Decline of Woody Species in the Sahel

Abstract

Vegetation changes in Sahelian West Africa were investigated by analysing and summarising findings from different case studies conducted in Burkina Faso, Niger and Senegal, which were based on the local knowledge of rural people. At all locations analysed in the different countries, the local population perceives a decrease or even the disappearance of woody species. For a single location 4 to 59 different woody species were mentioned. In total, 88 species were named as having disappeared or as decreasing, whereas only 12 species were reported as increasing or as new. The high numbers of declining or disappeared species undoubtedly indicates the need to improve local and regional resource management by generally promoting regeneration and protecting young trees as well as improving reforestation of suitable species. In addition, on local scales, prioritisation of species for resource management should be further worked out with different user groups to improve local acceptance and implementation for species conservation.