The mapping of land use in Benin and its changes between 2005 and 2015 was based on the visual interpretation of satellite images of the two dates or periods followed by verification work in the field. The SPOT satellite images (2005 and 2015) covering the national territory used are those acquired by the National Center for Space Studies (CNES) and AIRBUS and delivered to the Central and West African Forest Spatial Observation Project (www.osfaco.org).

These are historical and recent 4-band SPOT multi-spectral images and include:

- Pivot 2005: SPOT 4 multi-spectral images with 20 m spatial resolution and SPOT 5 multi-spectral images with 10 m spatial resolution;
- Pivot 2015: SPOT 6 and 7 multi-spectral images with 6 m spatial resolution.

The results clearly show the low forest potential of Benin and, paradoxically, the speed of conversion of plant cover, which is transformed into anthropogenic formations. This situation is present both in the unclassified field and in the classified forest reserves intended for the conservation of biodiversity. These facts call for the urgent need to take measures to manage and restore these ecosystems.