The Synthesis Company of San Francisco Mountain Logo

Abstract

In Togo, firewood and charcoal contribute more than 80% to the total domestic energy requirements (Kokou et al., 2009). This traditional energy represents about an annual average consumption of 419,964 tons per year on national level (Fontodji, 2007). This incessant growing request for traditional energy is ensured by national production. Unfortunately, this important consumption of charcoal had enormous consequences on the ecosystems since the methods used by the producers and the consumption modes of charcoal by households still remain archaic. Indeed, the production yield is about 15 to 20% i.e. 150 to 200 kg of wood produced per ton of woody material (Girard, 2002) and during the cooking with charcoal, the loss in energy is about 8 to 13% (Thiam, 1991). This situation is an important waste of wood causing the felling of a great number of trees. Moreover, the producers claim that the charcoal is of good quality when part of the wood used is fresh. Therefore, the excessive exploitation of the forestry resources for energy purposes puts an important pressure on the ecosystems and leads consequently to serious harmful effects on the environment and the biodiversity preservation. The objectives of this article are: (1) to analyze the impact of charcoal production on the natural ecosystems; (2) to assess the pressure on the key plant species as well as (3) on the soil physico-chemical properties soil and fauna diversity inside the kilns; (4) to assess how national environment policies and laws regulate charcoal production activities.

Impact of Charcoal Production on Biodiversity in Togo (West Africa)

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