Ecological diversity and conservation of wild edible fruit trees species in the Lama Forest Reserve in Benin

Abstract

Understanding interactions between forests and neighbouring human communities is crucial to participative management of forest resources. This study aimed to determine the ecological diversity of wild edible fruit tree (WEFT) species in the Lama Forest Reserve, a protected area in southern Benin, and strategies for their conservation. An inventory of WEFT species was carried out in 53 systematically delimited plots in typical dense forest, degraded dense forest and young and old fallows in the Lama Forest Reserve. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted with 136 respondents and the WEFT species habitats were identified by applying a Simple Correspondence Analysis to the density data. A list of priority species was generated using the Compound Ranking System method. The results revealed ten WEFT species, including Dialium guineense, Diospyros mespiliformis, Drypetes floribunda, Mimusops andogensis and Pterocarpus santalinoides in typical dense forest; Pancovia bijuga, Psidium guajava and Lecaniodiscus cupanioides in degraded dense forest; and Ficus capensis and Spondias mombin in fallows. Unlike the other species, the average density of D. guineense, D. mespiliformis, D. floribunda, L. cupanioides and M. andongensis varied significantly (P < 0.01) from one vegetation type to another. The WEFT species recorded were mainly used for food and medicinal purposes. Top priority species for conservation were P. guajava, S. mombin, F. capensis, P. santalinoides and P. bijuga. More protection efforts should target the degraded dense forest and fallow areas to ensure the conservation of these species. Further, priority WEFT species need to be included in plantation programmes to reduce pressure from riparian populations.