Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Ethnoapicultural investigation to improve conservation status of threatened melliferous agroforestry species with high medicinal and food values in Benin

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In northern Benin, several agroforestry species are nectar-producing, with high medicinal and food values. These species are currently threatened by the destruction of their habitats caused by deforestation and agriculture, mainly cotton production. Considering their importance for humans and beekeeping, this investigation was carried out in one of the most important honey production areas in Benin. Individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to identify the medicinal and food plants associated with honey production. Data were collected on food and medicinal uses, beekeepers’ preferences in the choice of melliferous species and constraints faced for honey and medicinal species conservation in the areas studied. From these data, 46 species of medicinal and food species were identified as melliferous. Thus, nine new species were added to the list of melliferous species in Benin. Most of the species are also used as sources of human food or medicine in traditional set up. Species preferred by beekeepers were those that provide large amounts of sweet, fragrant hone. It appears that honey from 11 plant species with a high use value was clearly recognized by beekeepers who are involved in various human diseases’ treatment. The constraints hampering the management of these melliferous species are extensive farming, animal husbandry, anarchic logging. This study brings us the avenues for modernization of beekeeping and the possibility of producing therapeutic honey.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Acharya KP (2006) Linking trees on farms with biodiversity conservation in subsistence farming systems in Nepal. Biodivers Conserv 15:631–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Adomou AC, Agbani OP, Sinsin B (2011) Plantes. In: Neuenschwander P, Sinsin B, Goergen G (eds) Protection de la Nature en Afrique de l’Ouest: Une Liste Rouge pour le Bénin. Nature conservation in West Africa: red list for Benin. International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, pp 21–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahouandjinou TB, Tossou MG, Yedomonhan H, Zanou A, Adomou AC, Akoegninou A (2017) Importance du couplage de d’inventaire des Plantes mellifères et de l’analyse pollinique des miels de la saison des pluies en zone ouest soudanienne au Nord-Bénin. Eur Sci J 13:1857–7881

    Google Scholar 

  • Akoègninou A, Van der Burg WJ, Van der Maesen LJG (2006) Flore analytique du Bénin (No. 06.2). Backhuys Publishers, Leiden

    Google Scholar 

  • Arbonnier M (2000) Arbres, Arbustes et Lianes des Zones Sèches d’Afrique de l’Ouest, 2nd edn. CIRAD-MNHN-UICN, Montpellier

    Google Scholar 

  • Atta-Krah K, Kindt R, Skilton JN, Amaral W (2004) Managing biological and genetic diversity in tropical agroforestry. Agrofor Syst 61:183–194

    Google Scholar 

  • Balagueman OR, Detchi BY, Biaou SSH, Kandiogbe C, Natta AK (2018) Diversité de la flore mellifère le long du gradient pluviométrique au Bénin. Ann UP Série Sci Nat Agron 7:64–72

    Google Scholar 

  • Cortopassi-Laurino M, Gelli DS (1991) Analyse pollinique, propriétés physicochimiques et action antibactérienne des miels d’abeilles africanisées Apis mellifera et Meliponinés du Brésil. Apidologie 22:61–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • da Silva VA, do Nascimento VT, Soldati GT, Medeiros MFT, Albuquerque UP (2014) Techniques for analysis of quantitative ethnobiological data: use of indices. In: Albuquerque U, Cruz da Cunha L, de Lucena R, Alves R (eds) Methods and techniques in ethnobiology and ethnoecology. Springer protocols handbooks. Humana Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Decourtye A, Mader E, Desneux N (2010) Landscape enhancement of floral resources for honey bees in agro-ecosystems. Apidologie 41(3):264–277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demenou BB (2006) Inventaire des plantes mellifères et caractérisation pollinique des miels des élevages apicoles de la zone soudano-guinéenne de Manigri. Mémoire d’Ingénieur des Tavaux, Ecole Polytechnique d’Abomey-Calavi, Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Bénin, p 68

  • Fohounfo HT (2002) Plantes mellifères et composition pollinique des miels de la petite saison des pluies et de la grande saison sèche au sud Bénin. Mémoire DIT. Université d’Abomey-Calavi, Bénin, p 56

    Google Scholar 

  • Hakim H (1989) Le miel aliment-médicament. Angéiologue, pp 1–35

  • Hounkpe NUH, Mensah GA, Koutinhouin B, Pomalegni SCB, Goergen G (2007) Typisation des abeilles melliferes dans le Nord Bénin. Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique du Bénin Numéro 58–Décembre 2007

  • INSAE (2013) Enquête Démographique et de Santé du Bénin 2011–2012

  • Iritie BM, Wandan EN, Yapi YM, Bodji NC, Mensah GA, Togbe Fantodji A (2014) Comparaison des caractéristiques physicochimiques des miels frais et âgés récoltés dans le rucher de l’arboretum de l’Ecole Supérieure Agronomique de Yamoussoukro en Côte d’Ivoire. Bulletin de la Recherche Agronomique du Bénin (BRAB) 76:1840–7099

    Google Scholar 

  • Manyi-Loh CE, Ndip RN, Clarke AM (2011) Volatile compounds in honey: a review on their involvement in aroma, botanical origin determination and potential biomedical activities. Int J Mol Sci 12(12):9514–9532

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McNeely JA, Schroth G (2006) Agroforestry and biodiversity conservation-traditional practices, present dynamics and lessons for the future. Biodivers Conserv 15:549–554

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murakami S, Isobe Y, Kijima H, Nagai H, Muramatu M, Otomo S (1991) Inhibition of gastric Hþ, K(þ)-ATPase and acid secretion by ellagic acid. Planta Med 57:305–308

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nair S (2014) Identification des plantes mellifères et analyses physicochimiques des miels l’Algériens. Thèse de doctorat présentée en 2014

  • N’Danikou S, Achigan-Dako EG, Tchokponhoué DA, Komlan FA, Vodouhe RS, Ahanchede A (2015) Improving seedling production for Vitex doniana. Seed Sci Technol 43(1):10–19

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ouinsavi C, Sokpon N, Bada SO (2005) Utilization and tra- ditional strategies of in situ conservation of iroko (Milicia excelsa Welw. C.C. Berg) in Benin. For Ecol Manag 207:341–350

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paraïso A, Viniwanou N, Akossou AYJ, Mensah GA, Abiola W (2011) Caractérisation morphométrique de l’abeille Apis mellifera adansonii au Nord-Est du Bénin. Int J Biol Chem Sci 5(1):331–344

    Google Scholar 

  • Pengelly A (2004) Constituents of medicinal plants: an introduction to the chemistry and therapeutics of herbal medicine. Allen & Unwin, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips O, Gentry AH (1993) The useful plants of Tambopata, Peru: I. Statistical hypothesis tests with a new quantitative technique. Econ Bot 47:15–32

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • R Development Core Team (2012) R: a language and environment for statistical computing. R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna

    Google Scholar 

  • Sounon Kon’de LSA, Bawa R, Yacoubou M (2008) Evaluation du cout économique et financier de la dégradation environnementale dans les zones arides au Bénin : Cas des départements du Borgou et de l’Alibori ; Rapport définitif, pp 1–12

  • Tossou GM, Yedomonhan H, Azokpota P, Akoegninou A, Doubogan P, Akpagana K (2011a) Analyse pollinique et caractérisation phytogéographique des miels vendus à Cotonou (Bénin). Cah Agric 20:500–508

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tossou GM, Yedomonhan H, Adomou AC, Demènou BB, Akoegninou A, Traoré D (2011b) Caractérisation pollinique des miels d’un élevage apicole dans l’arrondissement de Manigri en zone Soudano-Guinéenne au Bénin. Ann Bot Afr Ouest 07:42–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Vodouhe GF, Coulibaly O, Greene C, Sinsin B (2009) Estimating local values of non-timber forest products to Pendjari biosphere reserve dwellers in Benin. Econ Bot 63:397–412

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vodouhe FG, Coulibaly O, Adégbidi A, Sinsin B (2010) Community perception of biodiversity conservation within protected areas in Benin. For Policy Econ 12(7):505–512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vodouhe GF, Coulibaly O, Biaou G, Sinsin B (2011) Traditional agroforestry systems and biodiversity conservation in Benin (West Africa). Agrofor Syst 2011(82):1–13

    Google Scholar 

  • Yedomonhan H (2004) Plantes mellifères et miel du Bénin: cas de la forêt classée de la Lama. Mém. DEA, Univ. Lomé (Togo), p 65

  • Yedomonhan H, Tossou MG, Akoegninou A, Demenou BB, Traore D (2009) Diversité des plantes mellifères de la zone soudano-guinéenne: cas de l’arrondissement de Manigri (Centre-ouest du Bénin). Int J Biol Chem Sci 3(2):355–366

    Google Scholar 

  • Yedomonhan H, Akoegninou A, Adomou AC, Houenon GJ, Tossou GML, Maesen VD (2012) La flore ligneuse et son importance pour la production de miel dans la région soudano-guinéenne au Bénin. Revue internationale des sciences et technologie de pointe 2(3):64–74

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the Rufford Small Grant for the Conservation (United Kingdom) through a Grant provided to Anicet G. DASSOU in 2017. We are grateful to local communities who participated in this research. The authors thank Dr Bonaventure Aman Omondi, Bioversity International—Benin, for language editing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Anicet G. Dassou.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Family

Scientific name

Common name

Life form

Status

Using parts

Usages

UV = SUi/N

Moringaceae

Moringa oleifera Lam.

Drumstick tree, ben oil tree, horseradish tree

Shrub

Cultivated

Leaves, fruits, roots, bark

Fruits, remedy for malaria, belly ache, diarrhea, fever, kidney damage, painful menstruation, head ache, ulcer, hemorrhoids, dysentery, colds

0.50

Sapotaceae

Vitellaria paradoxa C. F. Gaertn. ssp.

Paradoxa

Shea butter tree

Tree

Wild

Leaves, roots, bark

Remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, painful rules, ulcer, wound, hemorrhoid, paralysis, cough, cold, dysentery

0.50

Fabaceae

Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.

East Indian walnut, lebbeck, siris tree

Tree

Wild

Fruits, seeds, leaves and bark

Edible fruit, remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, ulcer, wound, hemorrhoid and dysentery

0.42

Poaceae

Oryza sp. L.

Rice tree

Herb

Cultivated

Fruits, seeds, leaves, roots, bark

Edible fruits, remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, painful menstruation, ulcer, wound healing, colds, dysentery

0.42

Bombacaceae

Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.

Kapok tree, silk-cotton tree

Tree

Wild

Fruits, leaves, bark

Remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, kidney damage, painful rulers, hemorrhoids, anemia, dysentery

0.38

Apocynaceae

Calotropis procera (Aiton) W.T.Aiton

Apple of Sodom

Suffrutex

Wild

Leaves, seeds, fruits

Edible fruit, remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, ulcer, hemorrhoid, icterus

0.33

Anacardiaceae

Mangifera indica L.

Mango tree

Tree

Cultivated

Fruits, leaves, bark

Edible fruits, remedy for malaria, painful menstruation, ulcer, healing of wounds, hemorrhoids, anemia

0.33

Myrtaceae

Psidium guajava L.

Guava tree

Shrub

Cultivated

Leaves, bark, fruits, roots

Edible fruit, remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, kidney damage, painful menstruation, colds

0.33

Annonaceae

Annona senegalensis Pers.

Wild custard apple

Shrub

Wild

Leaves, roots, bark

Remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, ulcer, fever, dysentery

0.25

Rubiaceae

Sarcocephalus latifolius (Sm.) E.A. Bruce

English African peach, Guinea peach, Negro peach

Shrub

Wild

Leaves, roots, bark

Remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, cold, fever

0.25

Fabaceae

Senna obtusifolia (L.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby

Foetid Sassia (or “cassia”), Sickle Senna, coffeeweed

Herb

Wild

Leaves

Remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, fever, eteins

0.21

Combretaceae

Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC.) Guill. & Perr.

African birch

Tree

Wild

Leaves, bark

Remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, diarrhea, cold

0.17

Fabaceae

Acacia auriculiformis A.Cunn. ex Benth.

Acacia-tree, Earleaf Acacia, black wattle, wattle

Tree

Plantation and naturalized situation

Leaves, bark

Remedy for fever, colds, cold

0.13

Rutaceae

Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.

Lemon

Shrub

Cultivated

Leaves, fruits

Edible fruit, remedy for malaria, abdominal pains

0.13

Fabaceae

Daniellia oliveri (Rolfe)Hutch. & Dalziel

African copaiba balsam tree

Tree

Wild

Leaves, bark

Remedy for fever, kidney damage, malaria

0.13

Myrtaceae

Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh.

Red river gum, Murray red gum, River red eucalyptus

Tree

plantation and naturalized situation

Fruits, roots, bark

Edible fruit, remedy for painful menstruation, ulcer

0.13

Moraceae

Ficus glumosa Delile

Hairy rock fig, mountain rock fig

Tree

Wild

Leaves

Remedy for malaria, fever, colds

0.13

Euphorbiaceae

Jatropha curcas L.

Physic nut, Barbados nut, poison nut

Shrub

Cultivated

Leaves, bark, roots

Remedy for malaria, abdominal pains, dysentery

0.13

Fabaceae

Acacia sieberiana DC.

Paperbark Acacia

Tree

Wild

Fruits, leaves, bark

Remedy for healing of wounds

0.08

Bombacaceae

Adansonia digitata L.

Baobab, dead-rat tree

Tree

Wild

Leaves

Remedy for malaria

0.08

Anacardiaceae

Anacardium occidentale L.

Cashew, Caju.

Tree

Plantation and naturalized situation

Fruits, leaves

Edible fruit, remedy for fever

0.08

Caricaceae

Carica papaya L.

Papaya tree

Tree

Cultivated

Leaves, roots

Remedy for abdominal pains, head ache

0.08

Fabaceae

Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr.

Sweet dattock

Tree

Wild

Leaves, bark

Remedy for abdominal pains, fever

0.08

Rubiaceae

Gardenia ternifolia Schumach. & Thonn

Large-leaved common gardenia, large-leaved Transvaal gardenia

Shrub

Wild

Leaves, roots

Remedy for malaria, fever

0.08

Meliaceae

Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A.Juss.

African mahogany, dry zone mahogany

Tree

Wild

Leaves, bark

Remedy for malaria, toothache

0.08

Fabaceae

Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) R.Br. ex Benth

African locust bean, locust bean

Tree

Wild

Fruits, seeds, leaves

Food, remedy for malaria

0.08

Solanaceae

Physalis minima L.

Wild cape gooseberry and pygmy groundcherry

Herb

Wild

Fruits, leaves

Edible fruit, remedy for colds

0.08

Poaceae

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Sorghum, sorgo

Herb

Cultivated

Fruits, seeds, leaves

Food, remedy for malaria

0.08

Verbenaceae

Tectona grandis L.f.

Teak

Tree

Plantation and naturalized situation

Leaves, bark

Remedy for malaria, anemia

0.08

Poaceae

Zea mays L.

Maize

Herb

Cultivated

Fruits, seeds, leaves

Food, remedy for malaria

0.08

Malvaceae

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench

Okra, okro, lady’s fingers

Herb

Cultivated

Leaves and fruits

Food

0.04

Fabaceae

Acacia nilotica (L.) Delile

Babul, babool, prickly acacia, black piquant

Shrub

Wild

Leaves, roots, bark

Remedy for fever

0.04

Meliaceae

Azadirachta indica A.Juss.

Neem, nimtree

Tree

Plantation and naturalized situation

Leaves

Abdominal pains

0.04

Rutaceae

Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, 1765

Sweet orange

Tree

Cultivated

Fruits

Food

0.04

Euphorbiaceae

Flueggea virosa (Roxb. ex Willd.) Voigt

White berry-bush

Shrub

Wild

Leaves

Remedy for abdominal pains

0.04

Verbenaceae

Gmelina arborea Roxb.

Gmelina

Tree

Plantation and naturalized situation

Fruits, seeds

Remedy for healing of wounds

0.04

Malvaceae

Gossypium sp. L.

Cotton tree

Herb

Cultivated

Leaves, roots

Remedy for malaria

0.04

Lamiaceae

Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit.

American mint, bush mint, chan, horehound, pignut

Herb

Wild

Leaves

Remedy for malaria

0.04

Solanaceae

Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.

Tomato

Herb

Cultivated

Leaves, bark

Remedy for abdominal pains

0.04

Flacourtiaceae

Oncoba spinosa Forssk.

Snuffbox tree

Shrub

Wild

Fruits, seeds

Food

0.04

Poaceae

Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.

Pearl millet

Herb

Cultivated

Leaves, bark

Remedy for malaria

0.04

Fabaceae

Senna occidentalis (L.) Link

Antbush, coffee Senna, Negro coffee

Herb

Wild

Leaves, roots

Remedy for healing of wounds

0.04

Fabaceae

Senna siamea (Lam.) H.S.Irwin &

Barneby

Kassod tree, cassod tree and cassia tree

Tree

Wild

Fruits

Food

0.04

Solanaceae

Solanum macrocarpon L.

African eggplant

Herb

Cultivated

Leaves

Food

0.04

Combretaceae

Terminalia glaucescens Planch. ex

Benth.

Tree

Wild

Bark

Energetic

0.04

Fabaceae

Vigna unguiculata L.

Black-eyed pea, cowpea

Herb

Cultivated

Leaves, fruits, seeds

Food

0.04

Appendix 2: Categorization, frequency distribution and number of plants involving in each reuse

Use category

Use

Specific use

Frequency

Number of plants reported

Medicinal

Gastrointestinal

Abdominal disorders

17

26

Ulcer

6

8

Hemorrhoids

4

3

Dysentery

5

7

Wounds

4

3

Diarrhea

7

11

Infectious

Malaria

11

26

Fever

11

16

Icterus

1

1

Respiratory system

Cold

6

9

Cough

1

1

Urinary system

Kidney damage

2

4

Reproductive system

Painful menstruation

3

5

Muscular

Energetic

1

1

Circular system

Anemia

2

3

Nervous system

Paralysis

1

1

Buccal

toothache

1

1

Food

Food

Vegetable leaves

3

4

Vegetable fruits

1

2

Fruits

12

13

Cereal

1

5

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dassou, A.G., Ogouchoro, D., Vodouhe, F.G. et al. Ethnoapicultural investigation to improve conservation status of threatened melliferous agroforestry species with high medicinal and food values in Benin. Agroforest Syst 94, 539–553 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00423-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-019-00423-2

Keywords

Navigation