Abstract
Tree bark is one of the most important non-timber forest products. In less developed countries, it is used for multiple purposes, particularly in traditional medicine. This paper addresses the question of bark exploitation, uses, and impacts in Madjadjane village, southern Mozambique. For that, we have conducted an ethnobotanical survey and analysed the level of damage of the ten most exploited tree species. Bark was mainly used for medical purposes, spanning 13 different applications. Most of the species had more than one medical application constituting potential sources of valuable biocompounds. In general the level of damage caused by debarking was not critical, but should be seen with caution. An upgrade and update of the results will be of utmost importance to estimate with more accuracy the current conservation status as well as to predict future impacts and define better conservation strategies. We suggest the expansion of ethnobotanical surveys as well as their integration in broad programs aimed at the preservation and valorization of local heritage. This will encourage equitable access and benefit sharing of biodiversity as well as the promotion of bio-based economy.
Highlights
Forests and woodlands are key providers of social, economic and ecological services that go far beyond timber exploitation
In this paper we present the results of a survey on the use of bark of ten tree species as well as the estimation of the level of damage due to debarking, in Madjadjane village, district of Matutine, Maputo Province
The work was integrated in the Natural Resources Management program under the International Union for Conservation of the Nature (IUCN)
Summary
Forests and woodlands are key providers of social, economic and ecological services that go far beyond timber exploitation. Tree bark is one of the most important non-timber forest products. Like elsewhere in the region, livelihood strategy allied to trends of population growth is among the major threats to the ecosystem health. These may compromise resource availability in countries with low human development indices where incremental expansion of cultivated lands restrains the potential of ecosystem services [4]. The documentation of local plant uses is of utmost importance, to preserve traditional knowledge, and to facilitate conservation efforts. In this paper we present the results of a survey on the use of bark of ten tree species as well as the estimation of the level of damage due to debarking, in Madjadjane village, district of Matutine, Maputo Province. The work was integrated in the Natural Resources Management program under the International Union for Conservation of the Nature (IUCN)
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