Abstract:
The population explosion observed in the urban centers of West Africa is nowadays accentuated
in the secondary cities of Benin and it makes vulnerable the plant formations of these localities.
The present research aims to map the urban dynamics and the vulnerability of the plant
formations of the Itchèdè-Toffo classified forest in South-East Benin.
The socio-economic data were collected from the heads of households chosen in a reasoned
manner in the districts of Pobe and Adja-Ouere where the Itchede-Toffo classified forest is
located. The Scwhartz formula (1995) made it possible to determine the size of the sample (125
surveyed) and its pro-rata distribution of the demographic weight of the riparian villages.
Landsat TM 1982 and Sentinel 2016 imagery were used as a reference. These images were the
subject of a visual interpretation. The transition matrix, the average rate of expansion and the
conversion rate made it possible to assess the vulnerability of plant formations while the FPEIR
model made it possible to analyze the results obtained.
The results of this study showed that the Itchede-Toffo classified forest lost an area of 40.67 ha
at the expense of agglomerations and plantations, ie 21.29% of the forest area. Similarly, the
occupancy units of this forest, such as dense forest (50.95%), woodland and forest savanna
(80.65%), field mosaics and fallow (99.90%) and palm groves (100%) have very high conversion
rates. From 1982 to 2016, the rate of regression of the areas of the classified forest rose to
60.15% in 34 years. Urgent measures must be taken to limit the effects of urban sprawl and
human activities on the Itchede-Toffo classified forest in particular and in general on the plant
formations of the study environment. |
