Atindehou Massogble Marc Lucrece
Protected areas such as sacred forests protected by traditional veto boast a unique biocenosis. They contain species of flora and fauna comparable to those found in gazetted forest. Large old trees (LOT) are one typical example of biodiversity preserved by them. Considered as ecological structure, old trees constitute a micro-refuge for threatened species of flora and fauna. In South-Benin, large remnant trees found in sacred sites include Milicia excelsa (Welw.) C. C. Berg, Adansonia digitata L., Blighia sapida K. D. Koenig, Rhodognaphalon brevicuspe Sprague, Ceiba pentandra L. Gaertn., Afzelia Africana Smith ex Pers., Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.Juss and Ficus platyphylla (Delile) which are native to these forests. Each large old individual tree of these species shelters a non-neglected biodiversity of flora (ephiphytic and parasitic plant) and fauna (birds, mammals’ rodents, amphibians and saproxylic beetles). So, the sacred forests are hotspots of biodiversity. Unfortunately, they are now in an advanced state of degradation. Thus, populations of many of these old native tree’s species are felled by humans to satisfy their wood needs and to build socio-economic infrastructure.
For example, the population of Ceiba pentandra’s old trees species are highly threatened by communities who collect resources in sacred forests of Adakplame and Dogo in Ketou district to meet their daily needs (food, wood, and medicinal plants) and see these sacred forest areas as fertile land for agriculture that can be used for a potential extension of their farms. Safeguard measures are therefore needed to ensure the long-term conservation of these IUCN Red List species. In conservation science, in situ conservation is preferred to ex situ conservation. As such, intensifying the involvement of local communities in the efficient management of these sacred areas protected by traditional veto is crucial to maintaining biodiversity and safeguarding livelihoods.
The project aims to: i) document the diversity and priority of LOT species for conservation in sacred protected areas of Benin, ii) assess the ecological roles of LOT as shelter of faunal and flora biodiversity through sacred protected areas, iii) explore the interplay between the climate of sacred forest and growth in Large old native tree Species, iv) produce LOT seedlings for planting in sacred protected forests. In addition to these objectives, the project will initiate restoration actions followed by awareness-raising campaigns. This action will allow us to change the behaviour of local communities regarding the felling of old native sacred forest trees, for effective conservation of the flora and fauna of the sacred forests in cultural landscape.