Advancing the understanding of Indigenous and Local Knowledge practices in mangrove ecosystem sustainability in the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve in West Africa (Benin Republic-Togo)

作者：Sènankpon Tcheton, Andrea Marais-Potgieter, Denis Worlanyo Aheto, Laura Pereira · 发表于：Frontiers in Ocean Sustainability · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/focsu.2025.1585598 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management、Agriculture and Rural Development Research、Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development

Introduction The participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) is essential for biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, as they have in-depth, alternative strategies and cross-generational knowledge on how to conserve local biodiversity and sustain ecosystem resilience. Despite the different understandings of their associated knowledge in conservation practices, the perceived contribution of their knowledge in the form of rituals, taboos, and totems has proven to be useful in natural resource management. Nevertheless, the various threats facing Indigenous practices pose significant challenges in the quest for ecosystem sustainability. Methods Based on the availability of Indigenous knowledge, its use in conservation practices, and the relationship between Indigenous peoples and nature, we used the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (MTBR) that extends across the Togo and Benin Republic boundary as a case study. From March to April 2024, we conducted mixed-method research by documenting what is understood and considered Indigenous and Local Knowledge in mangrove conservation practices in the Benin Republic and Togo, factors threatening its use, and mapping the main knowledge holders in the reserve. A total of 70 Indigenous and Local Knowledge holders were interviewed through semi-structured interviews and surveyed in eight villages in the Mono Transboundary Biosphere Reserve. Results We found that the understanding of Indigenous knowled...