Abstract
BackgroundTraditional knowledge (TK) on the different uses of under-valued fruit tree species including Gardenia erubescens Stapf & Hutch.—a plant species of least concern (LC) based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification yet considered threatened due to overharvesting by a National Assessment in addition to 59 other species in Burkina Faso. This study aimed to collect and synthesize information on traditional knowledge and cultural importance of G. erubescens. This information will contribute to document traditional knowledge systems that are fast eroding due to the lack of transmission of the knowledge and will also highlight G. erubescens as a priority species for conservation given that this species is widely used among householders in rural areas in Burkina Faso.MethodsThis study assesses TK on the uses and cultural importance (CI) of G. erubescens, among 514 randomly selected respondents across 15 villages bordering three community forest areas located in Eastern and Centre-Western Regions of Burkina Faso through face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Additionally, the uses and CI of G. erubescens were evaluated in relation to informant’s gender, ethnicity, generation, and location. Ethnobotanical indices (relative frequency of citation, relative use value, and CI) were computed using generalized linear models, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney tests.ResultsResults indicated 30 specific uses of G. erubescens of which food values recorded the highest uses as reported by 58.97% respondents followed by medicine (17.22%) with a very low 0.23% for magical uses. Food and medicinal uses were the most important for women while men valued more the species for constructions, cultural, and magical uses. The fruit is the most preferred and marketable part of the plant while the leaves, fruits, roots, leafy twigs, and bark are mainly harvested for pharmacopeia and psycho-magical problems.ConclusionsTraditional knowledge on the uses of G. erubescens varied significantly in relation to gender, ethnicity, generations, and case study locations. Despite the importance of G. erubescens for food and other livelihood values, this specie is of LC to the IUCN; yet, a National Assessment considers it as threatened. The multiple uses of this specie based on TK systems for uses such as food, income, medicine, etc. is an indication that G. erubescens if sustainable managed could form an important safety net especially for rural households in Burkina Faso that are highly dependent on trees and forest resources.
Highlights
Traditional knowledge (TK) on the different uses of under-valued fruit tree species including Gardenia erubescens Stapf & Hutch.—a plant species of least concern (LC) based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification yet considered threatened due to overharvesting by a National Assessment in addition to 59 other species in Burkina Faso
In the Sahelian countries and Burkina Faso in particular, plant species are known for their multipurpose uses [2, 4, 5], providing products and services and these resources constitute an important component of local livelihoods, the need to evaluate the knowledge of the populations on plant species that have the potentials for food and health benefits [6]
Demographic information and traditional knowledge on the uses of G. erubescens A total of 514 people belonging to eight ethnic groups were interviewed to evaluate their TK and uses of G. erubescens
Summary
Traditional knowledge (TK) on the different uses of under-valued fruit tree species including Gardenia erubescens Stapf & Hutch.—a plant species of least concern (LC) based on International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classification yet considered threatened due to overharvesting by a National Assessment in addition to 59 other species in Burkina Faso. In the Sahelian countries and Burkina Faso in particular, plant species are known for their multipurpose uses [2, 4, 5], providing products and services and these resources constitute an important component of local livelihoods, the need to evaluate the knowledge of the populations on plant species that have the potentials for food and health benefits [6] This is the case of Gardenia erubescens Stapf & Hutch.—an indigenous species in Burkina Faso which is used locally for domestic energy supply, to generate cash income, for food, medicine, and crafts among other uses [7]. Knowledge and exploitation of several products from G. erubescens remain unknown and confined to the hands of rural populations, the under-valuation of this species on all levels in our African countries where the species is present
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