Identification and characterization of ecosystem services provided by Cordyla pinnata, Detarium microcarpum and Detarium senegalense in and around Patako protected forest (Senegal)

Ethnobotany Ethnobotanical data were collected in a radius of five kilometers around the protected forest of Patako. First, focus groups were organized in four locations. In each location, three focus groups were organized respectively with women, men and young men, representing a total of 12. Questions addressed focused on the uses and usefulness of three tree species parts, place of supply, and on factors that influence the dynamics of stand population. From this first counting, ecosystem goods and services provided by the species were identified based on the following definitions. The goods are tangible products directly collected from ecosystems (fruits, timber, fiber); services concern the intangible benefits (soil fertilization, carbon sequestration, spiritual and mystical aspects). These ecosystem services were classified into three categories: provisioning services, ecological services and sociocultural services. Questionnaire was also addressed to 97 individual in 14 localities chosen randomly. In each of them, 15% of heads of households were selected randomly and were interviewed. Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data on the ecosystem services provided tree species. Besides, visits inside Patako Protected Forest allowed having an idea about the status of the stand population these tree species and the pressures to which they facing. Ethnobotanical indicators (use value, factor of informant consensus and fidelity levels) were used for data analysis.