Laboratoire des Physiologie, Pharmacologie et Phytothérapie, UFR Sciences de la Nature, Université Nangui Abrogoua, 02 BP 801 Abidjan 02, Côte d'Ivoire
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the diversity of source species of NWFP exploited in the Yapo-Abbé classified forest, and to determine the influence of forest block management on the preponderance of NWFP source species. Ethnobotanical investigations among 95 resource persons belonging to three riparian villages and surface surveys in the forest blocks served as a methodological basis. The results obtained indicate that 62 plant species are exploited by the populations. Five are commercial species replanted. Annickia polycarpa, Landolphia owariensis, Khaya ivorensis, and Eremospatha macrocarpa, the most important species, are threatened by logging, mainly used for NWFP collection. In forest blocks, the diversity and average number of useful species do not vary significantly, despite their difference in degree of exploitation. The Abbé block, the most degraded, but also the most reforested and enriched, has a high proportion of useful species (F = 4.53, p = 0.016). The average circumference of individuals, in relation to the availability of the non-wood resource, is also significantly higher in this block (F = 11.63, p ˂ 0.0001). The management of degraded areas with commercial species with multiple uses has made it possible to increase the proportion of useful species and to maintain them at a certain level of availability comparable to or greater than the least developed areas. Management policies should take into account the integration of multipurpose species or NWFP sources for the sustainability of timber and non-timber resources.