Perceptions of ecosystem services provided by the landscapes of the coastal lagoon at the 1017 Ramsar site in Benin (West Africa)

Coastal lagoon ecosystems offer essential goods and services vital for local livelihoods but face significant anthropogenic pressures. Understanding local communities’ perceptions is crucial for protecting and conserving these resources. To inform conservation efforts, this study assesses community perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) from various land use/land cover types in Benin's Coastal Lagoon Landscapes. A literature review and semi-structured interviews with key informants were conducted to develop a preliminary classification of ES. Then, using Dagnelie's binomial approximation law, 285 households were selected. Data on the perception of ES were collected through face-to-face interviews with one respondent (aged > 18) per household, using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the R package “ggplot2” and the relative importance index, ES diversity index, and logistic regression models. A total of 18 ES across four main categories were identified. All respondents (100%) recognized the abundance of at least one provisioning ES, and most also identified at least one cultural ES (87.01%), regulating ES (72.98%), and supporting ES (66.31%). Swamp forests/savannas/saltmarshes (16 ES), mangrove forests (15 ES), and agricultural lands (14 ES) were identified as the key sources of the perceived ES. The study found that age, gender, length of stay, and level of formal education significantly influenced ES perception. This study provides baseline data on ES to support decision-making aimed at enhancing ES provision and reducing natural ecosystem degradation. Strategic conservation planning should consider these practical insights to promote landscape multifunctionality.