Prioritization of the Forest Species Most Exploited by the Communities Bordering the Natural Forests of Pobè and Dogo-Kétou in Southeastern Benin, West Africa: An Ethnobotanical Approach

Table 4

Categories of uses of organs from trees harvested by populations for various needs.

Organs	Categories of uses	Organ harvesting methods	Possible consequences of the harvesting methods
Flower	Medico-magic, medicinal	Use of pole, climbing, and use of knife or machete to cut the branches	Prevents fruiting and therefore the production of seeds which ensure the sexual reproduction of the species. When use deteriorates the seed, the reproduction of the species may slow down if the harvest is very intense.
Fruit	Medico-magic, food, commercial	Use of pole, climbing, and use of knife or machete to cut the branches	When use deteriorates the seed, the reproduction of the species may slow down if the harvest is very intense
Pulp	Food	Use of pole, climbing, and use of knife or machete to cut the branches	When use deteriorates the seed, the reproduction of the species may slow down if the harvest is very intense
Seeds	Medico-magic, food, medicinal	Use of pole, climbing, and use of knife or machete to cut the branches	Reproductive organ of the tree. Its overexploitation decreases the availability of the seeds for tree reproduction
Leaves	Medico-magic, food, medicinal	Use of poles and machete for cutting branches	Causes injuries and parasite attacks
Bark	Medicinal	Use of machete and knife for removing the bark of the trunk	Injury to the trunk that can lead to infection and attack by parasites or insect attacks especially termites
Wood	Medicinal, medico-magic, commercial	Saw, chainsaw	Systematic felling of the tree, cause of the deforestation
Roots	Medicinal, medico-magic	Hoe, axe, and machete to dig and reach the roots	Can cause the death of the tree when the removal from the main vital roots of the tree is especially important