Ethnobotanique quantitative de l’usage de Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don par les populations locales au Bénin

Abstract

Objective: Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) is a multiple purpose tree in Benin. It is threatened because its habitat is increasingly occupied by humans and because of the systematic collection of fruit to market. This study is conducted to assess quantitatively the knowledge between the different communities on the use of the species. Methodology and Results : Thus, an Ethnobotanical survey was carried out on 331 people selected randomly and divided into six socio-cultural groups according to three age-classes with women (6%) and men (94%) of which most were illiterate (96%). This study made it possible to count five uses of the species. The highest values of uses are obtained at the youth level (vu = 10.35), males (vu = 9, 91) and by Goun and Nago (vu = 9.87 and 9.78). All together, the value of total diversity as well as total eveness was 3.46 bits and 0.33 respectively. These values therefore indicate a diversity of knowledge by the population on the uses of the species. However, this knowledge was unevenly shared within the socio-cultural groups. Aizo adult males had more knowledge than the other components of the socio-cultural groups. Conclusion and application of result : The result are a very valuable source of information for the study of the environment and the target species. It could be a database for future research on C. albidum.