%0 Journal Article
%T Ethnic differences in use values and use patterns of Parkia biglobosa in Northern Benin
%A Kourouma Koura
%A Jean C Ganglo
%A Achille E Assogbadjo
%A Cl¨Śment Agbangla
%J Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine
%D 2011
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1746-4269-7-42
%X From 13 ethnic groups, 1587 people were interviewed in the study area using semi-structured questionnaires. Principal Component Analysis was applied to analyze the use value and the use patterns of P. biglobosa for the different ethnic groups.All interviewees in the study area knew at least one use of P. biglobosa. The various uses identified were medicinal (47%), handicraft and domestic (3%), medico-magic (1%), veterinary (1%), cultural (1%), food (25%) and commercial (22%). The various parts involved in these types of uses were: fruits [shell (2%), pulp (22%) and seeds (36%)], bark (17%), leaves (9%), roots (3%), flowers (1%) and branches (10%). The ethnic group consensus values for P. biglobosa parts showed that the seeds are used the most. The interviewees diversity value (ID) and equitability value (IE) indicated that knowledge concerning P. biglobosa use was distributed homogeneously among the ethnic groups.P. biglobosa is well-known and used in different ways by the local populations in the study area. Local knowledge on the species is diversified and influenced by ethnic group. Ethnic differences in use values and use patterns of the species were evident in this study.In the Sahelian and Sudanian zones of West Africa, woody perennial parklands are very important for food security, especially during food shortage and drought periods [1]. Within these parkland systems, Parkia biglobosa species has important socio-economic and cultural values for local people. Moreover, it is a food species whose importance is well recognized both regionally and internationally [2]. In Benin, P. biglobosa is an important tree species which generates non-timber forest products [3,4]. It is a basic and therapeutic food and is a source of wealth [5]. The pulp of the fruit pods is rich in sucrose and the seeds are rich in carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, thus constituting an important source of energy [6]. P. biglobosa is rated fifth important among thirty-one woody medicinal pl
%K Parkia biglobosa
%K quantitative ethnobotany
%K use value
%K use pattern
%K Benin
%U http://www.ethnobiomed.com/content/7/1/42