Overview of marine and coastal biodiversity in Benin

Aquatic spaces are melting pots of biodiversity, although the taxonomic census of their habitats and ecosystems is still incomplete. In fact, only 16% of the 1.8 million species inventoried in the world are of marine origin. The current state of scientific knowledge concerning the marine environment highlights the importance of its biodiversity for human societies and the ecological balance of the planet. But at the same time that the refinement of techniques allows man to discover their richness, we also discover the fragility of this environment and its resources, which are subject to various pressures.

Function of aquatic biodiversity for the planet

• The ecological regulation of the planet: They play an essential role in the renewal of biomass and the preservation of marine habitats, in particular by accelerating the process of natural degradation of aquatic pollution
• Improving the knowledge of living beings: The biodiversity of the deep seabed is a source of knowledge essential for reconstructing the evolution of life on Earth
• Nutrition: The marine environment is a gigantic reservoir of food and a source of essential nutrients for human communities; this also explains the continuous increase in harvesting rates of fishery resources that endanger the balance of the oceans.

The associated links

Creation of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Benin (West Africa)

List of Institutions involved in Marine Sciences and Coastal Zones in Benin

National report on fishing in Benin

National Report on the Marine and Coastal Environment of Benin

Strategies for the Sustainable Management of Aquatic Ecosystems in Africa: The case of the Lake Nokoué-Lagune de Porto-Novo complex