SignificanceIdentifying and explaining regional differences in tropical forest dynamics, structure, diversity, and composition are critical for anticipating region-specific responses to global environmental change. Floristic classifications are of fundamental importance for these efforts. Here we provide a global tropical forest classification that is explicitly based on community evolutionary similarity, resulting in identification of five major tropical forest regions and their relationships: (i) Indo-Pacific, (ii) Subtropical, (iii) African, (iv) American, and (v) Dry forests. African and American forests are grouped, reflecting their former western Gondwanan connection, while Indo-Pacific forests range from eastern Africa and Madagascar to Australia and the Pacific. The connection between northern-hemisphere Asian and American forests is confirmed, while Dry forests are identified as a single tropical biome.

Women's Traditional Knowledge, Use Value, and the Contribution of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) to Rural Households' Cash Income in Benin. This study examined differences in knowledge, use values, and contribution of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) to women's cash income during the dry season, focusing on seven tribal groups in Benin. Data were gathered using semistructured individual interviews and monitoring, and were analyzed using quantitative ethnobotanical methods. Principal component analysis was applied to describe the use value and use forms of tamarind according to different tribes. Tamarind was found to play an important role in local communities' livelihoods. Overall, 26 different uses were mentioned for tamarind products. Most commonly, the fruit (pulp) was used to make beverages, as a laxative and purgative, and it seems to be the only plant part sold commercially. Bark was frequently used as a medicine to treat wounds, and leaves were used to make porridge and as an antibiotic. Medicinal, cultural, and material use categories were correlated best with the Fulani, whereas commerce was most correlated with Gourma tribes (PCA analysis). There were significant differences for tamarind utilization among the tribal groups, with overall ethnobotanical use values (EUV T ) ranging from 10 to 14, and contribution to cash income ranging from 8.8% to 56.4%. In view of its domestication potential, it is crucial that traditional tribal knowledge of tamarind be preserved and integrated into management policies. Further development and research needs for utilization and conservation are improvement of commercialization, organization of market channels, and extent of genetic diversity within and among populations.Savoir endogène des femmes, valeur d'usage et contribution du tamarinier au revenu des ménages ruraux au Bénin. Cette étude a mis en évidence les différences entre groupes tribales sur les connaissances, les valeurs d'usage, et la contribution du tamarinier au revenu monétaire des femmes pendant la saison sèche au Bénin. Les données ont été collectées grâce à des entretiens individuels semi-structurés et analysées au moyen de méthodes ethnobotanique quantitatives. L'analyse en composante principale a été appliquée pour décrire la valeur d'usage et les formes d'utilisation du tamarinier en fonction des différentes tribus. Le tamarinier joue un rôle important dans les activités génératrices de revenues pour les communautés locales. Au total 26 différentes utilisations ont été mentionnées pour les produits issus du tamarinier. Généralement, la pulpe du fruit est utilisée pour faire des boissons, comme un laxatif et un purgatif et semble être la seule partie commercialisée de la plante. L'écorce est fréquemment utilisée en médecine traditionnelle pour traiter les blessures profondes alors que les feuilles sont utilisées pour la préparation de bouillis et comme un antibiotique. L'espèce a plus une valeur médicinale, culturelle et artisanale pour les Fulani 1

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Impact of habitat type on the conservation status of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) populations in the W National Park of Benin. Abstract-Introduction. The conservation status of many wild fruit tree species that support rural people in Africa remains poorly documented despite its importance for their management. We compared the viability of tamarind (Tamarindus indica) populations, a dry land species that has nutritional, medicinal and cultural importance for rural communities, under different human-pressure levels. Materials and methods. The data relative to the tree diameter and height as well as the number of adults and stems were collected in plots of inventory and made it possible to calculate the dendrometric parameters for each targeted population, and to establish their diameter distribution. The dendrometric characteristics were analyzed by using nonparametric tests and the diameter distribution was adjusted to a truncated normal distribution. Results and discussion. Numbers of mature tamarind trees per hectare and regeneration (expressed as stem•ha-1) were relatively low, suggesting tamarind populations may not be selfrejuvenating. Nonetheless, significant variation occurred between habitat types (P < 0.001). Mature tree density in gallery forests [(18.2 ± 10.1) trees•ha-1 ] was three to eight times higher than that of savannah woodlands [(5 ± 4.5) trees•ha-1 ] and farmlands [(2.5 ± 0.4) trees•ha-1 ]. Young plants followed the same trend, with (11.2 ± 9.3) plants•ha-1 , (1.1 ± 0.6) plants•ha-1 , and 0.00 plants•ha-1 , respectively. Diameter size class distributions departed from normality (P < 0.0001) and coefficient of skewness was positive irrespective of habitat type, indicating declining populations. However, median diameter values would suggest the species' populations in farmlands and savannah woodlands to be more vulnerable than those occurring in gallery forests. These findings would suggest that gallery forests best suit tamarind in situ conservation. The observed severe reduction of trees and juveniles in farmlands and woodlands may negatively impact the long-term viability of tamarind populations. Juveniles' introduction into farmlands may be needed to ensure conservation in agroforestry systems. Benin / Tamarindus indica / resource conservation / habitats / stand characteristics / forest inventories / anthropic influence Impact du type d'habitat sur la conservation des populations du tamarinier (Tamarindus indica L.) dans le parc national du W au Bénin. Résumé-Introduction. Le statut de conservation de nombreuses espèces fruitières sauvages dont dépendent les populations rurales en Afrique demeure mal documenté en dépit de son importance pour la gestion de leurs populations. Nous avons comparé la viabilité des populations de tamariniers (Tamarindus indica), espèce ayant une importance alimentaire, médicinale et culturelle pour les communautés rurales, sous différents degré de pression humaine. Matériel et méthodes. Les données relatives au diamètre et hauteur des arbres ainsi que le nombre...

Invasive plant species and climate change are among the biggest threats to the ecological integrity of many ecosystems, including those of protected areas. Effective management of invasive plants requires information regarding their spatial distributions. Using maximum entropy, we modeled habitat suitability for an invasive plant species Chromolaena odorata under current and future climatic conditions (HadGEM2-ES and MIROC5) in protected areas of four West African countries (Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo). Under current climatic conditions, approximately 73% of total land area within the protected areas was suitable for colonization by C. odorata. Under future climate projections, the total area of suitable habitats for this invasive plant was projected to decrease by 7-9% (HadGEM2-ES) and 12-14% (MIROC5). Countryspecific patterns suggest that major protected areas in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana will be more vulnerable to invasion by C. odorata than those in Benin and Togo under both current and future climatic scenarios. To maintain normal ecosystem functioning and provisioning of ecosystem services within the protected areas studied here, locations that have been identified as most vulnerable to invasion by C. odorata should be accorded proportionately higher priority when formulating appropriate management strategies.