Papers by Belarmain Fandohan
Ethnobotany Research and Applications, Dec 25, 2021
Background: The African whitewood (Triplochiton scleroxylon), is a sacred and revered species in ... more Background: The African whitewood (Triplochiton scleroxylon), is a sacred and revered species in the tradition of the Oro cult in Benin. The species' natural stands are in decline and are confined to sacred forests owned by Oro secret societies. Information on its cultural uses and significance in the tradition of the Oro cult is however, poorly documented. The objective of this study is to assess the cultural keystone status of the species in the tradition of Oro worship in Benin. Method: One hundred and twenty-five members of the secret society of the cult were investigated on the names and meanings of all the species used in this tradition. Six (06) identification indices of key cultural species were used for this purpose: the importance and use value of the species, their value as an additional source of income, their psycho-socio-cultural function, their ethno-taxonomic diversity and their degree of irreplaceability. Cultural keystone status scores were estimated and various statistical tests were performed to examine their variation and correlation with the calculated indices. Results: Ten specific uses of the African whitewood were reported; of which the top three were all of spiritual and ritual importance. Key cultural species indicators showed a high value of T. scleroxylon for the tradition of "Oro" worship in Benin. Conclusion: Triplochiton scleroxylon is a cultural keystone species for the Oro cult in Benin. It would be interesting to examine the potential impact of the decline of this species on the identity and stability of the Oro cult.
Environmental Systems Research, Jul 25, 2023
Haphazard and opportunistic species occurrence (PO) data are widely used in species distribution ... more Haphazard and opportunistic species occurrence (PO) data are widely used in species distribution models (SDMs) instead of high-quality species data gathered using appropriate and structured sampling methods, which is expensive and often spatially limited. Despite their widespread use in ecology, PO data are prone to errors and uncertainties, such as imperfect detectability, positional imprecision, and spatial niche truncation, which make their use analytically challenging for effective and adaptive biodiversity management and conservation. Using simulated data, this study investigates the effects of these uncertainties on the performance of spatial point process based presence-only and integrated SDMs. We investigated three SDMs in this study, one that ignores imperfect detectability: the presence-only model (PO model), and two that account for it: the thinned presence-only model (THINPO model) and the integrated model (PBPC model). The ability of these SDMs to produce accurate maximum likelihood estimates of intensity model coefficients and reliable predictions of species distributions under different data quality scenarios was investigated. The results show that SDMs that account for imperfect detectability (THINPO or PBPC models) are not applicable in situations of high detectability. In this situation, the PO model produces the most accurate maximum likelihood estimates of the models' coefficients (β k), and consequently the most accurate predictions of species distributions (ˆ (s)). The effects of positional uncertainty and spatial niche truncation on this SDM output are minimal. However, in situations of low detectability, it is preferable to use the PBPC model. Positional uncertainty and spatial niche truncation have negligible effects on the output of this SDM, except when positionally uncertain PO data are analyzed along with truncated PC data. These minimal effects of spatial niche truncation on SDM outputs demonstrate the transferability of SDMs. However, the effects of all these uncertainties may depend on the characteristics of the species. Prior to modeling species distributions, a multivariate environmental similarity surface analysis should be performed to test the similarity between data from the restricted region to be used for model calibration and data from the entire range. If this analysis reveals dissimilarities, larger spatial and ecological scales should be considered to address the issue of spatial niche truncation. Further efforts could address the effects of species characteristics on SDMs performance and assess the effects of species-specific uncertainties.
Bulletin of the National Research Centre
Background Snake envenomation is a public health problem that has caused many deaths, disabilitie... more Background Snake envenomation is a public health problem that has caused many deaths, disabilities and significant physical, psychological and socio-economic losses worldwide. In many rural communities, some plants have been utilized for preventing snake envenomation. The present study aims to document the knowledge of traditional medicine specialists on the plants used to prevent snakebites or repel snakes in Benin. A survey was conducted between January 2020 and September 2020 to this end. A total of 238 traditional healers and 56 hunters of different socio-cultural groups were interviewed using snowball sampling technique. Survey data were analyzed using Relative Citation Frequency. The diversity of antisnake bite plants was assessed using the Shannon diversity index, Piélou equitability, the Bray–Curtis similarity index and a Factorial Correspondence Analysis. Finally, qualitative phytochemical screening was performed on aqueous extracts following standard methods based on stain...
Biological Invasions, 2018
Invasion by exotic plant species and herbivory can individually alter native plant species divers... more Invasion by exotic plant species and herbivory can individually alter native plant species diversity, but their interactive effects in structuring native plant communities remain little studied. Many exotic plant species escape from their co-evolved specialized herbivores in their native range (in accordance with the enemy release hypothesis). When these invasive plants are relatively unpalatable, they may act as nurse plants by reducing herbivore damage on cooccurring native plants, thereby structuring native plant communities. However, the potential for unpalatable invasive plants to structure native plant communities has been little investigated. Here, we tested whether presence of an unpalatable exotic invader Opuntia ficus-indica was associated with the structure of native plant communities in an ecosystem with a long history of grazing by ungulate herbivores. Along 17 transects (each 1000 m long), we conducted a native vegetation survey in paired invaded and uninvaded plots. Plots that harboured O. ficus-indica had higher native plant species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity H 0 than uninvaded plots. However, mean species evenness J was similar between invaded and uninvaded plots. There was no significant correlation between native plant diversity and percentage plot cover by O. ficus-indica. Presence of O. ficusindica was associated with a compositional change in native community assemblages between paired invaded and uninvaded plots. Although these results are only correlative, they suggest that unpalatable exotic plants may play an important ecological role as
Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 2021
Background: Ophidian envenomation is a public health problem in the tropics and subtropics. Expen... more Background: Ophidian envenomation is a public health problem in the tropics and subtropics. Expensive cost of antivenoms forces most of the population to resort to medicinal plants as a first-line treatment. The present study aimed to contribute to a better knowledge of medicinal plants used in the treatment of snakebite envenomation in Benin. Methods: Ethnobotanical information was collected from 339 people (hunters and traditional healers) across various sociolinguistic groups using a structured interview and the snowball technique. Knowledge was quantitatively assessed using the Relative Citation Frequency. The R software (cran.rproject.org) and Microsoft Excel were used to produce graphs and/or charts. Results: A total of 109 plants species belonging to 51 botanical families were reported as being used in the treatment of snakebite envenomation. Distribution of these species by family showed that Leguminosae (20.18%), Euphorbiaceae (9.17%), Asteraceae (4.59%), Annonaceae (3.67%) were mentioned the most. The dominant life forms were herbs and shrubs collected mainly from savannas and fallows. Roots and leaves were the most used plant parts in the preparation of remedies. Conclusion: In-depth pharmacological and toxicological studies must be carried out to validate reported medicinal plants, to contribute to the wellbeing of local communities in developing countries.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals), Jul 1, 2019
This paper examined the economic value of non-timber forest products and their contribution to ca... more This paper examined the economic value of non-timber forest products and their contribution to cash income of people living around the W Transbundary Bioreserve of W in Benin. 148 people among two ethnic groups were interviewed. Data were analysed using the indirect method of opportunity cost and raw margin estimation. Results showed that local people use to harvest mostly five products: one non-marketable product (firewood) and four marketable products (almonds of Vitellaria paradoxa, C.F.Gaertn, seeds and pulp of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R. Br. ex G. Don and leaves of Adansonia digitata L.). The mean contribution of marketable products to surveyed dwellers was estimated at XOF 255,484 ($US 510.968) (standard error: XOF 37,109), representing about 11.46% of the annual cash income per household. Age and sociolinguistic group were the main determinants of non-timber forest products harvesting. Given their value to the communities, those plants should be prioritized for domestication and conservation.
Annales des Sciences Agronomiques, 2016
Livestock research for rural development, 2017
International Forestry Review, Jun 1, 2017
SUMMARY The study of anthropogenic impacts on tropical forests is vital in the design and develop... more SUMMARY The study of anthropogenic impacts on tropical forests is vital in the design and development of sustainable extraction systems for both timber and non-timber products. However, distinguishing non-timber forest products (NTFPs) harvesting impacts from timber extraction consequences on the vegetation could be difficult, since tropical forest species often have a multipurpose status. This study explores the purposes and characteristics of timber and non-timber products usage in the Swamp Forest of Lokoli (in the south of Benin Republic) and assesses extraction impacts on the forest dynamics. We used structural parameters analysis and ecological indices to explain the vegetation structure and the species responses to anthropogenic pressures. The results suggest that the forest is being devastated by extraction activities of the local people including both timber collection and non-timber harvesting. Finally, this paper suggests that management policies balancing socio-economic and conservation priorities, through introduction of alternative economic activities, strengthening of the local agriculture and a participatory management plan are the best options for the long term preservation of this forest.
Scientia Horticulturae, Dec 1, 2016
Although home gardeners could logically install plant species at different places around their ho... more Although home gardeners could logically install plant species at different places around their homesteads, there is no quantitative evidence of how home gardens (HGs) are spatially configured and how these spatial configurations (SCs) discriminate plant species within HGs. Using spatial position analysis with respect to homestead and garden inventories, this paper explores the SCs of 360 HGs and assesses their constituent species as well as their prevalence across seasons, agro-ecological zones (AEZs) and phytogeographical districts (PDs) in Benin. The association between SC and species composition was tested using correlation coefficients and Jaccard dissimilarity. A non-metric multidimensional scaling and a canonical discrimination analysis were performed to detect SCs discriminating AEZ and PDs. Relative frequencies of each SC were calculated per PD and displayed on the Benin map using ArcGIS 10.0 software. Eight SCs were distinguished, and 90.55% of HGs contained at least two SCs. Except for yards, SCs shared no or few species. The occurrence and prevalence of SCs varied across AEZs and PDs. Because HGs have multiple SCs and dynamic components, their size and shape may not always be objective indicators in the HG horizontal structure analysis.
Fruits, Jun 28, 2012
Uses and management of black plum (Vitex doniana Sweet) in Southern Benin.
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, Nov 2, 2012
BOIS & FORETS DES TROPIQUES
Bombax costatum est une espèce agroforestière menacée de disparition du fait des fortes pressions... more Bombax costatum est une espèce agroforestière menacée de disparition du fait des fortes pressions anthropiques qu’elle subit par le prélèvement de son calice. La présente étude a pour objectif d’évaluer l’influence des modes d’affectation des terres sur les caractéristiques dendrométriques, les types morphologiques et la phénologie de B. costatum dans la Réserve de biosphère de la Pendjari (RBP). Quatorze placeaux de 200 m × 200 m répartis dans quatre modes d’affectation des terres (zone d’occupation contrôlée, chaîne de l’Atacora, zone cynégétique de la Pendjari et Parc national de la Pendjari) de la RBP ont été inventoriés. Les données telles que le diamètre à hauteur de poitrine, la hauteur totale, le nombre d’individus, l’aspect de l’écorce et la couleur des fleurs ont été collectées. Les caractéristiques structurales de B. costatum ont été évaluées à trois niveaux : les paramètres dendrométriques dont la densité, le diamètre moyen, la surface terrière et la hauteur moyenne ; le...
Journal of Probability and Statistics
Machine learning algorithms, especially random forests (RFs), have become an integrated part of t... more Machine learning algorithms, especially random forests (RFs), have become an integrated part of the modern scientific methodology and represent an efficient alternative to conventional parametric algorithms. This study aimed to assess the influence of data features and overdispersion on RF regression performance. We assessed the effect of types of predictors (100, 75, 50, and 20% continuous, and 100% categorical), the number of predictors (p = 816 and 24), and the sample size (N = 50, 250, and 1250) on RF parameter settings. We also compared RF performance to that of classical generalized linear models (Poisson, negative binomial, and zero-inflated Poisson) and the linear model applied to log-transformed data. Two real datasets were analysed to demonstrate the usefulness of RF for overdispersed data modelling. Goodness-of-fit statistics such as root mean square error (RMSE) and biases were used to determine RF accuracy and validity. Results revealed that the number of variables to b...
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution
Cola millenii K. Schum. is a wild edible fruit tree of high socio-economic importance in Sub-Saha... more Cola millenii K. Schum. is a wild edible fruit tree of high socio-economic importance in Sub-Sahara Africa. Its fruit pulp is used for food and nutritional purposes. Other parts of the tree are locally used against several diseases. Given the current threats to natural stands of this species, its domestication has been suggested as one of the methods for its sustainable management. The present study analyzed the domestication potential of this species through evaluation of morphological variability of its fruits across seven phytogeographical districts in Benin. Morphological data on fruits were collected on 1750 fruits from 175 trees distributed among the phytogeographical districts. Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were used for data analyses. The morphological traits of the fruits varied significantly among the phytogeographical districts. Among others, the weight of the pulp fluctuated between 4.18 and 15.55 g and the Bassila phytogeographical district presented the highest value. Variation in quantitative traits was greater between phytogeographical districts (55.44–89.13%) than among individuals within phytogeographical districts (9.52–34.32%). Qualitative descriptors such as shape and the color of the fruits and seeds also unfolded noticeable variation among phytodistricts (Shannon diversity: 0.14–1.46). However, there was no evidence of significant link between the morphological characteristics and the climatic variables considered (rainfall, relative humidity, minimum temperature and maximum temperature). Clustering suggested three fruit morphotypes. Fruits of morphotype 3, in majority from the Bassila and Zou phytogeographical districts had interesting characteristics (e.g. high fruit and pulp weight, and large fruit and seed size) for selection programs.
Modeling Earth Systems and Environment
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution, 2020
Cochlospermum planchonii Hook.f. ex Planch. and Cochlospermum tinctorium Perrier ex A. Rich. are ... more Cochlospermum planchonii Hook.f. ex Planch. and Cochlospermum tinctorium Perrier ex A. Rich. are two wild edible plant species (WEPs), widely used in the West African Sudanian zone. Their parts are used as food additive, fodder, medical-magic and ethnoveterinary purposes, dye and arts. Unfortunately, the overexploitation of their rootstocks constitutes a great threat. While, an increasing number of studies reported on their uses, socio-economic importance, biological properties, and the anthropogenic pressure, knowledge on their reproductive biology, threats, domestication, and conservation status are still lacking. It therefore becomes crucial to systematically review literature on the current knowledge to identify research gaps and future research. Hence, this review aimed to critically synthetize knowledge, and gaps therein, to highlight future research for sustainable use and conservation of both species. To this end, publications were searched online in Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Springer Online and Research Gate, using following keywords: “taxonomy”, “distribution”, “ecology”, “botanical description”, “structural characteristics”, “vernacular names”, “uses”, “plant parts used”, “phytochemical” and “pharmacological properties”, “economy”, “propagation”, “pollination”, “reproduction”, “threats”, “conservation” and “domestication” in combination with “ C. planchonii” or “ C. tinctorium” , “False-cotton”. Out of 423 publications initially recorded, 165 were retained, of which 153 conducted in West Africa; the remaining 12 tackled botanical and taxonomical issues. Most of the publications addressed ethnobotany, chemical and pharmacological properties. Information obtained was compiled, critically analyzed, and discussed; knowledge gaps were keyed out and potential future research was highlited. The review confirmed the over-exploitation of both species mainly for human livelihoods. Both species were valuable sources of compounds and showed various pharmacological activities. A risk of genetic erosion was reported due overharvesting of their rootstocks whose powder was highly marketable. Future studies on their reproductive biology could enable their cultivation in order to reduce anthropogenic pressure and promote their sustainable use and conservation.
BOIS & FORETS DES TROPIQUES, 2022
Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum. est l’une des espèces vénérées des écosystèmes sacrés du Bénin... more Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum. est l’une des espèces vénérées des écosystèmes sacrés du Bénin qui revêt une importance socioculturelle. Toutefois, les peuplements naturels de l’espèce sont en déclin et les informations sur ses usages sont quasi non documentées. Cette étude évalue les connaissances locales sur les usages de l’espèce et la distribution desdites connaissances entre groupes ethnolinguistiques, culturels et cultuels au Bénin. Des enquêtes ethnobotaniques individuelles ont été réalisées auprès de 411 adeptes des divinités liées à la conservation de l’espèce au Bénin. Les indices ethnobotaniques tels que la fréquence relative de citation (FRC), la valeur d’usages (VU) total et par organe, et l’indice d’importance culturelle (IC) ont été utilisés pour quantifier la popularité, l’utilisation et l’importance socioculturelle de T. scleroxylon, respectivement. Un modèle linéaire généralisé avec la distribution de la binomiale négative a été réalisé pour examiner la variatio...
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Papers by Belarmain Fandohan