Analyse du r le de la biodiversité végétale des forêts de Kigwena et de Rumonge au Burundi

Analysis of the Role of Plant Resources Harvested from Kigwena and Rumonge Forests, Burundi. The main objective of this study was to inventory the natural plant resources harvested by local populations in the forests of Kigwena and Rumonge, both located in South-Western Burundi, relatively closer, but physionomically different. Eighty and 41 species of medicinal plants, 33 and 25 species used for their materials, 21 and 23 edible species, 14 and 19 species for energy use, and 5 and 12 species for cultural use were respectively noticed. Among the collected species, 42.7% and 55.4% respectively served for multiple uses. In the forest of Kigwena, the leaves (26.7%) and stems (28%) were the most collected plant parts whereas in the forest of Rumonge the stems (35.7%) were the dominant category. Edible mushrooms, honey and termites are also collected in the two forests. Both forests play consequently a significant role by offering to the local populations the possibility to diversify their incomes (various products marketed along the roads and in the urban centres), their food, and, in particular, their popular medicine.