Fifanou Vodouhe - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Fifanou Vodouhe

European Journal of Sustainable Development, Oct 1, 2022

This study analyzed the sustainable changes induced by the "Banikoara Millennium Village Project"... more This study analyzed the sustainable changes induced by the "Banikoara Millennium Village Project" on rural poverty reduction. Using the purposive sampling method, 126 household heads were selected from three project beneficiary villages and one non-project beneficiary village. Data was collected through focus group discussions and a structured questionnaire which were processed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that nearly 78% of the respondents have adopted the improved technologies of soil fertility, and yields have increased from 1.2 tons to 3.5 tons per hectare for rice, from 1.4 tons to 2.1 tons per hectare for maize, and from 1 ton to 1.6 tons per hectare for sorghum. We also found that that the project has contributed to decreasing poverty in terms of the achievements of socio-community infrastructures in the education, health and agricultural sectors, the capacity building of communities etc. Majority (85%) of the project beneficiary households consider their current economic living conditions better than the period before the project implementation. This project has a great impact on household food security and shortening the hunger season. However, the project achievements are still fragile and require an action for sustainability. This study suggests that development projects should actively involve the target beneficiaries starting from the needs assessment in particular and implementation to ensure its sustainability.

BOIS & FORETS DES TROPIQUES, 2018

Connaître l’importance socioculturelle des arbres fruitiers autochtones et des facteurs qui la dé... more Connaître l’importance socioculturelle des arbres fruitiers autochtones et des facteurs qui la déterminent est un préalable indispensable àleur valorisation et aux décisions sur leur mode de gestion. La présente étude s’est attachée à documenter les connaissances traditionnelles (CT) et l’importance culturelle (IC) de Lannea microcarpa, arbre fruitier autochtone peu connu et sous-utilisé de la zone soudanienne au Bénin. L’étude s’est également penchée sur les éventuelles variations en termes de CT et de IC selon les groupes ethniques et les générations. Nous avons recueilli des informations sur les utilisations et l’importance de l’essence auprès de 262 personnes sélectionnées de manière aléatoire dans la zone de distribution de l’arbre, à l’aide de listes libres et d’un système de notation. Vingt-huit utilisations réparties en huit catégories d’usages ont été recensées, dont 21 médicinales, deux commerciales et une chacune pour l’alimentation humaine, le fourrage, le bois de feu, l...

BackgroundThis research aimed at gathering knowledge on the medicinal exploitation and magic util... more BackgroundThis research aimed at gathering knowledge on the medicinal exploitation and magic utilization of Kigelia africana in Benin. The species has received very little attention in Benin where it is widely used in traditional medicine to treat diseases and recently recorded as a threatened speciesMethodsA semi-structured questionnaire was used in different markets in Benin to gather ethnobotanical knowledge on Kigelia africana from herbal traders. Various percentages of traders were calculated, the Use Value of the most traded parts was determined and the two proportions test was performed to check for difference in Use Value.ResultsThirty-six percent of respondents obtained parts of the species both by purchase in their own markets and by travelling far. The same proportion confirmed that they travelled very far before buying parts they used to sell. None mentioned harvesting the plant parts from wild populations. A high proportion of informants (63%) reported selling fruits an...

Environment, Development and Sustainability, Jul 13, 2023

Journal of ecology and the natural environment, May 31, 2017

Findings are available on termitaria and their vegetation in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve and o... more Findings are available on termitaria and their vegetation in the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve and other Sudanian regions in West Africa, but research without dissemination and impacts on communities seems not to be useful. This work aims at providing non-governmental organization (NGOs) and forestry advisers with useful data for environmental education projects and taking termitaria and their vegetation into account for ecotourism in Pendjari Reserve. This article on termitaria and termitariarelated vegetation summarizes data useful for two purposes. Traditional knowledge on termitaria is useful for education; termitaria plants are used as medicine. Mushrooms growing on termitaria and small mammals living in dead and abandoned mounds are consumed in the reserve. There is a need to train kids and students on termitaria and their vegetation conservation. The panoramic view of mounds and their vegetation is really attractive to tourists. Vegetation on termitaria differs between management types of an area and is dominated by woody species belonging mostly to Combretaceae botanical group. Cappareae species seem restricted to termitaria. The three major ethnic groups in the Reserve hold a diversity of ethnological knowledge on termitaria and their vegetation. These can serve for ecotourism development towards termitaria to lower poverty probability of small households in the Reserve.

Diversity, Jul 29, 2022

This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative... more This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY

Agroforestry Systems, Feb 11, 2011

Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, Oct 1, 2016

This study assesses the financial value of one hectare of savannah vegetation in Sudanian region ... more This study assesses the financial value of one hectare of savannah vegetation in Sudanian region of West Africa based on the potential extraction of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Our methodology provides multiple estimations of NTFPs production from each species for two years and also takes into account variation in NTFPs prices. Given the regeneration capacity of harvested species for some NTFPs such as bark or root, we presented the annual financial value of revenue from NTFPs in contrary to some studies which determined their net present value. Results showed that the Net Annual Value of NTFPs collection is US$368 ha-1 and would justify the interest of sustainable use of these resources. The most valuable products of the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve savannah were species leaves (US$164 ha-1) followed by fruits (US$89 ha-1) and roots (US$78 ha-1). However, the Net Annual Value determined here is the potential value of the Sudanian savannah in NTFPs. The NTFPs financial valuation made in this study provided a useful details for comparing alternative land use practices. In view of the sustainable use of natural resources, a NTFP focused management system could be considered economically viable management option. However, they cannot be sustainability harvested in absence of careful species selection, yield studies, monitoring of regeneration and harvesting adjustments. Therefore, there is a need to know more about useful species availability, biology and reaction to harvesting impact, especially for those exploited for their roots, flowers or fruits.

Acta Botanica Gallica, 2011

Economic Botany, Dec 1, 2009

HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2014

Background: Hypertension is the most modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worlwide.... more Background: Hypertension is the most modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases worlwide. It is one of the leading causes for mortality, as it may be asymptomatic but a lot of complications will develop rapidly and leading to death. Prevention and control of hypertension decreases mortality, and heart failure. The aim of this study was to investigate the vascular activity of aqueous extract obtained from stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis (Hypericaceae) and to determine the pharmacological mechanisms of the extract on rat aorta in vitro. Methods and Findings: The activity of different concentrations of H. madagascariensis aqueous extract (HMAE) was evaluated on contractile responses of isolated aorta to phenylephrine (PE, 1 µM) and potassium chloride (KCl, 60 mM). Then, various pharmacological agents were used to assess the involved vascular mechanisms. The extract (10-3-8.10-1 mg/mL and 6.10-1-1 mg/mL) induced a concentration dependent relaxation respectively in aortic rings precontracted by PE and KCl. The effect on PE-preconstricted aortic rings was significantly reduced after endothelium removal, whereas it was enhanced on KCl-preconstricted rings. L-NAME, methylene blue and indomethacin as well as tetraethylammonium and barium chloride reduced significantly this vasorelaxation after PE-induced contraction. The vasorelaxant effect of sodium nitroprusside was not modified in the presence of HMAE. Conclusions: The involvement of NO-cGMP as well as prostacyclin-cAMP pathways contributes to the endothelium-dependent relaxant effects of HMAE after PEinduced contraction. Contribution of Ca 2+-activated K + channels, voltage-activated K + channels and K + inward rectifier channels as endothelium-independent mechanisms could also explain its vasorelaxants effects. The observed data suggest that HMAE has potential effects as phytoalternative treatment for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.

Journal of agriculture and environmental sciences, 2019

This paper analyses economic profitability of improved fish breeding systems in use in the valley... more This paper analyses economic profitability of improved fish breeding systems in use in the valley of Ouémé, South of Benin Republic. A total of 85 fish breeding unities are sampled in the municipalities of Bonou and Ouinhi, following the method of ''ball of snow''. Data concerned sociodemographic characteristics, types and areas of fishbreedingsystems, the prices and quantities of the inputs used and outputs. Data analysis was based on descriptive statistics of general data, and tests of means comparison (ANOVA) of profitability indicators, such as gross and net margins and rate of profitability. Results showed that there are four types of improved fish breeding systems in use in the study area, such asmonoculture, polyculture, compensatory growthandco-culture. Results showed also that the most profitable improved fish breeding systems are, following decreasing order, compensatory growth, co-culture, polyculture andmonoculture, whatever the profitability indicator that was targeted. On the other hand, feeding fish every 24 hours under experimentation with compensatory growthis revealed as the most profitable fish feeding practice. The compensatory growthis recommended for the better income and food security of fish breeders in valley of Ouémé.

Agroforestry Systems, Jul 17, 2019

In northern Benin, several agroforestry species are nectar-producing, with high medicinal and foo... more In northern Benin, several agroforestry species are nectar-producing, with high medicinal and food values. These species are currently threatened by the destruction of their habitats caused by deforestation and agriculture, mainly cotton production. Considering their importance for humans and beekeeping, this investigation was carried out in one of the most important honey production areas in Benin. Individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to identify the medicinal and food plants associated with honey production. Data were collected on food and medicinal uses, beekeepers' preferences in the choice of melliferous species and constraints faced for honey and medicinal species conservation in the areas studied. From these data, 46 species of medicinal and food species were identified as melliferous. Thus, nine new species were added to the list of melliferous species in Benin. Most of the species are also used as sources of human food or medicine in traditional set up. Species preferred by beekeepers were those that provide large amounts of sweet, fragrant hone. It appears that honey from 11 plant species with a high use value was clearly recognized by beekeepers who are involved in various human diseases' treatment. The constraints hampering the management of these melliferous species are extensive farming, animal husbandry, anarchic logging. This study brings us the avenues for modernization of beekeeping and the possibility of producing therapeutic honey.

Forest Policy and Economics, 2012

Forest Policy and Economics, Sep 1, 2010

Commitment of local communities to protected areas is essential for conserving biodiversity. Howe... more Commitment of local communities to protected areas is essential for conserving biodiversity. However, in many developing countries like Benin, former management strategies kept human from protected areas using coercion. Fortunately, more recent regimes attempt to give local populations more control on the management but little is known about local residents' perceptions, beliefs and attitudes toward the management of these areas. This study, carried out around the Pendjari National Park, determined factors which support local communities' positive perceptions towards biodiversity conservation in the park, analysed their assessment of current park management activities compared to former management approaches and draw the implications for effective participatory management of protected areas. We collected socio-demographic data from 164 residents on their awareness of conservation methods. We used Stepwise Discriminant Analysis to differentiate the variables that had the greatest power for discriminating between local residents' perception to conserve or not biodiversity and to manage the park. The findings indicated that the positive behavior of local communities towards conservation of biodiversity within Pendjari National Park was highly correlated with the current management strategy that involved more effectively local communities, the educational level of participants and their geographical origins. Participants' perceptions of biodiversity conservation were strongly related to locally perceived benefits. Although 89% of participants were favorable to the concept of biodiversity conservation within the park, the decision to ban encroachments due to agricultural activities increased negative opinion on this park management option. Our results suggested that understanding local residents' perceptions and using them as a starting point to improve the park-people relationship could help park management staff to involve more effectively local communities and improve their awareness about biodiversity conservation within the park.

As a result of many environmental and health problems related to the use of chemicals, but also d... more As a result of many environmental and health problems related to the use of chemicals, but also due to their marginalization on the international market, some small producers in Africa; particularly in Benin (West Africa) have embarked on the fair-trade, organic production of cashew nuts to meet the ever-increasing global demand. This research identifies factors determining the adoption of fair-trade organic cashew and estimates producers’ technical level efficiency in central Benin. Two-stage random sampling was used to select 160 cashew producers. The study used the student’s “t” test, logistic regression and the method based on stochastic frontiers of type production Cobb-Douglas function to assess data collected from the research sample. Results revealed that sex, field size, cotton production and producer’s secondary activities have negative effects on organic cashew fair-trade adoption while the number of agricultural assets, experience in cashew production, land access and fr...

Diversity

The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, Argemone mexicana L., Heliot... more The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, Argemone mexicana L., Heliotropium indicum L., Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth and Schrankia leptocarpa DC. was investigated in Southern Benin to determine the ethnomedicinal and magic knowledge on them. Thirty-six herbal medicine traders were surveyed in six different markets in three districts. Four ethnobotanical indices were used. All informants traded A. mexicana and the majority traded H. indicum, K. foetidissima, and P. pellucida. Purchases in the traders’ own markets was the single most important source of H. indicum, A. mexicana and P. pellucida. A. mexicana was the most demanded by customers. Traders reported the scarcity of A. mexicana and H. indicum and the availability of S. leptocarpa, K. foetidissima and P. pellucida. H. indicum was mainly used to treat hypertension and fever. Similarly, S. leptocarpa was mostly mentioned in the treatment of hypertension and to fa...

We tackle the potential impact of bushmeat markets (BM) and traditional medicine markets (TMM) on... more We tackle the potential impact of bushmeat markets (BM) and traditional medicine markets (TMM) on the functional diversity of mammalian communities in southern Benin. A hybrid approach combining direct observations, DNA-typing and questionnaires allowed us to identify 94 species-level taxa across 11 mammalian orders, the greatest ever reported numbers for African wildlife markets. TMM sold species of high conservation concern or regulated by international conventions and recruited across all the taxonomic orders and bioclimatic zones. BM were taxonomically (25 species), bioclimatically and functionally 100% nested within TMM. However, functional diversity was high in both markets, which sampled across nine diet specializations and five main ecological functions, including seed dispersion (mostly frugivores, folivores and omnivores), prey regulation (mostly carnivores and invertivores), browsing (mostly folivores), grazing (omnivores) and fertilization (nectarivores). TMM sampled spe...

African Journal of Ecology, 2022

Illegal hunting of wildlife is one of the major issues in tropical ecosystems, especially when it... more Illegal hunting of wildlife is one of the major issues in tropical ecosystems, especially when it occurs in highly degraded habitats with forest cover fragmentation. In this study, we assessed the impact of bushmeat hunting in a large forest patch (the Lama Natural Forest; LNF) and 11 nearby forest islands, using Traditional Ecological Knowledge from 240 interviewees across 16 villages. Thirty‐five species belonging to nine orders of mammals, birds and reptiles were mentioned by local communities. Rodentia were significantly more observed in the forest islands, whereas medium‐sized mammals belonging to Carnivora, Primates, Artiodactyla, Pholidota and Hyracoida were found predominantly in LNF. Approximately 57% of the species were reported to be rare in the forest islands, whereas c. 77% were listed as abundant in LNF, confirming the role of LNF as a refuge for forest species targeted by the bushmeat trade. Generalised linear models indicated that species sighting frequencies were po...