Original Article · English
Diversity and uses of woody forest resources in the eastern part of the Benoué riverbank (north Cameroon)
Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD, CRA-Maroua), BP: 33 Maroua, Cameroon; Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Maroua; P.O Box 814 Maroua, Cameroon
01Abstract
Woody plant resources play a central role in the food, energy, and health needs of rural populations in the Sudano-Sahelian zone, yet they remain increasingly threatened by anthropogenic pressure and deforestation. An ethnobotanical study was conducted among the local ethnic groups of the eastern part of the Benoué riverbank (Bibemi and Rey-Bouba districts, North Region, Cameroon) to characterize the diversity and patterns of use of exploited woody plant resources, with a view to identifying priority species for conservation and promotion in agroforestry practices. Surveys were carried out in 20 villages among 328 respondents selected using a non-probabilistic quota method based on gender and age; species use was assessed through the response rate of solicited plant organs. Farmers accounted for 80.45% of respondents, reflecting the predominantly agricultural character of the study area. A total of 72 exploited woody species were recorded, distributed across six main use categories: food (28 species valued for their fruit, 7 for leaves and flowers, and 5 for seeds; cited by 88.22% of respondents), fuelwood and charcoal (28 species; 98.48% of respondents), traditional medicine (38 species, most notably Khaya senegalensis and Faidherbia albida), service wood (26 species), fodder, and handicrafts (32.22% of respondents). These uses draw on a wide range of plant organs, including leaves, roots, fruit, seeds, flowers, wood and bark. Use intensity varied markedly between species and use categories, reflecting differing availability and cultural preference. These findings highlight the diversity and socio-economic importance of woody resources for local livelihoods and underscore the need for targeted conservation of the most heavily exploited species in this zone.
02Author contributions
Conceptualization; Formal analysis; Investigation; Validation; Writing – original draft; Methodology; Writing – review & editing; Data curation; Software
Investigation; Methodology
Software; Visualization; Supervision; Writing – review & editing
Investigation; Formal analysis; Resources
Investigation; Conceptualization; Data curation
Investigation; Visualization; Methodology; Funding acquisition
03References
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