Conservation of biodiversity in the Mono Transfrontier Biosphere Reserve

Located between Benin and Togo, the Mono Delta Transfrontier Biosphere Reserve is made up of four community areas, (Bouche du Roy, Wetlands of Lake Toho, Naglanou and Adjamé forest), covering a total area of ​​142,500 ha. This area concentrates a set of unique habitats for the region where rivers, lakes, swamps, savannas, gallery forests, mangroves and beaches coexist and is home to significant biodiversity including the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius, VU), the Sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii , LC), the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis, VU), at least 4 species of marine turtles as well as Palearctic migratory birds, etc.

This project will take place specifically around two community areas: the mouth of Roy (9,678 ha) and Lake Toho (612 ha) which are located in Beninese territory. These two community areas were selected given the importance of their biological diversity and the state of degradation of their ecosystems. The threats to these ecosystems are linked to the migration of fishermen with devastating fishing techniques, the advance of the agricultural front, the poaching of various species as well as the pressure to cut down woody mangrove species for construction and of wood energy.

The NGO Africa Mobile Nature (AMN) has been supporting communities in the area for better management of biodiversity since 2011 with the support of GIZ and IUCN Netherlands. The objective of this project is to improve governance and local management of community biodiversity conservation areas in Lake Toho and Bouche du Roy in order to optimize the provision of associated ecosystem services.