Etude ethnobotanique d'espèces ligneuses des savanes sèches au Nord-Togo : diversité, usages, importance et vulnérabilité

Ethnobotanical study of woody species of the dry savannah in northern Togo: diversity, uses, importance and vulnerability. Description of the subject. In northern Togo, particularly in rural areas, the populations use ecosystem services to meet multiple needs within a context of deforestation and increasing human pressure that threatens natural resources. Objectives. Based on people's knowledge, this study studied the diversity and the vulnerability of multipurpose tree species in the dry savannah zone of Togo, using four parameters of vulnerability. Method. The methodology was based on semi-directive ethnobotanical and socioeconomic surveys within 14 ethnic groups, through individual interviews and focus group discussions. Analyses included both an index of uses and importance values of species identified and frequency calculations. Results. 149 tree species, corresponding to 45 families, were cited as being useful for the investigated peoples; nine categories of purpose were identified: food (69 species), medicinal (91 species), wood as an energy source (57 species), livestock feeding (57 species), artisanal (37 species), hygiene (36 species), service wood (40 species), ritual (35 species), and cosmetic (26 species). Various parts of a tree can be used: leaves, roots, fruits, seeds, flowers, wood and bark. A total of 42 tree species (28%) presented a high level of vulnerability, which was assessed on the basis of four parameters: the frequency of citation, the number of different uses, the organs collected and the method of harvesting. Conclusions. The study revealed that the use of forest trees species depends on their geographical area and their importance value explains the vulnerability of these species in the Savannah region.