Ecology of the woody vegetation in Maggia catchment area: A study area at Gougou Hema and Libatan Tahoua region (Niger)

This book is a study of the woody vegetation in the Maggia catchment area in Tahou. This catchment area is an ecosystem that contributes to the resilience of the communities in the municipality of Bagaroua. Indeed, during the dry season, local people make use of the watershed valley by growing various types of off-season crops, the main one being dolique, a species of bean very rich in protein. Within this catchment, woody vegetation maintains the ecosystem's balance by protecting the valley from water and wind erosion, thereby allowing the water table to recharge. However, despite recurrent droughts and excessive logging of these forest resources, the catchment's ecosystem is facing a problem of premature groundwater drawdown due to siltation. The aim of this study is to characterise this woody vegetation in order to identify the different species, as well as the biological and phytosociological types, with a view to sustainable management for the benefit of local communities.