Population structure of the widespread species, Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill. & Perr. across the climatic gradient in West Africa semi-arid area

AbstractIn the climate change context, widely distributed plant species can serve as relevant barometers of ecosystems' sensitivity or resilience to disturbances. This study aimed at assessing the population structure and individual morphological traits of Anogeissus leiocarpa, a widespread tree species, across a broad strip of land, from the north to the south of Burkina Faso. We compared stands in four phytogeographical zones in order to analyze morphological variations in trees and recruits density, individual size and their spatial structure. Our results showed significant increase of tree density from the Sahel (77.1 trees/ha) to the South-Sudanian (166 trees/ha) while diameter, height and basal area had an opposite trend. No recruits were found in the Sahel stands, while their density increased from the Sub-Sahel (5.17 individuals/ha) to the South-Sudanian (6.46 individuals/ha). Tree diameters revealed positive asymmetric distributions in the Sudanian and Sub-Sahel whereas the Sahel stands showed a symmetric distribution. Height structure of saplings revealed “J reverse” shape in Sudanian stands while Sub-Sahelian ones exhibited Gaussian shape. Height–diameter relationships revealed thin trees towards the south-Sudanian. The spatial structure of trees indicated random distributions in all zones whereas recruits presented aggregative distribution trend in the Sudanian zones. A. leiocarpa's trees have a good ability to support broad climatic fluctuations but the populations' rejuvenation is unpredictable in the extreme harsh conditions. The species is fairly resilient to anthropogenic disturbances in Sub-Sahel and Sudanian zones. However, managing issues should pay attention to the species communities by considering its demographic behavior in the health state appreciation of ecosystems

Potentials for Promoting Oil Products Identified from Traditional Knowledge of Native Trees in Burkina Faso

Oil products from native trees are far from fully exploited in West Africa. Only well-known species like shea (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) receive attention. We used quantitative questionnaires in 12 villages in Western Burkina Faso to assess the knowledge of four ethnic groups on 28 tree species and how their oil is used. Sixteen species were used the most. Among them, V. paradoxa, E. guineensis, Carapa procera DC., Pentadesma butyracea Sabine and Lophira lanceolata Tiegh. ex Keay received the most citations. Oils were used for soap (22%), food (21%), medicine (19%), body care (18%) and hair care (14%). Significant differences were found among ethnic groups concerning knowledge and preferences of oil products. Apart from the well-known species, C. procera, L. lanceolata and P. butyracea appear to be promising species for promotable oil products and a number of less known species may show potentials as well.

Potentialités agroforestières de Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance au sud-ouest du Burkina Faso

Objectif: Le maintien d’arbres et d’arbustes dans les champs, en association avec les cultures est certes lié à leur utilité alimentaire, médicinale, mais aussi à leurs aptitudes à améliorer la fertilité des sols. Des observations ont révélé une flore ligneuse abondante qui pousse préférentiellement au pied de Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance. Elles ont suscité l’hypothèse que M. polyandra a des propriétés agro-écologiques intéressantes. L’objectif de l’étude est d’évaluer les relations entre M. polyandra et les propriétés physiques et chimiques du sol.Méthodes et résultats: La quantité de litière foliaire sous le houppier de M. polyandra a été collectée et pesée. Des échantillons de sol ont été prélevés sous le houppier et hors du houppier de M. polyandra pour des analyses physico-chimiques. Les mêmes travaux ont été réalisés à titre comparatif avec Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn., qui est une espèce agroforestière connue.La quantité moyenne de litière foliaire sous M. polyandra est de 28,82 ± 16,08 kg par individu contre 5,92 ± 3,07 kg pour V. paradoxa. Nous avons trouvé des teneurs significativement plus élevées en carbone total, en azote total, en phosphore total, en potassium total et en somme des bases échangeables sous M. polyandra, comparativement à V. paradoxa. Les paramètres de texture sont significativement meilleurs pour le sol sous houppier de M. polyandra.Conclusion et application des résultats: Ce travail à permis d’étudier les relations entre M. polyandra et les propriétés physiques et chimiques du sol. Il a montré que l’espèce a un potentiel à améliorer la fertilité physique et chimique du sol. Maranthes polyandra pourrait être adoptée comme espèce agroforestière pour améliorer la fertilité du sol. Au Burkina Faso, plus de la moitié des terres sont pauvres en matière organique, en phosphore et en azote. Ces niveaux bas constituent la contrainte majeure pour la production agricole. Ainsi, M. polyandra pourrait être adoptée comme espèce agroforestière pour améliorer la fertilité du sol en plus de son exploitation pour l’alimentation et comme bois d’énergie ; Cela pourrait constituer une raison supplémentaire pour sa conservation.Mots clés: Agroforesterie, Maranthes polyandra, Fertilité du sol, Burkina Faso, Domestication, ConservationEnglish Title: Agroforestry potentials of Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance in the south-west of Burkina FasoEnglish AbstractObjective: Maintaining trees and shrubs in fields in association with crops is linked to their use as food, firewood and pharmacopoeia, but also to their ability to improve physicochemical properties of soils. Observations revealed the presence of many plant species that grow preferentially at the foot of Maranthes polyandra (Benth.) Prance. These observations led to the hypothesis that M. polyandra has interesting agroecological properties. The objective of the study is to assess the relationship between M. polyandra and the physical and chemical properties of soil.Method and Results. The leaf litter under the crown of M. polyandra was collected and weighed. Soil samples were collected under the crown and outside the crown of M. polyandra for physicochemical analyses. The same work was carried out with Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn. which is a known agroforestry species.The litter under M. polyandra is 28.82 ± 16.08 kg per individual plant compared to 5.92 ± 3.07 kg for V. paradoxa. Physicochemical analysis of the soil revealed, higher contents of organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium and values in the sum of exchangeable bases under M. polyandra compared withthose obtained under V. paradoxa. These texture parameters are significantly better for the soil under crowns of M. polyandra.Conclusion and application of results: This work studied the relations between M. polyandra and the physical and chemical properties of the soil. It has shown that the species has potential to improve the physical and chemical fertility of the soil. Maranthes polyandra could be adopted as an agroforestry specie to improve soil fertility by its ability to enhance organic matter, phosphorus, nitrogen and potassium of the soils. In Burkina Faso, more than half of the land is poor in organic matter, in phosphorus and in nitrogen. This low levels are the major constraint for agricultural production. Thus, M. polyandra can be used to improve soils fertility in addition to its exploitation as food and firewood. This may be an additional reason for its conservation.Keywords: Agroforestry, Maranthes polyandra, Soil fertility, Burkina Faso,Domestication, Conservatio

Perceptions, mode de gestion et végétation des bois sacrés au nord du Burkina Faso

Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie wurden Flora und Vegetation der heiligen Haine im Norden Burkina Fasos erfasst. Ziele waren dabei eine Bewertung des Artenreichtums sowie die Erlangung von Kenntnissen zum Management natürlicher Ressourcen durch die lokale Bevölkerung und zur Bedeutung der heiligen Haine für den Erhalt von Biodiversität. An jedem Untersuchungsort wurde die direkt oder indirekt am traditionellen Management der heiligen Haine beteiligte Bevölkerung befragt. Darüber hinaus wurden pflanzensoziologische Aufnahmen nach Braun-Blanquet durchgeführt, wobei die Aufnahmefläche bei der Gehölzvegetation jeweils 1000 qm, bei der krautigen Vegetation 100 qm betrug. 190 heilige Haine wurden gefunden, von denen 35 inklusive ihrer umgebenden Vegetation untersucht wurden. Die heiligen Haine und ihre Umgebung wurden schließend bezüglich ihres Arteninventars verglichen. Es zeigte sich, dass das Ressourcenmanagement in den heiligen Hainen auf traditionellen Regeln und Prinzipien beruht. Meist handelt es sich bei den heiligen Hainen um Friedhöfe (50 %), Fetische (17 %) oder Fetisch- und Friedhofsbereiche (27 %). Für die pflanzensoziologischen Untersuchungen standen 162 Aufnahmen zur Verfügung, die mit der CAP-Software (Community Analysis Package) bearbeitet wurden. Dabei wurden elf Pflanzengesellschaften identifiziert (fünf Gehölzgesellschaften und sechs Krautgesellschaften). Sieben dieser Pflanzengesellschaften wurden in den heiligen Hainen identifiziert und vier in deren Umgebung. Die floristische Analyse zeigt, dass in der Gehölzschicht die Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (16 %) und Combretaceae (12 %), in der Krautschicht die Poaceae (24 %) und Leguminosae-Papilionoideae (12 %) die wichtigsten Familien sind.This study lies within the scope of a valorization of sacred woodlands for better conservation of the biodiversity. The objective is to inventory the sacred woodlands in northern Burkina Faso, to evaluate their floristic richness and to learn about the management systems of natural resources by the local populations in order to understand their importance in the conservation of biodiversity. Preinvestigations were made in the whole study zone in order to inventory the sacred woodlands. In each locality the investigations were made of the populations directly or indirectly involved in the traditional management of these formations. Phytosociological relevés were carried out in the different phytocenoses according to the method of Braun-Blanquet (1932) in the area of 1000 m2 (woody) and 100 m2 (herbaceous) to define the plants communities. 190 sacred woodlands were listed of which 35 were the subject of botanical inventory. 35 surrounding formations were also the subject of inventory and their floristic potentialities were compared. The results revealed that the systems of natural resource management in sacred woodland are based on rules and traditional principles. These sacred woodlands are mostly the cemeteries (50% of the total), fetishes (17%), fetishes together with cemeteries (27%). The phytosociological data processing was carried out on the basis of 162 relevés by the software CAP (Community Analysis Package), which allowes us to define 11 plants communities (five woody plant community and 6 herbaceous plants communities. The relevés of seven plant communities were done in the sacred woodland and 4 were done in their environs. The floristic analysis shows that the most important families in the sacred woodlands and their environs are Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (16%), Combretaceae (12%) for the woody stratum and the Poaceae (24%), Leguminosae-Papilionoideae (12%) for the herbaceous stratum.L’étude s’inscrit dans le cadre de la valorisation des bois sacrés dans un contexte de conservation de la biodiversité, elle a pour objectifs de recenser les différents bois sacrés au nord du Burkina Faso, d’évaluer leur richesse floristique et d’appréhender leurs mécanismes de gestion par les populations locales. Des prospections ont été conduites sur l’ensemble de la zone d’étude en vue de recenser les bois sacrés. Dans chaque localité des enquêtes ont été conduites auprès des populations directement ou indirectement impliquées dans la gestion de ces formations. Des relevés phytosociologiques ont été réalisés dans les différentes formations végétales (bois sacrés et formations adjacentes) suivant la méthode Braun-Blanquet (1932) sur des placeaux de 1000 m2 et de 100 m2 respectivement pour les ligneux et les herbacées, en vue de déterminer les différentes phytocoenoses. 190 bois sacrés ont été recensés dont 35 ont fait l’objet d’inventaires phytosociologiques. 35 formations adjacentes ont également fait l’objet d’inventaires afin de mieux apprécier l’importance des bois sacrés dans la conservation des espèces. Le traitement des données phytosociologiques s’est effectué sur la base de 162 relevés, au moyen du logiciel CAP (Community Analysis Package). Les résultats ont révélé que les systèmes de gestion des ressources naturelles dans les bois sacrés sont basés sur des règles et des principes traditionnels. Ces bois sont pour la plupart des cimetières (50% du total), fétiches (17% du total) et fétiche-cimetières (27% du total). Le traitement des données phytosociologiques a permis de discriminer 11 groupements végétaux dont 05 pour la strate ligneuse et 06 pour la strate herbacée. Les relevés de 7 groupements ont été réalisés dans les bois sacrés et ceux de 4 groupements hors des bois sacrés. L’analyse de la richesse floristique d’ensemble (bois sacrés et environs) des ligneux a révélé la dominance de la famille des Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (16%) et des Combretaceae (12%). La flore herbacée quant à elle est dominée par les Poaceae (24%) et les Leguminosae- Papilionoideae (12%)

Correction: CT-Angiographic Aspects of Pulmonary Embolism on SARS COV-2

This article details a correction to the article: Tiemtore-Kambou BM-A, Ouédraogo A, Dao SBA, Sieba IFN, Koama A, Traoré IS, Napon S, Ouédraogo W, Sankara HD, Cissé R, Dienderé É. (2023). CT-Angiographic Aspects of Pulmonary Embolism on SARS COV-2. Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology, 107(1): 22, 1–8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/jbsr.3021

Perceptions, mode de gestion et végétation des bois sacrés au nord du Burkina Faso

L’étude s’inscrit dans le cadre de la valorisation des bois sacrés dans un contexte de conservation de la biodiversité, elle a pour objectifs de recenser les différents bois sacrés au nord du Burkina Faso, d’évaluer leur richesse floristique et d’appréhender leurs mécanismes de gestion par les populations locales. Des prospections ont été conduites sur l’ensemble de la zone d’étude en vue de recenser les bois sacrés. Dans chaque localité des enquêtes ont été conduites auprès des populations directement ou indirectement impliquées dans la gestion de ces formations. Des relevés phytosociologiques ont été réalisés dans les différentes formations végétales (bois sacrés et formations adjacentes) suivant la méthode Braun-Blanquet (1932) sur des placeaux de 1000 m2 et de 100 m2 respectivement pour les ligneux et les herbacées, en vue de déterminer les différentes phytocoenoses. 190 bois sacrés ont été recensés dont 35 ont fait l’objet d’inventaires phytosociologiques. 35 formations adjacentes ont également fait l’objet d’inventaires afin de mieux apprécier l’importance des bois sacrés dans la conservation des espèces. Le traitement des données phytosociologiques s’est effectué sur la base de 162 relevés, au moyen du logiciel CAP (Community Analysis Package). Les résultats ont révélé que les systèmes de gestion des ressources naturelles dans les bois sacrés sont basés sur des règles et des principes traditionnels. Ces bois sont pour la plupart des cimetières (50% du total), fétiches (17% du total) et fétiche-cimetières (27% du total). Le traitement des données phytosociologiques a permis de discriminer 11 groupements végétaux dont 05 pour la strate ligneuse et 06 pour la strate herbacée. Les relevés de 7 groupements ont été réalisés dans les bois sacrés et ceux de 4 groupements hors des bois sacrés. L’analyse de la richesse floristique d’ensemble (bois sacrés et environs) des ligneux a révélé la dominance de la famille des Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (16%) et des Combretaceae (12%). La flore herbacée quant à elle est dominée par les Poaceae (24%) et les Leguminosae- Papilionoideae (12%).This study lies within the scope of a valorization of sacred woodlands for better conservation of the biodiversity. The objective is to inventory the sacred woodlands in northern Burkina Faso, to evaluate their floristic richness and to learn about the management systems of natural resources by the local populations in order to understand their importance in the conservation of biodiversity. Preinvestigations were made in the whole study zone in order to inventory the sacred woodlands. In each locality the investigations were made of the populations directly or indirectly involved in the traditional management of these formations. Phytosociological relevés were carried out in the different phytocenoses according to the method of Braun-Blanquet (1932) in the area of 1000 m2 (woody) and 100 m2 (herbaceous) to define the plants communities. 190 sacred woodlands were listed of which 35 were the subject of botanical inventory. 35 surrounding formations were also the subject of inventory and their floristic potentialities were compared. The results revealed that the systems of natural resource management in sacred woodland are based on rules and traditional principles. These sacred woodlands are mostly the cemeteries (50% of the total), fetishes (17%), fetishes together with cemeteries (27%). The phytosociological data processing was carried out on the basis of 162 relevés by the software CAP (Community Analysis Package), which allowes us to define 11 plants communities (five woody plant community and 6 herbaceous plants communities. The relevés of seven plant communities were done in the sacred woodland and 4 were done in their environs. The floristic analysis shows that the most important families in the sacred woodlands and their environs are Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (16%), Combretaceae (12%) for the woody stratum and the Poaceae (24%), Leguminosae-Papilionoideae (12%) for the herbaceous stratum.Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie wurden Flora und Vegetation der heiligen Haine im Norden Burkina Fasos erfasst. Ziele waren dabei eine Bewertung des Artenreichtums sowie die Erlangung von Kenntnissen zum Management natürlicher Ressourcen durch die lokale Bevölkerung und zur Bedeutung der heiligen Haine für den Erhalt von Biodiversität. An jedem Untersuchungsort wurde die direkt oder indirekt am traditionellen Management der heiligen Haine beteiligte Bevölkerung befragt. Darüber hinaus wurden pflanzensoziologische Aufnahmen nach Braun-Blanquet durchgeführt, wobei die Aufnahmefläche bei der Gehölzvegetation jeweils 1000 qm, bei der krautigen Vegetation 100 qm betrug. 190 heilige Haine wurden gefunden, von denen 35 inklusive ihrer umgebenden Vegetation untersucht wurden. Die heiligen Haine und ihre Umgebung wurden schließend bezüglich ihres Arteninventars verglichen. Es zeigte sich, dass das Ressourcenmanagement in den heiligen Hainen auf traditionellen Regeln und Prinzipien beruht. Meist handelt es sich bei den heiligen Hainen um Friedhöfe (50 %), Fetische (17 %) oder Fetisch- und Friedhofsbereiche (27 %). Für die pflanzensoziologischen Untersuchungen standen 162 Aufnahmen zur Verfügung, die mit der CAP-Software (Community Analysis Package) bearbeitet wurden. Dabei wurden elf Pflanzengesellschaften identifiziert (fünf Gehölzgesellschaften und sechs Krautgesellschaften). Sieben dieser Pflanzengesellschaften wurden in den heiligen Hainen identifiziert und vier in deren Umgebung. Die floristische Analyse zeigt, dass in der Gehölzschicht die Leguminosae-Mimosoideae (16 %) und Combretaceae (12 %), in der Krautschicht die Poaceae (24 %) und Leguminosae-Papilionoideae (12 %) die wichtigsten Familien sind

The genus Borassus (Arecaceae) in West Africa, with a description of a new species from Burkina Faso

Borassus akeassii Bayton, Ouedraogo & Guinko sp. nov. (Arecaceae) is described as a new species from western Burkina Faso in West Africa. It has been confused with the widely distributed African species B. aethiopum and more recently with the Asian B. flabellifer. However, it is distinguished by its glaucous, green leaves with weakly armed petioles and a characteristic pattern of lamina venation. The fruits have a pointed apex and are greenish when ripe, and the flowers of the pistillate inflorescence are arranged in three spirals. The pollen has a reticulate tectum and distinctive ornamentation. The distribution of B. akeassii is discussed and the status of the varieties of Borassus aethiopum (var. bagamojensis and var. senegalensis) is examined. (c) 2006 The Linnean Society of London

Floristic and dendrometric analysis of woodlands in the Sudano-Guinean zone: a case study of Belléfoungou forest reserve in Benin

peer reviewe

Traditional plant use in Burkina Faso (West Africa): a national-scale analysis with focus on traditional medicine

BACKGROUND: The West African country of Burkina Faso (BFA) is an example for the enduring importance of traditional plant use today. A large proportion of its 17 million inhabitants lives in rural communities and strongly depends on local plant products for their livelihood. However, literature on traditional plant use is still scarce and a comprehensive analysis for the country is still missing. METHODS: In this study we combine the information of a recently published plant checklist with information from ethnobotanical literature for a comprehensive, national scale analysis of plant use in Burkina Faso. We quantify the application of plant species in 10 different use categories, evaluate plant use on a plant family level and use the relative importance index to rank all species in the country according to their usefulness. We focus on traditional medicine and quantify the use of plants as remedy against 22 classes of health disorders, evaluate plant use in traditional medicine on the level of plant families and rank all species used in traditional medicine according to their respective usefulness. RESULTS: A total of 1033 species (50%) in Burkina Faso had a documented use. Traditional medicine, human nutrition and animal fodder were the most important use categories. The 12 most common plant families in BFA differed considerably in their usefulness and application. Fabaceae, Poaceae and Malvaceae were the plant families with the most used species. In this study Khaya senegalensis, Adansonia digitata and Diospyros mespiliformis were ranked the top useful plants in BFA. Infections/Infestations, digestive system disorders and genitourinary disorders are the health problems most commonly addressed with medicinal plants. Fabaceae, Poaceae, Asteraceae, Apocynaceae, Malvaceae and Rubiaceae were the most important plant families in traditional medicine. Tamarindus indica, Vitellaria paradoxa and Adansonia digitata were ranked the most important medicinal plants. CONCLUSIONS: The national-scale analysis revealed systematic patterns of traditional plant use throughout BFA. These results are of interest for applied research, as a detailed knowledge of traditional plant use can a) help to communicate conservation needs and b) facilitate future research on drug screening

Identification of driving factors of land degradation and deforestation in the Wildlife Reserve of Bontioli (Burkina Faso, West Africa)

In Africa, protected areas can play an important role in mitigating the effects of climate change through carbon sequestration but they are threatened due to increasing land degradation and deforestation (LDD). The Total Wildlife Reserve of Bontioli (TWRB) in Burkina Faso is one of the country’s refuges with high biodiversity. This reserve is seriously threatened by human activities, and little information is available about the on-site causes of degradation extent. This study was carried out to investigate drivers and extent of LDD in the TWRB. Household surveys, focus group discussions and field observations were used to identify socio-economic factors that influence land use and land cover (LULC) changes. The socio-economic data were analyzed using rankings and binary logistic regression techniques. Logistic regression model was used to establish the relationship between socio-economic drivers and land cover change. Remote sensing and GIS techniques were used to analyze land use and LULC changes over 29 years, employing Landsat images of 1984, 2001 and 2013. We performed a supervised classification based on the maximum likelihood algorithm to derive vegetation maps. The results revealed significant (p <0.05) LULC change from one class of LULC to another. From 1984 to 2001, tree savannas, bare soils and agricultural lands increased by 17.55%, 18.79% and 21778.79%, respectively, while woodland, gallery forest, shrub savannas and water bodies decreased by 22.02%, 5.03%, 40.08% and 31.2%, respectively. From 2001 to 2013, gallery forests decreased by 14.33%, tree savannas by 22.30% and shrub savannas by 5.14%, while agricultural lands increased by 167.87% and woodlands by 3.21%. LDD occurred at a higher rate in areas bordering the reserve compared to the core-protected area and the inaccessible areas. Agricultural expansion and wood cutting activities were the main direct causes of LDD. Extensive land utilization for agriculture is a major threat to the conservation of biodiversity in this reserve. The research highlighted the soundness of GIS and remote sensing practical application to assess vegetation change extent in Burkina Faso. Understanding the signal extent of vegetation change is particularly important to support efforts by policy makers to halt or at least to slow down the deforestation in the country. There is a need to control the immediate causes of LULC dynamics by limiting agricultural land expansion and wood cutting in the study area