Donald Romaric Yehouenou Tessi
Other projects
8 May 2019
Tree Nurseries and Beekeeping: An Alternative for the Rehabilitation of Degraded Forests and Sustainable Rural Development in the Niaouli Natural Forest Region
27 Jan 2023
Preserving Benin's Threatened Tree Species and Improving their Conservation Status in the Context of Climate Change: The Case of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir
The decision to initiate this new project arises from a recognition of the imperative need to address the imminent threats confronting Pterocarpus erinaceus, a species of pronounced socio-economic and ecological significance within the context of Benin. Commonly known as Kosso, this tree species stands as an indispensable resource for rural communities, fulfilling a myriad of functions essential for their sustenance. However, the species faces numerous problems, including habitat degradation, illegal logging practices, and a critical deficit in natural regeneration. These perils are further compounded by the adverse impacts of climate change, exacerbating the precariousness of the species' survival and amplifying existing difficulties. By exploiting the functionalities of species distribution modeling (SDM) tools, we identified regions favorable to the development of the species and began planting initiatives in southern Benin (previous project). However, the main objective is to strengthen the species' presence nationwide, while democratizing its cultivation to enable greater accessibility of these plants and wider use in planting projects.
Project leader observing the target species in a natural forest. ©Donald Romaric Yehouenou Tessi.
The project seeks to bolster the presence of Pterocarpus erinaceus in the ecosystems of central and northern Benin through strategic planting initiatives. By using the results of the SDM models and by the way expanding the species' distribution range through Strengthening Planting Initiatives, the project aims to enhance its resilience and ensure its continued existence in these regions. By raising awareness among local communities in the central and northern regions of Benin about the threats facing Pterocarpus erinaceus, the project aims to foster greater community involvement in conservation efforts and encourage sustainable practices to mitigate these threats. Collectively, these efforts underline the relevance and importance of this new project, not only for the conservation of Pterocarpus erinaceus, but also for the protection of other threatened tree species. Additional threatened species identified in previous projects merit ex-situ conservation actions as a starting point for concrete initiatives to safeguard them in Benin's ecosystems over the long term.