Habitat range shift and prediction of the potential future distribution of Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Heckel in Benin (West Africa)

Open Access ArticleRicinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Heckel is an important nutraceutical reservoir. Its Sustainable exploitation requires information on its potential distribution in the current context of rapid population growth and climate change threats. This study aimed to map the suitable areas for its domestication and conservation under current and future climate conditions in Benin. Occurrence data were recorded and combined with the environmental layers of two climatic scenarios (optimistic RCP 4.5 and pessimistic RCP 8.5) following the biodiversity modelling approach (biomod2). Currently, about four percent (5082 Km2) of the country’s area mainly located in the sub-humid and the humid zones were potentially suitable for R. heudelotii distribution. Under future climatic conditions the potentially suitable areas were mainly in the sub-humid zone, but almost all the highly suitable areas located in the humid zone will become medium suitable areas by the years 2055 and 2085 horizons. This study shows that, whatever the future climatic scenarios, R. heudelotii will substantially maintain the size of its range across the country. These findings allow undertaking anticipated actions to better adapt to the potential effects of climate change and to better guide policies for the conservation and development of forest resources

Status and utilisation of Moringa oleifera Lam: A review

Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) is a medium-size agroforestry tree that originated from south Asia, but has become naturalised in many countries globally. Moringa oleifera has gained importance due to its multipurpose uses and good adaptability to both humid and dry climates. Almost all parts of the plant are used. The species is considered as a neglected and underutilised as its potential is still not well economically known and valued. This review presents the status and factors responsible for underutilisation of this, otherwise important crop as a basis for formulation of viable development strategies of knowledge on taxonomy, distribution, diverse utilisations, nutritional value, socioeconomic importance, morphological and genetic diversity, domestication, propagation and management of M. oleifera. Knowledge gaps, and research and development avenues are suggested and discussed for improved valorisation. To that purpose, articles were searched in Google Scholar, Web of Science and BioMed Central database with relevant keywords on M. oleifera. All the articles found, including reviews and peer-reviewed articles were critically read and analysed for inclusion in this review. Findings revealed that the species is one of the most studied and used species with various uses stretching from food and medicinal uses to water purification, biopesticide and production of biodiesel. Findings also highlight high morphological and genetic diversity of the species, which may become a resource for the conservation and the selection of germplasm. However, many aspects of the species are still waiting for further research.Moringa oleifera (Moringaceae) est un arbre de taille moyenne originaire du sud de l\u2019Asie, mais naturalis\ue9 dans de nombreux pays d\u2019Afrique, d\u2019Asie, d\u2019Am\ue9rique et d\u2019Australie. M. oleifera jouit d\u2019une grande importance en raison de ses multiples usages et de sa bonne adaptabilit\ue9 aux climats humides et secs. Les feuilles du Moringa sont parmi les l\ue9gumes \ue0 feuilles les plus promus pour assurer la s\ue9curit\ue9 alimentaire et nutritionnelle des m\ue8res et des nourrissons dans les pays en d\ue9veloppement. Presque toutes les parties de la plante sont utilis\ue9es en m\ue9decine. Jusqu\u2019\ue0 pr\ue9sent, l\u2019esp\ue8ce est consid\ue9r\ue9e comme n\ue9glig\ue9e et sous-utilis\ue9e car son potentiel n\u2019est toujours pas bien valoris\ue9. Cet article r\ue9sume l\u2019\ue9tat actuel des connaissances sur la taxonomie, la distribution, les utilisations diverses, la valeur nutritionnelle, l\u2019importance socio\ue9conomique, la diversit\ue9 morphologique et g\ue9n\ue9tique, la domestication, la propagation et la gestion de M. oleifera. Les gaps en termes de connaissances sur l\u2019esp\ue8ce ont \ue9t\ue9 identifi\ue9es et des axes de recherche-d\ue9veloppement ont \ue9t\ue9 propos\ue9s et discut\ue9s pour am\ue9liorer sa valorisation. A cet effet, des articles ont \ue9t\ue9 recherch\ue9s dans les bases de donn\ue9es Google Scholar, Web of Science et BioMed Central avec des mots-cl\ue9s pertinents sur l\u2019esp\ue8ce. Tous les articles trouv\ue9s, y compris les revues et les articles \ue9valu\ue9s, ont \ue9t\ue9 lus et analys\ue9s de mani\ue8re critique pour leur inclusion dans cet article. Les r\ue9sultats ont r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 que le Moringa est l\u2019une des esp\ue8ces les plus \ue9tudi\ue9es et utilis\ue9es au monde avec de multiples usages allant de l\u2019alimentation et la m\ue9decine \ue0 la purification de l\u2019eau, au biopesticide and \ue0 la production de biodiesel. Les r\ue9sultats ont \ue9galement r\ue9v\ue9l\ue9 une grande variabilit\ue9 morphologique et g\ue9n\ue9tique de l\u2019esp\ue8ce, qui peut \ueatre une ressource pour la conservation et l\u2019am\ue9lioration g\ue9n\ue9tique de l\u2019esp\ue8ce. Cependant, beaucoup d\u2019autres aspects de l\u2019esp\ue8ce n\ue9cessitent encore des investigations

Knowledge of diversity of wild palms (arecaceae) in the Republic of Benin: finding gaps in the national inventory by combining field and digital accessible knowledge

—Despite efforts by researchers worldwide to assess the biodiversity of plant groups, many locations on Earth remain poorly surveyed, resulting in inadequate or biased knowledge. Robust estimates of inventory completeness could help alleviate the problem. This study aimed to identify areas representing gaps in current knowledge of African palms, with a focus on Benin (West Africa). We assessed the completeness of knowledge of African palms, targeting geographic distance and climatic difference from well-known sites. Data derived from intensive fieldwork were combined with independent data available online. Inventory completeness indices were calculated and coupled with other criteria. Results showed a high overall value for inventory completeness, as well as an even distribution of well-known areas across the country. However, poorly-known areas were identified, which were in remote locations with low accessibility. This study illustrates how biodiversity survey and inventory efforts can be guided by existing knowledge. We strongly recommend the combination of digital accessible knowledge and fieldwork, coupled with expert knowledge, to obtain a better picture of inventory completeness in tropical ecosystems

STATUS OF VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION OF BAOBAB: A REVIEW

The African baobab ( Adansonia digitata L.) is a large tree of great socio-economic and cultural importance in Africa, with almost all the parts of the species used for various purposes. A major concern about baobab fruit pulp production is the long time it takes for first fruiting (about 15 years). Vegetative propagation offers several advantages with regard to consumers\u2019 preferences and precociousness of fructification. The objective of this study was to synthesise existent knowledge related to vegetative propagation methods of baobab and examine future prospects for improving the species propagation. This will ultimately contribute to better integrate baobab-based agroforestry systems into the diversification and poverty alleviation programmes. It is clear that cutting, grafting and in vitro multiplication are the vegetative propagation methods already tested on baobab. The success of grafting methods ranges from 10 to 89%, depending on the technique used. The Murashige and Skoog environment, supplemented with or without growth regulator hormones is by far the best condition for the in vitro reactivity of baobab explants, regardless of their types. With regards to cuttings, the average success rates stand around 30% when Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormone is used. Other approaches such as marcotting techniques are yet to be tested and data on fruit production using these techniques are still needed in order to determine the best promising method for rapid and efficient vegetative propagation of baobab.Adansonia digitata L. est un grand arbre d\u2019importance socio-\ue9conomique et culturelle en Afrique. Toutes les parties de l\u2019arbre sont utilis\ue9es \ue0 diverses fins. L\u2019une des principales pr\ue9occupations concernant la pulpe de baobab est le temps n\ue9cessaire \ue0 la premi\ue8re fructification de l\u2019arbre (environ 15 ans). La multiplication v\ue9g\ue9tative pr\ue9sente plusieurs avantages en ce qui concerne les pr\ue9f\ue9rences des consommateurs et permet la pr\ue9cocit\ue9 de fructification. Ce travail a synth\ue9tis\ue9 les connaissances actuelles sur les m\ue9thodes de propagation v\ue9g\ue9tative du baobab et a discut\ue9 des perspectives futures pour l\u2019int\ue9gration des syst\ue8mes agroforestiers \ue0 base de baobab dans les programmes de diversification agricole et de r\ue9duction de la pauvret\ue9. Les r\ue9sultats ont montr\ue9 que le bouturage, le greffage et la multiplication in vitro sont les m\ue9thodes de multiplication v\ue9g\ue9tative d\ue9j\ue0 test\ue9es sur le baobab \ue0 ce jour. Le succ\ue8s du greffage varie de 10 \ue0 89% selon la technique de greffage utilis\ue9e. L\u2019environnement Murashige and Skoog compl\ue9t\ue9 avec ou sans phytohormones de croissance est \ue0 l\u2019heure actuelle la meilleure condition pour la r\ue9activit\ue9 in vitro des explants de baobab, quels que soient leurs types. En ce qui concerne le bouturage, le taux de r\ue9ussite moyen s\u2019\ue9levait \ue0 30% avec utilisation de l\u2019hormone Acide Indole-3-butyrique (IBA). D\u2019autres approches telles que la technique du marcottage a\ue9rien devront \ueatre test\ue9es. Aussi, les donn\ue9es sur la production de fruits issus de ces techniques sont n\ue9cessaires. Ces informations permettront de d\ue9terminer la meilleure m\ue9thode \ue0 recommander pour une propagation v\ue9g\ue9tative rapide et efficace du baobab

Review of the higher education system in Benin: Status, challenges, opportunities and strategies for improvement

The present study was executed to assess the current status of the higher education sector in Benin. Documentary review method was used to collect data and were complemented by surveys. Data obtained were synthesized in form of graphs and tables. Results showed that political decision sustains education systems of Benin. Benin has seven public universities and the University of Abomey-Calavi remains the most populous university with high annual students’ recruitment. Some innovations have been proposed to improve the higher education system in Benin which remain insignificant compared to the current challenge that the system is facing. Apart from national subvention, several other partners contribute to funding the higher education system in Benin. However, the vision and mission of the donors remain very divergent. Yet it is necessary to rethink the current system and implement some strategic actions towards contribution of the system to higher productivity and meet development goals

Importance socioculturelle de Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg (Moraceae) au Sud-Bénin

Objectifs : La présente étude vise principalement à analyser l’importance socioculturelle de Artocarpus altilis, une espèce sous-utilisée à fort potentiel économique pour les populations du Sud-Bénin.Méthodologie et résultats : Les données ont été collectées à partir d’enquêtes ethnobotaniques réalisées auprès de trois groupes socioculturels : les Wémènou, les Fon et les Holli. Les informations recueillies concernent les organes et usages de A. altilis, les morphotypes ainsi que le mode de gestion. L’étude a révélé que les informateurs connaissent l’espèce avec une inégale répartition des connaissances, tant du point de vue genre (ID et IE hommes = 0,05 et 0,53 contre ID et IE femmes = 0,04 et 0,49) que socioprofessionnel (ID et IE commerçants = 0,06 et 0,59 sont les plus élevés).Conclusion et application de résultats : Deux formes de l’espèce sont rencontrées (Blèfututin et Azintin en Wémènou) et présentent des caractéristiques distinctes. Des études complémentaires au plan économique et génétique doivent être réalisées afin d’évaluer la valeur économique de l’espèce et de préciser le lien parental entre les deux formes locales de l’espèce.Mots clés : PFNL, Wémènou, Fon ; Holli, enquêtes ethnobotaniques, A. altilis, Béni

Diversity and prioritization of non timber forest products for economic valuation in Benin (West Africa)

Species prioritization is a crucial step towards setting valuation strategy, especially for Non timber Forest Products (NTFP). This study aimed at assessing the diversity and ranking NTFPs for a successful economic valuation. Data were collected through literature review. Seven prioritization criteria were used in different prioritization systems. The top 50 NTFP species obtained by each system were identified and ten NTFP of highest priority occurring as priority across methods were selected. A total of 121 NTFPs belonging to 90 botanical genera and 38 botanical families were found. The top 10 priority were: Vitellaria paradoxa, Parkia biglobosa, Adansonia digitata, Irvingia gabonensis, Blighia sapida, Tamarindus indica, Dialium guineense, Vitex doniana, Borassus aethiopum and Garcinia kola. Due to the economic potential and the regional importance of these priority species, appropriate incentives for their valuation are needed and should be reflected in forest policies in Benin

Home gardens: an assessment of their biodiversity and potential contribution to conservation of threatened species and crop wild relatives in Benin

Published Sept. 2013 on-line first, yet print ed. has a 2014 publication date