FARMERS' PREFERENCES FOR TREE FUNCTIONS AND SPECIES IN THE WEST AFRICAN SAHEL

ABSTRACT Surveys were conducted in villages in five regions of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Senegal to determine priority tree functions and species. Villagers listed eight priority functions and 116 important species. The most important functions were essential products (human food, medicines, animal food, wood/energy/fiber) followed by environmental services (soil fertility improvement, soil/water conservation, shade) and sale to generate revenue. The relative importance of most functions and several species differed significantly among some regions. There were significant positive or negative associations between functions. Villagers used significantly more species in Niger, the driest region, in order to diversify options and minimize risk.