Importance Socio-Économique De Xylopia Aethiopica (Dun) A. Rich. Pour Les Populations Du Sud-Bénin

Xylopia aethiopica is a multi-purpose Non Timber Forest Product (NTFP) which products are consumed across Africa. This study aimed at generating useful information to support the sustainable management of Xylopia aethiopica in southern Benin. A survey was carried out to interview 122 stakeholders, including consumers and traders. Data were collected on the consumption of Xylopia aethiopica products, the income generated by their marketing, and the management the species trees by local people. As results, the species was mainly used in traditional medicine. Other forms of consumption included: spiritual rituals, fuelwood, food, and construction timber. Among Xylopia aethiopica products, the fruits were the most commercialized. The stakeholders operating in the commercialization system were: collectors, processors-wholesalers, and retailers. The gross margin per 100 kg of fruits averaged XOF 4500 for collectors and processors- wholesalers, and XOF 2500 for retailers. Xylopia aethiopica trees were privately managed based on land ownership. Given the decrease of the species, because of over-exploitation and cultural beliefs, the sensitizing of local people and the promotion of domestication are expected to support its conservatio

Floristic and structural changes in secondary forests following agricultural disturbances: the case of Lama forest reserve in Southern Benin

Structural changes in secondary forests are less known in West Africa, and this precludes their management. This study aims at providing quantitative information on floristic composition and structure of the Lama secondary forests (Benin), so as to contribute to their restoration, and fill part of knowledge gaps on West African secondary forests. Data of 77 permanent plots each of 0.5 ha were used to analyze the floristic composition, the trajectory of the recovery and the recovery of stocking in these forests, compared to nearby old-growth forests. The results showed that the forests were less diversified with few species very common in the forest stands; the most dominant were Lonchocarpus sericeus and Anogeissus leiocarpa in the secondary forests, and Dialium guineense, Diospyros mespiliformis and Afzelia africana in the old-growth forests. The secondary forests hold more species than the mature ones. Their compositions will recover that of the original forest because species of the original forest were actively regenerating in the secondary forests. About 28 years after recovery, large trees were insufficient and basal area was about 60% of those of the mature forests. Further studies are needed to elucidate barriers to tree regeneration and dynamics of tree population.© 2016 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Secondary forest, recovery, diversity, species composition, timber stock, Beni