TITLE:
Socioeconomic and Land-Tenure Dynamics Influencing the Sustainable Management of Agroforestry Species in Sandéniah, Faranah Prefecture, Guinea
AUTHORS:
Alexandré Konate, Lucie Duonamou, Adama Sirima, Vamougnè Kourouma, Adigla Apollinaire Wedjangnon, Abdoulaye Aguibou Diallo, Soua Julienne Molmou, Delphine Adandedjan
KEYWORDS:
Sustainable Land Management, Agroforestry Species, Land Tenure, Sandeniah, Republic of Guinea
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.16 No.4,
October
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: Agroforestry species constitute a fundamental component of rural production systems in sub-Saharan Africa, contributing significantly to food security, biodiversity conservation, and the improvement of rural livelihoods. However, their long-term sustainability is increasingly threatened by growing anthropogenic pressures and environmental change. This study aims to analyze the socioeconomic and land tenure dynamics influencing the sustainable management of agroforestry species in the Sandéniah District, Faranah Prefecture in Republic of Guinea. A socioeconomic survey was conducted among 85 respondents representing different groups of local stakeholders. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and direct field observations. Descriptive statistics including frequencies and percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to summarize the data, while chi-square tests were used to examine associations between categorical variables. The results indicated that men represented 63.5% of the respondents and that the mean age was 40.5 ± 13.7 years. Reported socioeconomic activities included agriculture, charcoal production, livestock farming, fishing, beekeeping, and small business. The most frequently conserved species were Parkia biglobosa (57.6%), Gmelina arborea (16.5%), and Afzelia africana (9.4%). The most frequently reported reasons for conservation were commercial use (38.8%) and food provision (35.3%). Land was accessed mainly through inheritance (37.6%) and gifts (32.9%). A statistically significant association was observed between land tenure and the species conserved (χ2 = 24.58, df = 12, p = 0.017; Cramér’s V = 0.31), whereas no significant association was observed between gender and species conserved (χ2 = 0.63, df = 4, p = 0.960; Cramér’s V = 0.09). These findings indicate that local land-tenure arrangements are an important factor associated with the conservation of agroforestry species in Sandéniah. Strengthening locally appropriate land-tenure governance and participatory management approaches could therefore support the sustainable management of these species.