Uses of Haematostaphis barteri Hook.f. among the Waaba and Btammarib in North-Benin and impact on the species vulnerability

Abstract

Haematostaphis barteri Hook.f. is an endemic plant species with a high economic potential that mostly grows on rocky soils in the Sudanian zone from Ghana to Sudan. In Bénin, the species is found only around the commune of Natitingou, but there is little knowledge on its uses by the local populations and how these uses potentially affect its conservation status. This study aimed to evaluate the vulnerability of H. barteri in its natural range in Benin, based on the assessment of its indigenous uses and its population inventory. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in eight villages of the commune of Natitingou from eighty people belonging to the Bètammaribè and Waaba ethnic groups, to identify their knowledge and usage of the species. The species population inventory was also carried out to estimate the frequency and density of H. barteri populations. The species' vulnerability score was determined using results from the ethnobotanical survey, population inventory and information in the literature. Rural populations in Natitingou use H. barteri mainly for food (100% of interviewees), traditional medicine (76.3%) and wood fuel (37.5%). Most of the respondents (91.3%) usually harvest immature fruits so as to preserve them, both for their consumption and for commercialization. Twentynine populations of H. barteri were identified with densities averaging 46.6 adult individuals per hectare and a regeneration of 9.7 individuals per hectare. The average vulnerability score for H. barteri was estimated at 2.4 on a scale of 1 (not vulnerable) to 3 (highly vulnerable). H. barteri is thus a vulnerable species that deserves to be included in Benin's list of endangered species.

Factors shaping local people’s perception of ecosystem services in the Atacora Chain of Mountains, a biodiversity hotspot in northern Benin

“…Land use pressure puts mountain ecosystem integrity at risk in many parts of the world with industrial use, forest destruction, overgrazing, and inappropriate cropping practices leading to irreversible losses of soil and ecosystem function with increased environmental risks in both mountains and adjacent lowland [7]. Africa mountain ecosystems are known to provide goods and services to local people and therefore constitute the basis of their socio-economic and cultural development [11, 12]. Sub-Sahara Africa’s experience shows that significant population growth in mountain areas, together with unsuitable traditional farming and management practice, put natural resources under intense pressure [10].…”

A phylogenetic evaluation of non‐random medicinal plants selection around an African biosphere reserve

“…We tested the hypothesis of non-random selection of medicinal plants and the phylogenetic signal in medicinal plants in four villages (Dassari, Porga, Tanongou and Batia) around the Pendjari biosphere reserve, a place where local communities have accumulated deep knowledge about plant species uses (Samadori et al, 2017). The Pendjari biosphere reserve is located in the northwestern part of Benin in West-Africa and belongs to the Atacora mountain chain, a biodiversity hotspot (Adomou, 2005;Akoègninou et al, 2006).…”

Preparation of Chitosan Nanoparticle from Crab Shells and Evaluation of ‎Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Chitosan-loaded ‎Haematostaphisbarteri Hook. f. Stembark Extract

“…The leaf of the plant contains phytoconstituents such as saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids (Ezekiel et al, 2016). Its stembark extract has been acclaimed to be used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of inflammations (both acute and chronic), pains, ulcers, diabetes, anaemia, typhoid and malaria fevers (Samadori et al, 2017).…”