The conservation of wildlife populations requires regular studies for effective monitoring. However, although necessary, these studies are difficult to implement, particularly in the developing countries where the lack of financial resources and appropriate material are felt. Nowadays, the use of drones has grown steadily, opening up new avenues for wildlife management. The present research investigated on a ranch, the use of a mini-drone in the activities of wildlife surveys, monitoring and ranch mapping. After a line transects census, surveys with drone at various heights were made for animal counting, monitoring and ranch photogrammetry. The data was extracted from the taken images and analyzed as appropriate. From the results obtained, it is clear that the mini-drones give good results for the wildlife survey when the flights are made between an elevation of 20 to 50 m. The wildlife species encountered do not change their attitude when the drone passes by. Various acts of vandalism can also be observed with the drone and the mapping of the ranch set up in the middle of the savannah was obtained in a relatively short time. Long-lasting batteries will have to be manufactured in order to allow the mini-drones to operate easily in a real natural environment for ecological monitoring activities.

The relevance of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) to community members no longer needs to be proven; these resources contribute mainly to nutrition and health care in many rural areas in Africa. This study aims at identifying medicinal plant species subject to tree bark commercialization in the Lokoli swampy forest and its surrounded farmlands located in southern Benin (West Africa). We analyzed the economic profitability of medicinal tree bark. Three groups of collectors were identified: G1 sells bark locally (G1), G2 at medium-distant markets (< 50km) and G3 at distant markets (> 50 km). We identified a total of 17 medicinal plant species belonging to 13 families of which 11 tree bark species were commonly recorded: Anogeissus leiocarpa, Bridelia ferruginea, Khaya senegalensis, Kigelia africana, Lannea acida, Maranthes polyandra, Nauclea diderrichii, Parkia biglobosa, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Syzygium owariense and Terminalia glaucescens. The net income as well as the economic profitability depended on the group to which collectors belonged. Bark collectors make returns from 31.7±5.45 to 319.0±26.35$ US, annually. The economic profitability ranged from 23% to 54% of the invested costs. The break-even point and safety margin were higher for G3 than G1 and G2 collectors. Similar results were registered for net income and profitability. The most valuable tree bark species were K. africana, M. polyandra, S. owariense, and K. senegalensis.

The Departments of Borgou and Alibori alone hold approximately 60% of Benin's cattle herd is estimated at 2.166 million heads. The power of these animals is exclusively based on natural pastures, it is important to have an idea of the characteristics of the latter to take decisions. The study took place in the North East part of Benin and aims to characterize the pastures of this region. In total 60 phytosociological surveys were conducted, 40 plots of productivity and 40 linear measurements were made. Surveys were treated with CAP software and identified the types of pasture. Four (04) vegetable grouping were identified. The higher biomass was obstained in the pasture to Ficus glumosa and Hyparrhenia involucrata (5.7 t DM / ha). The biologic spectrum analysis shows an abondance and a predominance of the phanerophytes (55 %) and the therophytes (35%). As for as the phytogeographic kinds are concerned, the species of the soudanian (58 %) element predomines in the groups. The highest pastoral value was observed in the vegetable grouping Cochlospermum tinctorium and Tephrosia pedicellata (32.6). It follows from this study that the study of pastures are degraded environment, have low productivity and low pastoral value. Knowledge of these parameters allows to have an idea of the pressure that undergoes the country.