Ethnobotany, ecology, and gum exsudation of Sterculia setigera in Togo

Increasing knowledge on the ecology, the distribution, and the promotion of Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) deriving from Sterculia setigera Del. in Sub-Saharan Africa could act to build human populations and ecosystems’ resilience. The present study aims at determining potential strategies for the conservation and the valorisation of S. setigera in Togo. Its purpose is to assess the: (i) variation of local use knowledge of S. setigera within rural communities in Togo; (ii) ethno-ecological knowledge about S. setigera habitat, population dynamic, traditional management, and spatial distribution in Togo; (iii) structure and natural regeneration of S. Setigera according to topography, land use systems, and human activities in sudanian zone of Togo; (iv) woody species diversity of S. setigera stands, the structure and the regeneration status of S. setigera through Togo; (v) gum yielding capacities of S. setigera in relation to girth and trees’ status; and (vi) determinism of S. setigera distribution and its potential suitable habitat in Togo.