Ecological Niche and Strategies of Conservation of Sitatunga (Tragelaphus Spekii, Sclater) in the Context of Climate and Global Change in Benin “West Africa”

Authors: Kotin MJ*, Koura K, Hedegbetan G, Aoudji KNA, Ganglo CJ

DOI: 10.23880/jenr-16000331

Volume 7, Issue 2

Abstract

Mammals that live in inland wetlands are globally threatened. Tragelaphus spekii is a species belonging to this category of mammals and is on the IUCN red list. It is therefore necessary to conduct studies for its conservation. This study was conducted in Benin, mainly in the South of the country. It aimed to assess the distribution of Tragelaphus spekii, to know the threats to its habitats and to model its ecological niche in order to propose strategies for its conservation. The methodological approach used consisted in conducting surveys on neigh boring populations to its habitats, searching for signs of presence and modeling its ecological niche using Maxent algorithm. The results of this study showed that T. spekii is mainly found in the wetlands of southern Benin, particularly in swamps and rainforests. The main threats to its habitats, frequently cited by respondents, are hunting, transhumance and agriculture. A projection of the ecological niche was made over West Africa. The results showed that a West African coastal strip from Nigeria to Sierra Leone is favorable to the species. In Benin, only the south of the country is currently favorable to the species.

Keywords: Tragelaphus spekii, Habitats, Threats, Favorable area, Wetland, Benin

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