Defining functional groups of tree species according to rural stakeholder perceptions in Central Mali

International audienceIn the dry areas of western Africa, the over-exploitation of forestry resources and the lack of tree regeneration lead to the degradation of agroforestry parklands. Such parklands could be better managed if the multiple services provided by the trees were well identified and valorized. However, there is little information on the local knowledge of' tree species regarding their functions, uses and services. Likewise, local stakeholders' perceptions of the relation between the species aptness for the above functions and uses and their functional traits is not well known. This study focuses on local knowledge of tree species in parklands of the Segou region in Mali, in order to identify specific uses or multifunctionalities that could be highlighted in improving agroforestry systems. Qualitative surveys have been carried out to identify users' perceptions of tree functions and functional traits. Findings show the possibility of classifying species by relevant functional groups, i.e. woody/timber trees, fruit/cash crop trees and trees related to livestock. Functional traits were not easily identified by farmers and the related information was difficult to analyze. Moreover, the perception of functions and traits depended on user groups (craftsmen, crop farmers, livestock farmers, traditional health practitioners, women etc.) and on agro-environmental and socio-economic contexts (activities, knowledge, means and practices). Therefore, scientific databases composed of lists of functions and traits for a given species have no generic value and must be valued depending on the context which may or may not enhance the substitutions between species for each use

Analyse participative de la vulnérabilité et de l’adaptation aux changements climatiques: un guide méthodologique

La vulnérabilité au changement climatique est un indicateur de sensibilité ou d’incapacité d’un système à faire face aux effets défavorables des variabilités et risques climatiques. Les communautés rurales connaissent mieux leurs situations. Elles ont leur façon de percevoir le phénomène de changement climatique; alors toute analyse de la vulnérabilité aux risques climatiques devrait s’appuyer sur leurs connaissances des conditions locales

Participatory analysis of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change: a methodological guide for working with rural communities. ICRAF Occasional Paper No. 19

This methodological guide was designed to help researchers and development workers to conduct a participatory analysis of vulnerability and adaptation to climate change (PAVACC) with rural communities, and to develop action plans that reflect the concerns of the rural communities. The approach helps rural communities to assess their vulnerability to climate change, and to identify and plan appropriate activities to reduce their vulnerability. In addition, it helps them to organize and analyze information about the vulnerability and resilience of their community, households and individuals, and to use local knowledge about coping strategies to help them adapt to climate change