BackgroundGrowing interest is on food tree species in general, and particularly indigenous fruit tree species in developing countries since they are inherent to most tropical landscapes and serve the dual function of local livelihood support and biodiversity conservation. It is therefore relevant to assess the level of integration of these species in local cultures and the factors affecting them. This study aims at assessing knowledge and uses of Sclerocarya birrea subsp. birrea and factors affecting the use values within and between communities.MethodsThis study combines quantitative and qualitative ethnobotanical approaches to investigate uses and factors affecting the use value of S. birrea subsp. birrea. Nine group discussions as well as 161 individual interviews were held in the dry and typical Sudanian zones. Seven different ethnic groups were involved and the survey focused on local uses and perception of factors affecting the dynamics of S. birrea.ResultsThe species has a multitude of uses; all organs are used for more than 20 different purposes. The study highlights how gender, local availability, ethnicity and community location interact to influence the utilization value of the species. People living in drier areas with high occurrence of the S. birrea use it more than those living in wetter areas with low occurrence. While domestic and subsistence uses do not appear to threaten the species, carving, clearing and drought stand out as the major causes of its decline.ConclusionsMany factors and their interactions influence the use pattern of the species within and between communities. When compared to the level of exploitation of S. birrea subsp. caffra in southern Africa, the subspecies birrea is at this point relatively underutilized. A high commercial potential exists due to its simple propagation ability and makes it an interesting agroforestry resource.

Synsepalum dulcificum (Schumach. & Thonn. Daniell) est un arbuste originaire de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, inscrit sur la liste des espèces vulnérables de l’UICN. Au Bénin, son importance pour les popu- lations locales reste peu documentée. L’étude avait pour objectif d’évaluer les connaissances endogènes, la valeur d’usage et l’importance économique de l’espèce pour les  populations locales. Des enquêtes ethnobotaniques et éco- nomiques ont été conduites auprès de 606 personnes réparties dans 13 groupes socioculturels du Sud-Bénin. Des para- mètres ethnobotaniques (fréquence de citation, valeur d’usage ethnobotanique) et économique (revenu moyen réalisé) ont été calculés, et leur significativité éprou- vée par l’ajustement de modèles linéaires généralisés et le test de Kruskal et Wallis. Les résultats ont montré que S. dulcificum était bien connu des populations locales du Sud-Bénin (100 % des enquêtés), qui le cultivaient notamment dans les jardins de case. Toutes les parties de la plante étaient utilisées à des fins médicinales, alimentaires et spirituelles. Les connais- sances et la valeur d’usage de la plante variaient entre les groupes socioculturels du Sud-Bénin, avec un gradient décrois- sant Est-Ouest. Les connaissances et la valeur d’usage variaient suivant le sexe, l’âge et le domaine d’activité, les connais- sances étant concentrées au niveau des hommes, des adultes et personnes âgées, et des praticiens de la médecine tradition- nelle. L’évaluation économique a révélé un circuit de commercialisation relativement court. Le faible revenu moyen réalisé sur la vente des fruits (environ 28 USD par an et par commerçant) illustre la faible valeur économique de l’espèce qui constitue une ressource de subsistance en déclin. La conservation et la valorisation optimale de l’espèce nécessiteront des investigations sur les plans nutritionnel, phytochimique et pharmaceutique, phénologique, mor- phologique et génétique, le développe- ment d’une sylviculture,  l’intégration  de la plante dans les politiques formelles de conservation, et enfin le développement d’une chaîne de valeurs à travers la mise en place d’une véritable filière.

BackgroundEcosystems provide humanity with goods and services known as ecosystem services. The value of these services represents a basis for political decision-making. To be sure that these decisions are made on a valid basis, policymakers require an understanding of the biophysical processes involved. This study was carried out around two forest reserves (Alibori-Supérieur and Ouénou-Bénou) in Northern Benin. It aimed to highlight the knowledge of the surrounding communities and their perceptions about the importance of the ecosystem services provided by these forest reserves as well as the factors that influence their knowledge and perceptions.MethodsPrimary data were collected from 25 group discussions in 25 villages surrounding the forest reserves based on predefined ecosystems services of the Millennium Ecosystems Assessment (MA). Multiple linear regression models were used to examine how socio-economic characteristics of the communities influenced the ecosystem services identification rate. Perceptions of importance, levels of satisfaction, and trends of services provided were analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsOur results showed that education level, poverty index, household size, and proximity to forests played an important role in the variation in knowledge of ecosystem services (P < 0.05). Provisioning services (such as crops supply, fuelwood, lumber, wild food, and medicinal plants) were mostly identified by the poorest villages located very close to the forests (P < 0.05). The importance of the provided services for well-being has been unanimously recognized. The most recognized cultural services were education and knowledge facilitation (84%) and spiritual value (76%). Climate regulation (84%) and pollination (84%) were the best-known regulating services. However, supporting services (soil formation and pest regulation) that are important for improving production systems were unknown to the communities.ConclusionEducation level, poverty index, and village proximity to the forest were important predictors of regulating and supporting services identification. But use of non-tangible services by local rural communities will require more emphasis on targeted environmental education specifically designed according to the needs of each group.

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.