{"title":"西非贝宁三种苦瓜的使用模式和本土知识的分布","authors":"Cossi Sosthène Assogbadjo , Carolle Avocèvou-Ayisso , Rodrigue Idohou , Hyacinthe Gbètoyénonmon Wouyou , Eminor Loïck Toundé Agontinglo , Mafouz Wallys Balley , Charbel Canisius Aiya , Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127114","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The genus Momordica plays a crucial role in African livelihoods, thanks to its medicinal applications, nutritional value, and importance in traditional practices and knowledge transmission. This study focuses on <em>Momordica charantia</em> L., <em>Momordica balsamina</em> L., and <em>Momordica cissoides</em> Planch. ex Benth., to explore their traditional uses and examine the socio-linguistic factors that may influence their utilization in the Beninese context. Through ethnobotanical surveys (712 respondents, 18 socio-linguistic groups, nine phytodistricts), we identified 16 uses, predominantly medicinal, with<!--> <em>M. charantia</em> <!-->exhibiting the highest diversity, notably in treating measles (Relative Frequency of Citation = 81.05 %) and chickenpox (RFC = 74.29 %), while<!--> <em>M. balsamina</em> <!-->and<!--> <em>M. cissoides</em> <!-->were linked to malaria. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)<!--> <!-->indicated significant gender differences in knowledge for<!--> <em>M. charantia</em> (<em>F</em> = 14.62, p < 0.001) and <em>M. cissoides</em> (<em>F</em> = 9.87, p < 0.001).<!--> <!-->Correspondence Analysis (CA)<!--> <!-->further highlighted distinct cultural preferences in the usage of plant part usage across the three<!--> <em>Momordica</em> <!-->species. For<!--> <em>M. charantia</em>, Dim1 (explaining 73.7 % of variance) showed strong associations with fruit (r = 0.91) and root usage (r = 0.87). Socio-linguistic groups such as the Mahi, Holi, and Otammari predominantly used stems and leaves, while the Lokpa, Fon, and Adja favored fruits, and the Yom and Peulh prioritized roots. In <em>M. cissoides</em>, Dim1 (77.4 %) was similarly linked to stems/leaves and roots (r = 0.88 each). For <em>M. balsamina</em>, Dim1 (69.8 %) showed strong associations with stems/leaves (r = 0.84) and fruit (r = 0.91), underscoring the role of socio-linguistic identity in shaping use patterns. Sankey diagrams and ethnobotanical indices (RFC, UV, CMU) confirmed medicinal dominance, with<!--> <em>M. charantia</em> <!-->most cited. The Botanical Ethnoknowledge Index (BEI) showed significant knowledge disparities among Benin’s cultural groups, with the Adja (BEI = 0.95) demonstrating the highest traditional expertise, highlighting sociocultural influences on Momordica use and conservation needs. Findings underscore the nexus between cultural identity and plant use, advocating interdisciplinary strategies (ethnobotany, conservation biology, participatory approaches) to safeguard traditional knowledge and ensure<!--> <em>Momordica</em> <!-->species’ resilience.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"89 ","pages":"Article 127114"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2025-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Use patterns and distribution of indigenous knowledge on three Momordica species in Benin, West Africa\",\"authors\":\"Cossi Sosthène Assogbadjo , Carolle Avocèvou-Ayisso , Rodrigue Idohou , Hyacinthe Gbètoyénonmon Wouyou , Eminor Loïck Toundé Agontinglo , Mafouz Wallys Balley , Charbel Canisius Aiya , Achille Ephrem Assogbadjo\",\"doi\":\"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127114\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<div><div>The genus Momordica plays a crucial role in African livelihoods, thanks to its medicinal applications, nutritional value, and importance in traditional practices and knowledge transmission. This study focuses on <em>Momordica charantia</em> L., <em>Momordica balsamina</em> L., and <em>Momordica cissoides</em> Planch. ex Benth., to explore their traditional uses and examine the socio-linguistic factors that may influence their utilization in the Beninese context. Through ethnobotanical surveys (712 respondents, 18 socio-linguistic groups, nine phytodistricts), we identified 16 uses, predominantly medicinal, with<!--> <em>M. charantia</em> <!-->exhibiting the highest diversity, notably in treating measles (Relative Frequency of Citation = 81.05 %) and chickenpox (RFC = 74.29 %), while<!--> <em>M. balsamina</em> <!-->and<!--> <em>M. cissoides</em> <!-->were linked to malaria. Analysis of variance (ANOVA)<!--> <!-->indicated significant gender differences in knowledge for<!--> <em>M. charantia</em> (<em>F</em> = 14.62, p < 0.001) and <em>M. cissoides</em> (<em>F</em> = 9.87, p < 0.001).<!--> <!-->Correspondence Analysis (CA)<!--> <!-->further highlighted distinct cultural preferences in the usage of plant part usage across the three<!--> <em>Momordica</em> <!-->species. For<!--> <em>M. charantia</em>, Dim1 (explaining 73.7 % of variance) showed strong associations with fruit (r = 0.91) and root usage (r = 0.87). Socio-linguistic groups such as the Mahi, Holi, and Otammari predominantly used stems and leaves, while the Lokpa, Fon, and Adja favored fruits, and the Yom and Peulh prioritized roots. In <em>M. cissoides</em>, Dim1 (77.4 %) was similarly linked to stems/leaves and roots (r = 0.88 each). For <em>M. balsamina</em>, Dim1 (69.8 %) showed strong associations with stems/leaves (r = 0.84) and fruit (r = 0.91), underscoring the role of socio-linguistic identity in shaping use patterns. Sankey diagrams and ethnobotanical indices (RFC, UV, CMU) confirmed medicinal dominance, with<!--> <em>M. charantia</em> <!-->most cited. The Botanical Ethnoknowledge Index (BEI) showed significant knowledge disparities among Benin’s cultural groups, with the Adja (BEI = 0.95) demonstrating the highest traditional expertise, highlighting sociocultural influences on Momordica use and conservation needs. Findings underscore the nexus between cultural identity and plant use, advocating interdisciplinary strategies (ethnobotany, conservation biology, participatory approaches) to safeguard traditional knowledge and ensure<!--> <em>Momordica</em> <!-->species’ resilience.</div></div>\",\"PeriodicalId\":54898,\"journal\":{\"name\":\"Journal for Nature Conservation\",\"volume\":\"89 \",\"pages\":\"Article 127114\"},\"PeriodicalIF\":2.5000,\"publicationDate\":\"2025-10-05\",\"publicationTypes\":\"Journal Article\",\"fieldsOfStudy\":null,\"isOpenAccess\":false,\"openAccessPdf\":\"\",\"citationCount\":\"0\",\"resultStr\":null,\"platform\":\"Semanticscholar\",\"paperid\":null,\"PeriodicalName\":\"Journal for Nature Conservation\",\"FirstCategoryId\":\"93\",\"ListUrlMain\":\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1617138125002912\",\"RegionNum\":3,\"RegionCategory\":\"环境科学与生态学\",\"ArticlePicture\":[],\"TitleCN\":null,\"AbstractTextCN\":null,\"PMCID\":null,\"EPubDate\":\"\",\"PubModel\":\"\",\"JCR\":\"Q2\",\"JCRName\":\"BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION\",\"Score\":null,\"Total\":0}","platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal for Nature Conservation","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1617138125002912","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
Use patterns and distribution of indigenous knowledge on three Momordica species in Benin, West Africa
The genus Momordica plays a crucial role in African livelihoods, thanks to its medicinal applications, nutritional value, and importance in traditional practices and knowledge transmission. This study focuses on Momordica charantia L., Momordica balsamina L., and Momordica cissoides Planch. ex Benth., to explore their traditional uses and examine the socio-linguistic factors that may influence their utilization in the Beninese context. Through ethnobotanical surveys (712 respondents, 18 socio-linguistic groups, nine phytodistricts), we identified 16 uses, predominantly medicinal, with M. charantia exhibiting the highest diversity, notably in treating measles (Relative Frequency of Citation = 81.05 %) and chickenpox (RFC = 74.29 %), while M. balsamina and M. cissoides were linked to malaria. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated significant gender differences in knowledge for M. charantia (F = 14.62, p < 0.001) and M. cissoides (F = 9.87, p < 0.001). Correspondence Analysis (CA) further highlighted distinct cultural preferences in the usage of plant part usage across the three Momordica species. For M. charantia, Dim1 (explaining 73.7 % of variance) showed strong associations with fruit (r = 0.91) and root usage (r = 0.87). Socio-linguistic groups such as the Mahi, Holi, and Otammari predominantly used stems and leaves, while the Lokpa, Fon, and Adja favored fruits, and the Yom and Peulh prioritized roots. In M. cissoides, Dim1 (77.4 %) was similarly linked to stems/leaves and roots (r = 0.88 each). For M. balsamina, Dim1 (69.8 %) showed strong associations with stems/leaves (r = 0.84) and fruit (r = 0.91), underscoring the role of socio-linguistic identity in shaping use patterns. Sankey diagrams and ethnobotanical indices (RFC, UV, CMU) confirmed medicinal dominance, with M. charantia most cited. The Botanical Ethnoknowledge Index (BEI) showed significant knowledge disparities among Benin’s cultural groups, with the Adja (BEI = 0.95) demonstrating the highest traditional expertise, highlighting sociocultural influences on Momordica use and conservation needs. Findings underscore the nexus between cultural identity and plant use, advocating interdisciplinary strategies (ethnobotany, conservation biology, participatory approaches) to safeguard traditional knowledge and ensure Momordica species’ resilience.
期刊介绍:
The Journal for Nature Conservation addresses concepts, methods and techniques for nature conservation. This international and interdisciplinary journal encourages collaboration between scientists and practitioners, including the integration of biodiversity issues with social and economic concepts. Therefore, conceptual, technical and methodological papers, as well as reviews, research papers, and short communications are welcomed from a wide range of disciplines, including theoretical ecology, landscape ecology, restoration ecology, ecological modelling, and others, provided that there is a clear connection and immediate relevance to nature conservation.
Manuscripts without any immediate conservation context, such as inventories, distribution modelling, genetic studies, animal behaviour, plant physiology, will not be considered for this journal; though such data may be useful for conservationists and managers in the future, this is outside of the current scope of the journal.