Renewable energy is an important pillar of decarbonization in reducing the impact of climate change. Among the renewable energy sources, solar photovoltaic energy is one of the fastest-growing across West Africa, especially in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire. However, its dependence on weather and climate could affect future power system operations. This study aims to quantify how climate change could affect future solar PV potential in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire under the RCP8.5 scenario. For this purpose, we used three regional climate model simulations (RCMs) generated by the new high-resolution Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) for the Africa domain (AFR-22). Future changes were computed for two time slices: the near future (2021-2040) and the middle future (2041-2060), relative to the reference period (1986-2005). The performance of the RCMs and their ensemble mean in simulating relevant climate variables was first evaluated with respect to the ERA5 reanalysis and satellite-based (SARAH-2) data during the reference period. Our results indicate that all available RCMs and their ensemble mean reasonably simulate the annual cycle and the spatial patterns features of surface solar radiation, near-air temperature and solar PV potential in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire. We also conclude that C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire is expected to experience a moderate decrease in annual mean solar PV potential during the mid-21st century. The average decrease in solar PV potential over C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire could range from 0.55% to 2.16% in the near future and from 1.30% to 3.50% during the middle future, according to the considered RCMs. This decline in solar PV potential will be particularly noticeable during the period from June to October in all climatic zones. Overall, these findings provide valuable information for renewable energy planners to ensure the long-term success of solar PV energy projects in the context of climate change in C & ocirc;te d'Ivoire.
Fire shapes vegetation structure, biodiversity, and carbon dynamics across West African protected areas (PAs). We aimed to assess fine-scale interactions of climatic, ecological, and landscape controls on burning in PAs, as these are poorly understood. We analysed fire dynamics across 15 PAs in four ecological zones in West Africa. We used 20 years (2004-2024) of MODIS burned area data, harmonized GLAD and ESRI land cover, and ERA5 climate reanalysis within a buffer-based spatial framework (0-20 km) to capture gradients from PA interiors to surrounding human-modified landscapes. We found that PAs in Northern Savanna zone recorded the highest burn frequencies, with peaks between November and January, reaching 57-61% of park area, while PAs in Southern Forest zone showed near-zero burning regardless of seasonal rainfall. Dry-season precipitation was negatively associated with burned area across fire-prone parks, while wet-season rainfall showed no consistent association. Burn frequency was highest within PA interiors and declined progressively outward across buffer zones up to 20 km. Rangelands and croplands burned more frequently than tree-dominated cover classes, showing high fire activity in Northern Savanna and near-zero activity in Southern Forest ecological zones. Fires outside PA boundaries ignited earlier and burned more extensively than fires inside, indicating stronger anthropogenic ignition pressure in surrounding landscapes. The results show that fire regimes in West African PAs are governed largely by ecological context and seasonal climate rather than vegetation type alone. Therefore, fire management strategies in conservation landscapes must be designed to be adaptable to ecological zones, seasonal climate forecasts, and activities at adjacent park boundaries.
Herbicides are among the most widely used weed management methods worldwide, particularly glyphosate and 2,4-D, which rank among the top-selling active ingredients due to their broad-spectrum activity and cost-effectiveness. Glyphosate is the most extensively used herbicide globally, while 2,4-D remains one of the oldest and most frequently applied selective herbicides. Their recurrent use raises concerns about environmental risks, especially for non-target soil organisms such as earthworms, which are bioindicators of soil health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk posed by glyphosate and 2,4-D-based herbicides to earthworms in tropical agroecosystems, using Eudrilus eugeniae as a model species. Two experimental plots (15 × 15 m each) were treated with glyphosate or 2,4-D formulations. Residues in soil were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Risk was characterized by the ratios between predicted environmental concentrations and measured soil concentrations, for both lethal and reproductive endpoints. Results showed that 2,4-D residues exceeded the predicted effect concentration for reproduction (PECrep) over the 35-days monitoring period, suggesting a risk of reduced cocoon production and hatching success. In contrast, glyphosate residues remained below PECrep, indicating a low risk for earthworm reproduction. Both herbicides remained well below acute lethal thresholds (LC50), but glyphosate maintained PEC50/CS ratios above 1 throughout the experiment. Overall, the findings indicate that while glyphosate residues did not pose a significant risk to earthworm reproduction, 2,4-D-based herbicides present a potential ecological risk. These results highlight the need to carefully consider herbicide type in integrated weed management strategies and to complement regulatory risk assessments with field-based evaluations.
ABSTRACT Climate change is increasingly reshaping species distributions and ecological interactions, yet its effects on obligate mutualisms remain poorly understood. One of the most remarkable examples is the ancient symbiosis between fungus‐growing termites (Macrotermitinae) and their obligate fungal partners of the genus Termitomyces , a mutualism that underpins nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, soil engineering and ecosystem productivity throughout sub‐Saharan Africa. Whether contrasting modes of fungal symbiont transmission influence the resilience of fungus‐growing termites to climate change has, however, received little attention. Here, we investigate the current and future habitat suitability of two ecologically important Macrotermes species in Côte d'Ivoire, Macrotermes bellicosus , which vertically transmits its Termitomyces symbiont and Macrotermes subhyalinus , which acquires its fungal partner through horizontal transmission. Using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modelling based on 162 and 127 occurrence records, respectively, and eight carefully selected environmental predictors, we quantified current habitat suitability, identified the principal environmental drivers of species distributions, projected distributional shifts under SSP2‐4.5 and SSP5‐8.5 climate scenarios for 2050 and identified climatically stable refugia of conservation importance. Habitat suitability was primarily explained by the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Human Footprint Index, while annual temperature, annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality and the minimum temperature of the coldest month also contributed substantially to model performance. Climate projections predicted an overall decline in highly suitable habitats for both species, although their responses differed markedly. Whereas M. bellicosus is expected to maintain a relatively stable distribution, M. subhyalinus is projected to undergo pronounced spatial redistribution under future climatic conditions. These contrasting responses suggest that fungal symbiont transmission mode may represent an overlooked biological trait influencing species resilience to climate change. More broadly, this study provides novel evidence that host‐symbiont interactions should be explicitly incorporated into predictive species distribution models and conservation planning to improve forecasts of biodiversity responses to global environmental change.
Documenting the traditional knowledge and practices (TKP) related to the use and management of natural resources is central to ethnobiology. This study lists the native palm species and associated TKP in a multicultural area in the Republic of Benin. It tests how TKP on native palms varies across ethnic groups and provides ideas to contribute to their conservation and sustainable use. In total, 87 focus groups and 1244 interviews were realized in 239 sites across 38 municipalities, 9 departments and three phytogeographical zones. Data on palm species, uses, threats and conservation practices were analysed with quantitative ethnobotanical tools. Regression models identified socioeconomic drivers of traditional knowledge, and Principal Component Analysis highlighted ethnic variations in palm use. In total, 12 native palms were documented, including the severely threatened Hyphaene guineensis Schumach. & Thonn. reported here for the first time in Benin. Altogether, 246 use-reports were recorded in six use-categories (artisanal, cosmetic, firewood, food, magic, and medicinal). The ethnic group and education level significantly affected TKP, with the Fon group and illiterate respondents as the main craftsmen, reporting the most diseases treated by palm derivatives. Overharvesting, agricultural expansion, human-induced fire, sand quarrying, and urbanization are the main threats to palm stands in Benin. We recommend establishing palm nurseries to implement both in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies, integrating palm species into agroforestry systems, community-managed reserves, and educational landscapes such as botanical gardens and school-based green spaces.
