Dr. Ir. Gérard N. GOUWAKINNOU

Research interests : Wildlife Ecology and Conservation – Protected Areas Management – Biodiversity Informatics Agroforestry – Climate change and Forest modeling

Position

Research fellow

Research interests

    • Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
    • Protected Areas Management
    • Biodiversity Informatics
    • Agroforestry
    • Climate change and Forest modeling

Background

  • 2011 : PhD in Plant Ecology and Conservation. Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques, Université d’Abomey-Calavi. Promotor : Prof. Dr. Ir. Brice Sinsin
    • 2008 : Diplôme d’Etude Approfondie (DEA) In Natural Resources Management. Faculté des Sciences Agronomiques (FSA) Université d’Abomey-Calavi Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ir. Brice Sinsin
    • 2006: Diplôme d’Ingénieur Agronome (Agricultural Engineer Degree). Major: Forestry; Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Benin. Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ir. Jean C. Ganglo
    • 2005 (August): Diplôme d’Agronomie Générale, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Bénin.

Research projects

My current project intends to use 3 years demographic census to assess how difference in land uses and spatial climatic variation and their combined effects affect the demographic rates of Sclerocarya birrea. The integral matrix projection will be used to assess the impact of these rates and their variation on the long term dynamics of the species and identify critical life stage to its population persistence. The outcomes are expected to inform local forest authorities for effective management planning for the populations of S. birrea in Agroforestry systems as well as in Protected areas for the benefit of rural communities.

Awards and distinctions

  • Research grant awards
    – 2013: International Foundation for Science (IFS) Grant, Sweden, Renewal Grant, PI
    – 2012: National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (NFSC) – Research Fellowship for International Young Scientists. Co-PI
    – 2012: National Working Groups (NWGs) Grant of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA). Co-PI
    – 2010: Abdou Salam Ouedraogo (ASO) Fellowship for Plant Genetic Resources Conservation. Bioversity International, Rome, Italy. PI
    – 2010: Rufford Small Grant for Nature Conservation (RSG), UK. PI
    – 2009: International Foundation for Science (IFS) Grant, Sweden. PI
  • Travel grant awards
    – 2012: Full Conference travel Grant, IUFRO/SAP, Nairobi, Kenya
    – 2012: Full travel support for BIARI Almuni to Brown University, RI, USA
    – 2011: Full support grant to Brown University, Providence, RI, USA (BIARI, 2011)
    – 2010: IUFRO/SAP Conference Full Travel Grant (Seoul, South Korea)
    – 2009: CTA Conference Travel Grant (Bamako, Mali)
    – 2009: DAAD Grants for Student Visits (Germany)
    – 2008: IUFRO/SPDC Conference Travel Grants (Accra, Ghana)
  • Honour
    – 2012: 2011/2012 Support Africa International Award for Ecology, Germany
    – 2007: Prize and Certificate of the best Dissertation in Natural Resources Management awarded by the National Ministry in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Benin.

Profiles and Curriculum

Total number of publications

  • Articles scientifiques publiés dans les journaux: 12
  • Communications: 2
  • Documents techniques: 2

Key publications

  1. Fandohan, B., Gouwakinnou, G.N., Fonton, N.H., Sinsin, B., Liu, J., 2013. Changements climatiques et dynamique spatio-temporelle des aires favorables à la culture et à la conservation des fruitiers sous-utilisés: cas du Tamarinier au Bénin. Biotechnologie, Agronomie, Société et Environnement, 17(3) :450-462
  2. Gouwakinnou, G.N., Assogbadjo, A.E., Lykke, A.M., Sinsin, B. 2011 Phenotypic variations in fruits and potential for selection in Sclerocarya birrea subsp. birrea. Scientia Horticulturae 129:777–783. DOI: 10.1016/j.scienta.2011.05.04
  3. Gouwakinnou, G.N., Lykke, A.M., Djossa A.B., Sinsin, B. 2011. Folk perception of sexual dimorphism, sex ratio and spatial repartition: implications for population dynamics of Sclerocarya birrea [(A.Rich) Hochst] populations in Benin, West Africa Agroforestry Systems 82: 25–35. DOI 10.1007/s10457-011-9371-x
  4. Gouwakinnou, G. N., Lykke, A.M, Assogbadjo A. E., and Sinsin B. 2011. Local knowledge, pattern and diversity of use of Sclerocarya birrea. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 7:8