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

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dc.contributor.authorMugula, Ben Belden
dc.contributor.authorKuria Kiboi, Samuel
dc.contributor.authorIreri Kanya, James
dc.contributor.authorEgeru, Anthony
dc.contributor.authorOkullo, Paul
dc.contributor.authorCurto, Manuel
dc.contributor.authorMeimberg, Harald
dc.date.accessioned2022-10-16T11:07:19Z
dc.date.available2022-10-16T11:07:19Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.description.abstractThe 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.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMugula, B.B.; Kiboi, S.K.; Kanya, J.I.; Egeru, A.; Okullo, P.; Curto, M.; Meimberg, H. Knowledge Gaps in Taxonomy, Ecology, Population Distribution Drivers and Genetic Diversity of African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.): A Scoping Review for Conservation. Plants 2021, 10, 1780. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants 10091780en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.3390/plants 10091780
dc.identifier.urihttps://nru.uncst.go.ug/handle/123456789/4926
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherplantsen_US
dc.subjectHemiparasitesen_US
dc.subjectMolecular ecologyen_US
dc.subjectPopulation geneticsen_US
dc.subjectConservation strategiesen_US
dc.titleKnowledge Gaps in Taxonomy, Ecology, Population Distribution Drivers and Genetic Diversity of African Sandalwood (Osyris lanceolata Hochst. & Steud.): A Scoping Review for Conservationen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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