Comprehensive Atlas of Protected Areas and Conservation Sites Within Benin

Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari

Sudano-Sahelian savanna and riverine conservation corridors.

As a massive transboundary conservation area, the Complexe W-Arly-Pendjari protects nearly 1.5 million hectares of savanna, woodland, and rocky terrain. The complex links national parks across three countries to maintain a continuous habitat for West African megafauna. Its distinctive landscape transitions from lush gallery forests along river systems to open, dry plains, representing an essential geographic gradient for regional biodiversity.

Basse vallée de l'Ouémé, lagune de Porto-Novo, lac Nokoué

Geographic analysis of a major West African riverine and lagoon system

Spanning the lower reaches of the Ouémé River, this protected wetland area in southern Benin integrates complex fluvial and coastal landscapes. The territory includes Lake Nokoué and the Porto-Novo lagoon, creating a vital hydrological basin that supports seasonal floodplains, mangrove fringes, and significant ecological connectivity. Examine the mapped boundaries and natural terrain of this unique West African environmental corridor.

Forêt classée de la Sota

A historic Sudano-Sahelian savanna and riverine ecosystem

Forêt classée de la Sota stands as a critical protected woodland in northeastern Benin. This expansive 53,000 hectare reserve protects unique Sudano-Sahelian terrain defined by the Sota River basin, supporting a diverse range of savanna wildlife and complex riparian habitats across the Alibori region.

Forêts classées des monts Kouffé

Exploring the ecological transition zone of the Kouffé Mountains

Covering a massive area in the Donga region, the Forêts classées des monts Kouffé serve as a key transition forest system. The protected area features hilly terrain and dense gallery woods that bridge humid southern landscapes with northern interior plateaus, creating a distinct ecological setting in central Benin.

Forêt classée de N'Dali

A study in northern Benin savanna and gallery forest geography

Forêt classée de N'Dali stands as a defined protected area within Benin, preserving a complex mosaic of tree savanna and open woodland. This reserve captures the essential Sudano-Sahelian landscape character of the Borgou region, featuring a pattern of vegetation controlled by seasonal drainage and soil variation.

Forêt marécageuse de Lokoli

A rare flooded ecosystem in southern Benin

Spanning approximately 500 hectares, Forêt marécageuse de Lokoli serves as a crucial refuge for primate species and native swamp-forest vegetation. The area illustrates a distinct alluvial geography, characterized by seasonal flooding from the Hlan stream that transforms the forest floor into a mosaic of shallow pools and dense, stilt-rooted woodland environments.