TITLE:
Inventory and Characterisation of Non-Timber Forest Products Used by the Local Population Living Near the Diécké Protected Forest, South-East Guinea
AUTHORS:
Pépé Monemou, Zaou Soropogui, Nadège Adoukè Agbodjato, Bernadin Dro, Yao Sadaiou Sabas Barima
KEYWORDS:
Inventory, Characterisation, Non-Timber Forest Products, Riparian Population, Diécké Classified Forest
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
23,
2026
ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to inventory and characterize the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) exploited by local populations in the Diécké classified forest. An inventory of NTFPs was conducted, complemented by ethnobotanical surveys involving 447 farmers, including 346 men (77.40%) and 101 women (22.6%). The farmers’ ages ranged from 20 to 61. A total of 111 plant species belonging to 99 genera and 47 families were identified, as being used by local populations. These species are used for various purposes, including traditional medicine, food, handicrafts, construction, packaging and sacred pratices. The floristic surveys also identified four morphological types: trees (59%), grasses (19%), shrubs (16%) and lianas (6%). The harvesting methods varied according to the morphological type of the species, and the plant organ or part collected. Leaves were the most frequently harvested plant parts (55%), followed by bark (11.70%), roots (16.20%), fruits (8.10%), branches (6.30%) and others (2.70%). To ensure the sustainable use of NTFPs, it is important to regulate and to rationalize their exploitation in order to maintain their long-term availability.