Quantitative Approach of Sterculia setigera Del. (Sterculiaceae) Ethnobotanical Uses Among Rural Communities in Togo (West Africa)

Abstract

IntroductionIndigenous people have local knowledge of plant resource uses. This knowledge varies according to locality, gender, ethnicity, cultural belief, and interrelation such as intercultural marriages, friendships, and religions (Atakpama et al. 2012, Atato et al. 2010, Avocevou-Ayisso et al. 2012, Ayantunde et al. 2008. It could be also influenced by age, occupation (Ayantunde et al. 2007, Poderoso et al. 2012, Schunko et al. 2012 AbstractThe relationship between human beings, their culture, and their environment has high importance in the framework of sustainable management of natural resources. This study aimed to assess the local uses of Sterculia setigera Delile within rural communities in Togo. Inquiries involving 15 ethnic groups were used to assess the interethnic convergence by using 4 use indices: reported use, plant part value, specific reported use, and intraspecific use value. The mean reported uses showed significant difference between geographic zones, ethnic groups, age, and occupations, but no significant difference between genders was found. Pharmacopeia (67%), followed by magico-mystic (15%) and food (10%) were the main quoted uses. The most used organ was the bark. Decoction was mentioned as the most used method of preparation. Considering the socio-economic and cultural importance of this species, it is important to promote its integration in agroforestry systems. Résumé

How Traditional Healers of Tchaoudjo District in Togo Take Care of Animal Injuries?

“…The frequent use of roots in traditional medicine was also reported by previous studies done in the coastal region of Togo [24,25]. Other studies also reported the higher usage of bark [26,27]. In contrast, study concerning dietary plants species showed that leaf and fruits are the most used plant parts [18,28].…”

Ethnic and generational differences in traditional knowledge and cultural importance of <i>Lannea microcarpa<i/> Engl. & K. Krause in Benin’s Sudanian savannah

“…The questionnaire was in French and addressed into the interviewee's language with a translator locally engaged. During the survey, in addition to photographs of the whole species, fruits, bark and leaves (see photo 1) were kept and shown to the respondents (Gouwakinnou et al, 2011;Atakpama et al, 2015). Information was gathered through individual interviews.…”

“…Differences could be also the result of transmission of knowledge through generations. Further investigations are needed to gain additional knowledge about the transmission of uses through generations and among coexisting ethnic groups, especially in an African context where ancestral knowledge on species are orally transmitted through generations (Fandohan et al, 2010;Atakpama et al, 2015).…”

Étude ethnobotanique et contribution de <I>Canarium schweinfurthii</i> (Engl) (<i>Burseraceae</i>) aux services écosystémiques des agroforêts à base de caféiers dans le Département de Bamboutos (Ouest, Cameroun)

“…On y pratique généralement une association d'un système de polyculture en deux cycles annuels, où les cultures pérennes (café, arbres fruitiers) sont souvent en association avec les cultures annuelles dans une combinaison complexe (Manga et al, 2013). (Uprety et al, 2012 ;Atakpama et al, 2015 ;Houehanou et al, 2016). Les répondants étaient constitués des exploitants et/ou propriétaires des arbres, des chefs de ménage impliqués dans la collecte et la commercialisation des produits de C. schweinfurthii.…”

“…Cette approche de collectes s'est inspirée de celle proposée par Albuquerque et al (2014). Traitement et analyse des données : L'évaluation des connaissances sur les usages de C. schweinfurthii dans les groupements s'est faite à partir du calcul des indices de valeur d'usage telles que proposées par (Gomez-Beloz 2002) et adaptées par Atakpama et al, 2015). Pour analyser les valeurs d'usages de l'espèce, les réponses obtenues ont été regroupés en plusieurs catégories.…”