National | PANORAMA

Partnerships: indigenous people and local communities engagement

Indigenous people and local communities engagement in the restoration activities

Some indigenous people engaged in the solution implementation

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Collaboration with indigenous people and local communities (IP&LC) and organizations is essential. Through community engagement we are able to mobilise IP&LC in helping to protect the forests and restoration sites and support our efforts. By working together, everyone can contribute to the conservation goals and increase success.

Mutual trust and communication are essential to build strong relationships with IP&LC and organizations for successful restoration actions. IP&LC can include farmers and wildlife wardensm organizations can include forest offices. To build and maintain strong relationships, we have learned that impactful engagement with IP&LC requires developing shared objectives to keep everyone focused and motivated toward common conservation goals.

We faced challenges when trying to engage IP&LC without first understanding their needs and perspectives. Take time to listen and involve them in the process from the beginning to foster better cooperation. Engage with IP&LC through consultations and identification of species that are important for them and can help improveing success.

Identify and prepare suitable planting microsites, especially protected sites with suitable conditions that can support the species growth

Soil sampling

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Soil sampling

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

The purpose is to find the best locations for planting the seedlings. We look for microsites with suitable biotic and abiotic conditions that will help the plants thrive. Identifying suitable microsites involves performing soil physical and chemical analysis. Preparing these microsites involves clearing weeds and making sure the soil is ready for new plants.

The soil quality and accessibility are important as soil nutrient and permeability state are vital for seedling survival and growth. The microsites should be easily accessible to ensure maintenance activities and monitoring.

Identifying suitable microsites can take time and requires thorough soil analysis. We discovered that not all nutrient-rich areas are easily accessible, so having backup microsites is helpful. Additionally, clearing the microsites effectively is vital to ensure no competing plants hinder seedling growth.

Seed collection, germination, and seedling production

Samara fruits of Mansonia altissima

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Fruits of Mansonia altissima

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Seedlings of Mansonia altissima

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Making materials avilable to initiatite the restoration and conservation process for the plantation of seedlings. The purpose is to ensure that we have enough young plants for the species introduction into the identified protected forest ecosystems. We collected seeds from the existing population of the target species and sowed them in polyethylene bags filled with forest soil at the forest nursery. This block also focuses on providing the right care and environment for young seedlings to grow strong. It includes watering, protection from pests, and ensuring they get enough sunlight. Healthy seedlings are more likely to survive when planted. We raised the prouted seedlings for six months in field conditions before planting them.

As conditions important for successful seedling production, conservationists need high-quality and healthy seeds, a nursery with poor light-penetrated shading, a permanent water source, containers, and a medium. Establishing a reliable schedule for watering, fertilizing, and monitoring light conditions helps seedlings to grow faster. Regular checks for pests and diseases are necessary to protect seedlings and ensure healthy growth of plants.

Mass production of seedlings for restoration and conservation requires many financial resources and human capital for nursery care. However, this is a way to secure the establishment of planted trees in forest ecosystems. We also learned that seeds of different species may require tailored germination techniques. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to grow seedlings of all species. It is crucial to understand the specific needs of each seed type before starting.

Monitoring and research

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Monitoring and research

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Monitoring and research are important for data sharing. Based on soil properties predominantly related to the African Black Walnut development our findings shed light on how soil parameters contribute to species distribution at the fine scale. Thus, we found new information concerning the habitat requirements which are quite interesting and valuable for the ex-situ management and conservation of Mansonia altissima.

Monitoring

Partnerships: indigenous people and local communities engagement

Some indigenous people engaged in the solution implementation

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Some indigenous people engaged in the solution implementation

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Mutual trust and communication are essential to build strong relationships with IP&LC and organizations for successful restoration actions. IP&LC can include farmers and wildlife wardensm. Oorganizations can include forest offices. To build and maintain strong relationships, we have learned that impactful engagement with IP&LC requires developing shared objectives to keep everyone focused and motivated toward common conservation goals.

Identify and prepare suitable planting microsites, especially protected sites with suitable conditions that can support the species growth

Soil sampling

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Seed collection, germination, and seedling production

Samara fruits of Mansonia altissima

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Fruits of Mansonia altissima

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Seedlings of Mansonia altissima

Adigla Appolinaire Wedjangnon

Making materials avilable to initiatite the restoration and conservation process for the plantation of seedlings. The purpose is to ensure that we have enough young plants for the species introduction into the identified protected forest ecosystems. We collected seeds from the existing population of the target species and sowed them in polyethylene bags filled with forest soil at the forest nursery. This block also focuses on providing the right care and environment for young seedlings to grow strong. It includes watering, protection from pests, and ensuring they get enough sunlight. Healthy seedlings are more likely to survive when planted. We raised the prouted seedlings for six months in field conditions before planting them.