Database of Plant and Animal Uses and Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Tropical Africa

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More than 10,000 records of traditional plant uses in tropical Africa have been obtained mainly from the Japanese researchers working in Africa, and put into the database called "Aflora". Data have been also supplemented from the literature on the ethnobotanical works in the related regions. In order to facilitate quick reference and spell-checking, about 20,000 names of plant families, genera and species, which appeared in botanical literatures on African flora, have also been computerized.Along with these works of database, published was "A Catalog of Useful Plants in Tropical Africa, Part 1, Forest Areas" which includes a total of 2,400 species with both vernacular and scientific names and usetypes. Based also on this database, a comparison was made on the plant use and nomenclature among different human groups in central Africa in order to examine the influences of natural and cultural environments onthe plant uses. It elucidated that, even among the groups living in a similar floristic environment, a considerable difference exists in the plant use. The cultural diversity in plant use is particularly striking in the tropical rain forest areas where there is a great diveristy of available plant species.The rich knowledge and divesity of plant use of the African peoples are most striking. In spite of heavy dependence on forest resources, they have not imposed adverse influences on their environment. The implications of such a co-existent system of man and nature for nature conservation and culture preservation should be fully appreciated.