Local perception of African threatened indigenous species availability

Local perception of the African rose wood, Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir.

(Fabaceae) current availability in Côte d'Ivoire.

Though forest biodiversity supports human well-being through a multitude ecosystem services, deforestation has emerged in recent decades as the second worrisome environmental problem after climate change.

It resulted in a deep loss of high value plant species.

This study, conducted in Central Côte d'Ivoire, aimed to assess local communities’ perceptions of the services provided by P.

erinaceus; and their perceptions of the species’ availability in its areas.

We carried out semi-structured interviews with 180 people using the stratified sampling method and direct observations.

The collected data were processed and analyzed using EpiData 3.1, SPSS 20.0 and XLSTAT 2014 software.

Khi² independence tests and k proportions comparison tests were performed to analyze the links between the qualitative variables; and Factorial Correspondence Analyses performed to better express these links.

Results showed that P.

erinaceus is well known and provides supply and cultural services.

Nevertheless, it is perceived decreasing in the area in the last decade.

Thus, developing community-based solutions appears then compulsory to address the challenge of protecting P.

erinaceus in its natural habitats.