Tenekwetche Sop Guillaume
Other projects
29 Nov 2011
Population Dynamics and Conservation Status of Some Key Multipurpose Woody Plants Species in the Sub-Sahelian Area of Burkina Faso
Through ethnobotanical and ecological methods the project seeks at assessing the mostly used species and to identify those which might be endangered, might have already disappeared, or might be facing a negative dynamic in their population structure and therefore might need priority with regard to restoration and conservation.
An inventory of all woody species used and their value (regarding food, medicine, fodder, construction, etc.) for the rural people in the Burkina Faso Sahel will be done using ethnobotanical interviews with a predefined questionnaire. Simultaneously, rare, endangered and declining woody species will be identified and they will form the baseline for a sustainable use, management and conservation of the local biodiversity. In the second phase of the project we will develop regeneration and restoration tools based on endangered local species.
For the first phase of the project, the following activities shall be carried on:
First activity (4 - 6 months): in up to 40 villages belonging to four ethnic groups: (San, Fulani, Mossi, and Gourmantché) from the Burkina Faso Sahel. Inventory and collection of information on the utility (medicinal, food, construction, firewood, shade…) of all woody species as well as the perception of local land-users (from the 4 cultural groups) regarding present and past changes in woody vegetation in general, and some key species abundance, in particular. The methodological approach employs free-listing and semi-directive interviews (on the basis of a predefined questionnaire) with local people and land users (gender balanced and aged above 30).
Second activity (4 - 6 months): Up to 20 most declining species will be selected for dendrometric studies (Dbh and tree height) in order to assess their population structures (e.g. if they are stable, declining or increasing) that shall be compared with the trends revealed by the perception of local people recorded through interviews.
Third activity (3 - 4 months): Seeds germination test for studying the natural regeneration capacity of 10 of the most endangered species. For this purpose, germination experiments (in the laboratory, plant nursery and in situ) will be done in preparation for the restoration with native species during the second phase of this project.
Fourth activity (no special timescale, can be done in parallel to others activities): Education campaign against deforestation and bush-fires that killed plenty of seedlings in the Sahel and hence, jeopardise the natural regeneration process of many endangered species.