[01] Koto-te-Nyiwa Ngbolua, Department of Environment Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo; Department of Environment Management and Geography, Superior Pedagogical Institute of Abumombazi, Abumombazi, Democratic Republic of Congo; Department of Biology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [02] Nzamonga Gamo André, Department Environment Sciences, University of Nord Equateur, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [03] Amédée Kundana Gbatea, Department of Environment Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [04] Nzale Mbela Steve, Department Environment Sciences, University of Nord Equateur, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [05] Colette Masengo Ashande, Department of Environment Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [06] Jean-Pierre Ndolete Geregbia, Faculty of Economical Sciences & Management, University of Gbado-Lite, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [07] Bongo Ngiala Gédéon, Department of Biology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [08] Zakwani Luzinga Nadège, Department of Biology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [09] Libwa Momi Tabonge Bertin, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [10] Yangba Telalengbi Séraphin, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [11] Gerengbo Koto Georges, Department of Environment Sciences, University of Gbado-Lite, Gbado-Lite, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Congo basin with its 2.8 million km ² of diversified and rich forests offering opportunity for local populations to meet their daily livelihood needs. In such forests like Ubangi eco-region, NTFPs remain the principal source of foods and income for many forest-based communities because of their availability. The present study was carried out with the aim to document and preserve knowledge on NTFPs from Ubangi eco-region marketed in Gbadolite city and surroundings. Results revealed that 30% of respondents get 5,000 to 10,000 CDF per day; 60% of respondents are female; 22% of the respondents are between 43-44 years of age; 66.04% of respondents associate this with agriculture; 30% of respondents have 5-10 years’ experience in the trade of NWTPs; 69% of the respondents confirmed the absence of NWFP sector regulation. Fifteen different biological resources and derived products (honey, palm win) were identified in Gbadolite city and surroundings. The most used NTFPs were Raphia hookeri, R. gentiliana, Megaphrynium macrostachyum, Sarcophrynium brachystachys, Gnetum africanum, Cola acuminata, C. nitida, Termitomyces mycelium, Imbrasia oyemensis, I. fruncata, Achatina achatina, Cola nitida, Piper nigrum, Kinixys erosa, Afromomum alboviolaceum and Eremeospatha macrocarpa. 40% of respondents claim to produce 10 to 20 Kg of NTFPs per season. However, 80% of respondent have recognized that the harvested site of NTFPs is actually located at more than 5 Km of Gbadolite city. The results clearly show that the exploitation and marketing of NTFPs represents a profit for households. These findings contribute to the creation of a database on NTFPs of Nord Ubangi province and underlines the urgent need of strategies to implement and promote the natural regeneration/in situ conservation of most used NTFPs. Thus, further research on possibilities of NTFPs management for forest sustainability and its related services is needed.

Non-wood Forest Products, Household, Sustainability, Ubangi Eco-region, Democratic Republic of the Congo

[01] Debroux L, Hart T, Kaimowitz D, Karsenty A, Topa G, 2007. Forests in Post-Conflict, Democratic Republic of Congo: Analysis of a Priority Agenda. Center for International Forestry Research: Jakarta. [02] Asimonyio JA, Ngabu JC, Lomba CB, Falanga CM, Mpiana PT, Ngbolua KN, 2015. Structure and diversity of heterogenous stand forest in the south bloc of Yoko forest reserve (Ubundu, Democratic Republic of Congo). International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research 18 (2): 241-251. [03] Baelo P, Asimonyio JA, Gambalemoke S, Amundala N, Kiakenya R, Verheyen E, Laudisoit A, Ngbolua KN, 2016a. Reproduction and structure of the populations of Sciuridae (Rodentia, Mammalia) of Yoko forest reserve (Ubundu, DR Congo). International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research 23 (2): 428-442. [04] Baelo P, Kahandi C, Akuboyi J, Juakaly JL, Ngbolua KN, 2016b. Contribution to the study of biodiversity and ecology of soil spiders in a crop field of Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae) in Kisangani city, DR Congo. International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research 23 (2): 412-418. [05] Kambale J-LK, Asimonyio JA, Shutsha RE, Katembo EW, Tsongo JM, Kavira PK, Yokana EI, Bukasa KK, Nshimba HS, Mpiana PT, Ngbolua KN, 2016a. Floristic and structural studies of forests in Rubi-Télé hunt domain (Province of Bas-Uélé, Democratic Republic of the Congo). International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research 24 (2): 309-321. [06] Kambale J-LK, Shutsha RE, Katembo EW, Omatoko JM, Kirongozi FB, Basa OD, Bugentho EP, Yokana EI, Bukasa KK, Nshimba HS, Ngbolua KN, 2016b. Floristic and structural studies of two mixture vegetation communities on hydromorphic and land soils of Kponyo forest (Province of Bas-Uélé, DR Congo). International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research 24 (2): 300-308. [07] Kambale J-LK, Feza MF, Tsongo MJ, Asimonyio JA, Salomo M, Nshimba H, Gbolo BZ, Mpiana PT, Ngbolua KN, 2016c. The woods-energy sector and degradation of forest ecosystems in periurban environment: Stakes and impact on the residents of Mbiye island in Kisangani city (Democratic Republic of the Congo). International Journal of Innovation and Scientific Research 21 (1): 51-60. [08] Ngbolua KN, Ngemale GM, Konzi NF, Masengo CA, Gbolo ZB, Bangata BM, Yangba TS, Gbiangbada N, 2014. Utilization of non-timber forest products in Gbadolite city (District of Nord-Ubangi, Province of Equateur, DR Congo): The case study of Cola acuminata (P. Beauv.) Schott & Endl. (Malvaceae) and Piper guineense Schumach. & Thonn. (Piperaceae). Congo Sciences 2 (2): 61-66. [09] Ngbolua KN, Yabuda KH, Abia M, Bongo NG, Mabe K, Nzamonga GA, Masengo AC, Djolu DR, Likolo BJ, Ngemale GN, Molongo MM, Mangbukudua M, Kamienge KM, Gbatea KA, Bosanza Z, Mongeke M, Muanza LM, 2017a. Preliminary ecological study of plant species of Lokame Natural Forest (Nord Ubangi Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo): A special emphasis on Non-timber Forest Products. J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology 5(2): 1-6. [10] Ngbolua KN, Ambayi BS, Bongo NG, Masengo AC, Djolu DR, Likolo BJ, Gbolo ZB, Ngunde-te-Ngunde S, Iteku BJ, Mpiana PT, 2017b. Ethno-botanical survey and floristic study of medicinal plant taxa used by Traditional Healers in Gbadolite city (Province of Nord-Ubangi, Congo-Kinshasa). Journal of Modern Drug Discovery and Drug Delivery Research 5 (2): 1-7. doi: 10.5281/zenodo/1116857. [11] Ngbolua KN, Ambayi BS, Bongo NG, Djolu DR, Nzamonga GA, Masengo AC, Koyagialo J-L, Gbatea KA, Ndaba MM, Kowozogono KR, 2017c. Preliminary survey on the bushmeat sector in Nord-Ubangi Province (DR Congo): Case of Gbado-Lite city and its surroundings. J. Advanced Botany and Zoology 5 (3): 1-7. doi: 10.5281/zenedo.1024570. [12] Termote C, 2012. Wild edible plants use in Tshopo District, Democratic Republic of Congo. PhD Thesis, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, University of Ghent, Belgium. [13] Shackleton C, Shackleton S, 2004. The importance of non-timber forest products in rural livelihood security and as safety nets: a review of evidence from South Africa. South African Journal of Science 100: 658-664. [14] Solomon MM, 2016. Importance of Non Timber Forest Production in Sustainable Forest Management and Its Implication on Carbon Storage and Biodiversity Conservation in Case of Ethiopia. J Biodivers Endanger Species 4: 160. doi: 10.4172/2332-2543.1000160. [15] Masamba D, 2013. Economic analysis of the sector of Megaphrynium macrostachyum (Benth) Milne-Redhead leaves on the Kisangani-Ubundu axis. MSc Thesis in Biodiversity and sustainable forest management, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [16] Ngalim OY, 2011. Revenue components and conflicts in the use of natural resources in the peripheral zone Northeast of Korup National Park. Master thesis, University of Dschang, Cameroon. [17] Programm of support to the protected areas network (PARAP), 2015. Assessment of the Nord-Ubangi massif forest. Final report, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [18] Olson DM, Dinerstein E, 1998. The Global 200: A representation approach to conserving the Earth’s most biologically valuable ecoregions. Conservation Biol. 12: 502–515. [19] Brigham T, Chihongo A, Chidumayo E, 1996. Trade in woodland products from the miombo region. In The Miombo in Transition: Woodlands and Welfare in Africa, ed. B. Campbell, pp. 137–174. CIFOR, Bogor. [20] Arnold JEM, 2001. Forestry, poverty and aid. CIFOR, Bogor, Indonesia. doi: 10.17528/cifor/000884. [21] Kaimowitz D, 2003. Not by bread alone... forests and rural livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa. EFI Proceedings No. 47. In: Oksanen T, Pajari B, Tuomasjukka T (eds.) Forests in poverty reduction strategies: capturing the potential. 45-64 [online] URL: http://www.efi.fi/publications/Proceedings/. Joensuu, Finland, European Forest Institute. ISBN: 952-9844-96-4. [22] Monizi M, Mayawa V, Fernando J, Neinhuis C, Lautenschlager T, Ngbolua KN, 2018. The cultural and socio-economic role of raffia palm wine in Uíge Province, Angola. Discovery 54(268): 119-129. [23] Liengola B, 2004. Preliminary study on Non-Timber Forest Products of DRC: case of Beni and Kisangani markets. Unpublished Bsc dissertation, University of Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo. [24] Endamana D, Angu KA, Akwah GN, Shepherd G, Ntumwel BC, 2016. Contribution of non-timber forest products to cash and non-cash income of remote forest communities in Central Africa. International Forestry Review 18(3): 1-16. [25] Mhuji K, Barakaeli AN, 2018. Assessment of Utilisation and Monetary Value of Non-Timber Forest Products in Kilombero District, Tanzania. Asian Journal of Research in Agriculture and Forestry 2(1): 1-10. [26] Mukendi TM, Bongo NG, Kikufi BA, Bukaka WYE, Ngbolua KN, Mbale KH, Lukoki LF, 2018. Fruits seasonality in selected markets at Mont-Ngafula district in Democratic Republic of the Congo: Biodiversity and food values. Tropical Plant Research 5(3): 275–285. doi: 10.22271/tpr.2018.v5.i3.035. [27] Kimpouni V, 2008. Study of the sustainable management of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in Congo (Brazzaville), National report IUCN, 52p. [28] Ngbolua KN, Yabuda KH, Esombe TJM, Asimonyo AJ, Djolu DR, Masengo AC, Libwa MB, Falanga MC, Bongo NG, 2018. In situ Inventory of Medicinal Plant Species in Democratic Republic of the Congo: A case study of two Community-Based Forests of the Ubangi Eco-Region. J. of Advanced Botany and Zoology, 7(1): 1-5. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.1478979. [29] Ngbolua KN, 2019. Preliminary data on biodiversity of Nord-Ubangi in Democratic Republic of the Congo. The European Academic Editions (EUE), Riga: Latvia. ISBN: 978-613-8-44529-6.