Land cover and land use are determining factors in the functioning of the biosphere and contribute to the dynamics of the earth system. The aim of this research is to analyze the landscape dynamics of the transition zone between the Allada plateau and the Sô river. The acquisition and processing of SPOT and Landsat- OLI-TIRS satellite images, from 2005, 2015 and 2024 respectively, have yielded three different land cover maps. These were used to assess landscape dynamics. Real-life investigation data revealed the proliferation of the agricultural sector and the sharp increase in the human population (30% 2002-2013). These are indicators of urban sprawl in the study area. The results show that between the periods 2005 to 2015, and 2015 to 2024, there was a sharp decline in natural formations (open forests, wooded savannahs, swamp forests and savannahs and water bodies), respectively in the order of 12.77% and 34.37%, to the benefit of anthropogenic formations such as crops, fallow land and fallow land under palm trees and plantations. The latter also declined by 19.74% and 21.56% over the same periods. On the other hand, gains in surface area were recorded by the sprawl of dwellings in the order of 28.4% and 45.06% for the same periods. Modelling land use units up to 2040 would shed light on the future state of the transition zone between the Allada plateau and the Sô river. With Benin's wetland forestry policy in force for several years now, predictive simulations predict that between 2024 and 2040, forest plantations will increase by around 50% of their current area. Key words: geomatics, transition, landscape, plateau, Sô river
NOFODO INNOCENT GBAÏ , ADJAHOSSOU BAÏ SEDAMI, CLEMENT ADJIRE, DOUSSOH DEO GRATIAS