title: Use-value and importance of socio-cultural knowledge on Carapa procera trees in the Sudanian zone in Mali.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Carapa procera is a native oil tree species with multipurpose values traditionally exploited by the local population in Southern Mali. This study focused on the assessment of local knowledge about the use of Carapa procera.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured ethnobotanical questionnaires were conducted among the ethnic groups Senufo, Fulani and Bambara in two localities in the Sudanian zone in Mali. Use values among these ethnic groups and gender were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study showed that Carapa procera is a species with multiple uses and high use values. According to the consensus value for plant parts (CPP), the nuts constituted 57% of exploited plant parts followed by bark and leaves (12%), wood and roots (7%), mistletoes (4%) and gum (1%). The use diversity (UD) values of Carapa procera showed a high proportion of cosmetic (UD = 0.49) and therapeutic (UD = 0.36) uses. The UD for therapeutic uses was higher for ethnic groups in Ziékorodougou than in Niankorobougou. In contrast, the UD for cosmetic uses was higher for ethnic groups in Niankorobougou than in Ziékorodougou. Comparative analysis between ethnic groups revealed that the highest UD for cosmetic uses (0.63) was observed in the Bambara ethnic group, whereas the highest UD for therapeutic uses (0.39) was obtained in the Senufo ethnic group. The UD showed that cosmetic uses were higher for women than for men in both locations. Men in Ziékorodougou had the highest level of knowledge regarding plant parts used, forms of use and the specific reasons for using Carapa procera.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlighted the sociocultural importance of Carapa procera. In the light of its multipurpose uses, the promotion and enhancement of Carapa procera can provide significant socio-economic benefits to local people. In this perspective, it is necessary to implement conservation strategies and sustainable management through domestication of the species.
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Economie Rurale (IER), Rue Mohamed V, BP: 258, Bamako, Mali. udembele@yahoo.fr.|Institut Supérieur de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée (ISFRA), N'Golonina, Rue 268, Porte 238, BPE: 475, Bamako, Mali. udembele@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Urbain
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dembélé
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsoevej 25, DK-8600, Silkeborg, Denmark. aml@dmu.dk.
authors.forename: Anne Mette
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lykke
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Economie Rurale (IER), Rue Mohamed V, BP: 258, Bamako, Mali. koneyenizie@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Yénizié
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Koné
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Economie Rurale (IER), Rue Mohamed V, BP: 258, Bamako, Mali. bino_teme@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Bino
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Témé
authors.affiliation: Institut d'Economie Rurale (IER), Rue Mohamed V, BP: 258, Bamako, Mali. kouyate01@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Amadou Malé
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kouyaté
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003358:Cosmetics; D003469:Culture; D005006:Ethnicity; D019448:Ethnobotany; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008302:Mali; D029582:Meliaceae; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014197:Trees; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D003358:Cosmetics