Journal Article

Socio‐Ecological Significance and Anthropogenic Threats to Berlinia (Sol. ex Hook.f., 1849) and Isoberlinia (Stapf, 1911) Species in Côte d’Ivoire

Koné, N’ Golo Abdoulaye, Bakary, Soro, Karim, Sekongo Gbambaly

2026

Overview

Berlinia and Isoberlinia species are ecologically and socio‐economically important in the Sudanian and Zambezian landscapes of West Africa but are increasingly threatened by overexploitation, habitat loss, and climate stress. In Côte d'Ivoire's Guineo‐Sudanian zone, they provide timber, fuelwood, food, medicinal products, and cultural services. This study asks: How do ecological conditions and human pressures, alongside local ethnoecological knowledge, influence the status, use, and conservation of Berlinia and Isoberlinia species? This study examined the ethnoecological importance, diversity, spatial distribution, and stand structure of Berlinia and Isoberlinia species to inform conservation strategies integrating Indigenous knowledge. We surveyed 72 plots (900 m2) in protected (Comoé National Park) and unprotected areas, focusing on Berlinia grandiflora and Isoberlinia doka forest stands, and collected ethnobotanical data from 514 households and 28 key informants across 18 villages. Three species were recorded (Berlinia grandiflora, Isoberlinia doka, Isoberlinia tomentosa). Stands in unprotected areas showed significant declines in density, stem diameter, and basal area, while protected areas remained comparatively intact. The demographic structure of the stands indicates that I. doka is characterised by a low proportion of large individuals, resulting from selective illegal overexploitation of the species. In contrast, B. grandiflora exhibits a regressive population dynamic, with ageing stands and relatively low levels of regeneration. Ethnobotanical surveys revealed diverse uses (23 medicinal, seven handicraft, two fuelwood, one food) and identified eight main drivers of decline, including deforestation, agriculture, unsustainable logging, bushfires, cashew cultivation, and drought. The results highlight the interplay between ecological status and socio‐economic pressures, emphasising the need for community‐based conservation strategies informed by local knowledge to ensure the long‐term sustainability of these key forest species. Species of the genera Isoberlinia and Berlinia are threatened with extinction due to the abusive exploitation of their distribution area including various forms of use. However, their availability and socio‐cultural importance are little known and/or neglected. This socio‐ecological assessment of Berlinia and Isoberlinia species in Côte d'Ivoire reveals a dynamic interplay between ecological processes and human activities. The data suggest that both B. grandiflora and I. doka exhibit signs of population regression, evidenced by poor regeneration and their stand structures.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,Wiley
• Subject: Conservation / Conservation Ecology / Data collection / Deforestation / Drought / Ecological conditions / Economic importance / Ethnobotany / Food / forest biodiversity conservation / Forests / Habitat loss / Households / Human influences / indigenous ecological knowledge / Indigenous knowledge / Isoberlinia doka / Logging / National parks / Overexploitation / Protected areas / socio‐economic importance / Spatial distribution / Species / Stand structure / Timber / Vegetation / Wildfires