This study on the biodiversity of the reforestation perimeter of Abomey and the classified forest of Kilir (Djougou), commissioned by the Programme de Gestion des Forêts et Terroirs Riverains (PGFTR), aims to enable it to have detailed inventory data on all these forests and the strategies to be implemented for the rational and sustainable management of biological resources. The surveys are carried out over a period of four months and involved the participation of various biodiversity specialists. It presents the biodiversity situation in the two classified forests and the proposals for the development and management of land conflicts for the sustainable conservation of their genetic potential. The classified forests of Abomey and Kilir are two urban forests marked by a
strong human influence and traditional (ancient) and recent occupations by local populations. Both the classified forest of Abomey and that of Kilir present the signs of a lack of active and effective management of natural resources. Mainly, the areas recently occupied by local populations are transformed into agricultural areas, laterite quarries and housing construction areas. These areas also show signs of forest cover degradation and threats to wildlife. The state of biodiversity in the two classified forests is unimpressive. In terms of floristic inventory results, the flora has 168 species, divided into 140 genera and 54 families in the Abomey reforestation area and 97 species, divided into 79 genera and 38 families in the Kilir classified forest. This flora divided into several
physiognomic types (plantations, gallery forests, dense semi-deciduous forests, savannas, fallow and fields) in view of diversity indices is relatively undiversified. We are witnessing its gradual impoverishment in the two classified forests where wood species have a low regeneration rate. It is in fact subject to strong human pressures (occupation for housing purposes, agriculture, vegetation fires, various withdrawals) which to various degrees have a negative influence on biological diversity within these classified forests.
The situation of wildlife diversity is even more critical; the empty forest syndrome is evident there. Investigations across the different vegetation layers of these two classified forests have revealed a notable presence only for avifauna. Thus, 95 species of birds divided into 39 families are recorded in the two classified forests, including 19 species of intra-African migrants (20%) and 5 palearctic species (5.26%). Of this 6 cohort, 92 species of birds are encountered in the reforestation perimeter of Abomey and 74 species of birds are distributed in the classified forest of Kilir. To hope to preserve this avian potential, it is urgent to create two types of management series in each of these classified forests: a series of integral protection that mainly concerns the shreds of the natural ecosystem and a series of free access. The planned management plans aim in particular at maintaining what exists, the creation of an amusement park, the gradual recolonization of biodiversity within these forest areas in the short and medium term, the creation of a Cayman pond, the creation of a protected mini zoo. In addition, appropriate suggestions for the settlement of land disputes and the involvement of local populations in the participatory management of biological resources in the two forest areas are developed. Given their situation as peri-urban and urban forests, the development of eco-tourism and recreation functions within these classified forests will be able to reconcile the requirements of protection and sustainable use of biological resources.

Read the project report here