Role of community forest reserves in wildlife conservation in Benin, West Africa

Sacred groves and community forests are common ways for local rural African people to conserve natural resources. The importance of traditional approach in wildlife conservation was evaluated with line transect method utilized to assess five community forests. Comparable species richness with similar size protected forests of the same regions were reported. However, fauna composition in community forests was dominated by animals that can inhabit anthropogenic habitats like rodents, primates and small antelopes. We concluded the necessity to accompany such local initiatives mainly in regions lacking protected areas in order to give more chance to protect wildlife for present and future generation.

Source de publication: International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 2010: 4(4): 1318-1327

Contacts du ou des auteurs: Gaston S. AKOUEHOU, Bruno A. DJOSSA (djosbruno@yahoo.fr) , F.C. AHONONGA, B.K. AWESSOU and B. A. SINSIN