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Desertification and land degradation affect the livelihood of a large number of people in the drier areas of the world, but there is no generally accepted scale, on which the degree of degradation can be measured. However, scientists are working on finding indicators of degradation, although it can be difficult to identify to what these indicators might be related.In this paper, we have investigated a number of soil-physicochemical parameters in relation to a degradation scale of land uses. The results show that high sand content and C/N values may be used as indicators of degradation, and high contents/values of carbon, organic matter, nitrogen, available K+, CEC, SBE may be used as indicators of no or weak degradation. CEC showed the steepest gradient in relation to land use and may be the most useful soil physicochemical degradation indicator.The investigated land uses had different densities of trees, which was the reason for suggesting the vegetative biomass relative to a virgin forest situation as a scale of degradation. Desertification and land degradation affect the livelihood of a large number of people in the drier areas of the world, but there is no generally accepted scale, on which the degree of degradation can be measured. However, scientists are working on finding indicators of degradation, although it can be difficult to identify to what these indicators might be related.In this paper, we have investigated a number of soil-physicochemical parameters in relation to a degradation scale of land uses. The results show that high sand content and C/N values may be used as indicators of degradation, and high contents/values of carbon, organic matter, nitrogen, available K+, CEC, SBE may be used as indicators of no or weak degradation. CEC showed the steepest gradient in relation to land use and may be the most useful soil physicochemical degradation indicator.The investigated land uses had different densities of trees, which was the reason for suggesting the vegetative biomass relative to a virgin forest situation as a scale of degradation.

The South-Sudanian zone of Burkina Faso experienced as other agro-climatic zones of the country problems of environmental degradation, particularly soil and natural vegetation, due high climatic variability. Soil and water conservation techniques like zaï and stone-rows were tested and adopted in the driest zones of the North. The aim of this study is to investigate the possibilities of transferring these technologies in the South- Sudanian area, located between isohyets 900 and 1100 mm to restore a ferruginous degraded soil. A completely randomized Fisher block design was used. Growth and yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) were measured. Soil samples were taken and analyzed. Infiltration rate was measured with a two double ring infiltrometer. The results show that “zaï” and “zaï combined with stone-rows” are transferable in the South-Sudanian zone. They allowed a better development of the sorghum and grain yield increased by 6 and 4, respectively, compared to the control. Chemical properties of the soil were significantly improved, and the pH reached a value of approximately 6.5 in the holes of zaï. “Zaï” and “zaï combined with stone-rows” contributed to significantly improve infiltration rate of water in the soil.

The use of vegetables in two rural communities in Burkina Faso is quantified through the use of food diaries kept by 13 households during one year. Interviews on preferences, field registration, and a market survey supplement the diaries. The use of wild species is concentrated onParkia biglobosa, Corchorus spp.,Adansonia digitata, andBombax costatum. At least five other wild species are mentioned as important but very rarely occur in the diet, indicating the usefulness of diaries compared to interviews.Capsicum frutescens, Abelmoschus esculentus, Allium cepa, andSolanum lycopersicon are the most commonly used cultivated species. Wild vegetables constitute 35% and 59% of the total vegetable consumption in the two communities. Most products are highly seasonal in supply and prices vary accordingly. Households compensate for the seasonality by drying products, but stocks are often insufficient and vegetable purchases needed. Many of the vegetable species studied should be integrated in agricultural research and extension programs.

An approach for commercialising a product from Parkia biglobosa in order to improve the economic situation of rural women in south-western Burkina Faso was explored. Income is generated from sales of a derivative from the fermented seeds called soumbala. About one fifth of the women (18%) were involved in the sale of soumbala, and 34% of those not participating in soumbala sales were interested in getting involved, suggesting that there is a basis for expanding the soumbala trade. Possible factors that could motivate more women to participate in soumbala sales were sustainability, sowing of seeds and amount of seeds harvested per year. In addition, 90% of the informants managed Parkia sustainably, suggesting that enhanced exploitation of Parkia for commercial purposes can be ecologically sustainable if present management techniques are maintained. The results suggest that Parkia have a potential to improve the economic situation of women through increased production and sale of soumbala.

Dépendance économique aux produits forestiers non ligneux : cas des ménages riverains des forêts de Boulon et de Koflandé au Sud-Ouest du Burkina Faso Résumé Cette étude a pour objectif d’évaluer la dépendance économique des ménages riverains des forêts de Boulon et de Koflandé aux produits forestiers non ligneux (PFNL) et d’identifier les déterminants de cette dépendance. Des enquêtes ont été menées auprès de 583 ménages de 14 villages riverains de ces forêts. Les résultats montrent que le revenu moyen annuel par ménage est de 846 800 F CFA avec une contribution de 60% du revenu des cultures et 12% du revenu d’élevage. Les PFNL procurent en moyenne 72 479 F CFA par ménage et par an à près de 93% des ménages enquêtés. La dépendance économique des ménages aux PFNL est estimée à 12%. Elle diminue avec le revenu, traduisant une plus grande dépendance des ménages pauvres des PFNL. Par ailleurs, les hommes sont économiquement moins dépendants des PFNL que les femmes. Les principaux déterminants de la dépendance aux PFNL sont le statut d’autochtone, la taille du ménage, la superficie forestière et la densité de population du département qui affectent positivement la dépendance aux PFNL. Dans le cadre d’une politique de réduction de la pauvreté en milieu rural, il faut prendre des mesures qui favorisent l’accès durable des ménages les plus pauvres aux ressources forestières. Mots clés : Produits forestiers non ligneux, dépendance économique, modélisation économétrique, Burkina Faso. Economic dependence on non-timber forest products: case of households living near the Forests of Boulon and Koflande, in the south-western of Burkina Faso Abstract This study aims at assessing the household economic dependence on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Boulon and Koflande Forest area and the main determinants of that dependence. The data have been collected with a sample of 583 households from 14 villages. The results show that the average total income is of 846,800 F CFA per household per year. About 60% and 12% of household total income is resulting from crops and livestock. The non-timber forest products provide 72,479 F CFA per year to about 93% of the household. The average economic dependence to NTFP is 12%. It decreases with the income, reflecting greater dependence of poor households on NTFPs. In addition, men are less economically dependent on NTFPs than women. The main factors affecting the dependence on NTFPs are the origin of the head of household, the household size, the forest area of the district and the population density, that affect positively the dependence. For poverty reducing politic in rural area, it is recommended to build pro-poor rules in order to facilitate sustainable access to forest resources by poor households. Keys words: Non-timber forest products, economic dependence, econometric modelling, Burkina Faso.

Au Burkina Faso, les besoins et les priorités des populations locales en matière d'arbres à usages multiples sont peu connus, limitant ainsi la mise en oeuvre d'un développement agroforestier participatif et durable. L'article présente les résultats d'une étude ethnobotanique effectuée dans la zone soudano-sahélienne du pays. L'étude avait pour objectifs d'identifier les diverses utilisations des arbres hors forêt et de déterminer les espèces qui sont préférées par les villageois de Dem et de Wédsé, dans la province du Sanmatenga. Menée en collaboration avec les informateurs, l'étude utilise la méthode de la valeur d'usage ethnobotanique. Six catégories d'utilisations de plantes ont été prises en compte : l'alimentation, la médecine, la construction, le commerce, l'artisanat et l'énergie. Les résultats montrent qu'une classification des espèces selon les préférences des informateurs est réaliste et que les utilisations liées à la médecine traditionnelle sont dominantes. Dans les localités étudiées, la valeur d'usage ethnobotanique est corrélée au nombre d'utilisations faites des espèces. La présente recherche contribue à intégrer les besoins des populations dans les sphères de décision concernant l'utilisation et la gestion durable des ressources végétales. Elle mériterait d'être menée dans les différentes zones socio-économiques du pays.

Background Type 2 diabetes is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is common among patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI). The extent to which patients with first-time MI develop diabetes requiring glucose-lowering medications (GLM) is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate temporal trends in the initiation of GLM among patients discharged after first-time MI. Methods All Danish residents aged ≥ 30 years without prior diabetes hospitalized with first-time MI between 1997 and 2006 were identified by individual-level-linkage of nationwide registers. Initiation of GLM during follow-up was assessed by claimed prescriptions from pharmacies. Temporal trends in initiation of GLM were assessed by incidence rate calculations in the MI population as in the general population. Multivariable Cox proportional-hazard models were used to investigate the likelihood of initiating GLM within a year post-MI. Results The population comprised 66,788 patients. Among these patients 3962 patients initiated GLM, of whom 1567 started within one year post-MI. An increase in incidence rates of GLM initiation in the MI population from 19.6 per 1000 person years in 1997 to approximately 27.6 in 2001 was demonstrated. After 2001 the incidence rates stabilized. A similar trend was observed in the general population where the incidence rates increased from 2.8 in 1997 to 4.0 in 2004 and then stabilized. Conclusion Our study demonstrated an increase in incidence rates of GLM initiation within the first year post- MI. A similar trend was observed in the general population suggesting that the increase in GLM among MI patients was primarily the effect of a general increased awareness of diabetes. From a public heath perspective, this study underscores a continuous need for diagnostic and therapeutic improvement in the care of MI patients that develop diabetes.

Background Growing interest is on food tree species in general, and particularly indigenous fruit tree species in developing countries since they are inherent to most tropical landscapes and serve the dual function of local livelihood support and biodiversity conservation. It is therefore relevant to assess the level of integration of these species in local cultures and the factors affecting them. This study aims at assessing knowledge and uses of Sclerocarya birrea subsp. birrea and factors affecting the use values within and between communities. Methods This study combines quantitative and qualitative ethnobotanical approaches to investigate uses and factors affecting the use value of S. birrea subsp. birrea. Nine group discussions as well as 161 individual interviews were held in the dry and typical Sudanian zones. Seven different ethnic groups were involved and the survey focused on local uses and perception of factors affecting the dynamics of S. birrea. Results The species has a multitude of uses; all organs are used for more than 20 different purposes. The study highlights how gender, local availability, ethnicity and community location interact to influence the utilization value of the species. People living in drier areas with high occurrence of the S. birrea use it more than those living in wetter areas with low occurrence. While domestic and subsistence uses do not appear to threaten the species, carving, clearing and drought stand out as the major causes of its decline. Conclusions Many factors and their interactions influence the use pattern of the species within and between communities. When compared to the level of exploitation of S. birrea subsp. caffra in southern Africa, the subspecies birrea is at this point relatively underutilized. A high commercial potential exists due to its simple propagation ability and makes it an interesting agroforestry resource.