[ Valorisation des espèces végétales ligneuses et des perceptions du changement climatiques à Kirtachi, Niger ]
Idrissa Ali1, Boubacar Moussa Mamoudou2, Amadou Issoufou Abdourahimou3, Biga Ibrahim4, Barmo Soukaradji5, Abdou Amani6, and Moussa Allassane Rabiou7
1 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
2 Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Diffa, Niger
3 Université de Diffa, BP 78 Diffa, Niger
4 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
5 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
6 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
7 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
Original language: French
Copyright © 2026 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
This study focuses on the valorization of woody plant species and local communities’ perceptions of climate change, in a context marked by declining rainfall, rising temperatures, and land degradation. Conducted in the rural commune of Kirtachi, the study aims to assess the different forms of use of plant species and vegetation formations, as well as farmers’ perceptions of climate change. Household surveys were carried out with 182 farming households across 20 villages. The results revealed an overall species richness of 86 species belonging to 29 families and 56 genera. Fabaceae was the most represented family (28.75%). Species richness was distributed across the surveyed formations, with 51 species recorded on plateaus, 34 in agroforestry parklands, and 32 within villages. Based on a preferential ranking established by farmers according to socio-economic and ecological benefits, 34 species were identified as priority species. Ten (10) main categories of woody plant use were identified: shade provision, fuelwood, food, soil fertility improvement, traditional medicine, fodder, service wood, windbreaks, construction, and trade. Climate change is perceived by local communities as a slight increasing trend in rainfall and temperature (XX%) and a slight decrease in wind intensity (XX%). According to 84.7% of respondents, these climatic stresses have resulted in reduced agricultural yields. In response, farmers implement a range of adaptation strategies, including physical and biological soil and water conservation measures, soil fertility management, agroforestry practices, livelihood diversification, and integrated production systems, thereby strengthening the resilience of both communities and ecosystems.
Author Keywords: valorization, woody plant species, climate change, farmers’ perception.
Idrissa Ali1, Boubacar Moussa Mamoudou2, Amadou Issoufou Abdourahimou3, Biga Ibrahim4, Barmo Soukaradji5, Abdou Amani6, and Moussa Allassane Rabiou7
1 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
2 Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Diffa, Niger
3 Université de Diffa, BP 78 Diffa, Niger
4 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
5 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
6 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
7 Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRAN), BP 429 Niamey, Niger
Original language: French
Copyright © 2026 ISSR Journals. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
This study focuses on the valorization of woody plant species and local communities’ perceptions of climate change, in a context marked by declining rainfall, rising temperatures, and land degradation. Conducted in the rural commune of Kirtachi, the study aims to assess the different forms of use of plant species and vegetation formations, as well as farmers’ perceptions of climate change. Household surveys were carried out with 182 farming households across 20 villages. The results revealed an overall species richness of 86 species belonging to 29 families and 56 genera. Fabaceae was the most represented family (28.75%). Species richness was distributed across the surveyed formations, with 51 species recorded on plateaus, 34 in agroforestry parklands, and 32 within villages. Based on a preferential ranking established by farmers according to socio-economic and ecological benefits, 34 species were identified as priority species. Ten (10) main categories of woody plant use were identified: shade provision, fuelwood, food, soil fertility improvement, traditional medicine, fodder, service wood, windbreaks, construction, and trade. Climate change is perceived by local communities as a slight increasing trend in rainfall and temperature (XX%) and a slight decrease in wind intensity (XX%). According to 84.7% of respondents, these climatic stresses have resulted in reduced agricultural yields. In response, farmers implement a range of adaptation strategies, including physical and biological soil and water conservation measures, soil fertility management, agroforestry practices, livelihood diversification, and integrated production systems, thereby strengthening the resilience of both communities and ecosystems.
Author Keywords: valorization, woody plant species, climate change, farmers’ perception.
Abstract: (french)
Le contexte de l’étude est la valorisation des espèces végétales ligneuses et la perception du changement climatique par les populations locales, qui sont confrontées à des phénomènes tels que la diminution des précipitations, l’augmentation des températures et la dégradation des sols. La présente étude conduite dans la commune rurale de Kirtachi a pour objectif d’évaluer les formes d’utilisation des espèces végétales et des formations végétales ainsi que la perception du changement climatique. Des enquêtes ont été menées auprès de 182 ménages agricoles réparties dans 20 villages. L’analyse des résultats a permis de ressortir une richesse spécifique globale de 86 espèces regroupées dans 29 familles et 56 genres. La famille des Fabaceae est la plus représentée en espèces (28,75%). Cette richesse spécifique est répartie dans les formations contactées de plateau (51 espèces) dans les parcs agroforestiers (34 espèces) et dans les villages (32 espèces). A l’issu d’une classification préférentielle des espèces faite par les paysans sur la base de leur avantage socioéconomique et écologique, 34 d’entre elles sont montrées importantes. Dix (10) types d’utilisation des ligneux à savoir: ombrage, bois d’énergie, alimentation, fertilisation de sol, médecine traditionnelle, fourrages, bois de service, brise vent, construction et commercialisation ont été enregistrés. Par ailleurs le changement climatique est perçu par les communautés à travers une tendance légère en hausse de la pluviométrie et de la température (XX%) et une tendance légère en baisse des vents (XX%) Ces aléas climatiques ont occasionné une baisse de rendement agricole selon 84,7% de personnes enquêtées. Face à cette situation, les paysans ont recours aux différentes stratégies (conservation physique et biologique des eaux et des sols, gestion de la fertilité des sols, agroforestières, activités extra-agricole, exploitation intégrée, etc.) que les communautés et les écosystèmes deviennent encore plus résilient.
Author Keywords: valorisation, espèces végétales, climat, perception paysanne.
