Non-Timber Forest Products Used by the Baka of Gribé (East-Cameroon)

This study aimed to make an inventory of the NTFPs used by the Baka community of Gribé, with the participation of 76 households and 178 informants. The ethnobotanical data collected from the semi-structured interviews were cleaned and analysed. The organs used to prepare the recipes were removed, and the specimens were identified. The NTFP flora was characterised floristically and then ethnobotanical indices (Ip and VU) were calculated to determine the plants of interest. To describe harvesting practices, the farmer’s daily activities were monitored. 85 plant species were mentioned in 867 citations for three main uses: food (47.40%), medicinal (21.34%) and services (31.26%). Nineteen species were sought for food use, including Panda oleosa (17.57%), Gnetum africanum (13.86%), Afrotyrax lepidophyllus (13.62%) and Irvingia gabonensis (9.24%). Sixty-two species have been recorded as medicinal plants. Alstonia boonei (28 citations) is the most popular medicinal species in Gribé for treating infectious and parasitic diseases. Nineteen species were identified as service plants, with Marantochloa cordifolia (45 citations) being the most popular. Trees from dense forests with very little disturbance (72.94%) account for 65% of species. Schumanniophyton magnificum (Ip = 3) is highly effective against dysentery; Aframomum daniellii (Ip = 3) against Gonorrhoea, Afrostyrax lepidophyllus (Ip = 3) against kidney disease and Alstonia boonei (Ip = 2) against malaria. Entandrophragma cylindricum (VU = 1.25), Massularia acuminata (VU = 1.13), Panda oleosa (VU = 1.03) and Gnetum africanum (VU = 1.00) are also species of interest. Barks (43.24%) and fruits (33.76%), which are highly available, are the most sought-after organs. Stripping the bark (1.91%), debarking the tree (19.48%) and collecting the fruit (31.35%) are the main harvesting techniques.