Vol. 9(5), pp. 146-157, May 2017
DOI: 10.5897/IJBC2016.1063
Article Number: 9F0DE2D63841
ISSN 2141-243X
Copyright © 2017
Author(s) retain the copyright of this article
http://www.academicjournals.org/IJBC
International Journal of Biodiversity and
Conservation
Full Length Research Paper
Uses of Haematostaphis barteri Hook.f. among the
Waaba and Bètammaribè in North-Benin and impact on
the species vulnerability
Samadori Sorotori Honoré Biaou1*, Jacob Koundouonon Moutouama1, Baï Sèwèdo Céline
Dan2, Ogoudjè Isidore Amahowé1, Fidèle Tchossi Moutouama1 and Armand Kuyéma Natta1
Université de Parakou (UP), Faculté d’Agronomie (FA), Laboratoire d’Ecologie, de Botanique et de Biologie végétale
(LEB). 03 BP 125, Parakou, Bénin.
2
Université d’Abomey-Calavi (UAC), Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi (EPAC), Département de Génie de
l’Environnement, Bénin.
1
Received 28 November, 2016; Accepted 27 March, 2017
Haematostaphis barteri Hook.f. is an endemic plant species with a high economic potential that mostly
grows on rocky soils in the Sudanian zone from Ghana to Sudan. In Bénin, the species is found only
around the commune of Natitingou, but there is little knowledge on its uses by the local populations
and how these uses potentially affect its conservation status. This study aimed to evaluate the
vulnerability of H. barteri in its natural range in Benin, based on the assessment of its indigenous uses
and its population inventory. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted in eight villages of the commune
of Natitingou from eighty people belonging to the Bètammaribè and Waaba ethnic groups, to identify
their knowledge and usage of the species. The species population inventory was also carried out to
estimate the frequency and density of H. barteri populations. The species' vulnerability score was
determined using results from the ethnobotanical survey, population inventory and information in the
literature. Rural populations in Natitingou use H. barteri mainly for food (100% of interviewees),
traditional medicine (76.3%) and wood fuel (37.5%). Most of the respondents (91.3%) usually harvest
immature fruits so as to preserve them, both for their consumption and for commercialization. Twentynine populations of H. barteri were identified with densities averaging 46.6 adult individuals per hectare
and a regeneration of 9.7 individuals per hectare. The average vulnerability score for H. barteri was
estimated at 2.4 on a scale of 1 (not vulnerable) to 3 (highly vulnerable). H. barteri is thus a vulnerable
species that deserves to be included in Benin’s list of endangered species.
Key words: West Africa, Atacora mountains, ethnobotany, endemic species, exploitation, vulnerability, non
timber forest products (NTFP).
INTRODUCTION
Non timber forest products (NTFP) are a potential source
of income that allows human communities to meet
several of their socio-economic needs (Laird and Pierce,
2002; Vodouhê et al., 2009; Moupela et al., 2011).
Biaou et al.
NTFP constitute a set of various products including fruits,
nuts, seeds, latex, resin, gum, medicinal herbs, spices,
dyes, decorative plants, firewood and bamboos (Sodhi,
2010) to name a few. In south Saharan Africa, several
and well-diversified wild plants have been identified as
contributing significantly to the diet balance and
improvement of rural population health (Eyog Matig et al.,
2002). This crucial importance prompted reflections on
the possibility of domesticating multi-purpose species to
ensure their sustainable conservation (Assogbadjo et al.,
2002; Codjia et al., 2003; Dossou et al., 2004).
Haematostaphis barteri Hook.f. (Anacardiaceae) is a
woody plant species typical of tropical Africa and which
distribution spans from Ghana to Sudan (Arbonnier,
2002). The species is endemic to the Sudanian zone and
mostly grows on rocky soils (Adomou, 2005). In Benin, it
is specifically found around the commune of Natitingou
(Adomou, 2005; Akoègninou et al., 2006). The species
limited geographic range and its high socio-economic
importance for human communities, particularly the high
consumption of its fruits (Umaru et al., 2007; Atato et al.,
2010), might be prejudicial to its survival. Indeed, several
studies showed that harvesting of organs or parts of
plants can compromise species dissemination and
reproduction (Betti, 2001; Gaoué and Ticktin, 2007;
Krishnamurthy et al., 2013) and then increase their
vulnerability (Betti, 2001; Dibong et al., 2011). Multiple
uses, in particular, create many stresses to the plant that
can affect the overall population dynamics (Gaoué and
Ticktin, 2007; Hawkes and Sullivan, 2010; Allred et al.,
2012).
Uncontrolled harvesting of NTFP can even sometimes
give rise to the disappearance of species, especially
when such species are not abundant (Akpagana and
Bouchet, 1995). Apart from the direct damages to the
integrity of the plant and its vital functions, the
exploitation of NTFP could also contribute to the loss of
diversity by altering the abundance and distribution of
species as well as reduce their genetic base (Papy and
Goldringer, 2011). This applies in particular where
farmers select and conserve a small number of species
to maintain the functions they deem useful in their agroecosystems such as soil fertility, production of firewood,
leaves, fruits or other products. Hence, biodiversity
conservation involves the identification of species
sensitive to exploitation and anthropization of
ecosystems, and which require conservation actions.
This study aimed to evaluate the vulnerability of H. barteri
based on the assessment of its indigenous uses and its
population inventory in the natural range of the species in
Northern Benin.
147
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study area
The study was conducted in the commune of Natitingou (10°19’
North and 1°29’ East), in northwestern Benin (Figure 1). Natitingou
is located in the vicinity of the Atacora mountain chain and is
characterized by an accidental relief, with altitudes ranging from
400 to 650 m. The climate is of the sudanian type with a rainfall
between 1,000 and 1,400 mm, and two seasons: the rainy season
from April to October and the dry season from November to March.
The dry season is marked by the harmattan, a cold-dry and dusty
northeast wind which blows from the Sahara desert. The average
temperature is 27°C but can reach 37°C in March and April. Soils
are of the tropical ferruginous type and mostly rocky and shallow
throughout the mountain chain (Azontondé, 1991). The vegetation
is dominated by tree and shrub savannah. The dominant woody
species are Parkia biglobosa, Vitellaria paradoxa, Adansonia
digitata, Bligia sapida, Tamarindus indica, Bombax costatum and
Khaya senegalensis (Wala, 2005).
The commune of Natitingou covers an area of 3,045 km 2 and
counts nine arrondissements (four urban and five rural), which
contain 39 villages and 26 urban districts. The population was
estimated at 103,843 inhabitants in 2013 (INSAE, 2013) and is
dominated by the Waaba (or Yoabou) and Bètammaribè ethnic
groups which live around the Atacora mountain chain (Biaou,
2006). Other ethnic groups in the commune include the Dendi,
Batombou, Peuhl, Yoruba, Fon and Natimba. The majority of the
population, including the Bètammaribè and Waaba, believe in
animist practices and worship divinities represented by physical
elements such as clumps of natural stones, large sized trees or
other specific constructions. Agriculture is the principal economic
activity in the commune and farmers produce mostly maize,
sorghum, millet and yam (Biaou, 2006).
Study species
Haematostaphis barteri Hook.f. (Anacardiaceae) is a shrub up to 8
m tall and can reach 35 cm in diameter (Kpemissi Amana, 2007). It
is found in the Guinean and Sudanian savannas on rocky soils, in
tropical Africa. It has been observed in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo,
Nigeria, Benin, Gabon, D.R. Congo (Zaire) and Cameroon (GBIF
Secretariat, 2016) but the populations are mostly scarce and
isolated. The crown is spread out and open (Figure 2A), and the
leaves are grouped at the ends of the branches. The leaves are
alternate, imparipinnate, glabrous and 20-35 cm long, with 17 to 25
alternate or subopposed leaflets, narrowly elliptic or oblong. The
bark is scaly and brown - gray. H. barteri is a dioecious species with
a glabrous pendant inflorescence in the terminal panicle, and up to
30 cm long. The infructescence is made of long hanging clusters
composed of glabrous ellipsoid drupes, purple at maturity and 2 cm
long (Figure 2B). Flowering and fruiting occur at the end of the dry
season, generally before the first leaves appear.
Overview of the study method
To assess the uses and the vulnerability of H. barteri in NorthBenin, four complementary approaches were combined:
*Corresponding author. E-mail: honore.biaou@fa-up.bj, hbiaou@gmail.com. Tel: (+229) 94150485/99979700.
Author(s) agree that this article remains permanently open access under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License 4.0 International License
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Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.
Figure 1. Location of the commune of Natitingou in Benin and the surveyed villages for the
ethnobotanical study of H. barteri.
1. Exploratory survey to identify and select localities where H.
barteri is present for further characterization of the species
population and ethnobotanical surveys;
2. Detailed inventory of the selected H. barteri populations to
estimate the density and frequency of the species populations;
3. Ethnobotanical study of H. barteri in the selected localities to
identify current uses of the species in the study area; and
4. Assessment of H. barteri vulnerability through the calculation of a
Biaou et al.
149
Figure 2. H. barteri shrub on a rocky outcrop (A) and mature fruits (B) in the commune of Natitingou
(Benin). Photo credit: Moutouama (2011).
vulnerability score derived from the information gathered during
both the species population inventory and the ethnobotanical
survey.
Exploratory survey and localization of H. barteri populations
An exhaustive list of localities where H. barteri is present was
established in July 2011 through an exploratory survey combined
with road transects across the commune of Natitingou and two
neighboring communes (Boukombé and Toucountouna). The
populations of the species were identified with the aid of agents
from the local forestry and agriculture departments, as well as
traditional health practitioners and farmers, by showing them a
fresh specimen collected in the wild. Based on this exploratory
survey, H. barteri presence was confirmed in 25 villages, including
20 in the commune of Natitingou, 3 in the commune of Boukombé
and 2 in the commune of Toucountouna. The commune of
Natitingou was eventually maintained for the ethnobotanical survey
since the species was more abundant and more frequent in this
area.
Characterization of H. barteri populations
Individuals of H. barteri were counted systematically within all the
populations identified, including the neighboring communes of
Boukombé and Toucountouna, so as to estimate the density and
frequency of H. barteri populations. The species sometimes grows
in clumps because it resprouts after periodic fires or other wounds.
In these cases, each clump was counted as one individual. The
environmental characteristics of each site were also noted for each
population. These included the type of vegetation, type of soil,
presence of rocky outcrop and presence of streams. All the
surveyed populations were georeferenced using a Garmin 60 GPS
to establish the distribution map of the species populations using
the software Quantum GIS.
Ethnobotanical study of H. barteri
Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in eight villages (Table 1)
randomly sampled out of twenty where the species was recorded in
the commune of Natitingou. A total of 80 people (40 men and 40
women) were interviewed based on five men and five women per
village. Interviewees are individuals aged between 36 and 80 years
and belonging to the two dominant ethnic groups (Bètammaribè
and Waaba) in the study area. Interviewees also belong to socioprofessional groups that may be familiar with the species, including
farmers, NTFP sellers, quarrymen and traditional health practitioners
(Table 1).
Based on a semi-structured questionnaire, the indigenous names
of the species, its potential uses (food, medicine, construction, art
and wood energy) as well as the most used organs and diseases
treated were collected. Fisher’s exact test in R.3.2.2 software (R
Core Team, 2015) was used to evaluate the relation between the
ethnic groups and the use categories of H. barteri, organs used or
diseases treated. Fisher exact test was preferred because some of
the expected frequencies were less than five (Crawley, 2007).
Assessment of the species vulnerability
H. barteri vulnerability was assessed based on nine parameters
(Betti, 2001). These include the popularity of the species, the
organs harvested, the stage of development of these organs, the
mode of collection of the organs, the pharmaceutical forms used,
the plant biotope, the mode of seed dissemination, the plant
morphological type and the species frequency in the area. For each
of these parameters, a vulnerability score (V i) was assigned a scale
from 1 (species not vulnerable for the parameter considered) to 3
(highly vulnerable), with 2 corresponding to a moderate vulnerability.
These scores were deduced from:
1. The ethnobotanical study (popularity of the species, organs
harvested, stage of development of these organs, mode of
collection of the organs and pharmaceutical forms used)
2. H. barteri populations inventory (plant biotope and frequency in
the area)
3. Information from the literature (mode of seed dissemination and
plant morphological type).
By combining the vulnerability scores of all the parameters, an
average index of vulnerability (V) was calculated using the
equation:
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Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.
Table 1. Number of people interviewed in the ethnobotanical study of H. barteri in the commune of Natitingou and characteristics of the species local populations.
Localities
Number of
interviewees
Ethnic
groups
Be
Socio-professional
groups
Age
Wa
30 to 49
≥ 50
F
10
10
7
6
6
2
9
2
7
6
Berecingou
Bongomou
Kotamonongou
Kouaba-Centre
10
10
10
10
10
10
3
4
4
8
Moukokotamou
10
10
5
5
8
Ourbonna
Pouya
Tipeti
Total
10
10
10
80
4
5
5
38
6
5
5
42
6
7
5
50
10
10
10
40
40
H
2
3
Characteristics of H. barteri populations
M
O
1
5
2
1
1
1
2
1
3
4
13
2 (P05 & P06)
3
11
Number of populations
recorded (and ID)
1 (P11)
1 (P02)
1 (P12)
1 (P17)
1
6
1 (P08)
1 (P13)
1 (P29)
9
Density /ha
(dbh ≥ 5 cm)
120
40
20
20
50
30
20
20
20
Be (Bètammaribè); Wa (Waaba); (F) farmer; (H) housewife; M (merchant of NTFP), O (other); ID (population identification number “Pxx”, used also in Figure 3); dbh (diameter at breast
height).
V=∑Vi×1/n
where Vi is the vulnerability score for the parameter i,
and n is the total number of parameters.
RESULTS
Localization and characterization
barteri populations
of
H.
29 populations of H. barteri were identified, of
which 22 were in the commune of Natitingou
and the remaining in the communes of
Boukombé and Toucountouna (Figure 3A). The
density of H. barteri was in average 46.6
stems/ha for adults (dbh ≥5 cm) and 9.7
stems/ha for the regeneration (dbh <5 cm). The
regeneration was inexistent in 19 (65.5%) of
these populations, for example at Kounitchankou
(P03), Katagnika (P19), Koussantikou (P07),
Kotamonongou
(P12),
Pouya
(P13),
Moukokotamou (P05) and Ourbouga (P26) in
the commune of Natitingou, and Peperkou
(P20) and Takissari (P14 and P15) in the
commune of Toucountouna (Figure 3B).
Also, there is no significant plantation of the
species in the surveyed area, and only two
(2.5%) of the interviewees stated they have
once planted a few individuals of the species.
Indigenous names of H. barteri
The language spoken by the Waaba is called
Waama, while the language of the Bètammaribè
is called Tammari or Ditammari. All (100%) the
interviewees know H. barteri. Only one name is
used in each of the two ethnic groups surveyed
to designate the tree
and
its fruit
indiscriminately. H. barteri is locally named
“Yinrinyinrinbou” (singular) or “Yinrinyinrina”
(plural) by the Waaba and “Mouyinyinrinmou “
(singular) or “Deyinrinyinride” (plural) by the
Bètammaribè, thereby indicating similarities in
the consonances between the two languages.
Uses of H. barteri and most sought plant
parts
The Waaba and Bètammaribè of Natitingou use
H. barteri primarily for food (100% of the
interviewees), traditional medicine (76.25%) and
wood fuel (37.5%) (Figure 4A). The proportion
of the respondents using the species for food
(fruits) is the same among the Waaba (100%)
and Bètammaribè (100%). However, its use in
traditional medicine is more important among
the Bètammaribè (87.5%) than the Waaba
Biaou et al.
151
Populations H. barteri
Figure 3. Characteristics of H. barteri populations inventoried in North Benin: (A) localization in the
communes of Natitingou, Boukombé and Toucountouna; and (B) Density of the regeneration and adult trees.
(65%). Also, ritual use is limited (1.25%) and was noted
only among the Waaba. The species is not used at all as
craft wood, timber or construction wood.
The most sought parts of H. barteri in both ethnic
groups are fruits (100% of interviewees), stems (98.75%)
and leaves (82.5%) (Figure 4B). Most of the respondents
(91.3%) usually harvest immature fruits to preserve them,
both for their consumption and for commercialization. On
the contrary, both ethnic groups rarely use barks (22.5%),
roots (20%) and flowers (12.5%). Still, the Waaba use
more, the flowers (25%), barks (27.5%) and roots
(27.5%) of the species than Bètammaribè (0, 17.5 and
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Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.
Figure 4. Uses of H. barteri by the Waaba and Bètammaribè of the commune of Natitingou: (A) most common
uses and (B) most sought plant parts and organs.
12.5%, respectively). In contrast, the Bètammaribè
(87.5%) use more, the leaves of the species than Waaba
(77.5%).
There were significant differences between the Waaba
and Bètammaribè for both the uses of H. barteri (Fisher's
Exact Test, p = 0.0208) and the plant parts collected
Biaou et al.
153
Figure 5. Diseases and symptoms frequently cured with H. barteri organs.
(Fisher's Exact Test, p = 0.01842).
Diseases and symptoms treated with H. barteri
organs
There was no difference between the Waaba and
Bètammaribè regarding the use of H. barteri in traditional
medicine (Fisher's Exact Test, p = 0.1979). The majority
(86.75%) of the interviewees quoted at least one disease
or symptom treated with H. barteri organs. The plant can
be used solely or in combination with other plants for the
treatment of more than seven diseases or symptoms
(Figure 5). Diseases treated with H. barteri include cold
(62.5% of the interviewees), malaria (26.25%), snake bite
(7.5%), diarrhea (2.5%) and child growth (2.5%). It is
used to a smaller extent as laxative (1.25%) or to treat
anemia (1.25%). Also, the cooking of the wild yam
(Dioscorea sp.) in combination with the leaves of H.
barteri makes it more pleasant to eat, thus enabling poor
households to survive during the lean season with this
occasional meal.
Vulnerability of H. barteri
The average vulnerability score for H. barteri was
estimated at 2.4, thus indicating that the species is
vulnerable (Table 2 and Figure 6). Factors contributing to
the species vulnerability include its popularity, the
harvesting of its immature fruits by locals, its biotope
restricted to rocky soils on the Atacora mountain chain,
the scarcity of its populations, and its dependence on
external factors (animals and human) for seed
dissemination.
DISCUSSION
The understanding of local populations needs in term of
NTFP is essential for establishing sustainable
conservation policies and for biodiversity conservation
(Vodouhê et al., 2009). Also, to be effective, efforts to
conserve biodiversity must ideally be based on
endogenous knowledge and local mechanisms of
resource management (Camou-Guerrero et al., 2008).
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Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.
Table 2. H. barteri vulnerability score established for nine ecological and ethnobotanical parameters.
Vulnerability
assessed
parameters
Score
Popularity of the species
3
Organs harvested
2
Development stage of organs
harvested
3
Mode of collection of the organs
2
Pharmaceutical forms used
2
Biotope
3
Morphological type
1
Seed dissemination mode
3
Frequency/abundance of the
plant in the area
Average vulnerability score (V)
3
2.4
Score justification
100% of the interviewees (Waaba and Bètammaribè) know H. barteri, and 100% use
either its fruits or other plant parts.
The mostly used organs by locals are fruits (93% of citation) and leaves (83%). The
harvesting of these organs does not necessarily lead to the death of the plant
individuals.
91.3% of the interviewees harvest fruits of H. barteri before maturation while leaves,
roots, and barks are harvested at a mature stage. Harvesting of immature fruits can
compromise the species regeneration.
The majority of the interviewees (87.5%) rely on the harvesting of H. barteri fruits
while 12.5% combine collecting fallen fruits and harvesting.
Roots and barks are dried for their conservation.
However, fruits are directly consumed.
H. barteri is restricted to rocky soils on the Atacora mountain chain
H. barteri is a woody plant species with many stems and is then less vulnerable than
species with single stem
Seeds of H. barteri are disseminated by animals and human, making the species
dependent on external factors and thus vulnerable
H. barteri is an endemic and uncommon species which distribution is restricted to the
commune of Natitingou. Its populations are presently isolated
Vulnerable species
Vulnerability score = 1 (not vulnerable); = 2 (moderately vulnerable); = 3 (highly vulnerable).
This study enabled understanding the importance of H.
barteri for the human communities living along Atacora
chain and to assess the species status of conservation
which was found critical in Benin.
Uses and importance of H. barteri
Significant differences were found between the Waaba
and Bètammaribè for both the uses of H. barteri and the
collected plant parts. Although, the two ethnic groups
have been living closely for a long time and could
consequently share similar knowledge, only the diseases
and symptoms cured with the species in traditional
medicine were similar in the two ethnic groups. There are
indeed cultural connections between the Waaba and
Bètammaribè, and both of their spoken languages
(Waama and Tammari) belong to the Oti-Volta
languages, a subgroup of the Gur languages spoken in
northern Ghana, Benin and Burkina Faso (Williamson
and Blench, 2000). This is also evidenced by the
similarities in the consonances of the species local
names between the two languages. Still, it seems that
there have been some differentiations between the two
groups about the use of the plant in traditional medicine,
in rituals or as wood fuel. This differentiated uses could
also explain the differences between the two groups
concerning the most sought plant parts.
The fruits and leaves of H. barteri are widely used by
the communities living in the vicinity of the Atacora
mountain chain. On the other hand, the roots and the
bark are less used. The same findings regarding food
and therapeutic uses of H. barteri by local populations
were made in Nigeria (Eromosele and Eromosele, 2002;
Umaru et al., 2007; Kubmarawa et al., 2009) and Togo
(Kpemissi Amana, 2007). However, it is only in Benin that
the species is reported as wood fuel. The contribution of
H. barteri’s wood to domestic energy in the survey area
increases its socio-economic interest but might also pose
serious problems for its conservation.
Besides, H. barteri bear fruits at the end of the dry
season (Arbonnier, 2002), which corresponds to the lean
period in the study area, and makes the species a
subsistence food of high importance for local poor
communities. Indeed, the commune of Natitingou, where
the species is found, belongs to the Benin communes
having the highest food insecurity rates. In this commune,
the proportion of households with poor or limited food
consumption was estimated at 50% (PAM, 2014). Their
poorly diversified diet is characterized by major
deficiencies (lack of foods rich in animal proteins, fruits,
milk and dairy products), as cereals (millet, sorghum, and
maize) and yam form the basis of the diets. In this
context, NTFP and fruit trees like H. barteri can contribute
significantly to the diet balance of poor households.
Also, the level of poverty of the population greatly
Biaou et al.
155
Figure 6. Vulnerability indicators for H. barteri.
reduces its accessibility to modern health facilities and
increases the use of flora and fauna species for health
care. The leaves, roots and barks of H. barteri contain
substances like tannins, saponins and flavonoids
(Eromosele and Eromosele, 2002; Kpemissi Amana,
2007; Umaru et al., 2007; Kubmarawa et al., 2009) and
explains the interest of traditional healers in using H.
barteri for treating several diseases. These chemical
substances have anti-inflammatory and analgesic
properties and could account for the fact that H. barteri is
used for treating snakes bites and attenuating
headaches. Tannins favor the inhibition of intestinal
motility and justify the utilization of the species as antidiarrheic (Djemai, 2009). Likewise, H. barteri leaves are
known to be excellent sources of nutrients for human,
and its organs contain proteins such as leucine, tyrosine
and phenylalanine at a higher rate than WHO’s
recommended standards for human (Kubmarawa et al.,
2009) with potentially interesting effects on child growth.
Vulnerability of H. barteri
In this study, H. barteri was found vulnerable due to its
popularity, the harvesting of its immature fruits by locals,
its uncommon biotope, the scarcity of its populations, and
its dependence on external factors for seed
dissemination. H. barteri is well known and widely used in
the commune of Natitingou for multiple purposes such as
food, traditional medicine and wood fuel. Locals often
harvest immature fruits so as to be among the first to
collect them, and for preserving them long enough. This
practice demonstrates a high demand for the species as
compared to the relatively low availability of the resource,
and one potential consequence could be the lack of
regeneration we observed within the majority of the
species populations, as also noted in Togo (Agbogan et
al., 2015). The availability of a resource and types of use
are important criteria for assessing the vulnerability of a
species (Dibong et al., 2011). Indeed, a strong pressure
on a species can increase its vulnerability (Traoré et al.,
2011) and the irrational harvest of certain parts can
negatively affect the survival of the species (Gaoué and
Ticktin, 2007). In the actual context of the commune of
Natitingou, which is mostly composed of poor populations
(PAM, 2014), the high dependence of the population on
flora and fauna species for food and health care suggests
that the level of H. barteri vulnerability is likely to increase
(Betti, 2001; Dassou et al., 2014). The results of this
study thus call for more attention regarding the
conservation status of H. barteri in Benin and particularly
its inclusion in the Benin’s list of threatened species.
Conclusion
H. barteri is a multi-purpose use plant species of high
importance for the populations living along the Atacora
mountain chain in Benin. It contributes significantly to
food subsistence and health care for the local people. It
156
Int. J. Biodivers. Conserv.
also provides wood energy which is a vector for the
socio-economic development in rural areas. However, the
current uses of the species make it vulnerable and can
compromise its persistence in Benin. Consequently, there
is a need to include H. barteri in the local list of
threatened species, and to develop methods for the
species conservation and sustainable management, such
as artificial regeneration and plantation techniques. Also,
future studies need to assess and monitor the dynamics
of this restricted-range and highly demanded species in
the context of climate change.
CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
The authors have not declared any conflict of interests.
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