Perceptions of players in the wood-energy market on the effects of their activities on the dynamics of the vegetation cover in the western part of the Plateaux Region in Togo

Abstract

The efforts made in black Africa in general and in Togo in particular for the preservation of vegetation have had unsatisfactory results. New approaches deserve to be adopted in order to attenuate the anthropic pressures exerted on the vegetation. Taking into account one of the panoply of factors to be examined, this study aims to identify the perceptions of players in the wood- energy market in the western part of the Plateaux Region in Togo in order to better direct their actions towards the protection and preservation of vegetation. The methodological approach of this study is based on the classic methodology of geographical research: field observation, documentary research, interviews and field survey. The results reveal that 16 per cent of the producers recognize that their activities strongly degrade the vegetation. 6 per cent of collectors and 3 per cent of traders have the same perception. In addition, 78 per cent of producers, 82 per cent of collectors and 65 per cent of retailers declared a slight degradation of the plant cover from their activities. The secondary actors, in particular stevedores, shippers and transporters or carriers, unanimously do not recognize the contribution of the wood-energy market to this mechanism.