Stand conditions: Diversity and selection criteria for plant species used for wood charcoal in central Benin

Carbonisation, as a widespread practice in many parts of West Africa, raises major concerns about the sustainable management of natural resources, highlighting complex challenges related to species choice, cultural influence, and the environmental impact of this activity. The objective of the study, carried out in various villages of the Ouessè commune, was to analyse the determinants influencing species choice in charcoal production and marketing. Thus a "snowball" sampling approach was used to sample 150 charcoal producers responding in five arrondissements of the Ouessè commune. Descriptive statistics were used, followed by Pearson's Chi-square tests of independence and Fisher's exact test. Next, Simple Correspondence Analyses (SCA) were performed to describe the links between species choice criteria and species preference. The results revealed no significant association with gender (χ² = 6.89; df = 9; p = 0.648) and age (χ² = 12.95; df = 18; p = 0.794), but a strong correlation existed between species choice for charcoal production and sociocultural and sociolinguistic groups (χ² = 46.05; df = 27; p = 0.013). Preferences varied significantly between communities, highlighting the importance of cultural factors in the selection of species for charcoal production. The study provides a multidimensional view of charring practices, emphasizing the significant cultural impact on species selection. These results provide a crucial basis for guiding more sustainable forest resource management policies, taking into account the cultural specificities and ecological realities of each community.