Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41444903›Full record

ArticleJournal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine2025

Diversity of wild edible plants of Guinea-Bissau (West Africa): traditional uses and trade.

Bucar Indjai, Amélia Frazão-Moreira, Pedro Segurado, Maria Manuel Romeiras, Luís Catarino

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Bucar IndjaiCEF-Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal.
Amélia Frazão-MoreiraCRIA - Centre for Research in Anthropology, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, NOVA University of Lisbon (NOVA FCSH) and IN2PAST Associate Laboratory, Av. de Berna, 26 C, 1069-061, Lisbon, Portugal.
Pedro SeguradoCEF-Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal.
Maria Manuel RomeirasLEAF-Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisbon, Portugal. mmromeiras@isa.ulisboa.pt.
Luís CatarinoCE3C-Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes & CHANGE-Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016, Lisboa, Portugal. lmcatarino@fc.ul.pt.

Funding

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia SFRH/BD/151520/2021The Open Access was funded by CEF Project UIDB/00239: Centro de Estudos Florestais (Forest Research Centre, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon) UIDB/00239
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWild edible plants (WEPs) are among the most important non-timber forest products harvested because of their contribution for food security of local populations and generation of income for families. To evaluate the importance of WEPs in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa), this study characterized the diversity of their uses in the country and discusses their current socioeconomic relevance and potential for sustainable use, and conservation.

methodsData on WEPs were collected during fieldwork and market surveys carried out across the country, as well as from bibliographic and herbarium sources. A total of 62 interviews (49 women and 13 men, aged 15-60 years) were conducted between November 2021 and August 2024. A set of variables concerning the collection, trade, and consumption of WEPs was drawn up to classify the socioeconomic importance of the species traded.

resultsWe documented 115 WEPs from 45 families and 89 genera; 111 of them are native species and four are introduced and naturalized in Guinea-Bissau. Most of the WEP are woody plants found in woodlands and savannah woodlands. Fruits, followed by leaves and underground organs are the most usually consumed parts, mainly eaten raw. Thirty-nine WEPs are traded in the markets, eight of which can be considered as having high socioeconomic importance both as food and income source. Some patterns of use can be highlighted: children consume a larger number of wild fruits than adults, certain plants are only eaten in periods of food shortage, and several species are highly valued in the markets.

conclusionsIn Guinea-Bissau, WEPs play a key role in the traditional diet of local communities, especially when crops are scarce, thus ensuring food security, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. The sustainable use of WEPs can contribute to the well-being of local populations and to the conservation of the natural resources and ecosystems in this West African country.

Indexed as

BiodiversityEthnobotanyPlants, EdibleAdolescentAdultCommerceConservation of Natural ResourcesFemaleGuinea-BissauHumansMaleMiddle AgedYoung AdultEthnobotanyFood securityLivelihoodsNon-timber forest productsUseful plantsWest Africa

Identifiers

PMID41444903
PMCPMC12729238

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.