Testing the ecological apparency hypothesis in Sudano-Sahelian parklands in Burkina Faso

This study investigates the relationship between the ecological apparency of woody plant species and their local importance to farming households in agroforestry parklands of West Africa. Agroforestry systems, which integrate trees with agricultural production, are increasingly recognized as nature-based solutions that enhance climate resilience and food security. Through ethnobotanical surveys with 150 farmers and vegetation inventories conducted in their parklands, the study assessed local plant importance using the Use Value (UV) index and ecological apparency using the Importance Value Index (IVI). Results identified Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea microcarpa, and Parkia biglobosa as the most frequently used species, while Vitellaria paradoxa, Azadirachta indica, and Adansonia digitata were the most ecologically dominant and apparent. Statistical analyses revealed positive relationships between ecological apparency and local importance, providing support for the Ecological Apparency Hypothesis. Strong evidence was found that more apparent species were more important for energy production, construction, medicinal uses, soil fertility management, income generation, and food provision. The findings demonstrate that the most abundant and visible woody species in agroforestry parklands tend to be those most valued by local communities, highlighting their critical role in sustaining rural livelihoods, ecosystem services, and climate-resilient agricultural systems.

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