%0 Journal Article
%T Analysis of Factors Affecting Wood Energy Consumption in Urban Residences and Their Implication on Biodiversity Loss: Case of Cotonou, Benin
%A Pascal S. Ahouanvoegbe
%A Naomi Keena
%A Bruno A. Djossa
%A Abimbola Y. Sangodoyin
%J Current Urban Studies
%P 88-105
%@ 2328-4919
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/cus.2024.121005
%X In
Sub-Saharan Africa, wood fuels remain one of the most important sources of
energy and income for habitants. The growing demand for this type of energy has
strongly impacted the wood species in supply areas. The purpose of this study
was to assess the risk of biodiversity loss (species degradation) due to wood
energy consumption in Cotonou. The methodological approach included surveys
using questionnaires with different categories of people such as consumers,
transporters, and wood energy producers. Data was collected and processed using
STATA v.13 software. The risk of biodiversity loss due to wood-energy
consumption was evaluated using a scenario based on the risk ranking method in
Tchaourou¡¯s commune. Results showed that four factors such as ¡°City districts¡±,
¡°Wood Resistance (density)¡±, ¡°Wood origin (Provenance)¡± and ¡°Household Size
(Number of habitants)¡± were driving wood-energy demand in Cotonou. A total of
3924.03 tons of wood energy was transported from 17 communes to Cotonou.
Djidja¡¯s commune was the most important (1200.01 tons), followed by Sav¨¨
(586,814.6 tons) and Tchaourou (627,719.4 tons). In addition, among the 13
plant species frequently used by wood-energy producers in Tchaourou¡¯s commune, </span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Prosopis
africana</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> and </span><i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Anogeissus leiocarpa</span></i><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> were mentioned with a high rate of
extinction. The study concluded that the patterns of fuelwood production and
consumption in Cotonou present a great danger to biodiversity in supply areas.
%K Wood Energy Flow
%K Biodiversity Conservation
%K Urbanization
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=132160