Spatio-Temporal Distribution of Southeastern Community Forests in Togo (West Africa)

Yawo Konko,Kouami Kokou,Koffi Dodji Noumonvi,Gbétey Kokouvi Akpamou,Jean Paul Rudant

doi:10.4236/gep.2018.67004

Abstract

The present study aimed to provide the basics needed to reconcile the fight against poverty with the need of a good management of community resources in the context of local and sustainable development. It focused on the identification of geographic location and spatio-temporal dynamics of these resources in the southeastern part of Togo. The methodological approach was based on the spatial analysis of the area for the years 1988, 2000 and 2018 by combining optical imagery from Landsat TM, ETM+ and Sentinel-2A MSI satellites with radar imagery from Sentinel-1A IW/GRDH. Spatial analysis showed a fragmented spatial structure undergoing major changes for the period 1988-2018. Plantations, riparian formations, agglomerations, water bodies and wetlands increased respectively by 4.61%, 2.09%, 1.07%, 0.43% and 0.35% annually, while forests, savannahs, crops and fallow lands decreased annually by 0.71%, 5.87% and 1.97%. For the “forests” class, seven community forests geographically organized in three sub-groups were identified and mapped. The analysis of their areas pointed to the fact that out of 667 ha of community forests in 1988, only 415 ha remain in 2018, which means a loss of 37.78% in forest areas over the 30 years, or an annual deforestation rate of 1.64%. The different spatial changes observed could be attributed to several unsustainable human activities. The land use maps for the years 1988, 2000 and 2018 will contribute to resource localization and protection in sensitive areas or, in other words, to the integrated and rational management of these resources. The different identified and mapped community forests could serve as management units for managers in developing their management plans.

Highlights

Forest management planning in Togo began since the colonial era and resulted in the creation of 83 protected areas [1]
The present study aimed to provide the basics needed to reconcile the fight against poverty with the need of a good management of community resources in the context of local and sustainable development. It focused on the identification of geographic location and spatio-temporal dynamics of these resources in the southeastern part of Togo
Based on remote sensing techniques, such as the combination of optical and Radar satellite imagery, this study aims to provide the basic elements needed to reconcile the fight against poverty and the need of a good management of Community Forests (CF) of the Lower Mono Valley (LMV) through the principles of sustainable forest management

Summary

Introduction

Forest management planning in Togo began since the colonial era and resulted in the creation of 83 protected areas [1] Over time, these protected areas have been managed unilaterally and repressively by the forestry administration, leading to an alienation of the rights of local communities. In order to correct this situation and involve local populations in the conservation and management of forest resources, several policies, strategies and programs have been developed leading for instance to the introduction of the concept of Community Forests (CF) through the law No 011 of March 13, 2007 on the decentralization and local liberty policy [5] This law proposed a favorable legal framework that allows local communities to manage, in a consensual manner with the administration, individual properties by offering them the opportunity to enjoy all the benefits they can derive from it. The CF approach is effective by empowering communities to undertake economic activities aimed at reducing poverty, improving living conditions and ensuring local development [6] [7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion