Diachronic analysis of the spatial dynamics of the sacred forests of the Upper Niger basin in the Republic of Guinea

Abstract

This study focuses on the diachronic analysis, between 1986 and 2017, of the spatial dynamics of 20 sacred forests in the Upper Niger basin in the Republic of Guinea. Interpretation of Landsat TM satellite images (1986, Landsat OLI / TIRS (2017), as well as field surveys, were used. The study revealed that despite their sanctity, monitoring of the forest sites studied is problematic. The diachronic analysis of the spatial evolution of each of the 20 forests studied shows, with the exception of one site, a regressive trend of all the initial areas which, increased from 2,581.10 ha in 1986, to 1,206.6 ha in 2017. During the three decades, the initial total area of ​​the 20 forests decreased by 57.5% on average, with an average annual rate of 3.8%. This considerable reduction in area is mainly linked to agriculture (63%). Demographic pressure, the proximity of villages, the weakening of traditional management systems and the influence of Islam are at the origin of this deforestation. In the village terroirs of the basin is necessary for the care of this ecological heritage.