Perceived and measured forest degradation across Western Africa: Insights for sustainable forest management

• Collection of non-timber forest products is the main forest activity • Logging, fires, and agriculture are largely perceived as driving forest degradation • Forest uses are similar across forests, but perceptions of forest use impacts vary • Locally perceived forest degradation is not always in line with pressure on forests • High socio-economic pressure is captured in increased measured forest degradation Tropical forests face fragmentation, degradation, and conversion, leading to biodiversity loss, reduced carbon storage, and diminished ecosystem services. While local populations depend on forest products, the intensity of these extractions can lead to forest degradation. This paper examines the interplay between socio-economic pressure, perceived and measured forest degradation, and the insights to be gained for informed forest management. A survey of 1956 respondents was conducted across seven forests in Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and Cameroon, from which 328 forest users were identified who regularly work in one of seven studied forests. In semi-structured questionnaires we asked about forest use and perceptions of corresponding impacts on forest integrity. We integrated spatially explicit demographic and governance data (forest pressure) with interview-based insights (perceived degradation) and quantitative assessments of forest structural complexity (measured degradation). Most people gather non-timber forest products, though hunting and logging were also important activities. Generally, forests affected by logging and fire, or conversion to agriculture were perceived as degraded. Further, the disappearance of large, old trees, different plant and animal species, and the loss of forested areas were observed over the years. However, perceptions did not always reflect forest uses. The community with the highest pressure on forests was least concerned about forest degradation, while people near strictly protected and sacred forests were most concerned. The different relationships between local perceptions, measurable forest degradation, and pressure on forest resources need to be considered to guide sustainable forest management and reduce ongoing forest degradation and biodiversity loss in Western Africa.