Uses and vulnerability of ligneous species exploited by local population of northern Burkina Faso in their adaptation strategies to changing environments

Abstract

Background: Arid and semi-arid areas of West Africa are highly subject to climate change effects. This is combined to other drivers such as population growth and livestock number increase. To cope with such changing environment, endogenous adaptation strategies of poor local communities rely on the use of natural resources through empirical knowledge. Unfortunately, these knowledge and practices are insufficiently known to policy makers, and this hampers their consideration in the elaboration of adaptation strategies. A household survey was conducted in the Sillia village in northern Burkina Faso using semi-structured interviews. This study identified most used (preferred) species in this changing environment together with their ethnobotanical use value (VUET). Results:Overall, 86 ligneous species were listed in seven (7) use categories: human nutrition, fodder, fuel, traditional medicine, handicraft, construction and trade. From the 86 species, 11 appeared the most preferred by local population (VUET ≥ 6). Except Piliostigma reticulatum and Boscia senegalensis, all these species were part of the 21 very vulnerable species as revealed by the study. Tamarindus indica, Balanites aegyptiaca, Lannea microcarpa and Vitellaria paradoxa are the first most preferred species (VUET ≥ 7) and also most vulnerable (IV > 2.5). In this changing environment, Cassia sieberiana, Combretum micranthum, Balanites aegyptica have, for instance, become the main species used in traditional medicine replacing Ximenia americana, Coclospermum tinctorim, Maytenus senegalensis and Securidaca longepedunculata, formerly used for this need. Also, Piliostigma reticulatum is the main species used in farm lands to combat low soil fertility. Pterocarpus lucens and Adansonia digitata are the main fodder species both during dry and rainy seasons. Apart from the household surveys, vegetation survey was conducted on 96 plots in Sillia. The results showed that 25 species cited in the household surveys had locally disappeared, 22 were rare, 5 were abundant and the others were relatively abundant. Certain collection practices of given species in many use categories increase their vulnerability. Conclusion:This study documented preferred species in the adaptation strategies to changing environments and also assessed their vulnerability status under human influence; it is therefore of great use for designing sustainable management.

Re-greening of agrosystems in the Burkina Faso Sahel: greater drought resilience but falling woody plant diversity

“…The increased presence of food-producing species in agroforestry parks such as V. paradoxa, B. aegyptiaca, Lannea microcarpa and S. birrea also reflects a shift towards the needs of the human populations. These species contribute to the improvement of livelihoods, especially of rural populations, and the diversification of the sources of production in the event of the loss of the agricultural production season (Jose 2009, Sop & Oldeland 2013, Brandt et al 2016, Ouédraogo et al 2017, Sidibé et al 2017, Dollinger & Shibu 2018. Their low numbers in unprotected areas could be due to climatic reasons, but also could be due to the sustained exploitation of the local population; however, they are also protected, maintained and even sometimes planted on farms, on which farmers have property rights (Reij et al 2009).…”

Variabilité démographique de Saba senegalensis (A. DC.) Pichon suivant le gradient climatique au Burkina Faso

“…Ces pressions conduisent à la dégradation accélérée des formations végétales naturelles, entraînant la régression et la disparition de nombreuses espèces ligneuses utilisées par les populations locales (Traoré et al, 2019 ;Ganamé et al, 2020 (Arbonnier, 2019). Toutes les parties de la plante sont utilisées par les populations locales pour des besoins divers (Ouédraogo et al, 2017 ;Traoré et al, 2019). Ses fruits riches en vitamines et en protéines (Sarr et al, 2018) sont utilisés comme compléments alimentaires et font l'objet d'un commerce important (Lamien et al, 2018).…”

Variability and estimating in fruiting of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxaC.F. Gaertn) associated to climatic conditions in West Africa: implications for sustainable management and development

“…The use of shea butter in food and cosmetic industries in developed countries created a high demand in international markets and therefore, the export of shea kernels and butter makes a significant contribution to the economy of producing countries (Bup, Mohagir, Kapseu, & Mouloungui, 2014;Rousseau, Gautier, & Wardell, 2015). Despite its socioeconomic importance, the recent studies indicated that Vitellaria paradoxa is listed among the most vulnerable food species with 'severe threat levels' which are mainly caused by human pressure (overexploitation, cotton production, bush fires, grazing pressure, uncontrolled tree cutting for firewood and charcoal production) and climate change (Boffa, 2015;Gaisberger et al, 2017;Ouédraogo et al, 2017). These different threats compromise the conservation and sustainable management of the species as well the economy of the shea sector (Boffa, 2015;Venturini, Haworth, Coudel, Alonso, & Simonet, 2016).…”