Plant biodiversity and soils in the Jebel Marra region of Darfur, Sudan

Hegazy, Ahmad K.; Hosni, Hasnaa A.; El‐Sheikh, Mohamed A.; Aboelkassem, Amany; Badawi, El-Shafie M.; Lovett‐Doust, Lesley

doi:10.1080/15324982.2020.1819913

Cited by 3 publications

(5 citation statements)

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“…Boscia senegalensis) are not, otherwise, heavily used. However, some species are at special risk, as they are both in high demand (used for all 8 categories of use, and with high TIV values, more than 70%) and they have lost their role as dominant species in the recognized vegetation communities when we compare their relative abundance today (Hegazy et al 2020), with their relative abundance in the 1970s (Wickens 1976). This is the case for Faidherbia albida, for example, which is especially important for animal forage and beekeeping, and holds a TIV of 77%.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In our related study of vegetation types in Darfur, a distinctive vegetation group was found in the heavily overgrazed clay plains (Hegazy et al 2020). The study indicated that human agricultural activities and disturbance have influenced vegetation in the region for millennia, as agriculture and pastoralism developed in Darfur over 7,000 years ago (Ahmed 1982).…”

Section: Species and [Family]mentioning

confidence: 92%

“…TIV= Total importance value assessed as (the sum of scores/maximum score available) * 100. In the far-left column, species shaded in grey are among the dominant species in the eight vegetation types recognized in Jebel Marra (see Hegazy et al, 2020). For any given use, instances where a species earned a score of 8 for that use are shaded in grey.…”

Section: Medicinal Plantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Local (Hegazy et al 2018b(Hegazy et al & 2020. Harvesting of tree branches as animal fodder provides a critical resource in the late dry season (April-June) when herbaceous species are already gone, and crop residues are scarce.…”

Section: Species and [Family]mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are no previous published ethnobotanical studies of the montane and surrounding savanna ecosystems in West Darfur, so our objectives were to document, from the perspective of indigenous people, the major uses of wild plants, identify which species are used for each purpose, and assess the relative importance attached to different categories of plant use. A better understanding of local knowledge of native plant species could inform the identification of research priorities for improved, sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of the region's diverse flora, which is already showing detrimental effects from increased aridity and overharvesting, with a switch from the dominance of phanerophytes (shrubs and trees) in the canopy to a more sparse savanna where more than 50% of the vegetation cover is therophytes (annuals and ephemerals) (Hegazy et al 2020). The region has suffered decades of political and social instability; these pressures, combined with a young and expanding local population, endanger the region's plant resources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Indigenous knowledge of wild plants collected in Darfur, Sudan

et al. 2020

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Background: The lives of the "Fur", indigenous people of Darfur, Sudan are intimately connected to local wild plants, but the traditional uses of these plants are, so far, poorly documented. Many species are indigenous to the region, but others are introduced, and have naturalized over millennia.Methods: For a month each summer from 2014-2016, using questionnaire interviews, direct observation of practices, and a literature review, 58 species were identified. An "importance value" for each was determined, based on the intensity and season(s) of use, in eight use categories. For each species, a "concordance ratio" characterized the degree of agreement between indigenous knowledge and our current "scientific understanding" of their value.Results: All species were multi-use; animal forage, "other functional uses", traditional medicine, and construction predominated. Some species are declining due to overharvesting by the growing local population, exacerbated by conflict and refugee encampments. Most of the species are used in traditional medicines, but active ingredients have been scientifically confirmed for only half of them. Surprisingly, several species with known medicinal ingredients are not used locally. Conclusions:The "Fur" people have long combined agriculture with pastoralism and wildcrafting. For this to be sustainable, it is critical to understand cultural contexts and recognize multi-use species. This can help identify new medicines, and guide sustainable development of local resources, adapted to local conditions. Naturalized wild fruit trees may have evolved drought resistance in this increasingly dry savanna climate; such genes might usefully be incorporated in crop strains elsewhere as climate change proceeds.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Species and [Family]mentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Medicinal Plantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Species and [Family]mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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