Mangrove mycorrhizae mapping: unveiling biodiversity for conservation and restoration in Benin

Roël Dire Houdanon
Roël Dire Houdanon
Benin
Cohort:
2024
project abstract

The Mono Biosphere Reserve of Benin represents an important component of the Benin wetland complex. Among this complex, mangroves represent an ecosystem rich in plant, animals, and fungi. In Benin, most of studies implemented in mangrove focused only on plants and animals without addressing fungi which plays a significant role in mangrove ecosystem functioning. However, mangroves are facing significant pressures and their area decreased from 5500 ha in 1995 to 1105 ha in 2015, representing a reduction of 80 % in 20 years. Thus, it becomes urgent to explore fungal diversity poorly documented until now. The objective of this project is to identify and quantify fungal taxa present in mangrove ecosystems and thus providing valuable information about their biodiversity and composition. This data is crucial for effective conservation and restoration efforts. It can help assess the impact of disturbances (human, water quality, etc.) on fungal diversity, identify indicator species, and guide the development of strategies to protect and restore mangrove ecosystems.

Photo by Ade Kegnide on Unsplash