Stands diversity and population structure of five ethnoveterinary woody species according to climatic zone and human disturbance in Benin (West Africa)

Farmers continue to use medicinal plants, alone or in combination with veterinary medicines, to treat animal diseases, especially in developing countries. The study aimed to determine the effect of climatic zone and anthropic disturbance level on the diversity of the natural stand and structures of Morinda lucida Benth, Spondias mombin L., Terminalia leiocarpa (DC.) Baill, Crossopteryx febrifuga (Afzel. ex G. Don) Benth, and Vitex doniana Sweet, five plant species often used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Benin. A floristic inventory was conducted in 206 plots of 0.15 ha each, distributed across 6 forests/hunting areas as well as surrounding fields and fallow land. The data were analyzed using R software by calculating the importance value index and the population structural parameters (density, basal area, mean height, etc.). The results showed that the floristic composition of the habitats of the five target species varied by climatic zone and disturbance level. Morinda lucida, S. mombin, and V. doniana were available in stands undergoing heavy disturbance in the Guinean zone, whereas T. leiocarpa and C. febrifuga were more available in the Sudano-Guinean and Sudanian zones. Values of structural parameters of these species were higher in the Guinean zone than in the other two zones. Furthermore, the results of the diameter structure showed C-values ranging from 1 to 3.6, suggesting the predominance of young individuals. This suggests strong human pressure on the adults of studied plants. These results should be used to contribute to the sustainable use of these species. Recommendations are made for the sustainable use of these five species, especially T. leiocarpa and C. febrifuga, which were heavily exploited given their low availability in stands under high human disturbance.