Land use and biodiversity in unprotected landscapes: The case of noncultivated plant use and management by rural communities in Benin and Togo
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Rodenburg, Jonne 
ORCID: 0000-0001-9059-9253, Both, Judith, Heitkönig, Ignas M.A., Van Koppen, C.S.A. (Kris), Sinsin, Brice, Van Mele, Paul and Kiepe, Paul
(2012)
Land use and biodiversity in unprotected landscapes: The case of noncultivated plant use and management by rural communities in Benin and Togo.
Society & Natural Resources, 25 (12).
pp. 1221-1240.
ISSN 0894-1920 (Print), 1521-0723 (Online)
(doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2012.674628)
Abstract
To contribute to the development of strategies for sustainable agricultural land use and biodiversity conservation in landscapes without formal protection status, we investigated the local use and management of noncultivated plants as important ecosystem functions of inland valleys in south Benin and Togo, and local perceptions on changes in plant biodiversity and causes for these changes. Local users of noncultivated plants perceived agriculture and construction as major factors contributing to the reduction of (noncultivated) plant biodiversity. However, they also collect many useful species from agricultural fields and the village. A small community forest reserve and a 2-ha community garden were the only organized forms of conservation management. Observed ad hoc conservation initiatives were selective harvesting of plant parts, preserving trees during land clearing, and allowing useful weed species in the field. Future development and conservation efforts in unprotected landscapes with multiple ecosystem functions should acknowledge knowledge, interests, and needs of local communities.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | community conservation, inland valleys, landscape planning, local knowledge, natural resource management, plant biodiversity, rural areas, sustainable land use, weeds, West Africa |
| Subjects: | S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) |
| Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: | Faculty of Engineering & Science Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Agriculture, Health & Environment Department Faculty of Engineering & Science > Natural Resources Institute > Development Studies Research Group |
| Last Modified: | 18 Feb 2019 15:29 |
| URI: | http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/19054 |
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