Location: Benin is in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo. The rainforest is mainly in the upper one half of the country along the Niger River Basin (see map).
The Resource: "Some type of arboreal vegetation covers about 65% of the country. Productivity of most such stands essentially savannah scattered sparsely with trees is low. Significant forests, including gallery forests, cover only a small part of the country's area. However, there are large stretches of relatively closed mixed forest and grassland ("open forest" and "savannah woodland"), which at present constitute the largest reserves of arable land and wood." - FAO
Cause of Problem: Overpopulation with resulting poverty has increased pressure on the land for food sources and material for heating and housing.
Other Environmental Issues: "inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification" - CIA
Rhett A. Butler's Assessment : Benin's economy is largely undeveloped and relies on subsistence agriculture and regional trade. An exploding population (3.3% population growth) is putting pressure on forests for fuelwood, agricultural clearing, pasture lands, and housing... Read More
