Land use in Benin has been changed enormously since 20 years. The farming systems in the Oueme Basin are experiencing an ongoing intensifying process. Balancing the inherent trade-offs between immediate human needs and ecosystem capacity, needs comprehensive knowledge about ecosystem functions. To test the possible feedbacks between vegetation, precipitation and other environmental driving forces empirically, a new quantitative vegetation appraisal method was developed. Thus, the temporal and spatial vegetation dynamics of the whole Oueme Basin in Benin, West-Africa were reconstructed. The newly defined eco-volume and bio-volume concepts were used as alternative vegetation indicators in comparison with the standard biomass indicators. That portion of precipitation variability, originating specifically from vegetation variability, was defined as eco-precipitation. The in situ measured agro-ecological and farming system parameters of the three major vegetation types were used to validate the agricultural statistics and the satellite land cover data. Other available datasets comprising annual precipitation, vegetative duration coefficient and population density were adapted to comparable time and spatial spans, and eventually analysed together with the reconstructed vegetation dynamics. The feedback between vegetation and precipitation was evaluated at different spatial scales. To detect possible future trends, static regional scenarios of precipitation in relation to eco-volume in 2004, as well as combined temporal and spatial scenarios of bio-volume in relation to precipitation from1987 to 2025 have been simulated.

Benin is now perceived of as a model of democracy in Africa because it has successfully established a democratic political system based on consensus and regular and fair elections, and it continues to improve its electoral and parliamentary systems. Since its democracy it has taken important steps towards laying the foundation for the rule of law by establishing stable political institutions that can withstand the test of time. It has also engaged in an important legal, institutional, and regulatory reform to establish a more favorable environment for private initiative. The fourth edition of Historical Dictionary of Benin covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 900 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Benin.

The Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) provides a comprehensive assessment of the scientific literature relevant to climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. The report recognizes the interactions of climate, ecosystems and biodiversity, and human societies, and integrates across the natural, ecological, social and economic sciences. It emphasizes how efforts in adaptation and in reducing greenhouse gas emissions can come together in a process called climate resilient development, which enables a liveable future for biodiversity and humankind. The IPCC is the leading body for assessing climate change science. IPCC reports are produced in comprehensive, objective and transparent ways, ensuring they reflect the full range of views in the scientific literature. Novel elements include focused topical assessments, and an atlas presenting observed climate change impacts and future risks from global to regional scales. Available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.