Local perceptions, uses and conservation status of Detarium senegalense in the Dahomey Gap (West Africa)

Several species, including Detarium senegalense, face exploitation without regard for conservation or regeneration status, posing a severe threat and contributing to their decline. Few studies addressed conservation strategies of Detarium senegalense. This paper aimed to document the indigenous knowledge of local communities regarding D. senegalense and its conservation status in the Dahomey Gap region. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and focus groups involving 404 participants from thirty-eight villages, representing four phytogeographic zones in the Dahomey Gap. Collected data included local names, recognition criteria, abundance measures, and uses of D. senegalense. This data supported calculations of knowledge diversity, evenness index, organ usage frequency, and vulnerability indices. The Student Newman and Keuls test were used for multiple comparisons and Correspondence Analysis examined the relationships between variables. Analysis revealed that most respondents were familiar with the species (75.0%), but only half possessed knowledge of its uses. The diversity of knowledge was unevenly distributed among the respondents (IE <0.5). Significant variations in knowledge were observed among phytogeographic zones and ethnic groups, while no substantial differences were found based on gender or age. The study identified the almond as the primary organ of interest for local populations due to its involvement in international trade. The timber obtained from the tree was also used. Natural habitats of D. senegalense were found to be in decline, with logging being identified as the main cause of habitat destruction according to 58.5% of respondents. Consequently, the vulnerability index indicated that D. senegalense is highly vulnerable in its natural environment with vulnerability indices higher than 2.5 in all phytodistricts. Considering the nutritional and medicinal value of D. senegalense, we emphasize the need to investigate structural, morphological, and molecular aspects for conservation and sustainable use. Keywords: Detarium senegalense, endogenous knowledge, Vulnerability indices, Natural habitat, Plant organ

Caractérisation morphologique de Cleome gynandra L. au Bénin

Au Bénin des efforts scientifiques sont consentis pour la connaissance de la diversité végétale. Cleome gynandra L. (Caya blanc, Sabo en Adja, Akaya en Mahi et Semboué en Peulh) de la famille des Capparaceaes fait l'objet de cette étude à travers sa connaissance agromorphologique. La méthodologie utilisée passe par des observations et prélèvement dans la nature et jardins de case. Dix (10) pieds de la plante ont été collectés dans chaque zone climatique et un (1) pied dans le jardin botanique de l’Université d’Abomey-Calavi. En plus des observations sur la plante complète, il est procédé à l’achat des graines de C. gynandra. Des variables quantitatives (hauteur de la plante, nombre de fruits par pied, longueur et diamètre des fruits, celle des pédoncules, nombre de ramification) et variables qualitatives (couleur, pilosité de la tige, couleur des fruits et graines et forme des feuilles) ont été observées, mesurées et calculées. Le traitement des variables a été possible par usage du logiciel XLSTAT- pro Version 2008. 1.01. Les relations entre variables ont été étudiées grâce à la matrice de corrélation de Pearson (n). Une Analyse en Composante Principale (ACP), a permis de ressortir si des différences significatives à un taux de 0,05 existent entre les variétés pour les caractères étudiés. L'étude a mis en évidence une grande variabilité agromorphologique dans les trois zones climatiques du Bénin par des caractères discriminant. Des différences significatives ont été observées entre les variables des trois zones climatiques d'une part et entre les individus issus des jardins de case et ceux collectés dans la nature d'autre part. L’ACP a mis en évidence trois grands ensembles. La classification ascendante hiérarchisée montre (8) ensembles qui tiennent compte des similarités et les observations.Mots clés : Cleome gynandra L, Akaya, variété, caractères, légume feuille et République du Bénin. English Title: Morphological characterization of Cleome gynandra L. in Benin   In Benin, scientific efforts are being made for knowledge of plant diversity. Cleome gynandra L. (White Caya, Sabo in Adja, Akaya in Mahi and Semboué in Peulh) of the family Capparaceae is the subject of this study through its agromorphological knowledge. The methodology used involves observations and sampling in the nature and house gardens. Ten (10) feet of the plant were collected in each climatic zone and one (1) foot in the botanical garden of the University of Abomey-Calavi. In addition to the observations on the whole plant, the seeds of C. gynandra are purchased. Quantitative variables (plant height, number of fruits per foot, fruit length and diameter, peduncles, number of branching) and qualitative variables (color, stem hair, fruit and seed color and leaf forms) were observed, measured and calculated. Variable processing was possible using the XLSTAT-pro Version 2008 software. 1.01. Relationships between variables were studied using the Pearson correlation matrix (n). A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed if significant differences at a rate of 0.05 exist between the varieties for the characters studied. The study revealed a large agromorphologicalvariability in the three climatic zones of Benin by discriminating characters. Significant differences were observed between the variables of the three climatic zones on the one hand and between the individuals from the house gardens and those collected in the wild on the other hand. The CPA has highlighted three major groups. The hierarchical ascending classification shows (8) sets that take into account similarities and observations.Keywords: Cleome gynandra L, Akaya, variety, characters, leaf vegetable and Republic of Benin.   &nbsp

Impact Des Caractéristiques De La Végétation Sur La Diversité D’usages Des Plantes Autour De Deux Grandes Forêts Classées Et D’une Réserve Botanique Au Sud-Bénin

Southern-Benin has a mosaic of ecological conditions that have contributed to the development of its vast forest heritage. The combination of a number of parameters or indices (use value, diversity index, and equitability and citation frequency) is an effective way of identifying the most important plants for preservation. The objective was to carry out the checklist of the plants used around the classified forests of Ahozon and Lama and the botanical reserve of Pobè in Southern-Benin, with information on their use, threats and relations between the targeted habitats and the listed plants on the one hand and the knowledge associated with them and the socio-professional characteristics of the populations on the other. The data (user identity, plants used, plant organs collected, uses, plant threats) were collected from 113 individuals interviewed individually during an ethnobotanical study in 20 villages distributed around the three vegetation formations. The results showed that 59 plant species are useful for the populations surrounding the formations. The most important in terms of use value are Zanthoxylum zanthoxyloides (VUT = 7.86), Irvingia gabonensis (VUT = 7.84), Dialium guineense (VUT = 7.69), Khaya senegalensis (VUT = 7.46), Prosopis africana (VUT = 7.06), Ceiba pentandra (VUT = 7.01), and Synsepalum dulcificum (VUT = 6.98). The indices of Diversity and Equitability of the respondents reveal that knowledge on plant species is not homogeneously distributed (ID = 0.430, IE = 0.451 <0.5) and maximum information on species is held by a part of the population. Pruning (40%) is the main source of species threats. Plantation, agrosystems, sensitizing populations on good methods of harvest could help to preserve the main plants useful for the populations of Southern Benin

Diospyros barteri Hiern (Ebenaceae): new records for the vascular flora of Benin

Diospyros barteri was recorded for the first time from Dodja, a sacred forest in the Commune of Abomey-Calavi, Benin. We provide a detailed description, illustration, habitat, ecology, flowering period, and population size of this species. These occurrences fill a gap in the distribution of the species in the Dahomey-Gap territory. Our new records show the importance of botanical surveys in sacred forests which are hotspots of biodiversity in the country. However, sacred forests are unfortunately poorly maintained and managed and are difficult to access because they serve as central sites for ceremonies of local divinities in vodun celebrations

Connaissances traditionnelles et pratiques locales sur une espèce endémique Ipomoea beninensis Akoègninou, Lisowski & Sinsin (Convolvulaceae): une évaluation préliminaire pour sa conservation au Bénin

Ipomoea beninensis Akoègn., Lisowski & Sinsin (Convolvulaceae) is the only endemic plant known for Benin. To date, no data exist on its usages, distribution, abundance, and threats. An improved understanding of indigenous knowledge and of local practices can provide insight into how the species could be sustainably conserved. We interviewed 114 local residents for collecting ethnobotanical and ethnoecological data in six sites known to host the species. Data were processed by calculation of descriptive statistics and variance and multivariate analyses. A total of twelve uses were reported. Among them, treatment of varicella (19%), malaria (18%) and fodder (17%) were the most recurrent. These mainly involve use of the species rootstock. Almost all respondents mentioned decline of the species in natural habitats. None of them was aware about the endemic status of the species. Consequently, negative practices toward the protection of I. beninensis were prevalent among local residents. Several conservation measures are proposed to ensure the longterm survival of I. beninensis.Ipomoea beninensis Akoègn., Lisowski & Sinsin (Convolvulaceae) est la seule plante endémique connue pour le Bénin. À ce jour, aucune donnée n'existe sur ses usages, sa distribution, son abondance et ses menaces. Une meilleure compréhension des connaissances autochtones et des pratiques locales peut donner un aperçu de la manière dont l'espèce pourrait être conservée de manière durable. Des interviews ont été réalisées auprès de 114 résidents locaux pour la collecte de données ethnobotaniques et ethnoécologiques dans six localités. Les données ont été traitées par le calcul de statistiques descriptives et d'analyses de variance et multivariées. Au total, douze utilisations ont été signalées parmi lesquelles le traitement de la varicelle (19%), du paludisme (18%) et le fourrage (17%) étaient les plus rapportées. Ces derniers impliquent principalement l'utilisation des racines de l'espèce. Presque tous les enquêtés ont mentionné le déclin de l'espèce dans les habitats naturels. Aucun d'entre eux n'est au courant du statut endémique de l'espèce. Par conséquent, les pratiques négatives à l’encontre de la protection de I. beninensis étaient répandues. Plusieurs mesures de conservation sont proposées pour assurer la survie à long terme de I. beninensis

Phytochimiques des plantes médicinales utilisées dans la prise en charge des maladies infantiles au SudBénin

In southern Benin, medicinal plants are used for the health care of children aged 0 to 12 years. The present study aims to highlight some medicinal plants used in southern Benin to treat childhood diseases including malaria, candidiasis, teething disorders, infant colic and diarrhea. The phytochemical screening of the leafy stems of the selected plants revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins (gallic and catechic), coumarins, anthocyanins and leuco-anthocyans, quinone derivatives, triterpenoids, steroids, saponosides and reducing sugars. These various metabolites possess various therapeutic properties involved in the treatment of the indicated disorders. This would confirm the therapeutic uses reported by the populations surveyed. However, the evaluation of antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities as well as the toxicity test of the aqueous extract of these plants would be necessary

The resource availability hypothesis (RAH) and cross-cultural patterns: which one explains West African Cochlospermum species’ uses in Benin?

Benin, widely used Cochlospermum tinctorium and C. planchonii as food, medicine,etc. Unfortunately, the uncontrolled harvest of their rootstocks exposes them to local extension risk. This study aimed to (i) assess the use forms, use values, abundance and perceived spatiotemporal dynamics, (ii) determine how does local abundance or cultural patterns afect the use of Cochlospermum species, and (iii) assess local harvesting modes. 756 Dialog Partners through 27 ethnic groups were questioned countrywide using semistructured interviews. Questions refer to local taxonomy, specifc uses, organs sought, harvesting modes and local conservation strategies; afterward, local abundance of each species was assessed. Ethnobotanical indicators were analyzed. Comparison tests and statistical analyses were performed. C. tinctorium and C. planchonii are locally well known and involved into 83 specifc uses, grouped into ten categories of which medicinal use was the main. The use values of C. planchonii (0.10±0.19) and C. tinctorium (0.23±0.20) varied signifcantly between the ethnic groups, and only C. tinctorium showed index of commercially value above 75% for some ethnic groups. The current abundance, about 84 and 97 tufts.ha−1, respectively, for C. planchonii and C. tinctorium was perceived with a decline of 81.09% (C. tinctorium) and 73.7% (C. planchonii) of informants. Moreover, the Spearman’s correlation and Kruskal–Wallis tests performed revealed that the use values of C. tinctorium and C. planchonii were signifcantly correlated on the one hand with their local abundance and on the other hand with the investigated ethnic groups. About 42.3% of women produced the powder as principal activity, while more than 57% produced it mainly at the end of farm work. However, the conservation management was practiced by very few informants and consisted of partial harvesting of rootstocks (41.8%, only in southern Benin), and fallowing of harvesting areas (3.97%, only in northern Benin)

Distribution des aires protégées et conservation de la flore en république du Bénin

Introduction Le sud du Bénin est situé dans le couloir plus sec généralement appelé « Dahomey gap » qui sépare la ceinture de forêt dense humide ouest africaine en deux blocs : les blocs forestiers guinéen (ou occidental) et congolais (oriental). Cette discontinuité climatique dahoméenne est caractérisée par des déficits hydriques prononcés entraînant l’absence de la forêt dense sempervirente avec tout son cortège floristique et faunique. Seule l’unité physionomique « forêt dense humide semi-..