Socioeconomic Drivers of Knowledge on Tree-Based Ecosystem Services in Benin Rice Agroforestry Systems, West Africa

Understanding farmers’ perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) provided by trees in agroecosystems is essential for developing sustainable agricultural landscapes under growing climatic and livelihood pressures. In rice-based agroforestry systems of the Sudano–Sahelian region, trees contribute to productivity, environmental regulation, and rural livelihoods, yet the socioeconomic determinants of farmers’ ecological knowledge remain insufficiently documented. This study examined how socioeconomic attributes shape rice farmers’ perceptions of tree-derived ES in the Niger Valley of northern Benin. Structured interviews were conducted with 401 rice farmers in the communes of Karimama and Malanville to document perceived ES and associated tree functions. Farmers predominantly recognized provisioning and regulating services, including food, shade, soil fertility enhancement, and microclimate regulation, whereas supporting and cultural services such as habitat provision, water purification, and landscape esthetics were less frequently cited. Preferences were largely oriented toward multipurpose tree species that provide immediate livelihood benefits, with preferred key species receiving between 177 and 288 citations. Annual revenue was positively associated with the probability of recognizing at least one ecosystem service, with significant effects for farmers with average annual revenue (β = 0.808, p = 0.005, OR = 2.243) and high annual revenue (β = 0.859, p = 0.037, OR = 2.360). Age and gender were not significant predictors (p > 0.05). However, we found significant associations between formal education and the recognition of selected ecosystem services (Cramér’s V = 0.26, p < 0.001), particularly regulating and supporting services (Cramér’s V = 0.42, p < 0.001).** These findings highlight the role of socioeconomic conditions and differentiated forms of ecological knowledge in shaping farmers’ perceptions of tree-derived ecosystem services in rice-based agroforestry systems in West Africa.