Ménéké Distel Kougbo’s research while affiliated with Université Nangui Abrogoua and other places

The Aghien Partial Nature Reserve, located in the district of Abidjan, is a new protected area that requires special monitoring because it is subject to strong urbanization pressure. To analyse the spatio-temporal dynamics of land use at this site, field data was first collected, followed by processing of Landsat OLI/TIRS images of the reserve from 2020 and 2024. Parameters such as the average annual rate of spatial expansion (T), the conversion rate (Tc), the transition matrix and the conversion intensity were then calculated. Finally, a forecast was made for land-use dynamics up to 2032. A total of ten land-use units were identified within the administrative boundaries of the reserve. Among these units, old rubber plantations, fallow land and secondary forests are the most represented plant formations. Over the period from 2020 to 2024, vegetation dynamics are marked by the expansion of secondary forests (Tc = 9.48%; T = 2.26%), young palm plantation (Tc = 15.01%; T = 3.50%) and bare soil (Tc = 18.50%; T = 4.24%). However, the forecast to 2032 shows a significant expansion of fallow land (Tc = 11.66%; T = 0.92%) and secondary forest (Tc = 26.46%; T = 1.96%). This reflects the gradual restoration of floristic diversity in the reserve's landscape. However, given the persistence of certain human activities, the site needs to be monitored.

La forêt classée de Goin-Débé considérée comme zone d’importance pour la biodiversité, est depuis la crise post-électorale, l’objet d’exploitations agricoles et d’infiltrations par des paysans, mettant ainsi en péril son statut de refuge de la biodiversité. Ainsi, cette étude vise à évaluer l’état de conservation de la végétation et de la flore de cette forêt. Pour ce faire, une étude diachronique a d’abord été effectuée à partir des images satellitaires Landsat TM des années 1988 et 1998 et des images Landsat OLI/TIRS de l‘année 2020. Ensuite, un inventaire floristique a été effectué dans les différentes formations végétales de la forêt classée. L’exploitation des images satellitaires couplée aux analyses des données d’inventaire floristique révèle des dynamiques diamétralement opposées entre les périodes 1988 à 1998 et 1998 à 2020 dans la végétation. La première période a été marquée par un gain considérable en termes de superficie des jachères du sud-ouest au nord-ouest de la forêt classée. Alors que la seconde a vu une régression significative des surfaces des formations végétales au profit des exploitations cacaoyères. Les relevés floristiques ont permis d’inventorier 220 espèces appartenant à 176 genres répartis en 63 familles. Cette flore comporte 15 espèces menacées (1 EN, 13 VU, 1 NT) et 22 espèces endémiques du bloc forestier de la Haute Guinée (GCW). Ces espèces, entre autres éléments, confèrent à cette forêt un intérêt particulier qui devrait susciter plus d’actions pour sa conservation. Since the post-electoral crisis, the Goin-Débé classified forest, considered as an area of importance for biodiversity, has been subject to agricultural exploitation and infiltration by peasants, thus jeopardizing its status as a biodiversity refuge. The aim of this study is to assess the state of conservation of the forest's vegetation and flora. To do this, a diachronic study was first carried out using Landsat TM satellite images from 1988 and 1998 and OLI/TIRS images from. Next, a floristic inventory was carried out in the different plant formations of the classified forest. Satellite images and floristic inventory data reveal diametrically opposed vegetation dynamics between the periods 1988 to 1998 and 1998 to 2020. The first period was marked by a considerable gain in fallow area from the south-west to the north-west of the classified forest. The second period, on the other hand, saw a significant decline in the area of plant formations in favor of cocoa farms. Floristic surveys have identified 220 species belonging to 176 genera divided into 63 families. This flora includes 15 threatened species (1 EN, 13 VU, 1 NT) and 22 species endemic to the Upper Guinea Forest Block (GCW), among other elements that give this forest a particular interest for conservation.

Background: The conversion of forest into perennial crops, particulary cocoa and rubber farms, is a phenomenon that is increasingly affecting protected areas in Ivory Coast. This situation reveal the contrast, which threatens the survival of biodiversity, this study examines the possibility of reconstituting these ecosystems from the floristic potential that is expressed in the cocoa and rubber farms. Materials and Methods: For this, 108 plots of 400 m 2 each were first laid out in 54 selected cocoa farms and 54 selected rubber farms in the Indénié-Djuablin region. Then, the weed species present in these plots were inventoried taking into account their abundance-dominance. Finally, an ascending hierarchical classification (AHC), a non-parametric Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) analysis and quantitative and qualitative analyses of the species' life histories were performed on the collected data. Results: The data revealed that the weed flora of cocoa and rubber farms contains a high diversity of species, considering the development stage of the crops. Moreover, this flora, characterised by tree species, is more than 60% similar to of the old secondary forests flora present in the study area. Conclusion: Therefore, it would be possible to see a reconstitution of forest flora after crop abandonment from the weed flora. However, this dynamic would be more effective if farmers spared or introduced a diversity of trees into their cocoa and rubber farms.

What is the capacity of the soil seed bank to restore floristic diversity when forest disturbance is linked to a perennial crop? To answer this question, the main objective of the present study was to assess the contribution of the soil seed bank of cocoa and rubber farms in the process of forest flora reconstitution. To do this, 432 composite soil samples were first collected from 108 farms, 54 of which were from each of the above-mentioned farms in the Indénié-Djuablin region in eastern Ivory Coast. These samples taken at depths of 0 to 5 cm (n=108 samples), 5 to 10 cm (n=108 samples), 10 to 15 cm (n=108 samples) and 15 to 20 cm (n=108 samples) were then placed in a greenhouse for quantitative and qualitative evaluation of viable seeds. The investigations showed that in cocoa and rubber farms the maximum number of viable seeds that could initiate the process of forest reconstitution after abandonment of the crops is stored in the first five centimeters of the soil. However, this species pool contains very few tree species. Consequently, the seed stock in the soil of cocoa and rubber farms alone cannot effectively reconstitute the forest flora after crop abandonment. It would be interesting to explore other research perspectives such as the contribution of spontaneous flora of these farms in the process of reconstitution of forest flora.

Tree species have always played an important role in tropical cocoa farms. However, their survival is threatened by changes in farming practices. This study aims to understand the interactions between farmers in Indénié-Djuablin and the tree species that they save or introduce in their cocoa farms. To do this, an inventory of these species was carried out in 54 cocoa farms selected on the basis of the area and density of tree species. An individual semi-structured survey was then conducted with the cocoa farm owners to find out how they perceive and use the tree species found on their farms. In these cocoa farms, 63 tree species were inventoried that were used in four categories of use : food, timber, medicinal and fuelwood. Furthermore, 64.06% of these wood species are perceived as having positive or negative impacts on the development of cocoa trees. The timber like Tiama (Entandrophragma angolense), Bété (Mansonia altissima) and Iroko (Milicia excelsa) is valued for the excellent shade that is beneficial to young cocoa trees and the improvement of soil fertility while medicinal plants like Emien (Alstonia boonei), Ilomba (Pycnanthus angolensis) and Akpi (Ricinodendron heudelotii) are perceived as creating excessive shade and as potential hosts of crop pests. Some woody plants that are detrimental to the development of cocoa trees are therefore maintained in cocoa farms for specific uses. Taking this aspect into account in any agroforestry project would make it possible to sustainably reconcile agricultural production, conservation of plant diversity and resource development.

Diop AL, Malan DF, Kougbo MD. 2021. Perception of malaria and cultural diversity of antimalarial plants in three sympatric communities: Agni, Akyé and Gwa in the District of Alépé, Côte d’Ivoire. Asian J Ethnobiol 4: 1-11. Each ethnic group has developed its own culture expressed through traditional health care systems. This study aimed to determine how the communities with different histories perceive and manage malaria, a disease with a high prevalence rate in the Sub-Saharan region. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out in 10 Agni, Akyé and Gwa communities villages. Two surveys were conducted: a house-to-house survey based on free lists interviews and an individual walk-in-the-woods interview. Frequency of quotation and Smith’s index was used to assess antimalarial plants’ knowledge level. The Venn diagram, hierarchical clustering, and Spearman correlation test compared malaria perception and the antimalarial plants among the three communities. In the studied communities, six forms of malaria were recognized with various symptoms. Seventy-seven antimalarial plants were used to cure these forms. The proportion of antimalarial plants specific to each community was quite low. This study has revealed the differences and similarities between the antimalarial plants used by the communities living in the same geographical area. This study has also highlighted new plants in the study area that could treat malaria. Finally, awareness must be made in the studied communities on different forms of malaria for a better understanding of this disease.

Malan DF, Litta AL, Kougbo MD, Diop AL, Kouassi KG. 2020. Wild edible plants in four Agni tribes of Central-east and Northeast of Côte d’Ivoire: a comparative study. Biodiversitas 21: 4896-4902. An ethnobotany survey was carried out in twelve villages of the four Agni tribes from the Center-east to Northeast of the Côte d'Ivoire, in order to assess the evolution of the knowledge and know-how of these peoples concerning wild edible plants. Frequency of citations and the Smith index of each of edible plants were obtained with data from the survey of 571 informants (279 men and 292 women). Factorial analysis of the correspondences was also performed in order to reveal the similarities between the different tribes. In total, 77 plant species (36 families and 67 genera) were cited as consumed by humans. The most used parts are the fruits (65.38%), and leaves (24.36%). Analysis of the similarities shows that only 18.82% of these species are common to the four tribes. In addition, knowledge related to wild edible plants is gradually degrading, for several reasons, including obsolescence of use and the unavailability of plants due to environmental degradation. Thus, the valuation and protection of these resources would be beneficial to populations.

Cette étude vise à faire l’inventaire et à évaluer la disponibilité des plantes utilisées dans la construction et la confection des outils par les populations Koulango et Lobi. Les enquêtes ethnobotaniques à travers les approches du « porte à porte » et des randonnées ont permis d’obtenir les informations sur les usages des plantes. La disponibilité des ressources a été évaluée à travers l'indice de raréfaction à partir des relevés de surface. Le niveau de connaissance des usages des plantes a été évalué à l’aide de la fréquence de citation. L’intensité d’utilisation des plantes a été calculée grâce à la valeur d’usage ethnobotanique. Les similitudes entre les usages des plantes ont été révélées grâce à la classification hiérarchique ascendante. Le statut des espèces a été déterminé par l’indice de raréfaction. De ces travaux, il ressort que 39 plantes appartenant à 38 genres et 22 familles sont utilisées dans la construction et 55 espèces végétales, reparties en 48 genres et 22 familles, sont utilisées dans la fabrication des objets domestiques. Les usages de six plantes sont très connus. Il s'agit de Raphia sudanica (92,15%), Vitellaria paradoxa (89,6%), Khaya senegalensis (83,05%), Pterocarpus erinaceus (70,15%), Phoenix reclinata (52,75%) et Pseudocedrela kotschyi (51,7%). Pour les deux ethnies confondues, cinq plantes sont les plus utilisées. Ce sont Raphia sudanica (1,84), Vitellaria paradoxa (1,76), Phoenix reclinata (1,74), Khaya senegalensis (1,66) et Pterocarpus erinaceus (1,38). Plusieurs plantes dont Bombax costatum, Ceiba pentandra, Adansonia digitata ont des individus juvéniles et adultes très rares dans le PNC comme dans le domaine rural. This paper focuses on keeping inventory and assessing the availability of plants used in the construction and making of tools by the Koulango and Lobi populations. Ethnobotanical surveys through door-to-door and trekking approaches have provided information on the uses of plants. The availability of resources was assessed using the scarcity index from surface surveys. The level of knowledge of plant uses was assessed using the frequency of citation. The intensity of use of the plants was calculated using the ethnobotanical use value. The similarities between the uses of plants were revealed, thanks to the ascending hierarchical classification. The status of the species was determined by the depletion index. From this work, it emerges that 39 plants belonging to 38 genera and 22 families are used in construction. 55 plant species, divided into 48 genera and 22 families, are used in the manufacture of household objects. The uses of six plants are well known. These are Raphia sudanica (92.15%), Vitellaria paradoxa (89.6%), Khaya senegalensis (83.05%), Pterocarpus erinaceus (70.15%), Phoenix reclinata (52.75%), and Pseudocedrela kotschyi (51.7%). For the two ethnic groups combined, five plants are the most used. These are Raphia sudanica (1.84), Vitellaria paradoxa (1.76), Phoenix reclinata (1.74), Khaya senegalensis (1.66), and Pterocarpus erinaceus (1.38). Several plants, including Bombax costatum, Ceiba pentandra, Adansonia digitata, have juvenile and adult individuals which are very rare in the PNC as in the rural area.