Perception of the Local Population of the Availability of Host Tree Species with Edible Caterpillars in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (Tshopo Province, DRC)

Dan KAPOLI OMBA; Hilaire USSENI NASIBU; Augustin YAKAYENGO TOKO; Pierre YUMA MADJALIWA; Leon IYONGO WAYA MONGO; Janvier LISINGO WA LISINGO; Prosper SABONGO; Freddy Robert OKANGOLA EKILI; Hyppolite NSHIMBA SEYA WA MALALE

Dan KAPOLI OMBA University of Kindu, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 122, Kindu, DRC; University of Kisangani, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC
Hilaire USSENI NASIBU University of Kindu, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 122, Kindu, DRC; University of Kisangani, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC
Augustin YAKAYENGO TOKO University of Kindu, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 122, Kindu, DRC; University of Kisangani, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC
Pierre YUMA MADJALIWA University of Kindu, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Department of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 122, Kindu, DRC
Leon IYONGO WAYA MONGO University of Kisangani, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC
Janvier LISINGO WA LISINGO University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Ecology and Plant Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC
Prosper SABONGO University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Ecology and Plant Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC
Freddy Robert OKANGOLA EKILI University of Kisangani, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC
Hyppolite NSHIMBA SEYA WA MALALE University of Kisangani, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Ecology and Plant Resources Management, BP 2012, Kisangani, DRC

Keywords: perception, availability, host tree, edible caterpillar, Yangambi

Abstract

We set out to conduct a study on the perception of the local population on the availability of edible caterpillar host tree species in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve (Tshopo Province, DRC). The main objective of this study is to analyze the perception of the local population on the availability of edible caterpillar host tree species in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve. To achieve this objective, we used participatory and empirical methods, which were supported by documentary, survey and direct observation techniques. After analysis, the following results were obtained: in total, 35 species of host trees for edible caterpillars and 12 species of edible caterpillars were listed, these species are predominantly Fabaceae with 34,4% of genera and 33,3% of species ; they were generally used as medicinal plants and timber trees (71,4% each); 67,9% of respondents are men; 35,2% have secondary education ; 40,1% are farmers ; 90,1% of respondents note that the species of host trees for edible caterpillars in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve are in decline. The perception of the local population is influenced by gender (p-value=0,006), education level (p-value=0.000) and activity (p-value=0,000); Entandrophragma cylindricum is the rarest edible caterpillar host tree species (44,4%) in the Yangambi Biosphere Reserve.

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