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Quantitative ethnobotany of <i>Lophira lanceolata</i> Tiegh. ex Keay (Ochnaceae) in Benin (West Africa)
Abstract
Understanding the utilization of plant is fundamental for efficient conservation of species. The present study aimed at assessing the quatitative ethnobotany of Lophira lanceolata Tiegh. ex Keay (Ochnaceae) utilization in Benin. A number of 1261 persons were randomly selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Principal Components Analysis was performed to relate utilizations and organs to ethnic groups. The diversity (ID) and equitability (IE) values were globally low (< 0.50) and indicated that local knowledge on L. lanceolata utilization is not fairly distributed among groups. L. lanceolata was not wellknown by all the respondents and its utilization varied significantly among ethnic groups, between sex and fairly between age classes. The ethnic group consensus values for L. lanceolata parts showed that leaves are the most used organ. Local knowledge on the species was well-diversified and was influenced by the ethnic group. Our study has provided basic information that may help for sustainable management and conservation of the species in Benin.
Keywords: False shea, endogenous knowledge, ethnic differences, use value, use pattern.
