W-Arly Pendjari Complex
The W-Arly-Pendjari complex, extended to the National Park of Niger W, of the World Heritage since 1996, is transboundary and made up of four National Parks of Pendjari and W Benin, and National Parks Arly And W in Burkina Faso. It covers a total area of 1,291,210 ha.
It is located on the contiguous territories of the Republic of Benin and Burkina Faso. In Benin, the W-Arly-Pendjari complex covers common Tanguiéta to Matéri and Kérou (Department of Atacora) and Banikoara communes, Kandi, Malanville and Karimama (Department of Alibori). In Burkina Faso, it covers the eastern region integrating the provinces of Tapoa, Gourma and Kompienga.
The W-Arly-Pendjari complex is one of the largest protected areas of the biogeographical province of the West African savannah. It makes the connection between the Sahel and the forest. The ecological processes that are taking place over there, include, to mention it, a dynamic hydrographical that guarantees the permanent presence of water. It is influenced by the Sudanese climate and vegetation which is strongly influenced by vegetation fires and the presence of forming vegetation (grassy savannah, wooded savannah, forest, forest gallery). Climate variability conditions, the spatial distribution of the flora, and thus promote the existence of diverse habitats for its various equal fauna. It is currently the most viable natural refuge available which are scarce, threatened and / or possessed endemic species in its biogeographical province. It is actually the natural refuge to almost all the large mammal species of the savannah of West Africa such as topi (Damaliscus korrigum), leopard (Panthera pardus), Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), the red-fronted gazelle ( Gazella rufifrons), the vulture Lappet (Torgos tracheliotos), the secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) and manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), which are scarce in West Africa.
Diverse types of significant ecosystems provide habitat for fauna and flora of this W-Arly-Pendjari complex. In the gallery forests, the continuity between the tops of trees and shrubs along the water contributes to creating ecological niches very particular for the entomofauna. The presence of the Atacora chain favors the existence of a high proportion of species belonging to the Guinea-Congolese zone.
The low pressure of the surrounding populations around the site helps to maintain its integrity. Finally, good legal and judicial protection for the W-Arly-Pendjari complex is a guarantee of sustainability of these species.