Forage Diversity and Ecosystem Services in Grazed Areas of the Badenou Classified Forest (FCB)

A study was carried out on the forage diversity and ecosystem services of the grazed areas of the Badénou Forest Reserve (FCB). The aim of the study was to assess the forage production potential and identify the ecosystem services of the Badénou Forest. The data collection method was based on an ethnobotanical survey of herders and farmers in the villages surrounding the Forest, followed by a floristic inventory carried out in the areas grazed by the animals. The floristic inventory identified a total of 252 species divided into 196 genera and 63 families. The most common families were, in order of importance, Fabaceae (20.32% or 51 species), Rubiaceae (7.57% or 19 species) and Malvaceae (4.78% or 12 species). Of the total number of species recorded, 62 were identified as fodder species in the grazing areas of the Badenou Forest. They are grouped into 43 genera and 14 families. The most representative families of this forage flora are, according to the degree of importance, the Poaceae (32.26%) with the species Perotis indica (L.) Kuntze which alone has a cover rate of 76.667%, and the Fabaceae (19.35%) with the species Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Miln-Redh which has a cover rate of 58.333% of the inventoried area. The species Sida linifolia and Perotis indica, with Csi of 6.28% and 5% respectively, are considered to be very productive species. Overall, the livestock feeding method most commonly used by farmers is natural pasture feeding in the BCF, with a proportion of 87.14%, and the supply service is the most important ecosystem service provided by the BCF, with the response rate (100%) and the consensus value (2.01) given by the respondents. This suggests that the Badenou Forest is an important resource for meeting the vital needs of the surrounding population.