Wildlife of Benin

Benin has varied resources of wildlife comprising flora and fauna, which are primarily protected in its two contiguous protected areas of the Pendjari National Park and W National Park. The former is known for many species of avifauna and the latter park is rich in mammals and predators. In addition, many other forest reserves are noted in the country but are not easily accessible, well protected or adequately surveyed for its wildlife resources. The protected area of Benin which is defined as a National Protected Area System is in northern Benin, mostly with a woody savanna ecosystem. It covers 10.3 percent of the nation and is part of the three-nation W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (WAP) (of which 43 percent is in Benin, 36 percent in Burkina Faso and 21 percent in Niger).[1][2][3][4]

Left: The Mekrou River in W National Park. Right: Aerial oblique view of a gapped bush plateau in W National Park. The mean distance between two consecutive gaps is 50 meters.
Location of Benin

Forests of particular note are the riparian forests which form a dominant ecosystem, accounting for one-third of the estimated flora of 3,000 species in Benin.[5] These forests are found along river banks consisting of semi-deciduous, dry, and open forest and woodland savanna. However, these systems have been subject to severe misuse by way of deforestation, which necessitated the enforcement of a law, which imposes restrictions on cutting of these forests.[5]

In south Benin, where malaria is a common disease as in the rest of Africa, medicinal plants are used for treatment as a form of traditional or alternative medicine.[6]

National parks

W National Park
Main article: W National Park

W National Park, IUCN Management Category II, a transboundary park among Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso, as a part of the Niger River, encompasses an area of 563,280 hectares (1,391,900 acres) in Benin; the "W" is after the W-shaped bends in the Niger River that border's the park and which is fed the Tapoa River in the north, and the Mékrou River in the south. Its elevation is between 170 and 338 metres (558 and 1,109 ft). In addition, the buffer zones are the hunting zones of Mékrou 102,640 hectares (253,600 acres), Djona 115,200 hectares (285,000 acres) and Kompa 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres), apart from transition areas in a 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) zone. This area in the West African savanna belt covers terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems. Primarily of semi-arid to semi-humid Sudanese wooded savanna, 500 plant species have been identified. Sudanian savanna fauna consists of 70 diurnal mammals and more than 112 species of fish including the monkfish Squatina aculeata. The park has about 200,000 people living within it and on its periphery, which creates conflicts between park managers, herders and farmers.[1][2][4][7]

Left: Pendjari River (Oti River) in the north of Pendjari National Park during the dry season, Benin. Right: Flora in Pendjari National Park

Pendjari National Park
Main article: Pendjari National Park

The Pendjari National Park covers 275,500 hectares (681,000 acres) entirely in the far north-west of Benin. It has buffer zones namely, the Pendjari (348,000 ha) that incorporates the hunting zones of Pendjari-Porga (76,000 ha), Batia (75,500 ha) and Konkombri (25,900 ha). Initially known as forest reserve, it was declared a national park on May 6, 1961, after the independence of Benin. In June 1986, it was classified as a MAB Biosphere Reserve (including the adjoining hunting zones of Pendjari and Atacora) and in February 2007, the Pendjari River Valley was recognized as a wetland of international importance and designated as a Ramsar site.[1][8][9] The park is part of the W-Arli-Pendjari complex (WAP), which is a vast protected area in Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger. The hills and cliffs of the Atakora range make the north-west one of the most scenic areas of Benin. They provide a wonderful backdrop to the Pendjari National Park, which, in its isolation, remains one of the most interesting in West Africa.[4][8]

Riparian forests
Riparian forest along a river bank/lake shore

Riparian forests in Benin are important conservation sites that need more care than is currently available. These forests, which are flood-dependent and the flora that is dependent on this source of water, are seen in many parts of Benin. However, forest and savanna species are also part of this ecosystem as they have a combination of plants from various forest and savanna types. Hence, the riparian forests have been found to be more diverse than those of the single one-ecosystem-based vegetation. They also provide the needed categories of food for many animal and other forest species to survive.[5]

The riparian forests ecosystem is in a limited area and spread in a linear shape. The forests account for at least one-third of the estimated 3,000 species of flora of Benin, with several valuable, rare or even endemic species. These forests are woodlands of semi-deciduous, dry, and open forest, and woodland savanna that occur along riverbanks or along streams. The physiognomy of this type of forest is highly variable with trees of average height of 14–18 metres (46–59 ft) and some places as high 20–25 metres (66–82 ft) with dense understorey. Adjacent more open ecosystems also affect the vegetation in these forests.[5]

However, this ecosystem of hygrophilic and edaphic freshwater forests is of general structural complexity and extent. It was in a state of extinction due to "shifting cultivation, grazing, selective cutting of valuable or rare tree species, road and dam construction, and over-exploitation of non-timber forest products" to meet the basic needs of rural community. This misuse also resulted in degradation of the ecosystem of rare plants and animals. It reached a chronic stage when indigenous multilayered plant communities became extinct in several areas with resultant creation of open fields, shrubs or grass savanna of least value. Thus, degradation of the ecologically rich system necessitated intervention at the Government level through enabling legislation to stop further damage to the ecosystem. The government of the Republic of Benin enacted a new forest law (no. 93-009) in July 1993, under which the uniqueness of riparian forests as refuge ecosystem for plant and wildlife of many kinds, was duly recognized. The rules enacted clearly defined that "clearance of wood and shrubs is not allowed within 25 metres (82 ft) at both sides of any waterway (article 28). Moreover, in the management plans of most forest reserves in Benin, gallery forests are to be left uncut" ... Rare species (e.g. mahogany family species of the Khaya genus; the Moraceae species, Milicia excelsa), "... outside the gallery forests will not be cut either."[5] In spite of such legislation the enforcement is not effective; it is reported that uncontrolled and unplanned, mostly illegal, utilisation of forest resources continues, particularly in non-protected areas.[5]

Fauna

The major faunal groups in Benin are mammals, birds and reptiles.[2]

Mammals
Leopard on a tree stump
Red river hog
Main article: List of mammals of Benin

Predators include: the lion (Panthera leo), the largest predator of Africa (found in both parks); the leopard (Panthera pardus) a secretive large African cat (found even outside the two parks); the cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is in the national parks but is a rare sight; several (Felis silvestris), a smaller cat; the caracal (Caracal caracal), the African wild cat (Felis sylvestris); the African hunting dog (Lycaon pictus) said to be in W. Park (may be extinct); side-striped jackal (Canis adustus); the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas); the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) found in both parks.[2]

Nocturnal predators include:[2]

African bush elephant
African buffalo herd

Mammals found here include: African bush elephant (loxodonta Africana) found widely in savannas, deserts, rainforest, and in the national parks; hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) found in rivers of both parks; the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) an ox like animal in large herds in savannas and in smaller groups in parks; warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) in both parks; the aardvark (Orycteropus afer) insectivore found in savannas; pangolins; hedgehogs; porcupine species; rock hyrax (Procavia capensis); Cape ground squirrel (Xerus inauris).[2]

The parks and other areas have a major population of antelope. Seventeen species are identified, out of which the endangered species are sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii), bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) and korrigum (Damaliscus korrigum korrigum).

Other species of various status are:[2]: 3–5 [10]

Primates reported include olive baboon (Papio anubis) of large size with inverted “U” shaped tail; the green monkey (Cercopithecus sabaeus), the most common monkey species; the common patas monkey (Erythrocebus patas) with an orange tinged coat occur in northern Benin.[2]

Reptiles

Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), the largest living reptile, is seen in river banks and ponds in the two protected parks. There are also dwarf caimans, and chameleons in 100 colour variations.[2]: 12–13 

Tortoises include leopard tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis), several species of terrapin and turtles – out of eight species of marine turtles four are found in Benin coast, namely, the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) and leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). The indigenous hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is the source of traditional tortoiseshell).[2]: 14 

Lizards found are harmless and of two types, the water and savanna monitors – Varanus niloticus and Varanus exanthematicus – both are predatory species; house gecko (Hemidactylus mabouia), a translucent white lizard; agama species in large size of varied mixed colours and the skinks.[2]: 15–16 

Birds
Main article: List of birds of Benin
Lake Nokoue
African fish eagle

Birds are a special feature in all types of habitats ranging from rainforest to deserts in Benin, which have two main climatic zones, namely the thick tropical vegetation in the south and the dry savannas and light woodlands in the north. The birding sites for coastal waders are the coastal lagoons of Les Bouches du Roi and the backwaters of Ouidha beach. Water birds and forest birds are found in Lake Nokoué and Lake Ahémé. Feathered birds are found in granite rock hills near Dassa-Zoume. The national parks are full of savanna specific birds.[2]: 10–12 [11]

The weaver species reported are: Twelve species of weavers of family Ploceidae are found in Benin, out of the overall 111 of the genus Ploceus (true weavers) identified; they are larger than a sparrow, males are more colourful than female species.[2]: 11–12 [11]

Other reported species are:[2][11]

More species of birds are:[2][11]

Raptor species (mostly carion-eating birds) are found in both parks. A common sight is the African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), which is black and white.[2][11]

Molluscs
Main article: List of non-marine molluscs of Benin

Insects
Main article: List of moths of Benin

Insect species found in Benin include the tsetse fly and many vectors of epidemic diseases.[12]

Flora
Left: Monotes kerstingii, a plant in the family of Dipterocarpaceae in the Botanical Garden, North Benin. Right: Hyphaene thebaica or gingerbread tree near Porga, Benin

Dense forests are not recorded in Benin. Along the coastal areas coconut, palmyra palms, oil palms are seen up to Abomey, where after vegetation is savanna merged with that of Guinea and Sudan. Other tree species noted are West African ebony, shea tree, Bombax costatum, called the kapok or fromager tree, and Khaya senegalensis, the Senegal mahogany.[12]

The W National Park constitutes the southern limit of tiger bush plateau distribution. Riverine and gallery forests are noted on the banks of the Mekrou River (with seasonal flows), and other tributaries of the Niger River. The plains have an extensive coverage of grasses.[10] In the savanna woodlands, grassland and stunted savanna woodlands, the plant species recorded are:

In the evergreen gallery forests, the 'sausage tree' or Kigelia africana and Afzelia africana (the 'lenke' or 'African mahogany') are found. Orchid species recorded are the Eulophia cucculata and Eulophia guineensis.[7]

The Pendjari Park consists of: grasslands which have no trees or shrubs; shrub lands which are fully covered by grass; trees; wooded savanna formations with a herbaceous layer but with no undergrowth; forests along the river, thin forests with plenty of trees of size of 8–16 m (26–52 ft); and gallery forests which are dense with shrubs.[13] The rocky cliffs of the Pendjari National Park are sparsely wooded. The Volta depression has savanna ecosystem with woodlands and rare species such as Burkea africana, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Detarium microcarpum, Lannea acida, Sterculia setigera, Combretum ghasalense (syn. Combretum adenogonium) and Acacia spp. On the deep soils of some of the summits and the Atakora escarpment one finds a greater variety of plant species with Isoberlinia doka and Afzelia africana. The Pendjari River has an impressive gallery forest and river forest. The park includes both Guinea savanna woodland and Sudanian savanna, with areas of grassland dominated by Acacia sieberiana and Terminalia macroptera.[10]

The most common species found in the riparian forests are: Pterocarpus santalinoides (Papilionaceae), Cola laurifolia (Sterculiaceae) and Syzygium guineense (Myrtaceae), out of which a few species are endemic and valuable.[5]

Traditional medecine

Malaria, which is a virulent disease in Benin as in the rest of Africa, is treated by herbal medicines. The treatments practiced in southern Benin are based on plant species that are extracted and administered orally or through bathing. There are 85 plant species which are used to make 35 mixtures for treatment.[6]

Botanical garden

The diversity of plants in Western Africa is preserved at the Papatia Botanical Garden in northern Benin. This garden, which is spread over 12 ha, is a species-rich savanna area where a hundred woody plants and several hundred herbaceous species have been maintained. A tree-nursery is part of this garden created to increase rare species.[14]

Organizations

According to the Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Management of Protected Areas approved in 1994, organization such as the National Centre for Wildlife Management (or in French: Centre National de Gestion des Réserves de la Faune – CENAGREF) was created in 1996 for the sole purpose of the conservation and management of national parks including the buffer zones and the transition areas. The Direction of Pendjari National Park set up in 1996 and the Direction of W National Park set up in 1999 are administrative organizations under the CENAGREF that are responsible for the management of the parks.[1] The Association of Civil Communities in the Protected Areas of the W National Park and the Séri Zone (Association des Communes Riveraines aux Aires Protégées du Parc W et de la Zone de Séri – ACRAP/WS) and Village Associations for the Management of Wildlife Reserves (or Associations Villageoise de Gestion des Reserves de Faune -AVIGREF) were also set up with the responsibility community training and promoting multi-level communication between farmers and other stakeholders and capacity building and the development of effective governance following decentralized resource management. IUCN has associated with these organizations to address all aspects of management of the natural resources of the W National Park.[4][15]

Notes
  1. "Enhancing the effectiveness and catalyzing the sustainability of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) protected area system" (pdf). Global Environment Facility. pp. 9–19. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  2. Butler, Stuart (1 April 2006). Benin: The Bradt Travel Guide. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 3–16. ISBN 978-1-84162-148-7. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  3. "Benin Wildlife". Overlandingafrica.com. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  4. "Improving Governance of Natural Resources in the Periphery of National Park W in Benin". iucn.org. Retrieved 31 March 2011.
  5. "Riparian forests and biodiversity conservation in Benin (West Africa)". Fao.org. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  6. Hermans, M.; Akoègninou, A.; Van Der Maesen, L. J. G. (2004). "Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Malaria in Southern Benin". Economic Botany. Economic Botany: New York Botanical Garden Press. 58: S239–S252. doi:10.1663/0013-0001(2004)58[S239:MPUTTM]2.0.CO;2. JSTOR 4256921.
  7. "'W' National Park, Niger" (pdf). unep-wcmc.org. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  8. "Geographic Location". Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve). Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  9. "Pendjari National Park Administration". Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve). Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  10. Rod East (1 January 1990). Antelopes: Part 3 – West and Central Africa: Global Survey And Regional Action Plans. IUCN. pp. 77–82. ISBN 978-2-8317-0016-8. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  11. "Lake Nokoué". BirdLife Data Zone. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  12. "Benin-Flora fauna". Nationsencyclopedia.com. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  13. "Grassland". Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve). Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  14. "The botanic garden of Papatia (Northern Benin): Perspectives for sustainable use, biodiversity conservation and preservation of traditional knowledge". J.W.Goethe-University, Botanical Institute. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  15. "W National Park – Benin". Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve). Retrieved 2 April 2011.

References
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