Medicinal species of Fathala forest and their demography in relation to human disturbances

Abstract

Background: Forests provide essential ecosystem services, and their capacity to deliver these benefits depends on their ecological integrity. In many African forests, biodiversity loss remains has reduce the availability of useful plants species. Among these, medicinal plants are particularly important for primary healthcare but are frequently subjected to intensive and often unsustainable harvesting. This study aims to identify the woody species harvested for medicinal purposes and assess the population status of these species in the Fathala classified forest, Senegal.

Methods: Data were collected through ethnobotanical surveys and a floristic inventory. Statistical analysis were perform to evaluate the different medicinal uses of woody species, the frequency of their use and the population structure and demography of harvested species in relation to different harvesting practices.

Results: A total of 32 woody species were identified are being used to treat a wide range of aliments, with leaves, bark, and roots representing the principal plant parts harvested. Combretum glutinosum, Terminalia avicennioides, Terminalia macroptera, Cordyla pinnata, Combretum micranthum and Sclerocarya birrea were the most frequently used species used in traditional healthcare. Several of these species exhibited low density and basal area, together with irregular diameter class distributions, indicating disturbed population structures. Among the disturbances assessed, medium-intensity fires and medium-intensity pruning had the greatest effects on the population demography and stand structure of medicinal species comaped with debarking, grazing and root excavation.

Conclusions: The findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen the conservation and sustainable management of medicinal plants by reducing harvesting pressure on this valuable biological resource. Effective implementation of existing forest management and conservation strategies is essential to ensure the long-term availability of medicinal plants and the ecosystem services they provide to local communities.

Keywords: Degradation; Ethnobotanical knowledge; Therapeutic uses; Protected area; Population structure