the area