Diversity and use pattern of woody plant species of Mono Biosphere Reserve in Benin
An ethnobotanical study was conducted with the main socio-cultural groups on woody plants in the riparian lands of the Mono Biosphere Reserve in Benin which is newly created and recognized by the Unesco in 2017. This study aims to determine the wood species with high ethnobotanical value in order to provide to the managers, the plant species which need high priority of conservation and promotion in the reserve management. Ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in 26 surrounded villages of the reserve where 593 respondents from five socio-cultural groups were selected and interviewed individually using a structured questionnaire. For data analysis, the used organs frequency citation, the informant’s consensus factor and the ethnobotanical use value of the species were calculated. A total of 101 woody species were identified and used in eight categories Elaeis guineensis, Ficus trichopoda, Diospyros mespiliformis, Azadirachta indica, Vitex doniana and Mitragyna inermis yielded high ethnobotanical use-values. Ethnobotanical use value differed significantly between socio-cultural groups (P<0.0001, df =4). This study highlights the woody species which should be promoted in tree planting at large scale and in home garden in order to improve their availability and contribute to their sustainable conservation around the reserve.