Distribution et perceptions locales du palmier à huile, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. dans la province du Kénédougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

This study aims to assess local distribution and perceptions of the local oil palm tree, Elaeis guineensis Jacq. in the Kénédougou province, where it naturally grows in Burkina Faso. Individual questionnaires were addres- sed to 36 men and 36 women in 6 villages about their perceptions of the species population status and local practices of its conservation. Prospection based on a network of 130 site-points was done to map the species distribution at the province’s scale. The distribution map of E. guineensis showed that the species is more fre- quent to the South of the province where the hydrographic network is denser than in the northern part. Ethnobotanical survey showed that the perceptions of stand status of E. guineensis are influenced by age and ethnic groups. In general, oil palm is perceived as an ordinary plant and few actions are undertaken to conser- ve the species at local scale. Local people mostly cited the weakness of rainfall and the over-harvesting as main causes of the regression of the oil palm populations in Kénédougou province. Further investigations are nee- ded to elucidate the impact of climate and human exploitation pressure on oil palm populations.