Position

PhD Student

Home institution

Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières (LABEF)

Background 

Currently Phd student in forestry at the Faculty of Agronomic Science of the University of Abomey-Calavi, I hold a Master degree in Management of Natural Resources and Biodiversity, a Master degree in Spatial Planning and BSc. degree in Environmental Engineering (University of Abomey – Calavi). During my training and research works to obtain my degrees, i worked on : (i) “medicinal plants administered for the treatment of high blood pressure in Benin”, (ii) “Distribution and uses of Vitex doniana in south of Benin” and (iii) “Effect of human disturbance regimes on stand structure and aboveground biomass and carbon stock of the Lokoli swampy forest in Benin” where i documented the forest structure and established specific and generic allometric equations for estimating above-ground biomass and carbon stock in the forest. Since 2016, I joined the Laboratoire de Biomathématiques et d’Estimations Forestières of the University of Abomey – Calavi(LABEF/FSA/UAC). My research interests are all aspects of sustainable management of natural resources. Specifically, I involve in forest ecology, forest modelling, biomass and carbon estimation, Global and Climate Chang as well as Ethnobiology. My PhD project is focused on “Population structure, dynamics, and ecosystem services of mangroves in southern Benin, West-Africa: implications for sustainable management. This topic was chosen because Mangroves are unique ecosystems of coastal regions where unique and specialized plants grow and offer habitat to incredible diversity of fauna. However, due to the high anthropogenic pressure, they are overexploited, degraded and highly threatened worldwide. Benin is facing the same challenges whereby more than 50% of mangroves have been lost in less than three decades. Loss of mangroves would imply loss of cultural identity and the many ecosystem services they offer to coastal rural dwellers. So far, most of the management actions through projects and programs had mitigated outcomes on the conservation of mangroves.

Research project   

Mangrove forests cover a small fraction of the earth’s surface, but contribute disproportionately to ecosystem services, including carbon (C) storage. These forests are being rapidly degraded as demand for economic development grows. It appear useful to understand all drivers of mangroves’ sustainable management. In order to reach this challenge, our research aim specifically to: (i) evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamics of Benin’s mangroves, (ii) assess the impact of human disturbances on the stand diversity and structure of mangroves, (iii) establish specific and generic allometric equations for estimating above-ground biomass and carbon stock of mangroves accounting for human disturbances, (iv) estimate annual wood productivity of mangrove species; (v) assess the impact of human disturbances on the population dynamics of the two most important mangrove species and (vi) determine quantity of mangrove wood harvested by local population and their willingness to use potential substitute species. The overall sampling scheme will consist of selecting 20 mangroves sites with respect to their disturbance level: high disturbance and moderate disturbance. Using the quadrat sampling technique, 600 plots of 10 m × 15 m were established for data collect. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups using questionnaires and direct observations were used to complete data collect.

Awards and distinctions

• 2020 : The World Academy of Science (TWAS) Fellowships for Research and Advanced Training
• 2019 : West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) excellence fellowship
• 2018: RUFORUM Nurturing Grant
• 2017: International Foundation for Science (IFS) grant
• 2016 : CUD-RESBIO Prize of the best Student
• 2014: Belgium-West African countries master program Fellowships (RESBIO)
• 2010 : Full National three years scholarship for BSc. Degree
• 2006 : Full National four years scholarship for Tropical Agricultural Diploma 

Profiles and Curriculum (Research Gate page. Google scholar, LinkedIn, etc.)

• LinkedIn: zanvoserge@gmail.com

 Total number of publications (Articles, communications, technical documents)

• Articles: 3
• Communications: 6
• Technical document: 1

Publications

1. Estimation de la biomasse, Séquestration du carbone, Impact sur le sol, Rôle de la pédofaune sur la fertilité des sols et Exploitation des biocombustibles dans les plantations forestières : Synthèse bibliographique : Dépôt légal N°11511 du 06 août 2019, 3^ème trimestre, Bibliothèque Nationale (BN) du Bénin,ISBN : 978–99982–0–111–8
2. Zanvo M.G.S., Dassou G. H., Sinsin C., Zanvo S.E.D., Goussanou C., Adomou A., Assogbadjo A.E. (2018):Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants administered for the treatment of high blood pressure in Benin (Ouest Africa). African Journal of Rural Development. Manuscript URL: http://www.afjrd.org/jos/index.php/afjrd/authorDashboard/submission/1412
3. Zanvo, M.G.S., Salako, V., Agoyi, E., Bokossa, T. , Tohoun, R., Glèlè kakaï,  R.  Ethnobotanical and economic importance of Vitex doniana (Sweet.) in Benin (West Africa) (2018). African Journal of Rural Development. Manuscript URL: http://www.afjrd.org/jos/index.php/afjrd/authorDashboard/submission/1397