Spacio-temporal dynamics and gaps in the distridution of surface water points in the biosphere reserve of Pendjari (Benin, West Africa)

Abstract

As water is the most important resource that justifies the presence and the development of wildlife, the management of surface water has always been a major concern of Reserves managers. In the Biosphere Reserve of Pendjari, located in the Sudanian zone in Benin, the spatio-temporal water availability was studied. The results showed that at the beginning of the dry season, there were 103 water points and that density would be sufficient to satisfy the needs of fauna. That potential was reduced by 64% before rainy season. The density hides an aggregative distribution and concentration of water points along Pendjari River all the dry season, especially at the end of the dry season. Water stress on wildlife is highest in March and April when the distance between water points was four times greater. Such aggregative distribution of water points gathers a high concentration of wildlife around few permanent water points with increase predation and damage on the vegetation. The analysis of the gap based on the regular quadrat of 10 km and 100 km² buffers suggested creating and / or rehabilitating 23 ponds to improve the density and the distribution pattern that must be regular mostly in the dry season.