Abstract

Forest degradation has been worsening over the past years by the numerous populations seeking a means of living, without respecting minimum conservation rules. Converting forests into timber is another cause of deforestation. In Wari-Maro, a protected forest, timber tree species such as, Afzelia africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Khaya senegalensis, Pseudocedrela kostchyi, Ceibapentanda andChlorophora excels were exploited for commercial use in Benin. The study aimed to assess the status of timber (commercial timbers) species in Wari-Maro forest in Benin. The methodology used was based on satellite images processing for identification of the vegetation types. The sampling plots were established in each type of vegetation for assessing the different timbers species listed above. The results show that Afzelia africana was less than three plants per hectare and the extreme classes were not represented. The same results were obtained with Khaya senegalensis. The results have also shown that P. erinaceus and P. kostchyi were represented in all classes with the number of plants less than 8 per hectare. The analysis has proved that these last two species were overexploited after the scarcity of Afzelia africana and Khaya senegalensis. Furthermore, Pterocarpus erinaceus andPseudocedrela kostchyi were exported overseas.

Key words: Protected forest, Wari-Maro, timber species assessment, sampling plots, Benin.