Located in the south-west of Benin and Togo, this site covers an area of 346,285 ha. Stretching across the alluvial plain and the delta and riverbank areas of the Mono River, it boasts a mosaic of landscapes and ecosystems consisting mainly of mangroves, savanna, lagoons, floodplains and forests, including sacred forests. The area covered by the reserve is home to nearly 2 million people and the main activities are small-scale agriculture (oil palm and coconut palms), pasture, forestry and fishing.
Designation date: 2017
Networks
Regional network:
Ecosystem-based network:
Description
Map
Surface : 346,286 ha
- Core area(s): 14,496 ha
- Buffer zone(s): 43,378 ha
- Transition zone(s): 288,412 ha
Location: 6°34'29.6 N - 1°37'29.8 E
Administrative Authorities
Centre National de Gestion des Réserves de Faune (CENAGREF) in Benin; Direction des Ressources Forestières (DRF) in Togo
Kouassi Robert Noudehou
Director-General of the Centre National de Gestion des Réserves de Faune (CENAGREF)
08 BP 0227
Cotonou
Benin
Tel.: +229 21380658
Email: cenagref@yahoo.fr and
contact@cenagref.net
Ecological Characteristics
Also recognized by the Ramsar Convention on Wetland Conservation, the Mono river delta on the border between Benin and Togo is home to many different species, some of which are critically endangered. The diverse landscape includes rivers, lakes, wetlands, savannahs, gallery forests, mangroves and beaches, and it provides a habitat to hippopotamuses, manatees, whales, red-bellied monkeys, as well as many varieties of waterfowls.
The Biosphere Reserve also has various species that are endemic to the Dahomey Gap, such as the white-throated guenon (Cercopithecus eythrogaster), and critically endangered ones, like the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate) and the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea).
Socio-Economic Characteristics
Most of the population earn a living from agriculture, fishing and foresting. The main challenges are the practice of extensive agriculture, overfishing and mining.
Since the Biosphere Reserve was created, various projects has been carried out to promote ecotourism, particularly related to whale and dolphin-watching. However, the goal is to also increase cultural tourism, by promoting local festivals, such as Ekpé-ékpé (in Glidji-Kpodji, Togo), Nonvitcha (in Grand Popo, Benin) and Yèkè-yèkè.
The Biosphere Reserve management plan includes capacity-building and funding initiatives for innovation and sustainable development.
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Last updated: October 2018