Use practices and vulnerability of Combretum micranthum G. Don and Sarcocephalus latifolius (SM.) Bruce exploited by the bwa community in the livestock of small ruminants in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Populations in rural areas of Burkina Faso depend on woody plant resources to meet their daily needs. With regular anthropogenic pressure on these resources, it is necessary to assess the uses and vulnerability of the species C. micranthum and S. latifolius commonly exploited by the Bwaba populations in order to propose sustainable management solutions. To do this, semi-structured surveys were carried out with the community of Bwaba producers in the Boucle du Mouhoun region and associated with a dendrometric inventory. The results obtained show that the two plants are well used by the populations in traditional human and veterinary pharmacopoeia but also in livestock feed as fodder and in wood for energy and crafts. Apart from the use of the stem of C. micranthum used in energy wood, the leaves of the two plants constitute the most used organ. The dendrometric measurements have shown that the two plants are overexploited by the populations and must benefit from a particular attention of preservation actions. Sensitization of the populations of reasoned uses of these plant resources therefore remains necessary with a recommendation to use the leaves instead of the barks and roots when these parts can bring the same result, particularly in traditional pharmacopoeia.