The role of termitaria in plant species diversity and conservation was investigated in Pendjari National Park and surroundings. The study objectives were to (i) compare termitaria vegetation similarity, life form and chorological composition between areas, (ii) investigate the difference of species richness and diversity on termitaria between living versus abandoned termitaria, and (iii) predict the species richness and diversity on termitaria as a function of termiaria size. Results show that species from the combretaceae family were the most abundant on termitaria; plant communities on termitaria were different among areas and between living and abandoned termitaria. Phanerophytes were abundant on mounds, therophytes were abundant on termitaria within the protected areas and farms outside of the park; however hemicryptophytes were as abundant as phanerophytes in fallows. From a phytogeographic perspective, species typical of Sudanian ecological region were the most abundant on termitaria. There was no difference in the richness and diversity of termitaria woody species, between termitaria state (dead or live) or between management type (protected or unprotected). Termitaria areas rather than termitaria height significantly correlated with the species richness and diversity. Larger termitaria had the highest diversity. Termitaria vegetation reflects the influence of local climate, moreover termitaria size can be used to predict the species richness and diversity related to them. The termitaria size has no influence on the richness and diversity of woody species related to them.

Background. Ethnobotanical knowledge on four herbaceous species, Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass., Momordica charantia L., Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., and Scoparia dulcis L., in Benin was investigated. Methods. Herbal medicine traders in six different markets were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. The linear regression test was performed to check for the influence of respondent’s age on ethnobotanical uses they hold. Relative frequency citation, fidelity level, use value, and Rahman similarity index were calculated to assess the diversity of medico-magic knowledge. The Informant Consensus Factor is not applicable in this study since we are dealing neither with the diversity of medicinal plants used by a community of people nor with a great number of plant species used for medicinal purposes, nor the diversity of plant species used in the treatment of a specific or group of ailments. Results. The respondent's age did not influence the ethnobotanical uses they hold on the species. All thirty-six informants surveyed traded Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., Momordica charantia L., and Scoparia dulcis L., and the majority traded Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. The respondent's age does not influence the diversity of ethnobotanical uses they hold on the study species. Purchase in traders’ own markets was the predominant source of Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn., Momordica charantia L., and Scoparia dulcis L. while Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. was mostly purchased in other more distant markets. A noticeable proportion of traders also collect Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. and Momordica charantia L. from wild populations. Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. was the species most demanded by customers followed by Momordica charantia L. Traders confirmed the scarcity of all species in recent years and climate change and destruction of natural habitats for logging were the most cited causes. The entire plant of Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. was used mainly to treat malaria, diabetes, and constipation, and decoction with oral administration was the most frequent preparation for malaria treatment. To treat diabetes, informants mixed Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. with Momordica charantia L. used as a decoction with oral administration. Momordica charantia L. was also used to treat measles and chicken pox. Acmella uliginosa (Sw.) Cass. and Scoparia dulcis L. were mostly used for their spiritual use for luck, predominantly by chewing fresh leaves or flowers, and by bathing with the ground plant mixed with soap, respectively. Overall, Momordica charantia L. had the greatest use value followed by Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn. The majority of traders do not plant the species. Conclusions. The harvesting and trade of the species threaten their natural populations and urgent tools, including in situ and ex situ conservation, are needed to ensure their long-term sustainable exploitation.

This study assesses the financial value of one hectare of savannah vegetation in Sudanian region of West Africa based on the potential extraction of Non Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Our methodology provides multiple estimations of NTFPs production from each species for two years and also takes into account variation in NTFPs prices. Given the regeneration capacity of harvested species for some NTFPs such as bark or root, we presented the annual financial value of revenue from NTFPs in contrary to some studies which determined their net present value. Results showed that the Net Annual Value of NTFPs collection is US$368 ha-1 and would justify the interest of sustainable use of these resources. The most valuable products of the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve savannah were species leaves (US$164 ha-1) followed by fruits (US$89 ha-1) and roots (US$78 ha-1). However, the Net Annual Value determined here is the potential value of the Sudanian savannah in NTFPs. The NTFPs financial valuation made in this study provided a useful details for comparing alternative land use practices. In view of the sustainable use of natural resources, a NTFP focused management system could be considered economically viable management option. However, they cannot be sustainability harvested in absence of careful species selection, yield studies, monitoring of regeneration and harvesting adjustments. Therefore, there is a need to know more about useful species availability, biology and reaction to harvesting impact, especially for those exploited for their roots, flowers or fruits.

The ethnobotanical utilization of five neglected herbaceous species, Argemone mexicana L., Heliotropium indicum L., Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., Peperomia pellucida (L.) Kunth and Schrankia leptocarpa DC. was investigated in Southern Benin to determine the ethnomedicinal and magic knowledge on them. Thirty-six herbal medicine traders were surveyed in six different markets in three districts. Four ethnobotanical indices were used. All informants traded A. mexicana and the majority traded H. indicum, K. foetidissima, and P. pellucida. Purchases in the traders’ own markets was the single most important source of H. indicum, A. mexicana and P. pellucida. A. mexicana was the most demanded by customers. Traders reported the scarcity of A. mexicana and H. indicum and the availability of S. leptocarpa, K. foetidissima and P. pellucida. H. indicum was mainly used to treat hypertension and fever. Similarly, S. leptocarpa was mostly mentioned in the treatment of hypertension and to facilitate childbirth. K. foetidissima mainly served religious and animist purposes. Similarly, P. pellucida was reported as being mainly used to implant a vodun, a traditional religion in West Africa. A. mexicana served to treat babies just after the umbilical cord fall as well as jaundice. S. leptocarpa and P. pellucida exhibited the highest Use Value (UV), and there was a very low similarity between study species in terms of uses. The majority of traders did not plant the study species, although they serve to treat various social conditions. We suggest a better management of H. indicum and S. leptocarpa through collection for trading and medicinal utilization while the planting is required for A. mexicana and P. pellucida because of their scarcity. K. foetidissima should be preserved and used as medicine wherever it occurs.

Medicinal plants are important in the life of African populations and there is nowadays an increasing need to gathering information related to them. In order to highlight the importance of termitaria to local populations, we investigated within the Pendjari Biosphere reserve the medicinal uses made from plant species found in association with them. We laid out plots in fields and fallows surrounding the Pendjari National Park to assess fifty six termitaria and identify plant species on them. By using specimen and local names of species, group interviews were conducted with the 3 major ethnic groups in the Biosphere reserve. Results show that people perceive termitaria as fertilization materials, and plants in association with them are considered more efficient in traditional medicine than those collected in mounds vicinities. Indigenous people used, for various medicinal purposes, twenty-two (22) plant species consisting of 21 woody and 1 herbaceous belonging to fourteen (14) families. Species used as medicine were relatively different according to the ethnic group. Furthermore, Combretaceae was the most used plant family. A total of thirty (30) diseases and illnesses were treated by plants, and bark was the most used part followed by leaves and roots. We suggest that conservationists and other scientific advisers use our findings to well define conservation programs and increase people's awareness on the sustainable management of termitaria and their ecosystems.