Examine individual changes

'{{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Mekrou river in W-National Park MS 6380.JPG | width1 = 205 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Gapped Bush Niger Nicolas Barbier.jpg | width2 = 170 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: [[Mekrou River]] in the [[W National Park]]. Right: Aerial oblique view of a gapped bush plateau in [[W National Park]]. The mean distance between two consecutive gaps is 50 meters }} [[File:Location Benin AU Africa.svg|thumb|right|300px|Location of Benin]] '''Benin''' has varied resources of wildlife comprising flora and fauna, which are primarily protected in its two contiguous protected areas of the [[Pendjari National Park]] and [[W National Park]]. The former is known for many species of avifauna and the latter park is rich in mammals and predators. In addition, many other forest reserves are noted in the country but are not easily accessible, well protected or adequately surveyed for its wildlife resources. The protected area system of Benin defined as National Protected Area System is situated in the northern Benin, mostly with a woody savanna ecosystem. It covers 10.3% of the national territory and is part of the three nation transboundary W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) complex (with area distribution of 43% in Benin, 36% in [[Burkina Faso]] and 21% in [[Niger]]).<ref name=GEF>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thegef.org/gef/sites/thegef.org/files/repository/1Regional%20WAP%20.pdf|format=pdf|title= Enhancing the effectiveness and catalyzing the sustainability of the W-Arly-Pendjari (WAP) protected area system|accessdate=2 April 2011|pages=9–19|publisher=Global Environment Facility}}</ref><ref name="Butler2006">{{cite book|author=Stuart Butler|title=Benin: The Bradt Travel Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qM4f8MNsCW4C&pg=PA3|accessdate=31 March 2011|date=1 April 2006|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides|isbn=978-1-84162-148-7|pages=3–16}}</ref><ref name=wild>{{Cite web|url=http://www.overlandingafrica.com/benin/wildlife/ |title=Benin Wildlife|accessdate=31 March 2011|publisher= Overlandingafrica.com}}</ref><ref name=IUCN>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/social_policy/sp_themes/sp_dfid/sp_dfid_benin/|title=Improving Governance of Natural Resources in the Periphery of National Park W in Benin|accessdate=31 March 2011|publisher= iucn.org}}</ref> Forests of particular note are the [[Riparian forest]]s which form a dominant [[ecosystem]], accounting for ⅓ of the estimated flora of 3,000 species in Benin.<ref name=fao>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/ARTICLE/WFC/XII/0356-B2.HTM|title= Riparian forests and biodiversity conservation in Benin (West Africa)|accessdate=1 April 2011|publisher=Fao.org}}</ref> These forests are found along river banks consisting of semi-deciduous, dry, and open forest and woodland savanna. However, these systems have been subject to severe misuse by way of [[deforestation]], which necessitated the enforcement of a Law, which imposes restrictions on cutting of these forests.<ref name=fao/> In south Benin, where [[malaria]] is a common disease as in the rest of Africa, medicinal plants are used for treatment as an alternative to [[allopathic medicine]].<ref name=Malaria>{{cite journal|jstor=4256921|title=Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Malaria in Southern Benin|publisher= Economic Botany: New York Botanical Garden Press|year=2004|pages=S239–S252|last1=Hermans|first1=M.|last2=Akoègninou|first2=A.|last3=Van Der Maesen|first3=L. J. G.|volume=58|journal=Economic Botany|doi=10.1663/0013-0001(2004)58[S239:MPUTTM]2.0.CO;2}}</ref> == nutlesygyv vccvlucdvtxfd vckyrxygvkjyfccxlyjjgvxtdyfirxycgutcfougcncuttckcyktcrckfcbchtit== ===W National Park=== {{main|W National Park}} W National Park, IUCN Management Category II, a transboundary park among [[Niger]], Benin and [[Burkina Faso]], as a part of the [[Niger River]], encompasses an area of {{Convert|563280|ha}} in Benin; the prefix "W" is after the W-shaped bends in the Niger River that border's the park and which is fed the [[Tapoa River]] in the north, and the [[Mékrou River]] in the south. It is set in attitudinal range of 170 to 338 m. In addition, the buffer zones are the hunting zones of Mékrou {{Convert|102640|ha}}, [[Djona]] {{Convert|115200|ha}} and [[Kompa, Benin|Kompa]] {{Convert|15000|ha}}, apart from transition areas in a {{Convert|5|km}} zone. This area in the [[West Africa]]n savanna belt covers terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems. Primarily of semi-arid to semi-humid Sudanese wooded savanna, 500 plant species have been identified. Sudanese savanna fauna consists of 70 diurnal mammals and more than 112 species of fish including [[monkfish]] ''[[Squatina aculeata]]''. The park has about 200,000 people living within it and on its periphery, which creates conflicts between park managers, herders and farmers.<ref name=GEF/><ref name="Butler2006"/><ref name=IUCN/><ref name=National>{{Cite web|url=http://www.unep-wcmc.org/sites/wh/pdf/%27W%27,%20Niger.pdf|format=pdf|title= 'W' National Park, Niger|accessdate=2 April 2011|publisher= unep-wcmc.org}}</ref> {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Pendjari Fluss.JPG | width1 = 190 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Pendjari.JPG | width2 = 175 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: Pendjari River (Oti River) in the north of Pendjari National Park during the dry season, Benin. Right: Flora in Pendjari National Park }} ===Pendjari National Park=== {{main|Pendjari National Park}} The Pendjari National Park is an area of {{Convert|275500|ha}}, located entirely in Benin, in the far north-west of Benin. In addition it has buffer zones namely, the Pendjari (348,000 ha) that incorporates the hunting zones of Pendjari-Porga (76,000 ha), Batia (75,500 ha) and Konkombri (25,900 ha). Initially known as forest reserve, it was declared a National Park on May 6, 1961 after the independence of Benin. In June 1986, it was classified as a MAB Biosphere Reserve (including the adjoining hunting zones of Pendjari and Atacora) and in February 2007, the Pendjari River Valley was recognized as a Ramsar Site of wetland importance.<ref name=GEF/><ref name=location>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pendjari.net/english/spip.php?article8|title=Geographic Location| accessdate=2 April 2011|publisher= Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve)}}</ref><ref name=Admn>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pendjari.net/english/spip.php?article11|title=Pendjari National Park Administration| accessdate=2 April 2011|publisher= Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve)}}</ref> The park is part of the W-Arli-Pendjari complex (WAP), which is a vast protected area in Benin, [[Burkina Faso]] and [[Niger]]. The hills and cliffs of the Atakora range make the north-west one of the most scenic areas of Benin. They provide a wonderful backdrop to the Pendjari National Park, which, in its isolation, remains one of the most interesting in West Africa.<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=location/> ==Riparian forests== [[File:Riparian strip.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Riparian forest along a river bank/lake shore]] [[Riparian forest]]s in Benin are important conservation sites that need more care than is currently available. These forests, which are flood-dependent and the flora that is dependent on this source of water, are seen in many parts of Benin. However, forest and savanna species are also part of this ecosystem as they have a combination of plants from various forest and savanna types. Hence, the riparian forests have been found to be more diverse than those of the single one-ecosystem-based vegetation. They also provide the needed categories of food for many animal and other forest species to survive.<ref name=fao/> The riparian forests ecosystem is in a limited area and spread in a linear shape. The forests account for at least one-third of the estimated 3,000 species of flora of Benin, with several valuable, rare or even endemic species. These forests are woodlands of semi-deciduous, dry, and open forest, and woodland savanna that occur along riverbanks or along streams. The physiognomy of this type of forest is highly variable with trees of average height of {{Convert|14|-|18|m}} and some places as high {{Convert|20|-|25|m}} with dense understorey. Adjacent more open ecosystems also affect the vegetation in these forests.<ref name=fao/> However, this ecosystem of [[hygrophile]] and [[edaphic]] freshwater forests is of general structural complexity and extent. It was in a state of extinction due to "shifting cultivation, grazing, selective cutting of valuable or rare tree species, road and dam construction, and over-exploitation of non-timber forest products" to meet the basic needs of rural community. This misuse also resulted in degradation of the ecosystem of rare plants and animals. It reached a chronic stage when indigenous multilayered plant communities became extinct in several areas with resultant creation of open fields, shrubs or grass savanna of least value. Thus, degradation of the ecologically rich system necessitated intervention at the Government level through enabling legislation to stop further damage to the ecosystem. The government of the [[Republic of Benin]] enacted a new forest law (no. 93-009) in July 1993, under which the uniqueness of riparian forests as refuge ecosystem for plant and wildlife of many kinds, was duly recognized. The rules enacted clearly defined that "clearance of wood and shrubs is not allowed within {{Convert|25|m}} at both sides of any waterway (article 28). Moreover, in the management plans of most forest reserves in Benin, gallery forests are to be left uncut, and rare species (e.g. ''Khaya'' spp. (Meliaceae), Milicia exelsa (Moraceae)) outside the gallery forests will not be cut either."<ref name=fao/> In spite of such a legislation the enforcement is not effective as it is reported that uncontrolled and unplanned, mostly illegal utilisation of the forests resources continues, particularly in non-protected areas.<ref name=fao/> ==Fauna== The major faunal groups in Benin are [[mammals]], [[birds]], reptiles and many more.<ref name="Butler2006"/> ===Mammals=== {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Leopard on a horizontal tree trunk.jpg | width1 = 175 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Lightmatter unidentified pig-like animal.jpg | width2 = 175 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: leopard on a tree stump. Right: [[red river hog]], a pig-like animal }} {{main|List of mammals of Benin}} Predators include: the [[lion]] ''(panthera leo)'', the largest predator of [[Africa]] (found in both parks); the [[leopard]] ''(panthera pardus)'' a secretive large African cat (found even outside the two parks); the [[cheetah]] ''(Acinonyx jubatus)'' is in the national parks but is a rare sight; several ''([[Felis silvestris]])'', a smaller cat; the [[caracal]] ''(Caracal caracal)'', the [[African wild cat]] ''(Felis sylvestris)''; the [[African hunting dog]] ''(Lycaon pictus)'' said to be in W. Park (may be extinct); [[side-striped jackal]] ''(Canis adustus)''; the [[black-backed jackal]] ''(Canis mesomelas)''; the [[spotted hyena]] (''Crocuta crocuta'') found in both parks.<ref name="Butler2006"/> Nocturnal predators include: the [[African civet]] (''civettictis civetta'') – a bulky long haired animal; [[small-spotted genet]] ''(Genetta genetta)'' and the [[Cape genet|large-spotted genet]] ''(Genetta tigrina)'' found in both parks; the [[spotted-necked otter]] ''(Lutra maculicollis)'', [[ratel]] or [[honey badger]] ''(Mellivora capensis)''; many [[mongoose]] species such as the [[marsh mongoose]] ''(Atilax paludinosus)'', the [[Egyptian mongoose|Egyptian large grey mongoose]] ''(Herpestes ichneumon)'', [[cusimanse]] ''(Crossarchus obscurus)'', the [[white-tailed mongoose]] ''(Ichneumia albicauda)''; slender or [[pygmy mongoose]] ''(Galerella sanguinea)'', solitary inhabitant of the savanna; and [[Gambian mongoose]] ''(mungos gambianus)''.<ref name="Butler2006"/> {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = African Bush Elephant Mikumi.jpg | width1 = 175 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Afrikanische Büffel (Syncerus caffer) 1.jpg | width2 = 175 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: [[African bush elephant]]. Right: buffalo herd }} Mammals found here include: [[African bush elephant]] ''(loxodonta Africana)'' found widely in savannas, deserts, rainforest, and in the national parks; [[hippopotamus]] ''(Hippopotamus amphibius)'' found in rivers of both parks; the [[African buffalo]] ''(Syncerus caffer)'' an ox like animal in large herds in savannas and in smaller groups in parks; [[warthog]] ''(Phacochoerus africanus)'' in both parks; the [[aardvark]] (''Orycteropus afer'') [[insectivore]] found in savannas; [[pangolin]]s; [[hedgehog]]s; [[porcupine]] species; [[rock hyrax]] ''(Procavia capensis)''; [[Cape ground squirrel]] ''(Xerus inauris)''.<ref name="Butler2006"/> ;Antelopes The parks and other areas have a major population of antelope. 17 species are identified, out of which the endangered species are [[sitatunga]] ''(Tragelaphus spekii)'', [[Bongo (antelope)|bongo]] ''(Tragelaphus eurycerus)'' and [[korrigum]] ''(Damaliscus korrigum korrigum)''. Other species of various status are: [[grey duiker]] ''(Sylvicapra grimmia)''; [[bushbuck]]; [[Maxwell's duiker]] ''(Philantomba maxwellii)''; [[red-flanked duiker]] ''(Cephalophus rufilatus)''; [[black duiker]] ''(Cephalophus niger)''; [[yellow-backed duiker]] ''(Cephalophus silvicultor)'' (vulnerable); [[grey duiker]] ''(Sylvicapra grimmia)''; [[bohor reedbuck]] ''(Redunca redunca)''; [[waterbuck]] ''(Kobus ellipsiprymnus)'' found near water sources; [[Kob|Buffon’s kob]] ''(Kobus kob)''; [[roan antelope]] ''(Hippotragus equinus)'' found more in both parks but more in Pendjari; [[western hartebeest]] ''(Alcelaphus buselaphus major)'' ungainly in appearance; [[red-fronted gazelle]] ''(Eudorcas rufifrons)''; and [[oribi]] ''(Ourebia ourebi)'', more abundant in Pendjari Park than in W National Park.<ref>Butler (2006), pp. 3–5</ref><ref name="East1990">{{cite book|author=Rod East|title=Antelopes: Part 3 – West and Central Africa: Global Survey And Regional Action Plans|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n22ER5vZqTkC&pg=PA80|accessdate=2 April 2011|date=1 January 1990|publisher=IUCN|isbn=978-2-8317-0016-8|pages=77–82}}</ref> ;Primates Primates reported include: [[olive baboon]] ''(Papio anubis)'' of large size with inverted “U” shaped tail; the [[green monkey]] ''(cercopithecus sabaeus)'', the most common monkey species; the [[Patas monkey|red monkey]] or [[patas]] ''(Erythrocebus patas)'' with an orange tinged coat) found in Northern Benin.<ref name="Butler2006"/> === Reptiles === [[Nile crocodile]]s ''([[Crocodylus niloticus]])'' the largest living reptile seen in river banks and ponds in the two protected parks, the [[dwarf caiman]], smaller and docile species of [[chameleons]] in 100 colour variations.<ref name="Butler 2006 12-13">Butler 2006, p.12-13</ref> [[Tortoise]]s are: [[leopard tortoise]] ''(Stigmochelys pardalis)'', several species of [[terrapin]] and [[turtle]]s – out of eight species of marine turtles four are found in Benin coast, namely, the [[green sea turtle]] ''(Chelonia mydas)'', [[olive ridley sea turtle]] ''(Lepidochelys olivacea)'' and [[leatherback sea turtle]] (''Dermochelys coriacea''). The indigenous [[hawksbill sea turtle]] ''(Eretmochelys imbricata)'' is the source of traditional [[tortoiseshell material|tortoiseshell]]).<ref name="Butler 2006 14">Butler 2006, p.14</ref> [[Lizards]] found are harmless and of two types, the water and savanna monitors – ''[[Varanus niloticus]]'' and ''[[Varanus exanthematicus]]'' – both are predatory species; [[house gecko]] ''([[Hemidactylus mabouia]])'', a translucent white lizard; [[agama (genus)|agama]] species in large size of varied mixed colours and the [[skinks]].<ref name="Butler 2006 15-16">Butler 2006, p.15-16</ref> ===Birds=== {{main|List of birds of Benin}} {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Lake Nokoue NASA.jpg | width1 = 250 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = African fish eagle flying cropped.jpg | width2 = 115 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: Lake Nokoue. Right: African fish eagle }} Birds are a special feature in all types of habitats ranging from [[rainforest]] to deserts in Benin, which have two main climatic zones, namely the thick tropical vegetation in the south and the dry savannas and light woodlands in the north. The birding sites for coastal [[wader]]s are the coastal lagoons of Les Bouches du Roi and the backwaters of Ouidha beach. Water birds and forest birds are found in [[Lake Nokoué]] and [[Lake Ahémé]]. Feathered birds are found in granite rock hills near [[Dassa-Zoume]]. The national parks are full of savanna specific birds.<ref name="Butler 2006 10-12">Butler 2006, p.10-12</ref><ref name =Lake>{{Cite web|url=http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/sitefactsheet.php?id=6041|title=Lake Nokoué|accessdate=1 April 2011|publisher=BirdLife Data Zone}}</ref> The weaver species reported are: 12 species of weavers of family [[Ploceidae]] are found in Benin, out of the overall 111 of the genus ''[[Ploceus]]'' (true weavers) identified; they are larger than a [[Old World sparrow|sparrow]], males are more colourful than female species. Other reported species are [[Holub's golden-weaver|golden weaver]], [[Southern masked weaver|masked weaver]] ''(Ploceus velatus)'', common [[Vieillot's black weaver]] ''(Ploceus nigerrimus)'', [[Black-billed weaver|black weaver]]s ''(Ploceus melanogaster)'', [[grosbeak weaver]] (''Amblyospiza albifrons''), [[Old World sparrow|sparrow]] and [[Ploceidae|buffalo weavers]] [[dideric cuckoo]] ''(Chrysococcyx caprius)'', a handsome [[White-breasted cuckooshrike|white cuckoo]] ''(Coracina pectoralis)'' which lays its eggs in weavers nests. More species of birds are: [[Helmeted guineafowl|guinea fowl]] ''(Numida meleagris)'', black-and-white-chicken-like cuckoo found in North Benin, [[Abyssinian ground hornbill]] ''(Bucorvus abyssinicus)'', a large distinctive bird; the [[marabou stork]] (''Leptoptilos crumeniferus''); the [[Black crowned crane|crowned crane]] ''(Balearica pavonina)'', a tall grey-black bird; the [[saddle-billed stork]] ''(Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis)'', a large white bird with black wings.<ref name="Butler 2006 11-12">Butler 2006, p.11-12</ref><ref name =Lake/> Birds also include [[Bitis arietans|puff adder]] and [[mamba]].<ref name=benin/> [[Bird of prey|Raptors]] are [[vultures]] ''([[Gyps]])'' species found in both parks, which are [[carion]]-eating birds. A common sight is the [[African fish eagle]] ''(Haliaeetus vocifer)'' species, which is black and white in colour.<ref name="Butler2006" /><ref name =Lake/> === Molluscs === {{main|List of non-marine molluscs of Benin}} === Insect === {{main|List of moths of Benin}} [[Insect]] species found in Benin include the [[tsetse fly]] and many vectors of epidemic diseases.<ref name=benin>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Africa/Benin-FLORA-AND-FAUNA.html|title=Benin-Flora fauna|accessdate=1 April 2011|publisher= Nationsencyclopedia.com}}</ref> == Flora == {{multiple image | align = right | image1 = Monotes kerstingii MS 6635.JPG | width1 = 275 | alt1 = | caption1 = | image2 = Hyphaene thebaica MS 6652.JPG | width2 = 125 | alt2 = | caption2 = | footer = Left: [[Monotes kerstingii]], a plant in the family of [[Dipterocarpaceae]] in the [[Botanical Garden, North Benin]]. Right: [[Hyphaene thebaica]] or [[gingerbread tree]] near [[Porga]], [[Benin]] }} Dense forests are not recorded in Benin. Along the coastal areas [[coconut]], [[palmyra palm]]s, [[oil palms]] are seen up to [[Abomey]], where after vegetation is savanna merged with that of Guinea and Sudan. Other tree species noted are [[ebony]], [[shea nut]], [[Kapok tree|kapok]], [[fromager]], and Senegal [[mahogany]] trees.<ref name=benin/> The W National Park constitutes the southern limit of [[tiger bush]] plateau distribution. Riverine and gallery forests are noted on the banks of the Mekrou River (with seasonal flows), and other tributaries of the Niger River. The plains have extensive coverage of grasses.<ref name="East1990"/> In the savanna woodlands, grassland and stunted savanna woodlands, the plant species recorded are the ''[[Terminalia (plant)|Terminalia avicennioides]]'', ''[[Anogeissus leiocarpus]]'', [[Celtis|hackberry]] ''[[Clematis integrifolia]]'' [[clematis]], ''[[Boscia senegalensis]]'', ''[[Balanites aegyptiaca]]'', [[kapok tree]] (''[[Bombax costatum]]''), [[Parkia biglobosa|African locust]] ''([[Parkia biglobosa]])'', [[Bauhinia variegata|camel’s foot tree]], ''[[Senna reticulata]]'', baobab ''([[Adansonia digitata]])'', [[tamarind]] ''(Tamarindus indica)'', ''[[Prosopis africana]]'', ''([[West African giraffe|Piliostigma reticulatum]])''. In the evergreen gallery forests, [[sausage tree]], (''[[Kigelia|Kigelia africana]]'') and [[Afzelia|African mahogany]] ''(Khaya senegalensis)'' are found. [[Orchid]] species recorded are the ''[[Eulophia|Eulophia cucculata]]'' and ''[[Eulophia guineensis]]''.<ref name=National/> The Pendjari park consists of; grasslands which have no trees or shrubs; shrub lands which are fully covered by grass; [[Arborous]] savanna vegetation; wooded savanna formations with contiherbaceous layer but with no undergrowth; forests along the river, thin forests with plenty of trees of size of 8–16 m; and gallery forests which are dense with shrubs.<ref name=Grass>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pendjari.net/english/spip.php?article36|title=Grassland| accessdate=2 April 2011|publisher= Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve)}}</ref> The rocky cliffs of the Pendjari National Park are sparsely wooded. The Volta depression has savanna ecosystem with woodlands and rare species such as ''[[Burkea africana]]'', [[Anogeissus leiocarpus]], [[Pterocarpus erinaceus]]'', [[Detarium|Detarium microcarpum]]'', ''[[Lannea acida]]'', ''[[Sterculia setigera]]'', ''[[Combretum ghasalense]]'' and ''[[Acacia]]'' spp. On the deep soils of some of the summits and the [[Atakora Mountains|Atakora]] escarpment one finds a greater variety of plant species with ''[[Isoberlinia doka]]'' and ''[[Afzelia africana]].'' The [[Pendjari River]] has an impressive [[gallery forest]] and river forest. The park includes both [[Sudan]] and North Guinea savannas, with areas of grassland dominated by ''[[Acacia sieberiana]]'' and ''[[Terminalia (plant)|Terminalia macroptera]].''<ref name="East1990"/> The most common species found in the "riparian forests" are: ''[[Pterocarpus santalinoides]]'' (Papilionaceae), ''[[Cola laurifolia]]'' ([[Sterculiaceae]]) and ''[[Syzygium guineense]]'' ([[Myrtaceae]]), out of which a few species are endemic and valuable.<ref name=fao/> ;Herbal cure Malaria, which is a virulent disease in Benin as in the rest of Africa, is treated by alternative medicines. The alternative treatment locally practiced in southern Benin is based on several plant species that are extracted and administered orally. Such extracts are also used for bathing. Plant species listed for treatment are 85, which are used to make 35 mixtures for treatment.<ref name=Malaria/> ;Botanical garden The [[phytodiversity]] of Western Africa is being preserved at the [[Papatia Botanical Garden]] in northern Benin. This garden, which is spread over an area of 12 ha, is a species-rich savanna area where an inventory of hundred woody plants and several hundred of herbaceous species has been maintained. A tree-nursery is part of this garden created to increase rare species.<ref name=Botanical>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bgci.org/barcelona04/abstracts/pdf_abstracts/Krohmer.pdf%7Cpdf|title=The botanic garden of Papatia (Northern Benin): Perspectives for sustainable use, biodiversity conservation and preservation of traditional knowledge|accessdate=2 April 2011|publisher=J.W.Goethe-University, Botanical Institute}}</ref> ==Organizations== According to the Strategic Plan for the Conservation and Management of Protected Areas approved in 1994, organization such as the National Centre for Wildlife Management (or Centre National de Gestion des Réserves de la Faune – [[CENAGREF]]) was created in 1996 for the sole purpose of the conservation and management of national parks including the buffer zones and the transition areas. The Direction of Pendjari National Park set up in 1996 and the Direction of W National Park set up in 1999 are administrative organizations under the CENAGREF that are responsible for the management of the parks.<ref name=GEF/> The Association of Civil Communities in the Protected Areas of the W National Park and the Séri Zone (Association des Communes Riveraines aux Aires Protégées du Parc W et de la Zone de Séri – ACRAP/WS) and Village Associations for the Management of Wildlife Reserves (or Associations Villageoise de Gestion des Reserves de Faune -AVIGREF) were also set up with the responsibility community training and promoting multi-level communication between farmers and other stakeholders and capacity building and the development of effective governance following decentralized resource management. [[IUCN]] has associated with these organizations to address all aspects of management of the natural resources of the W National Park.<ref name=IUCN/><ref name=DPNW>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pendjari.net/english/spip.php?article13|title=W National Park – Benin| accessdate=2 April 2011|publisher= Official web site of Pendjari National Park (Biosphere Reserve)}}</ref> ==Notes== {{Reflist|2}} ==References== *{{Cite book | url=http://www.bucknell.edu/msw3/ | title=Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed) | editor-last = Wilson | editor-first = Don E. | editor2-last = Reeder | editor2-first = DeeAnn M. | publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press | year=2005 | accessdate = 3 August 2009}} *{{cite web |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html |title=Animal Diversity Web |publisher=University of Michigan Museum of Zoology |date=1995–2006 |accessdate = 22 May 2007}} ==External links== {{WildlifeofAfrica}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Wildlife Of Benin}} [[Category:Biota of Benin]] [[Category:Wildlife by country|Benin]]'