Use and vulnerability of the flora of the Ando-Akpuivé Community Forest in Togo

Abstract

This study constitutes a contribution to the sustainable management of the Ando-Akpuivé community forest (FCAA) in the Avé prefecture of Togo. It specifically assessed the importance of the uses of the flora species of the FCAA and their level of vulnerability. The analysis drew on floristic inventory data, along with information on the uses of the plants, the harvested organs, the method of organ collection and the plant stage at which the organ parts were harvested. A total of 65 utilitarian plants were documented out of a total of 188 species present in the vegetation, highlighting the need for further research into the diversity of utilitarian flora in this ecosystem. The importance value index reveals that the most significant species are the introduced species, including Azadirachta indica, Senna siamea, Gliricidia sepium and Mangifera indica. The most prevalent plant families are Fabaceae (24.8%), Rutaceae (14.2%) and Meliaceae (11.0%). The most commonly reported used plant parts are leaves (40.7%), stems (29.4%) and flowers (9.4%), which are used for medicinal purposes, as fuel (23.3%) and food (11.0%). The harvesting methods that have been identified as most common include leaf removal (34.7%), cutting (22.5%) and gathering (20.1%). The study identified 14 highly vulnerable plant species, including Anogeissus leiocarpa, Bridelia ferruginea, Gliricidia sepium, Lonchocarpus sericeus, Nephrolepis biserrata and Senna siamea. It is recommended that greater consideration be given to the preferences of users and to vulnerable species in order to contribute to sustainable resource management in the face of increasing population needs.

Keywords: Plant use, availability, community forestry, Togo