LAND USE/LAND COVER CHANGES ANALYSIS IN SUDANO GUINEAN REGION OF BENIN

Abstract

Deforestation processes driven by anthropogenic activities lead to the loss of biodiversity and the alteration of ecological systems. In this paper, we examined the land use / land cover change trends from 2000 to 2020 in the Sudano-Guinean region of Benin, and analysed the driving factors of those changes. The adopted method is based on the diachronic analysis of the land cover through the use of remote sensing data specifically, Landsat satellite images of 2000 and 2020. The results showed that natural forest vegetation and Savannah strongly decreased, whereas farmland and the built-up area increased. Indeed, forest land lost 3.22%, 2.01%, and 1.57%, in Bante, Glazoué, and Ouèssè, respectively. The intensification of human activities was identified as the proximate driver while population growth, a growing demand for agricultural and forest products coupled with improved infrastructure were identified as the underlying drivers of deforestation. To achieve sustainable management goal for forest resources in Benin, the introduction of alternative sources of energy, sustainable farming practices, diversification of income sources, the promotion of community participation, should be implemented.