Analyse des profils écologiques des produits forestiers non-ligneux dans la région du Haut-Sassandra (Centre-Ouest de la Côte d'Ivoire)

Distribution of non-timber forest products in an environment submitted to strong anthropogenic pressures in the periphery of the Classified Forest of Haut-Sassandra (Central-West Côte d'Ivoire). The population of the Classified Forest Haut-Sassandra (FCHS) regularly uses Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) for several purposes. Unfortunately, the degradation of natural ecosystems observed in recent decades in and around the FCHS following the different crises experienced by Ivory-Coast has modified the availability of certain NTFP. For a sustainable exploitation of these NTFP, this study evaluates the ecological and human factors which could affect the distribution of six NTFP deemed to have priority around the FCHS. To achieve this aim, investigations and field surveys were conducted in 11 villages along the FCHS. In order to see the links between the different factors identified, a multiple factor analysis was carried out and then supplemented by tests of frequency analysis. The results indicate that Ricinodendron heudelotii, Irvingia gabonensis, Entandrophragma angolense and Milicia excelsa occur in all types of environment and at various distances from the villages. One species, Neuropeltis acuminata is forest-dependent and Laccosperma secundiflorum occurs exclusively in the shallows. The latter two species are likely to disappear from the village territory due to the intensification of anthropogenic activities observed in recent decades in the area.