Spatio-temporal dynamics of land use on the Beninese coast (1990-2024): Remote sensing analysis

Land use is one of the main factors contributing to the degradation of plant formations. This degradation results from increasing environmental and anthropogenic pressures. The aim of this study is to analyze the evolution of land use along the Beninese coast between 1990 and 2024. To achieve this, SPOT satellite images from 1990, 2005, and 2015, along with MSI Sentinel-2 images from 2024, field surveys, and color compositions were used. Maximum likelihood classification was applied to produce historical and current maps, highlighting thirteen land use classes, with an overall accuracy of 91.32%. The results reveal a regression in natural forest formations, while non-forest formations have increased in area. More specifically, mangrove forests decreased by approximately 37.31% between 1990 and 2015. However, between 2015 and 2024, their area increased from 1,407.48 hectares to 1,885.19 hectares, representing a 34% increase, likely due to restoration efforts. Strengthening mangrove conservation and rehabilitation initiatives therefore appears essential to preserve this ecosystem in the face of increasing urbanization and demographic pressures on Benin's coastline.