Folk perceptions and patterns of use of orchid species in Benin, West Africa

In Benin haben die Menschen ein reiches ethnobotanisches Wissen über, das die kulturelle und ökologische Vielfalt ihrer Umwelt widerspiegelt. Mehrere Studien befassten sich mit der Frage, wie wertvoll Pflanzenarten für lo abunkale Gemeinschaften sind. Trotz der Bedeutung der Orchideen für den Lebensunterhalt der lokalen Bevölkerung gab es aber nur wenig Forschungsinteresse an den Orchideenarten. Die vorliegende Studie untersuchte die Unterschiede im Gebrauch und im Wissen der lokalen Leute von Orchideen in der sudanischen Zone von Benin. Die Studie wurde unter den vier wichtigsten sozioökonomischen und ethnischen Gruppen aus sechs Dörfern rund um das Biosphärenreservat Pendjari in Benin durchgeführt. Einhundertsechzig Personen nahmen an dieser Studie teil. Die Daten wurden mit Hilfe von semi-strukturierten Einzelinterviews erhoben und mittels quantitativer ethnobotanischer Methoden analysiert. 29 verschiedene Anwendungsarten wurden erfasst und können in vier Hauptnutzungskategorien unterteilt werden: Arzneimittel, Veterinärmedizin, Spirituelles und Lebensmittel. Es gab Unterschiede in der Verwendung von Orchideen unter den ethnischen Gruppen, Geschlecht und Alter. Das Wissen über die Verwendung von Orchideen wurde maßgeblich von der ethnischen Gruppe und dem Alter der Befragten beeinflusst. Anders als junge gebildete Generationen hatten die meisten Erwachsenen und Ältesten, insbesondere Frauen, ein umfassenderes Wissen über die Verwendung von Orchideen. Calyptrochilum christianum, die am häufigsten verwendete Orchidee, wurde in mehr als 50% der Orchideenarten erwähnt. Der Stamm der Gourmantché und Waama hatte mehr Wissen über die Verwendung von Orchideen, während der Berba Stamm weniger Wissen besaß. Drei Orchideenarten (Habenaria cirrhata, Eulophia horsfallii und Nervilia bicarinata) wurden als Nahrung gemeldet. Orchideen hatten einen niedrigen Nutzwert im Bereich von 0,01 (Eulophia spp) bis 0,2 (C. christianum). Der kontrollierte Zugang zum Biosphärenreservat und die Landflucht können den Mangel an Weitergabe des Wissens der Älteren über die Orchideennutzung und deren Wert des Wissens an die jüngere Generation erklären.In Benin, people have a rich ethnobotanical knowledge of plant species, reflecting the cultural and ecological diversity of their environment. Several studies were focused on the question of how valuable are plant species for local communities. However, there has been very little research interest in the orchid species in spite of the importance of orchids in the livelihood of the local people. This study examined the use and differences in knowledge of local people of orchids in the Sudanian zone of Benin. An ethnobotanical study was conducted amongst the four main socio-economic and ethnic groups from six villages around the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin. One hundred and sixty people participated in this study. Data were gathered using semi-structured individual interviews and analysed using quantitative ethnobotanical methods. 29 different types of use were recorded and can be grouped into four main use categories: medicinal, veterinary, spiritual and food. There were differences in orchid utilization among the ethnic groups, gender and age. The knowledge of orchid uses was significantly affected by the ethnic group and the age of the respondent. Unlike young educated generations, most adults and elders, especially women, had a more comprehensive knowledge of orchid uses. Calyptrochilum christianum, the most used orchid, was mentioned in more than 50% of the types of orchid use. The Gourmantché and Waama tribe had more knowledge on orchid use whereas the Berba tribe had less knowledge. Three orchid species (Habenaria cirrhata, Eulophia horsfallii and Nervilia bicarinata) were reported as food. Orchids had low use value ranging from 0.01 (Eulophia spp) to 0.2 (C. christianum). The controlled access to the biosphere reserve and rural exodus can explain the lack of indigenous knowledge transfer of orchid use and value from elders to the young generation.Au Bénin, les connaissances ethnobotaniques sont riches et variées, reflétant la diversité culturelle et écologique en place. De nombreuses études ont porté sur la question de l’utilité des plantes pour les communautés locales. Cependant, peu de travaux ce sont intéressés aux orchidées, malgré leur importance pour le bien-être des populations locales. Cette étude a examiné l'importance et la variation des connaissances locales sur l’usage des orchidées dans la zone soudanienne au Bénin. Une étude ethnobotanique a été conduite dans les quatre principaux groupes socioéconomiques et ethniques représentés par six villages autour de la Réserve de Biosphère de la Pendjari. Cent soixante personnes ont été enquêtées. Les données ont été recueillies à l'aide d'entrevues individuelles semi-structurées et analysées suivant les méthodes ethnobotaniques quantitatives. Au total, 29 différents types d'usages ont été enregistrées et peuvent être regroupées en quatre catégories: médecine, vétérinaire, spirituel et alimentaire. Il y a une variation des usages faits des orchidées aussi bien suivant les groupes ethniques, le genre que de l'âge. Le niveau de connaissance des usages faits des orchidées est significativement influencé par le groupe ethnique et l'âge du répondant. Contrairement aux jeunes générations scolarisées, la plupart des adultes et personnes âgées, en particulier les femmes, ont une plus grande connaissance des usages possible des orchidées. Calyptrochilum christianum, l'orchidée la plus utilisée, a été mentionnée dans plus de 50% des types d’usages. Les Gourmantché et les Waama ont plus de connaissances sur l'utilisation des orchidées tandis que les Berba en ont moins. Trois espèces d’orchidées (Habenaria cirrhata, Eulophia horsfallii et Nervilia bicarinata) ont été rapportées comme utilisées dans l’alimentation. Les orchidées en générale ont une faible valeur d'usage, valeurs allant de 0,01 (Eulophia spp) à 0,2 (C. christianum). L'accès contrôlé à la réserve de biosphère et l’exode rural pourraient expliquer la rupture apparente du transfert des savoirs sur les usages et valeur des orchidées des anciens aux jeunes générations

Assessment of textural differentiations in forest resources in Romania using fractal analysis

Deforestation and forest degradation have several negative effects on the environment including a loss of species habitats, disturbance of the water cycle and reduced ability to retain CO2, with consequences for global warming. We investigated the evolution of forest resources from development regions in Romania affected by both deforestation and reforestation using a non-Euclidean method based on fractal analysis. We calculated four fractal dimensions of forest areas: the fractal box-counting dimension of the forest areas, the fractal box-counting dimension of the dilated forest areas, the fractal dilation dimension and the box-counting dimension of the border of the dilated forest areas. Fractal analysis revealed morpho-structural and textural differentiations of forested, deforested and reforested areas in development regions with dominant mountain relief and high hills (more forested and compact organization) in comparison to the development regions dominated by plains or low hills (less forested, more fragmented with small and isolated clusters). Our analysis used the fractal analysis that has the advantage of analyzing the entire image, rather than studying local information, thereby enabling quantification of the uniformity, fragmentation, heterogeneity and homogeneity of forests

Breeders’ knowledge on cattle fodder species preference in rangelands of Benin

Abstract Background We undertook ethnobotanical and ecological studies on fodder plants grazed by cattle across Benin national area. The study aims to ascertain the top priority fodder plants in order to catalogue the indigenous knowledge regarding their use. Methods Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and covered 690 breeders and 40 days of pasture walk. These were analysed using similarity index of Jaccard (IS), relative frequency citation (RFC) and fodder value during pasture walk (FVPW). Results We documented a total of 257 fodder plant species, of which 116 recorded during ethnobotanical investigations and 195 during pasture walk. These species belong to 181 genera and 54 families. Both methods shared 52 species. Leaves (58%) and leafy stem (28%) were the most grazed parts of plant. The most common species used as fodder included Andropogon gayanus, Panicum maximum, Pterocarpus erinaceus and Flueggea virosa. The top species with a highest FVPW were Panicum maximum and Pterocarpus erinaceus. A total of 16 species were considered as top fodder plants in Benin. Conclusions The wide diversity of plants reported indicates that there is a number of promising fodder species in the flora of Benin. The insight gained in this study relating to bovine feeds could guide in the selection and introduction of feed innovations that could improve livestock production

Environment-driven spatial pattern of tamarind trees in riparian forests

Domesticating indigenous agroforestry species is gaining interest as a potential option for conservation and production. Yet, spatial patterning of key species and how it is altered by environmental conditions, which are important to design plantation schemes in forest and agroforestry systems, are still poorly documented. The pair-correlation function was used to assess spatial pattern of Tamarindus indica and its variation under contrasting environmental conditions (vegetation cover and soil degradation). Tamarind seeds being dispersed by zoochory and barochory, we hypothesized positive association within and among life stages (adults-adults, juveniles-juveniles, and adults-juveniles). Environmental conditions did not significantly affect density and overall spatial pattern of either adult or juvenile trees. Adults and juveniles confirmed clumped patterns irrespective of environmental conditions. However, juveniles showed positive association with adults under lower canopy cover and/or soil degradation, and otherwise, independence from adults. Adults seemed to have allelopathic effect on juveniles under dense canopy. On the contrary, soil degradation favored attraction between adults and juveniles, presumably by inducing coppicing. Tamarind could be used to restore degraded areas. To this end, we suggest introducing juveniles in patches of 40 m radius using a 10 m x 10 m planting grid, and at least 30 m from mature trees

Ethnic differences in use value and use patterns of the threatened multipurpose scrambling shrub (Caesalpinia bonduc L.) in Benin

African communities traditionally use medicinal plants for their primary healthcare. To ensure the sustainable use of these species one of the crucial issues is to document African communities’ indigenous medicinal knowledge. To achieve this goal, the present study evaluated the use frequency and the knowledge of local Beninese communities on the endangered scrambling shrub (Caesalpinia bonduc). Results revealed that local populations use 20 properties from the leaves, roots and seeds of the species to fight against childbirth, to treat burns and for cultural practices like games, weddings and the Fâ ritual. The global credibility level of these properties equalled to 75%, indicating that C. bonduc is perceived as very important for local populations. Roots are more intensively used than leaves and seed respectively. The study clearly showed ethnic and age differences in use value and patterns of the species. For example, Kotafon ethnic group had a fair knowledge on the species while Fon and Bariba ethnic groups hold the lowest number of users

Old Sacred Trees as Memories of the Cultural Landscapes of Southern Benin (West Africa)

Large old trees (LOTs) are emblematic elements of the cultural landscape and can live for hundreds of years. They represent an intermediate aspect of cultural heritage, linking spirits and humans. They can also provide a range of ecosystem services. In spite of their importance, declining numbers have been reported. This study examined the diversity of LOTs and the impact of anthropogenic threats on their preservation in three districts of southern Benin: Ketou and Abomey, which represent historical districts with royal courts, and Lokossa, which does not have a tradition as a dynastic seat. Semi-structured interviews focused on ethnobotanical aspects and storytelling were conducted with a total of 150 community leaders and traditional practitioners; these were coupled with an inventory of LOTs to demonstrate their importance in maintaining the heritage and providing ecosystem services in cultural landscapes. Diversity, cultural importance, and ethnobotanical indices were calculated to compare positive and negative attitudes towards LOTs by the local people of the study areas. A total of 270 LOT individuals belonging to 14 species were recorded. The most common species was Adansonia digitata (70 individuals), followed by Milicia excelsa (47 individuals), Ceiba pentandra (37 individuals), and Blighia sapida (25 individuals). Sacred forests and the royal palaces (ten for Abomey and three for Kétou), which are protected by a traditional veto, had the highest number of LOTs (145 individuals) belonging to nine species. Details of 79 specific uses were documented for each plant part of LOTs. The most frequently reported were related to medicinal (80.64%), cultic (16.65%), and craft uses (2.6%). Based on a standard area of 100 km2, mean Shannon diversity (H’) and evenness (J) were lower in the cultural landscape of Ketou (H′ = 0.26 ± 0.42; J = 0.23 ± 0.37) compared to Lokossa (H′ = 0.27 ± 0.32; J = 0.21 ± 0.24) and Abomey (H′ = 0.42 ± 0.37; J = 0.35 ± 0.31). The threat patterns suggest that, irrespective of the species involved, certain determining factors (urbanization (35%), the timber trade (18%), and decisions made during the Marxist–Leninist revolution in Benin in 1972 (11%)) have affected and continue to affect LOT abundance and diversity. For better management of LOTs, there is a need to promote decision-making strategies that better align human cultural values and ecological objectives

Efficiency of conservation areas to protect orchid species in Benin, West Africa

The effectiveness of protected areas to guarantee future conservation of several plant species remains questionable. This study was carried out in the Biosphere Reserve of Pendjari (BRP) and surrounding unprotected areas to assess the efficiency of the reserve to conserve orchids. A total of 90 plots (52 in protected areas; 38 in unprotected areas) were sampled. The recorded data include: orchid species, number of individuals per species, the height and diameter at breast height of host trees. Diversity indices were used to assess the orchid diversity in the protected and unprotected areas. Preferred habitat conditions of orchid species were investigated using Constrained Correspondence Analysis. An independent t-test and two-way analysis of variance were performed to assess an existing combined effect of vegetation type and the conservation status on the density of orchid species. The Importance Value Index (IVI) was used to measure how dominant an orchid species is in a given zone according to the conservation status of the zone. Only three epiphytic orchids (Calyptrochilum christyanum, Cyrtorchis arcuata and Plectrelminthus caudatus) were recorded and all in gallery forest of unprotected areas. Indeed, 67% and 58% of the orchid species were only recorded in unprotected areas and in gallery forest, respectively. There was no significant difference between the density of all recorded orchids in protected and unprotected areas. The conservation status of the studied zone had a significant effect on the densities of Nervilia kotschyi and Eulophia guineensis (p < 0.0001). The highest IVI of N. kostchyi was observed in the protected area and of E. guineensis was in the unprotected area. This first effort to compile a reference list of the orchid species of the BRP showed that some orchid species were well represented within the protected area, but all of the epiphytic orchids were recorded from unprotected areas. A representative gap can be assumed to exist for most epiphytic orchids only recorded in the gallery forests of unprotected areas. Our results highlighted the need to redefine protective management strategies for orchid species in the BRP.The Rufford Foundation for financial support through Rufford Small Grants for Nature Conservation to Eméline Sêssi Pélagie ASSEDE (grant reference: 16855-1). Eméline Sêssi Pélagie ASSEDE was further supported by the University of Pretoria Postdoctoral Fellowship Program.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/sajb2019-05-01hj2018Plant Production and Soil Scienc

A sharp floristic discontinuity revealed by the biogeographic regionalisation of African savannah

Aim: In tropical Africa, savannas cover huge areas, have high plant species richness and are considered as a major natural resource for most countries. There is, however, little information available on their floristics and biogeography at the continental scale, despite the importance of such information for our understanding of the drivers of species diversity at various scales and for effective conservation and management. Here, we collated and analysed floristic data from across the continent in order to propose a biogeographical regionalization for African savannas. Location: We collated floristic information (specifically woody species lists) for 298 samples of savanna vegetation across Africa, extending from 18° N to 33° S and from 17° W to 48° E. Taxa: We focused on native woody species. Methods: We used ordination and clustering to identify the floristic discontinuities and gradual transitions across African savannas. Floristic relationships, specificity and turnover, within and between floristic clusters, were analysed using a (dis‐)similarity‐ based approach. Results: We identified eight floristic clusters across African savannas which in turn were grouped into two larger macro‐units. Ordinations at species and genus levels showed a clear differentiation in woody species composition between the North/ West macro‐unit and the South/East macro‐unit. This floristic discontinuity matches to the High (i.e. N&W) and Low (S&E) division of Africa previously proposed by White (1983) and which tracks climatic and topographical variation. In the N&W savannas, the floristic gradient determined by rainfall was partitioned into the Sudanian (drier) and Guinean (wetter) clusters. Within the highly heterogeneous S&E savannas and woodlands, six clusters were identified: Ugandan, Ethiopian, Mozambican, Zambezian, Namibian and South African. Main conclusions: The proposed pan‐African classification of savannas and woodlands might assist the development of coordinated management and conservation policies