Table 6 Descriptive statistics of variables (Mean ± SD) used in evaluating the knowledge and uses of wild yams and medicinal plants of the Mahafaly region in SW-Madagascar
Variables | Ampotake (n = 50) | Andremba (n = 50) | Itomboina (n = 50) | Miarintsoa (n = 50) | Efoetse (n = 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Collection of wild yams (%): | Â | Â | Â | Â | Â |
D. alatipes | 92.16 | 80.3 | 80 | 42 | 0 |
D. bemandry | 94.12 | 51.52 | 80 | 87.23 | 0 |
D. fandra | 54.9 | 60.61 | 60 | 59.57 | 0 |
D. ovinala | 76.47 | 62.12 | 64.44 | 46.81 | 0 |
D. nako | 43.14 | 21.21 | 66.67 | 48.94 | 0 |
D. soso | 7.84 | 39.39 | 46.67 | 21.28 | 0 |
Number of wild yams species collected | 3.9 ± 1.1 | 3.9 ± 1.3 | 4.2 ± 1.4 | 4.9 ± 1.9 | 0 |
Frequency of wild yams collection1) | 9.8 ± 5.7 | 5.1 ± 2.5 | 5.6 ± 2.9 | 5.7 ± 3.9 | 0 |
Period of collection (months/year) | 5.7 ± 1.9 | 4.1 ± 1.9 | 4.2 ± 1.4 | 4.9 ± 1.9 | 0 |
Wild yams harvested2) | 21 ± 9 | 12.8 ± 5.8 | 14.1 ± 5.6 | 13.1 ± 7.6 | 0 |
Unsustainable harvest technique (%) | 89.6 | 81.5 | 89.5 | 78.6 | - |
Sustainable harvest technique (%) | 10.4 | 18.5 | 10.5 | 21.4 | - |
Monthly income, from wild yams (US$)3) | 5.5 ± 7.4 | 1.3 ± 3.5 | 2.0 ± 3.0 | 1.3 ± 2.5 | 0 |
Number of medicinal species used | 43.5 ± 12 | 29.8 ± 11.8 | 36.6 ± 10 | 27.4 ± 12.4 | 18.4 ± 9.7 |
Diversity of medicinal plant use | 33.5 ± 10.3 | 23.9 ± 8.6 | 32.2 ± 7.7 | 23.4 ± 10.2 | 14.7 ± 7.7 |
Number of medicinal uses | 17.6 ± 3.1 | 14.4 ± 3.2 | 16.7 ± 1.9 | 12.6 ± 3.3 | 12.8 ± 4.6 |