Ethnobotanical assessment of Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A. DC. (Ebenaceae) in the classified forest of WariMaro (Sudano-guinean area of Benin, West Africa)

Abstract

Background: The ethnobotanical uses of Diospyros mespiliformis was assessed in the classified forest of Wari-Maro located in the Sudano-Guinean area of Benin. This study aimed to contribute to the sustainable management of the population of D. mespiliformis. Methods: The data were collected from one hundred and seventy-nine (179) local population surveyed. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices have been calculated. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used with R version 3.2.3 software to describe the relationships between the organs, the forms of use and the ethnic groups. Results: The species is well known and differently used according to the sex, age and ethnic groups. Nagot old men revealed more knowledge (ID = 0.19; IE = 0.32), followed by Bariba old men (ID = 0.13; IE = 0.21), Nagot young men (ID = 0.12; IE = 0.20) and Waama men old (ID = 0.10; IE = 0.16). The ethnics Bariba and Nagot use the fruits, wood and roots much more than the Waama, while Waama use more leaves, bark and twigs. Bariba use more the fruits for the juice and direct consumption, the firewood, forage and decoction as forms of use, while Nagot use more technology wood, service wood and powder. Conclusion: The ethnobotanical knowledge of D. mespiliformis recorded in this study will contribute to improve and disseminate its use in traditional medicine and its use as technical wood. Furthermore, strategies for its conservation have been suggested, like assisted regeneration.