Understanding large- and small-scale patterns and the determinants of species richness is central for the study of evolutionary mechanisms. The extent to which species richness in local communities is related to larger-scale processes is a pre-eminent topic in ecological and evolutionary research. To investigate how local and regional species richness are related, we sampled freshwater turtle assemblages in seven localities to represent the variation in ecological conditions along a 90 km south–north megatransect in Benin, West Africa. In each locality, all turtles captured were identified and measured, and the microhabitat in which individual turtles were observed was classified. Based on these data, we used community diversity metrics to compare turtle assemblages. Spatial autocorrelation did not affect our data. For all localities pooled, two species (Pelusios castaneus and Pelomedusa olivacea) were the most common and one species (Trionyx triunguis) was the rarest. Analyses of the commonest and more numerous species showed that the abundance of Pelusios castaneus declined with an increase in latitude and longitude, but the opposite was true for Pelomedusa olivacea. We showed that various characteristics of the microhabitat were significantly correlated with the abundance of the two common species. We found significant but variable south–north gradients in microhabitat use for different turtle species. Our results highlight the importance of studying interactions between local environments, the ecological requirements of each species and their synecological relationships.

Luca (2019)Ecological challenges for the buffer zone management of protected areas of forest-savannah mosaic in West Africa. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management.

Bushmeat consumption in large Sub-Saharan African cities is perceived as a major 24 threat to the conservation of many species because their considerable population sizes can 25 generate a significant demand for bushmeat. The study of the effect of age, sex and 26 geographic location in bushmeat eating in African cities may offer valuable insights on which 27 population groups to target in behaviour change campaigns. Using 2,040 interviews in six 28 West African cities from four countries, in forest and savannah settings, we analysed the 29 differences between age and sex in people's frequency of bushmeat consumption. Overall, we 30 found similar patterns in all sampled cities. As many as 62.2 % males and 72.1% females 31 replied that they 'would not eat bushmeat at all', though only 12.8% males and 8.8% females 32 mentioned they regularly ate bushmeat. Younger generations of both sexes answered that they 33 'would never eat bushmeat' more often than older age groups, independently of their city of 34 origin. These trends are encouraging though further research needs to be undertaken to find 35 out whether bushmeat volumes consumed in cities are unsustainable and having a serious 36 impact of prey populations.37

The meat of wild animals (bushmeat) is consumed extensively in many tropical regions. Over the past few decades bushmeat consumption has greatly increased, threatening the survival of some hunted species and the supply of animal protein to countless numbers of people. Understanding patterns of bushmeat consumption is thus vital to ensure the sustainable use of this resource. Although the economic drivers of bushmeat consumption has been well studied, non-wealth correlates have been poorly considered. Here, we analyse how factors such as age and gender influence bushmeat consumption in four West African countries, within the Guinean forests (Togo and Nigeria) and Sahel (Burkina Faso and Niger). We interviewed a total of 2,453 persons (1,253 urban, 1,200 in rural areas) to determine frequency of consumption of bushmeat as well as main species eaten. We found significant differences in bushmeat consumption between rural and urban areas in all four countries. In particular, the proportion of persons not consuming any bushmeat was highest in urban areas. Gender differences in bushmeat consumption was not generally important but young people consistently avoided eating bushmeat, especially in Togo and Nigeria, and in urban areas. The complicated interplay between tradition and evolution of social systems (especially the trends towards westernization) may explain the different perceptions that people may have towards consuming bushmeat in the four studied countries. In addition, we found considerable variation in types of bushmeat eaten, with antelopes and large rodents eaten by the great majority of interviewees, but bats, monkeys, and snakes being avoided, especially in urban settlements.