Ecosystem services from agroforestry parklands in the rural area of the Sahelo-Sudanian zone in Niger

Abstract

Several studies have been carried out in the West Africa Sahel; however, there is limited data on agroforestry studies in two distinct ecosystems. Moreover, livelihoods are facing growing uncertainties due to climate change and extensive anthropogenic activities. The majority of the population relies heavily on ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to determine the services provided by agroforestry parklands in two distinct villages. Initially, a survey involved 131 individual farmers (68 in Dan Saga and 63 in Sekoukou village) to highlight the benefits derived from agroforestry parklands for rural communities. Subsequently, a forest inventory employed a systematic random sampling approach along transects, including 40 plots in Dan Saga and 32 plots in Sekoukou (each. Finally, the study utilized the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). The study documented 25 different woody species in Dan Saga and 24 in Sekoukou village. There was a greater prevalence of species from the Fabaceae and Balanitaceae family, followed by Anacardiaceae and Combretaceae. Dendrometric surveys revealed a relatively low tree density (23 stems/ha in Dan Saga and 14 stems/ha in Sekoukou), a bell-shaped diameter distribution indicating a significant dominance of intermediate diameter trees ([20 cm; 30 cm[), and a limited representation of trees with extreme diameters ([0; 10 cm[ and [70 cm; → [). The analysis of variances revealed a significant distinction (P-value < 0.05) in all dendrometric parameters and carbon content, excluding tree density and diameter. The Shannon–Wiener index (reflecting intra-ecosystem diversity) and the Pielou equitability index were relatively low but comparable to the mean Sørensen index. The NDVI of both areas fluctuated between 0 and 1 from 2001 to 2013, illustrating evolving vegetation (biomass) dynamics. This evolution was characterized by minimal vegetation cover in 2001, which subsequently increased by 2013 in both villages. The importance of land restoration in Niger has become a crucial and beneficial activity for the population in recent years.