Traditional uses of plants in a rural community of Mozambique and possible links with Miombodegradation and harvesting sustainability

Abstract

BackgroundMiombo woodlands play an important role in the livelihood of people living in sub-equatorial African countries, contributing to satisfy basic human needs such as food, medicine, fuelwood and building materials. However, over-exploitation of plant resources and unsustainable harvest practices can potentially degrade forests. The aim of this study was to document the use of Miombo plant products, other than medicinal plants, in local communities, within a wider framework in which we discussed possible links between traditional uses and conservation status of the used species and of the whole Miombo environment.MethodsFieldwork took place in four communities of Muda-Serração, central Mozambique. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 52 informants about their knowledge, use and harvesting practices of useful plants. A survey on local Miombo vegetation was also carried out in order to assess abundance and distribution of useful woody plants cited in the interviews in areas exposed to different exploitation rates. A Conservation Priority index was also applied to rank conservation values of each used woody species.ResultsNinety-eight plants cited by the informants were botanically identified. The most relevant general category was represented by food plants (45 species), followed by handicraft plants (38 species) and domestic plants (37 species). Among the 54 woody species observed in vegetation plots, 52% were cited as useful in the interviews. Twenty-six woody species found in ‘natural’ Miombo areas were not found in ‘degraded’ ones: of these, 46% were cited in the interviews (58% in the food category, 50% in the handicraft category, 25% in the domestic category and 8% in the fishing category). Results of conservation ranking showed that 7 woody species deserve conservation priority in the investigated area.ConclusionsThis study shows that the communities investigated rely heavily on local forest products for their daily subsistence requirements in food, firewood/charcoal and building materials. However, over-exploitation and destructive collection seem to threaten the survival of some of the woody species used. A sustainable approach including the involvement of local communities in the management of woody species is recommended.

Woody species from the Mozambican Miombo woodlands: A review on their ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological potential

“…Impacts from fruit removal, provided no damage is done to the trees, seem small (Shackleton and Clarke, 2011). However, according to Bruschi et al (2014), reproductive ability of the species, including seed production and seed dispersal, can be of critical importance in population dynamics, and should be taken into consideration in the context of sustainable harvesting of useful plants. For example, Brachystegia, Julbernardia, and other Caesalpinioideae such as P. angolensis show an extremely low capacity for seed dispersal and produce short-lived seeds thus reducing the community resilience.…”

“…Across Miombo woodlands these species are used for multiple purposes, such as timber, charcoal and firewood, food, honey collection and raw materials for different activities (Bruschi et al, 2014). The selected species were also identified as the most ecologically important by Ribeiro (2007) in one of the most pristine Miombo areas in Africa, the Niassa National Reserve, located in Northern Mozambique.…”

“…According to the National Statistics Institute (INE, 2016) about 70% of Mozambican population live in rural areas relying directly upon a variety of products harvested from the woodlands for their daily subsistence as well as for their economic, spiritual and cultural needs (Bruschi et al, 2014). Non-timber forest products (NTFP) have always constituted a large part of the forest economy in developing countries by providing supplementary income to many households.…”

Biodiversity Studies in Key Species from the African Mopane and Miombo Woodlands

“…Bark is easily peeled from a number of species and is used for fabricating beehives. The ash is used as fertilizer in shifting cultivation, and the wood is used for domestic tools, canoes, irewood, and charcoal; timber is usually heavily susceptible to borers but when treated is suitable for several purposes [6,25]. Brachystegia is also an important nectar-producing genus for apiculture [26].…”

Traditional Uses of Miombo Woodland Tree Species in Sikonge District, Tanzania

“…Those that have documented the use of Miombo woodlands resources [e.g. 7,17,18] have offered limited analysis to species level and the relationship between utilization and woodland resource abundance [19]. Besides, there may be variations in plant uses due to differences in culture and social-economic settings across locations.…”