Integrating Ecosystem Services of the Guétoya Watershed and Climate Change Adaptation into Local Planning: A Atrategic Approach Applied to the Rural Commune of Bantignel, Guinea

Abstract

Marietou Diallo, Alpha Issaga Palle Diallo, Cheikh Saliou Toure, Fatoumata Binta Sombily Diallo, Ferdinand Mavoa, Lucien Solie and Saran Camara

Local Development Plans (LDPs) in rural communes of Guinea still insufficiently integrate Ecosystem Services (ES) and climate change adaptation, despite their essential role in strengthening territorial resilience. This study focuses on the Rural Commune of Bantignel (300 km2; 14,032 inhabitants, including 8,221 women), located in the Fouta Djallon highlands and highly dependent on the Guétoya watershed (6,400 ha). The methodology combines cartographic analyses, satellite image processing, and participatory workshops conducted across 11 districts to assess the state of ecosystem services and the perceptions of local communities. The results reveal significant watershed degradation, characterized by 2,048 ha of residual forests, 1,344 ha of bare soils, and 704 ha of agricultural land. This degradation has resulted in the drying up of 7 out of 11 water sources and an estimated 30% decline in agricultural yields (rice and maize), thereby increasing the vulnerability of local populations, particularly women.

To address these challenges, a five-step operational model is proposed: (i) ecological diagnosis, (ii) integration of ecosystem services into sectoral policies, (iii) green budgeting, (iv) implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) mechanisms, and (v) environmental monitoring and evaluation. The application of this model identifies a portfolio of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) actions estimated at 210 million GNF/year, considered economically relevant compared to the annual costs of inaction (15 million GNF). These preliminary estimates should, however, be further refined through feasibility studies.

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