Kolawolé Valère Salako
Biographic Data
| ID | 83723 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kolawolé Valère Salako |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kolawolé Valère |
| FAMILY NAME | Salako |
| SIGNATURE | SALAKO K V |
| AFFILIATIONS | Université d'Abomey-Calavi |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-7817-3687 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 66 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 6 |
Conocarpus erectus L., a neglected mangrove species in West Africa
While mangrove protection has gained notorious global attention over the past two decades, some of their important plant species still lag in terms of restoration and conservation efforts. This is the case for Conocarpus erectus , a mangrove-associated species neglected in Africa and Endangered in Benin. This study aims to assess (i) traditional knowledge (TK) on C. erectus and its association with distance from the species population, human-led …
Peri‐urban agroforestry for climate mitigation in West Africa
Societal Impact Statement Peri‐urban areas in West Africa are expanding rapidly, often with limited planning and growing exposure to climate risks. Our study shows that agroforestry systems in these landscapes, especially diverse home gardens, can store substantial amounts of carbon when they include structurally complex stands and species with traits that favor biomass accumulation. By revealing how tree structural diversity and functional trait…
Ecosystem services provided by lowlands as affected by water management in the Guinean and Sudano-Guinean zones of Benin, West Africa
Inland valleys are critical wetlands providing a wide range of ecosystem services. However, inadequate water management has limited their agricultural potential in sub-Saharan Africa. This study used a mixed-method approach, drawing on data from 298 farmers across 41 inland valleys, to assess how water management techniques affect ecosystem services provided by inland valleys and to their sustainability. Three key management approaches were ident…
Drought and flood hazards in inland valleys of Benin
Inland valleys (IVs) are vital socio-ecological systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and are crucial for agriculture and ecosystem services. However, they are susceptible to drought and flooding and require adaptation strategies informed by robust spatiotemporal analyses of hazards. This study (i) assesses the spatial and temporal distribution and severity of drought and wet conditions; (ii) identify key climatic and biophysical factors associated with …
Bryophytes of Benin Republic
Bryophytes are ecologically and socioeconomically important but remain largely understudied from an ethnobotanical perspective, particularly in Africa. This study provides the first assessment of traditional knowledge, uses, perceived threats, and conservation strategies for bryophytes in Benin Republic. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews ( n = 637), free-listing, and participatory ranking among fifteen sociolin…
Potential impacts of future climate on twelve key multipurpose tree species in Benin
The global decline of biodiversity threatens ecosystem stability and human well-being. This study modeled the future suitable habitats of twelve key multipurpose tree species (MPTS) in Benin under two climate scenarios, Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 245 (SSP245) and 585 (SSP585), based on a 2070 horizon. The research focused on peri‐urban areas (Cotonou, Abomey, Savalou, Parakou, Natitingou, and Kandi) and the protected areas network in Benin. We…
Mat making from Cyperus articulatus in mangrove areas
Coastal zones offer more than fishery and wood. They also harbour overlooked resources vital to economic and social development. This study highlights Cyperus articulatus , a plant species thriving in Benin’s mangrove areas and mainly used for artisanal mat-making, a product essential to millions across West Africa. The main aim was to analyse the value chain and the economic performance of the species’ mat making sector. More specifically, the s…
Socio-cultural Factors Affecting Traditional Knowledge and the Cultural Significance of the Aromatic and Medicinal Plant, Boswellia dalzielii Hutch., in Burkina Faso
Small-scale marine fishing in Benin, West Africa
Impacts of land use and abiotic factors on fruit, seed, and leaf morphology of the desert date Balanites aegyptiaca in Benin
Preserving intraspecific phenotypic variation within socio-economically important but declining species is fundamental in the current context of rapid change in land use and environmental conditions. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile is a valuable seed oil tree species native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Africa. Notable morphological variations within the species are recognized by local communities, who often select trees with preferred tr…
The role of local deities and traditional beliefs in promoting the sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems
Insights from analyzing local ecological knowledge and stand structure for guiding conservation actions for the endangered tropical tree Pterocarpus erinaceus. Poir
Sustainable management and conservation of multipurpose tree species in their natural habitats is crucial, given their vulnerability to climate change and increasing human activities. This can be achieved by harnessing insights from local ecological knowledge (LEK) and classical ecological approaches to support biodiversity conservation efforts. Using forest inventory data from 126 plots and information from a semi-structured survey of 234 househ…
Ethnobotanical knowledge and conservation of Bombax costatum Pellegr. and Vuillet
In regions dominated by savannahs, multipurpose tree species are key resources considering the diversity of services they offer. Such species are proned to overexploitation and improper management that may threaten their survival. Understanding local perception on their uses and conservation is essential to engage local communities in their sustainable management. This study presents the case-study of Bombax costatum in the semi-arid region of Bu…
Impact of vegetation types on the floristic diversity, the availability and the ecological characteristics of five woody species stands used in the management of hypertension and diabetes in southern …
Potential climate change induced modifications in mangrove ecosystems
Food and medicinal uses of Annona senegalensis Pers
The study illustrated the importance of differentiating between TK and AU. It documented the wide range of the uses of A. senegalensis, while highlighting its most common uses, and the need to better valorize and sustainably manage the species
Local uses of mangroves and perceived impacts of their degradation in Grand-Popo municipality, a hotspot of mangroves in Benin, West Africa
Detailed understanding of interactions between humans and their surrounding ecosystems is essential for designing sustainable use and management of these ecosystems. Mangroves are one of the most productive ecosystems worldwide, yet amongst the most threatened. This study (1) explored main activities of local communities in relationship to mangroves and variation across geographical locations, gender, and age categories, (2) investigated plants a…
Socio–Economic Factors Determining Conservation and Cultivation of Garcinia kola Heckel—A Medicinal Plant Extinct in the Wild in Benin
Local preferences for three indigenous oil-seed plants and attitudes towards their conservation in the Kénédougou province of Burkina Faso, West-Africa
BackgroundCarapa procera,Lophira lanceolata, andPentadesma butyraceaare three underutilized but increasingly threatened indigenous oil-seed tree species (IOS) in tropical Africa. Because local knowledge is vital for sustainable management, this study investigated the socio-economic factors that explain local people's (i) preferences for these IOS, (ii) attitudes toward their conservation, and (iii) ability to identify "plus trees" based on seed t…
Traditional knowledge and cultural importance of Borassus aethiopum Mart. in Benin
Findings suggest that studies aiming at understanding relationship between current TK and cultural importance of a resource on one hand and socio-demographic attributes on the other hand should consider the resource current local and regional apparency but further its local past abundance. The study also confirms that B. aethiopum is a socio-economic important species in Benin
Factors Determining the Use and Cultivation of Moringa oleifera Lam. in the Republic of Benin
Traditional knowledge on herbal drinks among indigenous communities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
BACKGROUND: Traditional knowledge about the use of medicinal plants for herbal drinks (HDs) is not well documented in the Azad Kashmir region despite their widespread use. This study highlights the taxonomic diversity and traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used for HDs while examining the diversity of diseases treated with HDs in the study area. METHODS: Individual discussions were conducted with 255 informants (84 women and 171 men). Data…
Species richness, cultural importance, and prioritization of wild spices for conservation in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Benin (West Africa)
Spices have always been used for their flavor-enhancement characteristics and for their medicinal properties. In Benin, scientific research on spices is scarce, despite their importance in the local population’s daily needs. This study investigated the diversity of wild spices and documented the associated traditional knowledge that can be used for their valuation, domestication, and sustainable management in the Sudano-Guinean Zone of Benin. Dat…
Traditional ecological knowledge-based assessment of threatened woody species and their potential substitutes in the Atakora mountain chain, a threatened hotspot of biodiversity in Northwestern Benin,…
BACKGROUND: Atakora mountains in Benin are a unique but fragile ecosystem, harboring many endemic plant species. The ecosystem is undergoing degradation, and the woody vegetation is dramatically declining due to high anthropogenic actions and recurrent drought. This study aimed to (i) assess the diversity of threatened woody species and (ii) identify their potential substitutes in the three regions of the Atakora mountains namely East Atakora, Ce…
Functional diversity of home gardens and their agrobiodiversity conservation benefits in Benin, West Africa
BACKGROUND: Understanding the functional diversity of home gardens and their socio-ecological determinants is essential for mainstreaming these agroforestry practices into agrobiodiversity conservation strategies. This paper analyzed functional diversity of home gardens, identified the socio-ecological drivers of functions assigned to them, and assessed the agrobiodiversity benefits of home gardens functions. METHODS: Using data on occurring spec…
Functional diversity of home gardens and their agrobiodiversity conservation benefits in Benin, West Africa
BACKGROUND: Understanding the functional diversity of home gardens and their socio-ecological determinants is essential for mainstreaming these agroforestry practices into agrobiodiversity conservation strategies. This paper analyzed functional diversity of home gardens, identified the socio-ecological drivers of functions assigned to them, and assessed the agrobiodiversity benefits of home gardens functions. METHODS: Using data on occurring spec…
Factors affecting home gardens ownership, diversity and structure
BACKGROUND: Home gardens (HGs) provide perspectives for conservation of plant genetic resources while contributing to improving livelihoods. However, knowledge of local factors shaping their ownership, plant diversity (PD) and structure is still limited especially in West-Africa, where food insecurity is acute. This is critical to ensure effective mainstreaming of HGs into future biodiversity conservation and food production policies. METHODS: So…
Traditional knowledge and cultural importance of Borassus aethiopum Mart. in Benin
Findings suggest that studies aiming at understanding relationship between current TK and cultural importance of a resource on one hand and socio-demographic attributes on the other hand should consider the resource current local and regional apparency but further its local past abundance. The study also confirms that B. aethiopum is a socio-economic important species in Benin
Traditional knowledge on herbal drinks among indigenous communities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
BACKGROUND: Traditional knowledge about the use of medicinal plants for herbal drinks (HDs) is not well documented in the Azad Kashmir region despite their widespread use. This study highlights the taxonomic diversity and traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used for HDs while examining the diversity of diseases treated with HDs in the study area. METHODS: Individual discussions were conducted with 255 informants (84 women and 171 men). Data…
Traditional ecological knowledge-based assessment of threatened woody species and their potential substitutes in the Atakora mountain chain, a threatened hotspot of biodiversity in Northwestern Benin,…
BACKGROUND: Atakora mountains in Benin are a unique but fragile ecosystem, harboring many endemic plant species. The ecosystem is undergoing degradation, and the woody vegetation is dramatically declining due to high anthropogenic actions and recurrent drought. This study aimed to (i) assess the diversity of threatened woody species and (ii) identify their potential substitutes in the three regions of the Atakora mountains namely East Atakora, Ce…
Socio–Economic Factors Determining Conservation and Cultivation of Garcinia kola Heckel—A Medicinal Plant Extinct in the Wild in Benin
Species richness, cultural importance, and prioritization of wild spices for conservation in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Benin (West Africa)
Spices have always been used for their flavor-enhancement characteristics and for their medicinal properties. In Benin, scientific research on spices is scarce, despite their importance in the local population’s daily needs. This study investigated the diversity of wild spices and documented the associated traditional knowledge that can be used for their valuation, domestication, and sustainable management in the Sudano-Guinean Zone of Benin. Dat…
Factors Determining the Use and Cultivation of Moringa oleifera Lam. in the Republic of Benin
Socio-economic and ecological outcomes of community based forest management
The role of local deities and traditional beliefs in promoting the sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems
Food and medicinal uses of Annona senegalensis Pers
The study illustrated the importance of differentiating between TK and AU. It documented the wide range of the uses of A. senegalensis, while highlighting its most common uses, and the need to better valorize and sustainably manage the species
Local preferences for three indigenous oil-seed plants and attitudes towards their conservation in the Kénédougou province of Burkina Faso, West-Africa
BackgroundCarapa procera,Lophira lanceolata, andPentadesma butyraceaare three underutilized but increasingly threatened indigenous oil-seed tree species (IOS) in tropical Africa. Because local knowledge is vital for sustainable management, this study investigated the socio-economic factors that explain local people's (i) preferences for these IOS, (ii) attitudes toward their conservation, and (iii) ability to identify "plus trees" based on seed t…
Factors affecting home gardens ownership, diversity and structure
BACKGROUND: Home gardens (HGs) provide perspectives for conservation of plant genetic resources while contributing to improving livelihoods. However, knowledge of local factors shaping their ownership, plant diversity (PD) and structure is still limited especially in West-Africa, where food insecurity is acute. This is critical to ensure effective mainstreaming of HGs into future biodiversity conservation and food production policies. METHODS: So…
Socio-economic and ecological outcomes of community based forest management
Functional diversity of home gardens and their agrobiodiversity conservation benefits in Benin, West Africa
BACKGROUND: Understanding the functional diversity of home gardens and their socio-ecological determinants is essential for mainstreaming these agroforestry practices into agrobiodiversity conservation strategies. This paper analyzed functional diversity of home gardens, identified the socio-ecological drivers of functions assigned to them, and assessed the agrobiodiversity benefits of home gardens functions. METHODS: Using data on occurring spec…
Traditional knowledge and cultural importance of Borassus aethiopum Mart. in Benin
Findings suggest that studies aiming at understanding relationship between current TK and cultural importance of a resource on one hand and socio-demographic attributes on the other hand should consider the resource current local and regional apparency but further its local past abundance. The study also confirms that B. aethiopum is a socio-economic important species in Benin
Factors Determining the Use and Cultivation of Moringa oleifera Lam. in the Republic of Benin
Traditional knowledge on herbal drinks among indigenous communities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
BACKGROUND: Traditional knowledge about the use of medicinal plants for herbal drinks (HDs) is not well documented in the Azad Kashmir region despite their widespread use. This study highlights the taxonomic diversity and traditional knowledge on medicinal plants used for HDs while examining the diversity of diseases treated with HDs in the study area. METHODS: Individual discussions were conducted with 255 informants (84 women and 171 men). Data…
Species richness, cultural importance, and prioritization of wild spices for conservation in the Sudano-Guinean zone of Benin (West Africa)
Spices have always been used for their flavor-enhancement characteristics and for their medicinal properties. In Benin, scientific research on spices is scarce, despite their importance in the local population’s daily needs. This study investigated the diversity of wild spices and documented the associated traditional knowledge that can be used for their valuation, domestication, and sustainable management in the Sudano-Guinean Zone of Benin. Dat…
Traditional ecological knowledge-based assessment of threatened woody species and their potential substitutes in the Atakora mountain chain, a threatened hotspot of biodiversity in Northwestern Benin,…
BACKGROUND: Atakora mountains in Benin are a unique but fragile ecosystem, harboring many endemic plant species. The ecosystem is undergoing degradation, and the woody vegetation is dramatically declining due to high anthropogenic actions and recurrent drought. This study aimed to (i) assess the diversity of threatened woody species and (ii) identify their potential substitutes in the three regions of the Atakora mountains namely East Atakora, Ce…
Socio–Economic Factors Determining Conservation and Cultivation of Garcinia kola Heckel—A Medicinal Plant Extinct in the Wild in Benin
Local preferences for three indigenous oil-seed plants and attitudes towards their conservation in the Kénédougou province of Burkina Faso, West-Africa
BackgroundCarapa procera,Lophira lanceolata, andPentadesma butyraceaare three underutilized but increasingly threatened indigenous oil-seed tree species (IOS) in tropical Africa. Because local knowledge is vital for sustainable management, this study investigated the socio-economic factors that explain local people's (i) preferences for these IOS, (ii) attitudes toward their conservation, and (iii) ability to identify "plus trees" based on seed t…
Local uses of mangroves and perceived impacts of their degradation in Grand-Popo municipality, a hotspot of mangroves in Benin, West Africa
Detailed understanding of interactions between humans and their surrounding ecosystems is essential for designing sustainable use and management of these ecosystems. Mangroves are one of the most productive ecosystems worldwide, yet amongst the most threatened. This study (1) explored main activities of local communities in relationship to mangroves and variation across geographical locations, gender, and age categories, (2) investigated plants a…
Ethnobotanical knowledge and conservation of Bombax costatum Pellegr. and Vuillet
In regions dominated by savannahs, multipurpose tree species are key resources considering the diversity of services they offer. Such species are proned to overexploitation and improper management that may threaten their survival. Understanding local perception on their uses and conservation is essential to engage local communities in their sustainable management. This study presents the case-study of Bombax costatum in the semi-arid region of Bu…
Impact of vegetation types on the floristic diversity, the availability and the ecological characteristics of five woody species stands used in the management of hypertension and diabetes in southern …
Potential climate change induced modifications in mangrove ecosystems
Food and medicinal uses of Annona senegalensis Pers
The study illustrated the importance of differentiating between TK and AU. It documented the wide range of the uses of A. senegalensis, while highlighting its most common uses, and the need to better valorize and sustainably manage the species
Insights from analyzing local ecological knowledge and stand structure for guiding conservation actions for the endangered tropical tree Pterocarpus erinaceus. Poir
Sustainable management and conservation of multipurpose tree species in their natural habitats is crucial, given their vulnerability to climate change and increasing human activities. This can be achieved by harnessing insights from local ecological knowledge (LEK) and classical ecological approaches to support biodiversity conservation efforts. Using forest inventory data from 126 plots and information from a semi-structured survey of 234 househ…
Small-scale marine fishing in Benin, West Africa
Impacts of land use and abiotic factors on fruit, seed, and leaf morphology of the desert date Balanites aegyptiaca in Benin
Preserving intraspecific phenotypic variation within socio-economically important but declining species is fundamental in the current context of rapid change in land use and environmental conditions. Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile is a valuable seed oil tree species native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Africa. Notable morphological variations within the species are recognized by local communities, who often select trees with preferred tr…
The role of local deities and traditional beliefs in promoting the sustainable use of mangrove ecosystems
Potential impacts of future climate on twelve key multipurpose tree species in Benin
The global decline of biodiversity threatens ecosystem stability and human well-being. This study modeled the future suitable habitats of twelve key multipurpose tree species (MPTS) in Benin under two climate scenarios, Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 245 (SSP245) and 585 (SSP585), based on a 2070 horizon. The research focused on peri‐urban areas (Cotonou, Abomey, Savalou, Parakou, Natitingou, and Kandi) and the protected areas network in Benin. We…
Mat making from Cyperus articulatus in mangrove areas
Coastal zones offer more than fishery and wood. They also harbour overlooked resources vital to economic and social development. This study highlights Cyperus articulatus , a plant species thriving in Benin’s mangrove areas and mainly used for artisanal mat-making, a product essential to millions across West Africa. The main aim was to analyse the value chain and the economic performance of the species’ mat making sector. More specifically, the s…
Socio-cultural Factors Affecting Traditional Knowledge and the Cultural Significance of the Aromatic and Medicinal Plant, Boswellia dalzielii Hutch., in Burkina Faso
Conocarpus erectus L., a neglected mangrove species in West Africa
While mangrove protection has gained notorious global attention over the past two decades, some of their important plant species still lag in terms of restoration and conservation efforts. This is the case for Conocarpus erectus , a mangrove-associated species neglected in Africa and Endangered in Benin. This study aims to assess (i) traditional knowledge (TK) on C. erectus and its association with distance from the species population, human-led …
Peri‐urban agroforestry for climate mitigation in West Africa
Societal Impact Statement Peri‐urban areas in West Africa are expanding rapidly, often with limited planning and growing exposure to climate risks. Our study shows that agroforestry systems in these landscapes, especially diverse home gardens, can store substantial amounts of carbon when they include structurally complex stands and species with traits that favor biomass accumulation. By revealing how tree structural diversity and functional trait…
Ecosystem services provided by lowlands as affected by water management in the Guinean and Sudano-Guinean zones of Benin, West Africa
Inland valleys are critical wetlands providing a wide range of ecosystem services. However, inadequate water management has limited their agricultural potential in sub-Saharan Africa. This study used a mixed-method approach, drawing on data from 298 farmers across 41 inland valleys, to assess how water management techniques affect ecosystem services provided by inland valleys and to their sustainability. Three key management approaches were ident…
Biology (21 works) · Geography (21 works) · African Botany and Ecology Studies (20 works) · Ecology (20 works) · Agroforestry (13 works) · Biodiversity (13 works) · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies (9 works) · Socioeconomics (9 works) · Sociology (9 works) · Ethnobotany (8 works)