Knowledge Gaps in Taxonomy, Ecology, Population Distribution Drivers and Genetic Diversity of African Sandalwood ( Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.): A Scoping Review for Conservation.

Autor: Mugula BB; School of Biological Sciences, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya.; Department of Life and Physical Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, Bugema University, Kampala P.O. Box 6529, Uganda., Kiboi SK; School of Biological Sciences, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya., Kanya JI; School of Biological Sciences, College of Biological and Physical Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi P.O. Box 30197-00100, Kenya., Egeru A; College of Environmental and Agricultural Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala P.O. Box 7062, Uganda., Okullo P; National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Entebbe P.O. Box 295, Uganda., Curto M; Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel-Straße 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria.; MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal., Meimberg H; Department of Integrative Biology and Biodiversity Research, Institute of Integrative Nature Conservation Research, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Gregor Mendel-Straße 33, A-1180 Vienna, Austria.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Plants (Basel, Switzerland) [Plants (Basel)] 2021 Aug 26; Vol. 10 (9). Date of Electronic Publication: 2021 Aug 26.
DOI: 10.3390/plants10091780
Abstrakt: The increasing demand for ornamental, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products is driving exploitation of plant species globally. Sub-Saharan Africa harbours unique and valuable plant resources and is now a target of plant resource depletion. African Sandalwood ( Osyris lanceolata), a multi-purpose and drought-tolerant species, has seen increased exploitation for the last thirty years and is now declared endangered. Initiatives to conserve O. lanceolata are not yet successful in Africa due to poor understanding of the species. This review surveys relevant research on the ecology, taxonomy, population dynamics, genetic diversity and ethnobotany of O. lanceolata , and highlights gaps in the literature for further research. A scoping review of grey literature, scholarly papers and reports was applied with pre-determined criteria to screen relevant information. Review findings indicate O. lanceolata is a globally distributed species with no identified center of origin. In Africa, it ranges from Algeria to Ethiopia and south to South Africa; in Europe it occurs in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands; in Asia from India to China, and also on Socotra. The species has a confusing taxonomy, with unresolved issues in nomenclature, country range distribution, extensive synonymisation and variation in growth form (shrub or tree). The species population is reported to be declining in Africa, but information on population dynamics across its entire range of distribution is anecdotal. Additionally, ecological factors influencing spatial distribution and survival of the species remain unknown. A variety of uses are reported for O. lanceolata globally, including: cultural; medicinal and food; dye; perfumery; timber; ethnoveterinary and phytoremediation. Key research areas and implications for conservation of O. lanceolata in Sub-Saharan Africa are proposed.
Databáze: MEDLINE