Urban Forestry and Ecosystem Services in the City of Dolisie (Congo)

The study, conducted in the city of Dolisie, provides an overview of plant diversity, ethnobotanical and ecosystem services, people's expectations and perceptions of urban forestry. It is based on the botanical inventory and interviews involving city managers and populations. A total of 34 species belonging to 26 genera and 17 families have been recorded with a fruit tree dominance. The role and importance of trees in urban areas is well perceived by the population. Gender and education level influence urban forestry preferences and expectations. Men with at least a secondary level of education exploit the aesthetic aspects of the environment, while women and individuals with at most a primary level like food, phytotherapeutic and financial aspects. The 10 urban forestry properties identified constitute three categories whose ethnobotanical use values stand out: supply services with 1.96 and regulation services with 1.97. A gender and educational level analysis reveals differences, sometimes significant, in the ethnobotanical use value of a property. As for the level of fidelity, it is carried by the same taxa, especially fruit trees, both in food and phytotherapy. At a time when humanity is suffering from the harmful effects of climate change, the value of urban forestry is undeniable in mitigating the heat islands generated by our cities.