Peasants’ perceptions on the uses and exploitation of <i>Tetracarpidium conophorum</i> (Mull. Arg.) Hutch & Dalziel in Cameroon Peasants’ perceptions on <i>Tetracarpidium conophorum</i> in Cameroon

Abstract

Tetracarpidium conophorum (Mull. Arg.) Hutch & Dalziel, a vine of the Euphorbiaceae family, is one of the numerous useful plant species of the tropical forests, and is still exploited in the wild. The objective of this study was to understand peasants’ perceptions on the provisioning ecosystem services and the cultivation practice of T. conophorum in Cameroon, with a view to determining the suitability of this species for participatory domestication. The methodological approach consisted of ethnobotanical surveys carried out among 252 people spread across three agroecological zones of Cameroon, as well as field observations. The results showed that 100% of respondents know the species that they exploit for three categories of use, with a broad consensus for food use (Cs = 1), followed by energy use (Cs = 0, 92) and medicinal use (Cs = 0.17). The exploitation of the species provides income which is considered very important by 69% of respondents. The most common harvesting method in the study areas is fruit picking, which is practiced by 100% of respondents. A regressive trend in the dynamics of the T. conophorum population is perceived by 44% of respondents. According to 92% of respondents, cultivation habits of the species are almost non-existent due to the difficulty they experience in regenerating it (51% of respondents), the long duration of the vegetative growth phase (36%) and the uncertainty of fruits production (13%). All the interviewees (100%) expressed their desire to adopt the cultivation of the species if appropriate methods for propagating productive individuals were provided to them. This study shows that T. conophorum is conducive to participatory domestication in Cameroon.