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Ethnicity Differences in Uses and Management Practices of Bitter Kola Trees (Garcinia kola) in Cameroon

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Abstract

Ethnicity Differences in Use Values and Management Practices of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola) in Cameroon. Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) is an indigenous multipurpose tree species in West and Central Africa, threatened by overexploitation and classified by the IUCN as vulnerable. Understanding local knowledge and management patterns in different socioecological contexts could contribute to designing strategies for conservation and long-term use of the species. In order to characterize the parts of the plant and the harvesting techniques that are used by different ethnic groups in Cameroon, we conducted surveys through the use of semi-structured questionnaires (N = 182) in six different sites covering different agro-ecological zones where the species is present (forest and savanna). Ethnic groups from the savanna agro-ecological zone shared similar patterns in G. kola organs/parts used and harvesting techniques, but these patterns differed among ethnic groups from the savanna and forest zones and within the forest zone. Ethnic groups from the savanna zone mainly harvest the species for its seeds that are used as stimulants. Conversely ethnic groups from the forest zone mainly collect bark and roots, and uses differ between agriculturalists (Fang and Bassa) and hunter-gatherers (Baka). These patterns have direct consequences on species management practices. Savanna farmers applied sustainable harvesting as they extract fruits and seeds and planting more trees in order to increase the species’ contribution to their livelihood. People in the forest zone destructively felled standing trees, threatening the species in its natural environment. The influence of these results on the conservation status of the species in the region are discussed.

Résumé

Différence ethnique dans les usages et les pratiques de gestion du colatier à noix amères (Garcinia kola) au Cameroun. Garcinia kola est un arbre fruitier à usages multiples d’Afrique du Centre et de l’Ouest surexploité et classé comme vulnérable par l’UICN. Une compréhension fine des savoirs traditionnels dans différents contextes socio-écologiques est essentielle pour l’élaboration de stratégies de conservation et d’utilization durable de cette espèce. En vue de caractériser les organes et les techniques de récolte utilisées par différents groupes ethniques au Cameroun, des enquêtes semi-structurées (N = 182) ont été menées dans six sites répartis dans les principales zones agroécologiques (forêts et savanes) où l’espèce est distribuée. Les groupes ethniques vivant dans la zone savanicole ont des pratiques de gestion semblables en termes d’organes utilisés et de techniques de récolte de G. kola, mais ces pratiques différents lorsque l’on passe de la zone savanicole à la zone forestière, mais aussi entre ethnies de la forêt. Les agriculteurs de la savane gèrent durablement l’espèce à travers une récolte rationnelle des fruits et la plantation d’arbres. Par contre, les habitants des zones forestières pratiquent une exploitation destructive par abatage des arbres, ce qui contribue à fragiliser les peuplements naturels et à menacer la survie de l’espèce. Il y a une absence frappante de diffusion interculturelle des connaissances traditionnelles autour de Garcinia kola entre les groupes ethniques de ces grandes zones agro-écologiques. L’influence de ces résultats sur le statut de conservation de l’espèce dans la région est discutée.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle (SCAC) via the SEP2D project for funding the data collection. This project is supported by Agropolis Fondation under the reference ID 1502 402 through the «Investissements d’avenir» programme (Labex Agro: ANR-10-LABX-0001-01), under the frame of I-SITE MUSE (ANR-16-IDEX-0006). We are indebted to the local people for their help during the data collection phase. We also extend our gratitude to the Laboratoire de Botanique Systématique et d’Ecologie (LaBosystE) through its director Professor Sonké Bonaventure and students Sagang Lebienfaiteur, Mogué Suzanne, Azandi Laura, and Mofack Ghislain, who reinforced my capacities in the use of arcgis mapping software and in the revision of the document. We also thank Dr. Pincely Nyong Awazi and Mr. Barnabas Neba whose proofreading of the paper greatly improved the quality of English. Gratitude goes to all independent reviewers for upgrading this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Applied Botany, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

    Boniface Tientcheu Yogom & Théophile Fonkou

  2. DIADE, University of Montpellier, IRD, Montpellier, France

    Boniface Tientcheu Yogom, Adeline Barnaud & Jérôme Duminil

  3. Research Unit of Fauna, Protected Areas, Sylviculture and Wood Technology, Faculty of Agronomy and Agricultural Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon

    Marie-Louise Avana-Tientcheu & Marcelle Franca Meguem Mboujda

  4. Plant Systematic and Ecology Laboratory, Higher Teacher’s Training College, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Stephane Takoudjou Momo

  5. AMAP, University of Montpellier, IRD, CIRAD, CNRS, INRAE, Montpellier, France

    Stephane Takoudjou Momo

  6. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) West and Central Africa Region, Humid Tropic Node, Yaoundé, Cameroon

    Alain Tsobeng

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  1. Boniface Tientcheu Yogom
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Yogom, B.T., Avana-Tientcheu, ML., Mboujda, M.F.M. et al. Ethnicity Differences in Uses and Management Practices of Bitter Kola Trees (Garcinia kola) in Cameroon. Econ Bot 74, 429–444 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-020-09508-x

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