Kinshasa Province (Democratic Republic of Congo): Typology of Peri-Urban Ecosystems Providing Edible Insects
2023
Célestin Adeito Mavunda | Madjouma Kanda | Fousséni Folega | Demirel Maza-esso Bawa | Bilouktime Badjare | John Katembo Mukirania | Marra Dourma | Koffi Akpagana
Tropical peri-urban ecosystems are essential for the urban population’s well-being through the goods and services they provide. Unfortunately, these ecosystems are subjected to anthropogenic pressures for various reasons. This study aims to assess the diversity and structure of the peri-urban ecosystems that provide the most edible insects in Kinshasa. A total of 360 people were interviewed to identify the two insect species most frequently consumed. The tree inventory was carried out in 50 plots (2500 m<sup>2</sup> each), of which 25 were in <i>Acacia</i> plantations, 10 were planted <i>Milletia</i> forests, and 15 were natural <i>Millettia</i> forests. The diameters of each tree, dbh ≥ 10 cm, were measured. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to distinguish the forest communities. Diversity indices were used to assess floristic variability and structural parameters were used to characterize forest stands. Two insects were identified as being the most commonly consumed in Kinshasa: <i>Gonimbrasia jamesoni</i> (28%) and <i>Cirina forda</i> (27%), found the in <i>Acacia</i> plantation, and in the planted <i>Milletia</i> forests and natural <i>Milletti</i> forest, respectively. The results indicate floristic (higher in the <i>Acacia</i> plantation) and structural variability between stands. The structure of the stands indicates good news for all forests, except the planted forest. The high frequency/dominance of <i>A. auriculiformis</i> and <i>M. laurentii</i> in the peri-urban ecosystems of Kinshasa would therefore be optimal conditions (under natural conditions) for good production of these two caterpillar species.
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