Revue bibliographique sur les études réalisées dans les sites Ramsar en Afrique de l’Ouest (2008 -2023)
Abstract
Les sites Ramsar d’Afrique de l’Ouest constituent des écosystèmes stratégiques pour la conservation de la biodiversité, la régulation hydrologique et le maintien des moyens de subsistance des populations locales. Toutefois, ces zones humides subissent des pressions croissantes liées aux activités anthropiques et aux effets du changement climatique. La présente étude propose une synthèse bibliographique des recherches réalisées sur les sites Ramsar d’Afrique de l’Ouest entre 2008 et 2023, afin d’identifier les principales tendances scientifiques, les thématiques dominantes ainsi que les lacunes de recherche existantes dans la région.
La recherche documentaire a été effectuée à partir de plusieurs bases de données scientifiques internationales, notamment Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, ProQuest et ResearchGate, en utilisant des combinaisons de mots-clés associés aux zones humides, aux sites Ramsar et à la conservation des écosystèmes. Après application des critères de sélection et du filtre temporel, 258 documents scientifiques ont été retenus, comprenant des articles, des thèses, des mémoires et des rapports techniques.
Les résultats montrent une augmentation progressive de l’intérêt scientifique pour les sites Ramsar en Afrique de l’Ouest au cours des quinze dernières années. Le Sénégal et le Ghana apparaissent comme les pays les plus documentés, tandis que les mangroves et les estuaires constituent les écosystèmes les plus étudiés. L’analyse met également en évidence des disparités géographiques et thématiques importantes, avec une sous-représentation de certains pays et de plusieurs catégories de zones humides. Au total, 99 sites Ramsar ont été recensés dans la région, couvrant une superficie estimée à plus de 300 000 km2.
Cette étude met en évidence l’importance de renforcer les recherches interdisciplinaires sur les zones humides ouest-africaines, notamment à travers des approches intégrant la télédétection, le suivi écologique et l’évaluation des impacts du changement climatique. Elle constitue également une base de référence scientifique pour l’amélioration des politiques de conservation et de gestion durable des sites Ramsar en Afrique de l’Ouest.
Ramsar sites in West Africa constitute strategic ecosystems for biodiversity conservation, hydrological regulation, and the maintenance of local livelihoods. However, these wetlands are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities and the impacts of climate change. This study presents a literature review of research conducted on West African Ramsar sites between 2008 and 2023, with the aim of identifying major scientific trends, dominant research themes, and existing knowledge gaps across the region.
The literature search was carried out using several international scientific databases, including Google Scholar, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, JSTOR, ProQuest, and ResearchGate. Combinations of keywords related to wetlands, Ramsar sites, and ecosystem conservation were used. After applying the selection criteria and time filter, a total of 258 scientific documents were retained, including journal articles, doctoral theses, master's dissertations, and technical reports.
The findings reveal a gradual increase in scientific interest in Ramsar sites across West Africa over the past fifteen years. Senegal and Ghana emerge as the most extensively documented countries, while mangroves and estuarine ecosystems are the most frequently studied wetland types. The analysis also highlights significant geographical and thematic disparities, with certain countries and several categories of wetlands remaining underrepresented in the scientific literature. Overall, 99 Ramsar sites were identified within the region, covering an estimated area of more than 300,000 km².
This study underscores the need to strengthen interdisciplinary research on West African wetlands, particularly through approaches that integrate remote sensing, ecological monitoring, and assessments of climate change impacts. It also provides a scientific baseline for improving conservation policies and promoting the sustainable management of Ramsar sites in West Africa.
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