Why Study With Us

With the support of its partners, the Laboratory of Forest Sciences and Biodiversity Informatics (LSFBI) offers students cutting-edge training opportunities in priority and emerging research areas. Graduates are equipped for employment at national, regional, and international levels, as well as for self-employment.

1. Master and Ph.D. Programs in Biodiversity Informatics

Since June 2017, the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences has hosted these programs. Graduates are trained to:

• Use GIS to map species distributions
• Model current and future ecological niches
• Characterize biodiversity at multiple scales
• Assess geographic patterns among species communities
• Refine taxonomic knowledge
• Define conservation priority areas
• Develop and implement conservation strategies
• Predict disease spread risks (Lassa, Ebola, etc.)

Key Achievements:

• 70+ Master's graduates (2017–2024) from 6 countries: Benin, DRC, Gabon, Niger, Togo, Ivory Coast
• Student projects on endangered species, crops, medicinal plants, etc.
• Ph.D. research on invasive species, food/cash crops, etc.

2. Silviculture and Forest Ecosystem Management

Students conduct research in:

• Forest structure and ecology
• Silviculture of key species (Benin & Africa)
• Sustainable management in climate change context
• Carbon storage in forest ecosystems

3. Other LSFBI Activities

The Director of LSFBI serves as the node manager of GBIF-Benin. With over 1 million biodiversity records on the GBIF website, Benin leads in Francophone Africa.

• 1st Francophone African country to publish on GBIF
• 1st African country with full academic programs in biodiversity informatics
• Explore GBIF-Benin