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Feb 6, 2025Keywords:
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Main Article Content
Ethnobotanical knowledge and traditional management of Prosopis africana (Guill. & Perr.) Taub. in the West Coast Region of The Gambia: implications for species restoration and sustainable conservation
Alpha Kargbo
Bintou Dibba
Abstract
In many West African countries, a decoction of the trunk bark of Prosopis africana is used to heal wounds and fight against cancer. Leaves are also used to treat headaches and toothaches, as well as several other ailments. This was a cross-sectional study in which questionnaires were administered to 633 indigenous residents of 10 villages located in the Western Region of The Gambia. This study aims to identify ethnobotanical knowledge on the utilizations, threats, risks, and local management methods of Prosopis africana to provide data for its sustainable domestication. The relative frequency of citation was used to investigate ethnobotanical data. Descriptive statistics were also used to determine local perceptions of the species’ status, risk factors, and tactics used for its conservation. Chi-square and generalized linear models were applied to check the dependence between ethnic groups and variables. Three organs, namely leaves, stems, and roots are widely used for many purposes. In total, 4 main use forms were reported by local people for all organs, with the stem having a higher index value of useful organs (91%). The results of the generalized linear model performed on the perception of the status of Prosopis africana showed that there was a significant relationship between the Mandinkas’ (CL = -0.296–1.907 and p = 0.007) and the Jolas’ (CL = -0.032–1.656 and p =0.042). Local strategies for the species conservation of Prosopis africana in protected areas among the ethnic groups show that those living in Kombo South (X2 = 3.802, p = 0.010) and those from Kombo Central (X2 = 27.511, p = <0.001) were the only variables that significantly influenced the respondent’s knowledge on where the species should be grown. This study reveals the importance of Prosopis africana while also highlighting essential aspects to consider to successfully engage in its sustainable conservation.
