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Vegetation changes due to climate and human impact in Sahelian countries are rarely documented at species composition level. The decrease or disappearance of certain plant species reduces vegetation cover and enhances the exposure of soil surfaces to wind and water erosion leading to increased land degradation. Men and women in Niger were asked to note plant species and relate their numerical development to pre-defined observation criteria comparing the present and past.

Plant species in decline or that had disappeared were reported more often than species that had increased or were newly introduced. The increasing species that were mentioned were often in use for different purposes and seem to be robust enough and well adapted to the semi-arid environment. But the interviewed farmers also stated the loss of many valuable species that they used for construction and hand tools, consumption, medicine or fodder. Those declining species are of socio-economic importance for individual households and the rural ecology. Men mentioned 18 species that had disappeared. Differences in the perception of men and women could be found. Women seemed to have a better perception for species which had increased or were newly introduced, whereas men perceived more a decrease or disappearance of species. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.