Core Topic (CT)

Land use changes: agriculture and restoration

 Topic (T)

Sustainable use of selected organisms

 Title

Sustainable use and reintroduction of highly valued woody plant species

 Project leader(s)

Dr. Karen Hahn-Hadjali & Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Wittig
Prof. Dr. Adjima Thiombiano

 Project description

Many species of high use value are severely declining due to habitat loss and degradation as well as extensive harvesting, which exceeds their reproductive capacities. Moreover particularly in arid and semi-arid regions such as in northern Burkina Faso, climatic variations can play an important role for changing distribution patterns and population dynamics. As most of the people in rural areas depend directly on these plant resources for their livelihood, maintenance of useful species is an important task, both for environmental conservation and poverty alleviation.

In this regard, research is carried out in parts of Burkina Faso and Benin, focusing on woody species of high use value. For selected species distribution patterns, population dynamics, regeneration potentials as well as in-situ and ex-situ regeneration potentials are analysed, in order to provide better understanding of their current dynamics and to develop replanting measures. The overall aim is to develop approaches and recommendations, valid on a national scale, covering the whole range of phytogeographic zones and the specific interests of different ethnic groups.