Vegetation dynamics and anthropogenic activities following the space management policies of Azagny National Park, southern Côte d’Ivoire

Azagny National Park, with 21,850 hectares, is home to rich and varied biodiversity in very diverse habitats. This site has been subject to strong anthropogenic pressure which has disrupted its integrity. The present study is therefore initiated to analyse the dynamics of vegetation in the Azagny National Park area between 1987 and 2023. Landsat images from 1987, 2002 and 2023 served as the basis for this study. These images were coupled with field missions in order to determine the dynamics and history of anthropogenic activities, then land use maps were produced. This diachronic study shows that the Azagny National Park has experienced an improvement in its floristic cover, in connection with the decline in anthropogenic activities. Areas that were previously cultivated are transformed into falls. Some fallow land is converted to degraded forest, and degraded forest areas are converted to non-degraded forest. Overall, this is a positive development in the reconstitution of the plant cover. However, in the rural areas adjoining the park, the expansion of cash crops such as rubber and palm plantations is developing at the expense of the protected area. The importance of the functional management of particular ecosystems and the preservation of biodiversity invites the manager to raise awareness among local populations for ecological awareness. This will allow the practice of ecological agriculture guaranteeing the sustainable management of natural ecosystems.