Ethnobotanical knowledge of Dialium guineense Willd.: A way forward for sustainable use in The Gambia

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Résumé

Multipurpose tree species are valuable resources in savannah-dominated areas due to the variety of services they provide. Such species are vulnerable to overexploitation and poor management, which may jeopardize their survival. Understanding local perceptions of their uses and conservation is critical for involving local communities in their sustainable management. This study presents the case study of Dialium guineense in the Western Region of The Gambia. Specifically, the study (i) assesses the diversity of uses of D. guineense; (ii) examines their perceptions of the threats and conservation solutions. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 633 local people in the Gambia. Ethnobotanical data was analyzed using Relative Frequency of Citation. The degree of correlation between the status of the Dialium guineense and demographic variables was ascertained using generalized linear models. The used plant parts were fruits (30%), leaves (28%), bark (17%), wood (15%), and roots (10%). The most cited use categories were food (91.2 %), medicine (81.6 %), and fodder (31 %). The highest index value of useful plant part (30%) was found in its fruits. Overharvesting, bushfires, and deforestation were deemed to be the primary threat factors. According to locals, D. guineense is either declining (62%) or rare (28%) in the communities. This study demonstrates the significance of D. guineense while also highlighting critical factors to consider when successfully engaging farmers for its sustainable management.

Mots-clés

Conservation strategy, Local knowledge, Risk factor, Use categories, The Gambia, West Africa