Abstract
BackgroundEcosystems provide humanity with goods and services known as ecosystem services. The value of these services represents a basis for political decision-making. To be sure that these decisions are made on a valid basis, policymakers require an understanding of the biophysical processes involved. This study was carried out around two forest reserves (Alibori-Supérieur and Ouénou-Bénou) in Northern Benin. It aimed to highlight the knowledge of the surrounding communities and their perceptions about the importance of the ecosystem services provided by these forest reserves as well as the factors that influence their knowledge and perceptions.MethodsPrimary data were collected from 25 group discussions in 25 villages surrounding the forest reserves based on predefined ecosystems services of the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment (MA). Multiple linear regression models were used to examine how socio-economic characteristics of the communities influenced the ecosystem services identification rate. Perceptions of importance, levels of satisfaction, and trends of services provided were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsOur results showed that education level, poverty index, household size, and proximity to forests played an important role in the variation in knowledge of ecosystem services (P < 0.05). Provisioning services (such as crops supply, fuelwood, lumber, wild food, and medicinal plants) were mostly identified by the poorest villages located very close to the forests (P < 0.05). The importance of the provided services for well-being has been unanimously recognized. The most recognized cultural services were education and knowledge facilitation (84%) and spiritual value (76%). Climate regulation (84%) and pollination (84%) were the best-known regulating services. However, supporting services (soil formation and pest regulation) that are important for improving production systems were unknown to the communities.ConclusionEducation level, poverty index, and village proximity to the forest were important predictors of regulating and supporting services identification. But use of non-tangible services by local rural communities will require more emphasis on targeted environmental education specifically designed according to the needs of each group.
Highlights
Ecosystems provide humanity with goods and services known as ecosystem services
By acknowledging the role that perception plays in shaping local livelihoods and the sustainable management of natural resources, this study aims to understand the local knowledge and perceived importance of ecosystem services provided by Alibori-Supérieur and Ouénou-Bénou forest reserves in Northern Benin and the socio-economic factors that affect the identification of these ecosystem services
Ecosystem services identification rate in surveyed villages In general, provisioning services were highly identified, followed by cultural services and regulating and support services (Fig. 2). It appeared that the local community around the Ouénou-Bénou forest reserve (42.85%) identified more ecosystem services than those around the Alibori-Supérieur forest reserve (36.48%; Fig. 2)
Summary
Ecosystems provide humanity with goods and services known as ecosystem services. The value of these services represents a basis for political decision-making. Tropical forests are valuable reserves for local populations [1] They play a vital and well-known role because of the ecosystem services they provide. Tropical forests contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation [8, 9], resilience [10], water and soil protection, agricultural production [9], and food security [11] The reliance upon these services (formally known as ecosystem services) makes human beings dependent on the immediate ecosystems for their subsistence [12]. The functions and services of ecosystems depend on their state, and on their utility and the extent of pressure that societies exert on them in a given biogeographic and geo-economic context [17] Both locally and globally, human societies are modifying ecosystems [18] while deriving economic benefits or adapting to environmental changes [19, 20]. The notion of ecosystem services is occupying an increasingly important place
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