Traditional knowledge of Dypsis fibrosa (Arecaceae) in eastern Madagascar

Dypsis fibrosa is widespread in eastern Madagascar and local people regard it as one of the most important palms due to its use as thatch. In an inter view survey 12 different uses of this palm were reported. Most informants k new only one or two uses, but variance was large. How Man. uses people know and what they use different palm parts for is correlated to socioeconomic factors such as personal wealth and home village. Comparison of data obtain ed from interviews mid observations showed that there is not always a stric t correlation between ethnobotanical data elicited in surveys, actual exten t of use, and importance accorded to different plant resources. Informants were generally aware of an human-caused decline in D. fibrosa abundance, bu t viewed it as inevitable and suggested to replace D. fibrosa products by o ther materials. Although local people view D. fibrosa as very important, mo tivation for its conservation and sustainable use seems to be low.