In Côte d’Ivoire, cocoa is an important source of income for the population and the state. However, its production has led to massive deforestation, reducing forest cover and the associated ecosystem services. In order to reconcile cocoa production with conservation, agroforestry is being promoted; however, its success hinges on the traditional knowledge of the services provided by these plants, which remains poorly documented. This study aims to document the endogenous knowledge of rural populations regarding the ecosystem services provided by woody plants in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. To this end, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted among 50 farmers in five villages located within one of Côte d’Ivoire’s primary cocoa production regions. These surveys were supplemented by a literature review and principal component analysis. A total of 53 woody species were identified, including 37 indigenous and 16 introduced species. They provide services for food (48.18%), medicinal care (31.04%), construction (14.16%), fodder (5.97%) and cosmetics (0.65%). Organs used include leaves, fruit, bark, roots, etc. Despite their usefulness, 54% of these species are on the IUCN Red List, underlining their vulnerability. In addition, locality and ethnicity have been identified as differentiating factors in knowledge of the services provided. Integrating this local knowledge into forest management programs will ensure the sustainable use of woody plants in cocoa-based agroforestry systems. In addition, in view of the threats to biodiversity, work needs to be done on prioritizing the conservation of these species. A participatory approach involving researchers, decision-makers and rural communities is essential to preserve woody plants while maintaining cocoa profitability.
Statista (2024) World Cocoa Bean Production by Country in 2022. Study Report. https://fr.statista.com/statistiques/571638/co-coa-main-producers-by-value-worldwide/statisticContainer
Ducroquet, H., Tillie, P., Louhichi, K. and Gomez-Y-Paloma, S. (2017) A Closer Look at Agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire, Inventory of Plant and Animal Production Sectors and Review of Agricultural Policies. Joint Research Centre, 58-63.
Alliot, C., Cortin, M., Feige-Muller, M., Ly, S. and Pigneur, J. (2016) Societal Costs as Indicators of Sustainable Development in Global Value Chains. The Example of the Cocoa Chain in Côte d’Ivoire and Peru. R IODD 2016, Saint-Étienne, 6-8 July 2016, 78 p. https://riodd2016.sciencesconf.org/114577/RIODD_2016_ALLIOT_CORTIN_FEIGE_MULLER_LY_PIGNEUR.pdf
Kouakou, A.T.M., Assalé, A.A.Y. and Barima, Y.S.S. (2018) Impact of Anthropogenic Pressures on the Flora of the Haut-Sassandra Classified Forest (Central-Western Côte d’Ivoire). Tropicultura , 36, 155-170.
Assalé, A.A.Y., Barima, Y.S.S., Sangne, Y.C., Bleu, D.K.C.R. and Kpangui, K.B. (2020) Evaluation of the Provisioning Services Provided by Anthropized State-Owned Areas: The Case of the Haut-Sassandra Classified Forest (Central-Western Côte d’Ivoire). Canadian Journal of Forest Research , 50, 1002-1011. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2019-0443
Bakwaye, F.N., Termote, C., Kembelo, A.K. and Van Damme, P. (2013) Identification and Local Importance of Medicinal Plants Used in the Mbanza-Ngungu Region, Democratic Republic of Congo. Bois & Forêts des Tropiques , 316, 63-77. https://doi.org/10.19182/bft2013.316.a20531
Hedjazi, N. and Afoufou, S. (2022) Ethnobotanical Study and Evaluation of the Biological Activities of Medicinal Plants in the Dairas of El Ma Labiodh, El Aouinet and Ouenza (Wilaya of Tébessa). Doctoral Dissertation, Larbi Tébessi-Tébessa University.
Scoones, I. and Thompson, J. (2009) Farmer First Revisited: Innovation for Agricultural Research and Development. Practical Action Publishing, 385 p.
Shackleton, C. and Shackleton, S. (2004) The Importance of Non-Timber Forest Products in Rural Livelihood Security and as Safety Nets: A Review of Evidence from South Africa. South African Journal of Science , 100, 658-664.
Krouba, G.I.D., Ouattara, A.A., Kouakou, A.C.A., Adopo, A.R.I., Fauret, P., Coulibaly, B., Kaba, D., Julius, K., Assi Kaudjhis, J. and Courtin, F. (2018) Population Dynamics and Landscape Changes in the Southern Rural Area of Bonon in 2000 and 2015 (Marahoué Region, Côte d’Ivoire). Tropicultura , 36, 271-280.
Kouadio, K.A.L. (2022) Typology of Cocoa-Based Agroforestry Systems Using Aerospace Technology in the Sub-Prefecture of Bonon (Central-Western Côte d’Ivoire). Master’s Thesis, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, 67 p.
Cronquist, A. (1988) The Evolution and Classification of Flowering Plants. New York Botanical Garden, 230 p.
Aké-Assi, L. (1998) Impact of Logging and Agricultural Development on the Conservation of Biological Diversity in Côte d’Ivoire. Le Flamboyant , 46, 20-21.
Aké-Assi, L. (2001) Flora of Côte d’Ivoire 1, Catalog, Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology. Conservatory and Botanical Garden, 396 p.
Aké-Assi, L. (2002) Flora of Côte d’Ivoire 2, Catalog, Systematics, Biogeography and Ecology. Conservatory and Botanical Garden, 441 p.
IUCN (2020) The Global Red List of Threatened Species. https://uicn.fr/liste-rouge-mondiale
Adou Yao, Y.C., Kpangui, K.B., Vroh, B.T.A. and Ouattara, D. (2016) Cultural Practices, Use Values and Farmers’ Perception of Cocoa Companion Species in Traditional Agroforests in Central Côte d’Ivoire. Revue d ’ E thnoécologie , No. 9, 1-17.
Djiwa, O., Pereki, H. and Guelly, K.A. (2021) Ethno-Cultural Perceptions of Ecosystem Services Rendered by Cocoa-Based Agroforests in Togo. Biotechnology , Agrono my , Society and Environment , 25, 208-222.
Ndiaye, M.S. (2024) Woody Flora in Cashew-Based Agroforests in Casamance (Senegal). Territories , Environment and Development ( TED ), 3, 62-71.
Kougbo, M.D., Djah, F.M., Diop, A.L., Amenan, S.K. and Dogba, M. (2023) Usages et impacts des espèces arborescentes dans les exploitations cacaoyères de l’Indénié-Djuablin, Côte d’Ivoire. VertigO . https://doi.org/10.4000/vertigo.37570
FAO (2020) Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/9f24d451-2e56-4ae2-8a4a-1bc511f5e60e/content
Jdaidi, N., Selmi, H., Aloui, F., Jedidi, S. and Chaabane, A. (2023) Evaluation of Potential Threat and Vulnerability Factors for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Northwest Tunisia. Moroccan Journal of Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences , 11, 14-21.
Peter, I.T., Agera, S.I.N., Dachung, G. and Ndagi, H.I. (2023) Survey of Medicinal Plant Species Utilization in Home Gardens in Jema’a Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry , Wildlife and Environment , 15, 1-9.
Kébenzikato, A.B., Wala, K., Atakpama, W., Dimobé, K., Dourma, M., Woégan, A.Y. and Akpagana, K. (2015) Ethnobotanical Knowledge of the Baobab Tree ( Adansonia digitata ) au Togo. Base , 19, 247-261.
Ganka, G., Salako, V.K. and Fandohan, B.A. (2022) Importance des cultes dans la préservation des espèces d’arbre, le cas du samba ( Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum.) au Bénin. Bois & Forets des Tropiques , 351, 53-65. https://doi.org/10.19182/bft2022.351.a36866
Traoré, L., Hien, M. and Ouédraogo, I. (2021) Usages, disponibilité et stratégies endogènes de préservation de Canarium schweinfurthii (Engl.) (Burseraceae) dans la région des Cascades (Burkina Faso). Ethnobotany Research and Applications , 21, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.32859/era.21.01.1-17
Cissé, M., Bationo, B.A., Traoré, S. and Boussim, I.J. (2018) Perception of Agroforestry Species and Their Ecosystem Services by Three Ethnic Groups in the Boura Watershed, Sudanese Zone of Burkina Faso. Tropical Woods & Forests , 338, 29-42.
Guérin, M., Hardy, A., Chính, N.V. and Hwee, S.T.B. (2018) From Mountain Dwellers to Ethnic Minorities: What Kind of National Integration for the Populations of the Highlands of Vietnam and Cambodia? Institute for Contemporary Southeast Asian Studiesh, 354 p.
Reyniers, C. (2019) Agroforestry and Deforestation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Environmental Miracle or Mirage? Developing World , 47, 113-132.
Tareau, M.A., Dejouhanet, L., Odonne, G., Palisse, M. and Ansoe, C. (2019) Thinking about the Collection of Wild Medicinal Plants in Societies in Transition: The Case of French Guiana. Echo-Géo, 47 p.
Pelletier, C. (2022) Transmission of Indigenous Ethnobotanical Knowledge and Practices: A Case Study of Blueberries (Minic) among the Atikamekw Nehirowiskwewok (Atikamekw Women) of Wemotaci. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, 146 p.
Badjaré, B., Kokou, K., Bigou-laré, N., Koumantiga, D., Akpakouma, A., Adjayi, M.B. and Abbey, G.A. (2018) Ethnobotanical Study of Woody Species in the Dry Savannas of Northern Togo: Diversity, Uses, Importance, and Vulnerability. Base , 22, 152-171.