Climate change is expected to significantly alter habitat suitability for plant species, potentially leading to range contractions and, in extreme cases, extinction. These impacts may be further intensified by concurrent changes in land cover and land use, whether directly or indirectly driven by climate change. Therefore, medium- and long-term projections of species distributions provide valuable tools for environmental planning and management in vulnerable regions. The Arecaceae family holds considerable ecological importance and represents a critical natural resource for rural populations in West Africa, where several species may be at risk. This study models the potential impacts of climate change on the distribution of palm species in Guinea-Bissau, using climate and land cover predictors under two scenarios (SSP-245 and SSP-585), with 2070 as the projection horizon. Despite limited occurrence data for some species, increasing temperature emerged as the most influential climatic variable shaping habitat suitability among the modeled palm species. Projections indicate a contraction of suitable habitats for several species, particularly those with narrow ecological tolerances or restricted distributions, such as Hyphaene thebaica and Raphia sudanica. Additionally, species of high socioeconomic importance, including Elaeis guineensis, are projected to experience substantial reductions in habitat suitability, potentially affecting their availability and use by local communities. Overall, these findings highlight the vulnerability of palm species in Guinea-Bissau to future climate change and underscore the importance of integrating climate and land-use projections into conservation and resource management strategies.

Wild edible plants (WEP) are among the most important non-timber forest products, contributing both to local food security and to the generation of income for families. The aim of this study is to present a comprehensive dataset of WEP in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, including species identification, characterization of uses, bioecology, and local common names, as well as an associated image dataset documenting the species and their edible parts. Data were collected through extensive fieldwork across the country, complemented by bibliographic and herbarium research. Additionally, countryside and urban markets were visited to identify and characterize WEP currently traded. A total of 114 WEP were recorded in the flora of Guinea-Bissau, belonging to 45 families and 89 genera; of these, 110 are native species and four are introduced and naturalized. Fruits were the most commonly consumed plant part, followed by leaves and underground organs, with most consumed in natura. About 40 WEP are sold in the markets, several of which have high socioeconomic importance both as food and as sources of income. This dataset enhances knowledge of WEP in Guinea-Bissau and supports the promotion of sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystems in West Africa.

Joao Vieira e Poilao Marine National Park comprises four islands and two islets, and is located in the southern Bijagos archipelago, an area of global importance for marine biodiversity, particularly sea turtle species, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. On the course of two expeditions to the park, samples of marine macroalgae were collected from different intertidal habitats, namely rock, sand and mangrove. Samples were preserved as herbarium vouchers and their morphology was examined. Genomic DNA was extracted and the universal algal barcode marker plastid LSU (23S) domain V (UPA) was amplified by PCR, to be used for molecular identification of specimens. In total, 31 specimens were identified to genus or species level, comprising 16 species, of which 11 are newly recorded in Guinea-Bissau. The mangrove-associated epiphytic red algae genus Bostrychia was the most represented amongst the samples, comprising five of the identified species. These results represent the first survey of marine macroalgae in this protected area, and illustrate the richness of its marine habitats, but are likely an underestimate of the actual diversity of macroalgae present on these four islands. Taxa newly recorded here for Guinea-Bissau represent c. 25% of the known macroalgae species in the country.

Palm trees (Arecaceae) are critically important worldwide, particularly in tropical regions where they provide essential resources for food, shelter, medicine, and income. The African oil palm, Elaeis guineensis holds particular significance in West Africa, as a vital nutritional source and a cornerstone of rural livelihoods and cultural practices. In Guinea-Bissau, the wild Dura variety is the most widespread and used, even though the cultivated Tenera variety also occurs. This study analyzes the nutritional and functional properties of the edible parts of wild E. guineensis and documents its traditional uses. Samples of fresh fruits and sap were collected, preserved, and assessed for nutritional and functional characteristics. Socio-economic relevance was explored through market visits and interviews with local users. Results show that palm-based products are essential to many families who produce and sell oil and palm wine, as well as brooms and “black soap”. Nutritional analysis revealed that the pulp is rich in lipids, particularly unsaturated fatty acids, and antioxidants, while the kernels contain high levels of protein and key minerals. Rural communities rely heavily on oil palm, and promoting the preservation and sustainable use of wild E. guineensis is vital for food security and livelihoods in Guinea-Bissau and across West Africa.

Wild edible plants (WEPs) are among the most important non-timber forest products harvested because of their contribution for food security of local populations and generation of income for families. To evaluate the importance of WEPs in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa), this study characterized the diversity of their uses in the country and discusses their current socioeconomic relevance and potential for sustainable use, and conservation. Data on WEPs were collected during fieldwork and market surveys carried out across the country, as well as from bibliographic and herbarium sources. A total of 62 interviews (49 women and 13 men, aged 15–60 years) were conducted between November 2021 and August 2024. A set of variables concerning the collection, trade, and consumption of WEPs was drawn up to classify the socioeconomic importance of the species traded. We documented 115 WEPs from 45 families and 89 genera; 111 of them are native species and four are introduced and naturalized in Guinea-Bissau. Most of the WEP are woody plants found in woodlands and savannah woodlands. Fruits, followed by leaves and underground organs are the most usually consumed parts, mainly eaten raw. Thirty-nine WEPs are traded in the markets, eight of which can be considered as having high socioeconomic importance both as food and income source. Some patterns of use can be highlighted: children consume a larger number of wild fruits than adults, certain plants are only eaten in periods of food shortage, and several species are highly valued in the markets. In Guinea-Bissau, WEPs play a key role in the traditional diet of local communities, especially when crops are scarce, thus ensuring food security, particularly for the most vulnerable populations. The sustainable use of WEPs can contribute to the well-being of local populations and to the conservation of the natural resources and ecosystems in this West African country.

Lannea L. genus belongs to the Anacardiaceae botanical family and has long been used in traditional medicinal systems of many countries to manage several health conditions, but no studies have been conducted regarding its usefulness as a source of herbal medicine for human use. A literature review was conducted on scientific papers indexed on B-On, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases. Our results showed that medicinal plants from this botanical genus, mostly constituted by bark and leaf, are often used to approach a wide variety of disease symptoms, like fever, inflammatory states, pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. Phytochemical profiles of Lannea species revealed that phenolic acid derivatives including hydroquinones, phenolic acids, flavonoids, condensed tannins, and triterpenoids are the main classes of secondary metabolites present. Among the total of 165 identified compounds, 57 (34.5%) are flavonoids, mostly quercetin- and myricetin-derived flavonols and catechin and epicatechin flavan-3-ol derivatives also containing a galloyl group. In vitro and in vivo studies allowed the identification of 12 different biological activities, amongst which antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities were the most frequently cited and observed in in vitro essays. Our review contributes useful information for the scientifical validation of the use of Lannea species in traditional medicinal systems and shows that more research needs to be conducted to better understand the concrete utility of these as herbal medicines.

Wild edible plants are important for the livelihoods of both rural and urban people in West Africa, but little is known about their trade networks. This study identifies, quantifies, and characterizes the local trade of wild edible plants in northern Guinea-Bissau to better understand the linkages between wild edible plants, local markets, and livelihoods, and to evaluate the sector’s ecological and economic sustainability. Interviews with 331 market vendors in the capital Bissau and in five sub-regional urban markets revealed that 19 products from 12 species were traded, with an estimated annual retail value of at least 707,000 USD for a volume of 354 metric tons (tonnes). These products are mainly harvested from the country’s woodlands by female vendors in sub-regional markets and are primarily traded to Bissau or neighboring countries. However, increasing demand and persisting deforestation for cashew plantations coupled with a lack of management strategies raise concerns about the long-term availability of certain wild edible plants. The study’s findings are also discussed in terms of their implications on local livelihoods, particularly for rural women who rely on the trade of wild products for income and as a social safety net. We highlight the need to secure women’s roles and enhance their collective power in added value chains.

Guinea-Bissau has among the world’s highest maternal and perinatal mortality rates. To improve access to quality maternal and child health (MCH) services and thereby reduce mortality, a national health system strengthening initiative has been implemented. However, despite improved coverage of MCH services, perinatal mortality remained high. Using a systems-thinking lens, we conducted a situation analysis to explore factors shaping timeliness and quality of facility-based care during labour, childbirth, and the immediate postpartum period in rural Guinea-Bissau. We implemented in-depth interviews with eight peripartum care providers and participant observations at two health facilities (192 h) in 2021-22, and analysed interview transcripts and field notes using thematic network analysis. While providers considered health facilities as the only reasonable place of birth and promoted facility birth uptake, timeliness and quality of care were severely compromised by geographical, material and human-resource constraints. Providers especially experienced a lack of human resources and materials (e.g., essential medicines, consumables, appropriate equipment), and explained material constraints by discontinued donor supplies. In response, providers applied several adaptation strategies including prescribing materials for private purchase, omitting tests, and delegating tasks to birth companions. Consequences included financial barriers to care, compromised patient and occupational safety, delays, and diffusion of health worker responsibilities. Further, providers explained that in response to persisting access barriers, women conditioned care seeking on their perceived risk of developing birthing complications. Our findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring of factors constraining timeliness and quality of essential MCH services during the implementation of health system strengthening initiatives.

This study compares the knowledge of medicinal plants of Bissau-Guinean migrants now established in Italy with the ethnopharmacology still present in their country of origin. We also investigated how traditional ethnobotanical knowledge is changing following the phenomenon of migration from Africa to Europe. The ethnobotanical data were collected during 2017–2018, by interviewing 49 informants belonging to 8 ethnic groups, living in 8 provinces of northern Italy. The final inventory of botanical taxa included 81 species belonging to 34 families, with Fabaceae and Malvaceae the most represented, followed by Euphorbiaceae, Apocynaceae, Combretaceae, and Solanaceae. Plant remedies were used to treat 21 ailment categories, such as fever, internal infections, intestinal and respiratory problems, and pains. The traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of Bissau-Guinean migrants in Italy was associated with gender, with women showing the highest knowledge. In addition, a negative relationship was observed between the maintenance of this knowledge and the number of years migrants have spent in Italy. Overall, a loss of knowledge was observed in the less numerous ethnic groups. However, traditional preparations based on plants from the country of origin are in general well preserved to maintain a good state of health. Our work could help in transferring to the next generation the cultural heritage of Bissau-Guinean people permanently moved to European Countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the lives of children in a myriad of ways across the world. It exposed and aggravated existing inequalities between children within countries and across continents and hampered education. In Guinea-Bissau, school closure was one of the first restrictions implemented to confront the emerging pandemic. The aim was to describe and analyse the experiences of adolescents of school closures in the capital Bissau, their concerns about their future and manifestations of inequality. Data were collected by semi-structured, open-ended interviews with 30 adolescents aged 15–17 years three months into the pandemic during an enforced state of emergency. A thematic analysis identified five themes: appreciation of education, feeling left behind, being stuck in confinement, suggestions for support, and a disrupted future. The results highlight global rather than local inequalities in the demographic, manifested by a lack of targeted educational support for public and private school students; they knew about such efforts elsewhere. The school-attending participants suggested ways to mitigate disruptions in their education, while those out of school aiming to return saw their possibilities fading away. They appreciated education for personal and national benefits, and participants worried about the long-term effects of the pandemic. The study highlighted education loss for all and disrupted future expectations.

Background Coastal areas in Guinea-Bissau and elsewhere in West Africa are bordered by mangrove forests. In several of these places, swaths of mangrove forest have been removed and the landscape has been technologically adapted for the production of mangrove rice–a regionally important staple. However, the effects of global warming, in particular sea-level rise, pose challenges to these socioecological environments. In this context, knowledge appears as an important resource and knowing what knowledge has been produced and which perspectives have guided that production may inform future responses to climate change. We have developed a systematic literature review protocol focusing on the main question: “How have mangrove forest and mangrove rice spaces been represented in the literature on Guinea-Bissau?” The main hypothesis is that although they occupy contiguous, interrelated and interactant spaces in coastal environments, mangrove forests and mangrove rice have been studied and analyzed independently in the literature. Methods This is a protocol for conducting a systematic review that will include academic and non-academic literature in Portuguese, English and French. The academic literature will be retrieved from both Web of Science and Scopus using Boolean expressions. The non-academic literature will be accessed from relevant institutions, specialized libraries, and reference lists of previously selected items. Data extraction will follow a standard procedure based on an information sheet. Our analysis will be both qualitative (inductive and deductive coding, content analysis) and quantitative (word clouds, descriptive statistics and statistical testing). Discussion This systematic review will provide information about the conceptual framework that has been produced through research, policymaking, and conservation and development programs in the management of coastal areas. This study will identify the limitations of previous approaches and contribute to both future research and strategies for planning adaptation to climate change. Finally, the outputs will add to broader debates about people-nature coexistence and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Background Worldwide, governments have implemented restrictions on movement and gatherings to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. In the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have a right to express their opinion on matters of concern to them. The study aimed to describe and analyse how adolescents in the capital Bissau understood the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic and their lived experiences during the first 3 months of the pandemic. Methods Collaborators identified participants in five urban areas in Bissau in June 2020. Semistructured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 30 adolescents aged 15–17 years, attending private and public schools or out-of-school. The interviews were conducted in Kriol, recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed. Results All the participants were heavily affected by the confinement measures during a state of emergency. Almost all believed in the realness of coronavirus while there were some doubts about its arrival in the country. The consequences were staying at home, enforced with increased police violence. At the same time, other violence on the streets or between neighbours had decreased. A few participants said they liked staying at home because they appreciated spending more time with their families. Most participants claimed that they and their family members tried to follow preventive measures. Almost all participants voiced concerns about the worsening financial situation at home, leading to food scarcity. Nearly all the adolescents were tired of the lockdown and worried about the pandemic’s implications on their future opportunities. Conclusions Study participants, here adolescents in Bissau, have a clear notion of their existence and the current situation’s potential negative impact on their future. Their voices need to be heard and acted on, which may soften the lockdown’s negative impact on adolescents in Guinea-Bissau, as elsewhere.

Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) is a cash crop with a highly significant economic importance in West Africa, particularly in Guinea-Bissau (Monteiro et al. 2015, 2017). In October 2018, dieback-like symptoms such as wilt and necrosis of apical shoots were observed in 10 % of the cashew trees grown in a 100 plant-orchard in Bolama Island at Bijagós archipelago, Guinea-Bissau. Six symptomatic apical shoots from individual plants were collected for fungal isolation and identification. Tissue pieces (3 × 2 mm) from healthy to diseased margins were surface sterilized with 1 % sodium hypochlorite, washed twice with sterilized water, placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA, Difco® Laboratories) supplemented with potassium thiocyanate (50 µg/ml), and incubated at 24 ± 1 °C in the dark for 7 days. Four fungal colonies were isolated (67 %) and purified through hyphal tips removal, displaying rapid growth rate, and aerial mycelia that initially was white, turning later to dark greenish on PDA. Pycnidia produced on 1.5 % water agar and sterilized pine needles (± 25ºC; near-UV light) were solitary, covered by mycelium, obpyriform to ampulliform (152.5 ± 41.6 × 135.2 ± 30.8 μm, n = 30). Conidia were unicellular, hyaline, smooth, fusoid to ovoid, thin-walled, measuring 16.21 ± 1.52 × 5.84 ± 0.66 μm (n = 50, L/W 2.8). Such morphological features are characteristic of Neofusicoccum spp. (Phillips et al. 2013). For molecular identification, genomic DNA was extracted from a representative isolate GB160 and partial regions of ribosomal internal transcriber spacer (ITS) (ITS1/ITS4; White et al. 1990), translation elongation factor 1-α (EF1-α) (EF1-688F/EF1-1251R; Alves et al. 2008) and β-tubulin (β-tub) (Bt2a/Bt2b; Glass and Donaldson 1995) genes were amplified as previously described, respectively, with BSA (50 mg/ml). Amplicons were sequenced and deposited in GenBank (ITS, MN952993; EF1-α, MN952204; β-tub, MN952208). BLAST analysis of ITS, EF1-α and β-tub gene sequences showed 100 % identity with Neofusicoccum batangarum reference strain CBS124923 (FJ900608, FJ900654, FJ900635, respectively). Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian Inference analyses from the concatenated dataset placed GB160 isolate within the N. batangarum cluster (BS = 72 %; PP = 0.95). For pathogenicity assessment, 3-month-old cashew "Caju di Terra" plants (n = 8) grown in a greenhouse under controlled conditions were inoculated following a randomized block design as described by Lima et al. (2013). Briefly, 3 mm diam. stem tissue bark was removed and replaced with a 3 mm diameter PDA plug retrieved from the colony margin. Inoculation wound was covered with sterilized wet cotton and sealed with parafilm. Eight control plants were only treated with PDA plugs and the wound covered and sealed as described. After 15 days, all inoculated plants displayed similar symptoms to those observed in the field, and vascular lesions (10.8 ± 4.0 cm), whereas control plants remained symptomless. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by successful re-isolation of the pathogen from all inoculated stems and identification by morphology and gene sequencing. N. batangarum was identified associated with Anacardium spp. in Brazil (Netto et al. 2017) and recently reported as causing grapevine dieback in Brazil (Rêgo et al. 2020). To our knowledge, this is the first report of N. batangarum causing cashew dieback in Guinea-Bissau and West Africa. Occurrence of this disease may represent a significant impact for cashew production since this crop is the major agricultural commodity in Guinea-Bissau.

The Siam weed. Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. M. King & H. Rob. (Asteraceae), is recognized as one of the world's worst tropical weeds. It is a perennial herb or shrub native to the neotropics that has become invasive across the tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Oceania. The species was introduced in 1937 in Nigeria and later spread to neighboring countries. Its presence and effects have been documented in the upland zones of almost all West African countries. Although, until the present study. the species had not been recorded in Guinea-Bissau. its presence in the country was very likely. In this work we document, for the first time. the invasion of Guinea-Bissau by C. odorata, assessing its present distribution and reporting effects, local uses and common names. Dispersal trends, potential consequences of its expansion and recommendations for management and control are also presented.

African Journal of EcologyVolume 56, Issue 4 p. 1039-1043 SHORT COMMUNICATION Food diversity of Timneh Parrots (Psittacus timneh) in the Bijagós archipelago, Guinea-Bissau Daniel da Costa Lopes, Corresponding Author Daniel da Costa Lopes daniel.da.costa.lopes1@gmail.com orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-4862 Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal Correspondence Daniel da Costa Lopes, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal. Email: daniel.da.costa.lopes1@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this authorRowan O. Martin, Rowan O. Martin World Parrot Trust, Hayle, Cornwall, UK Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorBucar Indjai, Bucar Indjai INEP – National Institute for Study and Research, Bissau, Guinea-BissauSearch for more papers by this authorHamilton Monteiro, Hamilton Monteiro Coastal Planning Office, Bissau, Guinea-BissauSearch for more papers by this authorMohamed Henriques, Mohamed Henriques MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorAissa Regalla, Aissa Regalla IBAP – Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas, Bissau, Guinea-BissauSearch for more papers by this authorPaulo Catry, Paulo Catry MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, PortugalSearch for more papers by this author Daniel da Costa Lopes, Corresponding Author Daniel da Costa Lopes daniel.da.costa.lopes1@gmail.com orcid.org/0000-0001-7005-4862 Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, Portugal Correspondence Daniel da Costa Lopes, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal. Email: daniel.da.costa.lopes1@gmail.comSearch for more papers by this authorRowan O. Martin, Rowan O. Martin World Parrot Trust, Hayle, Cornwall, UK Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaSearch for more papers by this authorBucar Indjai, Bucar Indjai INEP – National Institute for Study and Research, Bissau, Guinea-BissauSearch for more papers by this authorHamilton Monteiro, Hamilton Monteiro Coastal Planning Office, Bissau, Guinea-BissauSearch for more papers by this authorMohamed Henriques, Mohamed Henriques MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, PortugalSearch for more papers by this authorAissa Regalla, Aissa Regalla IBAP – Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas, Bissau, Guinea-BissauSearch for more papers by this authorPaulo Catry, Paulo Catry MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, ISPA – Instituto Universitário, Lisbon, PortugalSearch for more papers by this author First published: 03 August 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12544Citations: 3Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume56, Issue4Special Issue: Special Section: Camera Trapping in AfricaDecember 2018Pages 1039-1043 RelatedInformation

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the West African region has highly diverse agro-climatic conditions, which grant the potential for a remarkable agricultural production of a great diversity of crops. Since the 1980s, the production volumes of most crops have grown vigorously for both domestic and export markets. Traditional food crops—such as rice, groundnuts and sorghum—have been replaced by cash crops, namely cashew. Among the main cashew production areas, West Africa is the most recent and dynamic in the world, accounting for 45% of the worldwide production of cashew nuts in 2015. In consequence, cashew cultivation has acquired an important position in West African smallholder farming, providing positive economic and social effects. In this paper, we provide an overview of the cashew production system in the West African region, using Guinea-Bissau as a case study. In particular, we present some viewpoints concerning the impact of cashew production and discuss how the strong dependence on a single cash crop can compromise the local livelihoods and food security. Finally, some insights are given towards the sustainable production of cashew in the face of the recent risks affecting the agricultural sector in West Africa.

Timneh Parrots Psittacus timneh are endemic to the moist forests of West Africa. Concerns over rapid declines in populations due to overharvesting for the pet trade and forest loss prompted the species’ categorisation as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2016. Despite these threats, few data exist on their biology in the wild, impeding the development of effective conservation initiatives to protect populations. One of the few recorded breeding sites for this species occurs in the Bijagós Archipelago in Guinea-Bissau, where chicks have been historically harvested from nests and forest clearance for agriculture is common. We investigated the breeding ecology of Timneh Parrots in the Bijagós Archipelago focusing on two islands that harbour the densest populations. Specifically, we describe nest-site characteristics, breeding phenology and reproductive productivity. Timneh Parrots were found to use secondary nest cavities in 17 species of trees, predominantly nesting in trees between 20 m and 50 m in height. Nest cavities were generally aggregated, with a density of up to 14 nests ha−1 in some areas, although nests also occurred in isolated large trees. The distribution of nests likely reflected a heterogeneous distribution of large trees containing suitable nest cavities, emphasising the importance of protecting mature trees. Nesting efforts were initiated between early January until late March, suggesting that nest surveillance efforts to deter poaching can be efficiently focused at a small number of key sites during February to May each year, when fledgling chicks are most likely to be present. These data further suggest that the population may be limited by the availability of suitable nest cavities and that the installation of artificial nest cavities could help increase the breeding population.

This dataset presents an annotated list of medicinal plants used by local communities in Guinea-Bissau (West Africa), in a total of 218 species. Data was gathered by means of herbarium and bibliographic research, as well as fieldwork. Biological and ecological information is provided for each species, including in-country distribution, geographical range, growth form and main vegetation types. The dataset was used to prepare a paper on the medicinal plants of Guinea-Bissau "Medicinal plants of Guinea-Bissau: therapeutic applications, ethnic diversity and knowledge transfer" (Catarino et al., 2016) [1]. The table and figures provide a unique database for Guinea-Bissau in support of ethno-medical and ethno-pharmacological research, and their ecological dimensions.

The sub-Saharan region holds a wide variety of indigenous plant species, still offering the possibility to discover very interesting new natural products with potential therapeutic value. Most of the African population depends on traditional medicine for primary health care, however, neurological disorders are often not considered as common diseases and many people with mental illnesses, like epilepsy, are severely affected by health-related stigma and discrimination. Epilepsy is the most common serious chronic brain disorder, estimated to affect at least 10 million people in Africa. Guinea-Bissau is located in West Africa, and its population is mainly rural with very few health services available. Since the earliest times, Guinea-Bissau flora has constituted the main source of materials used in folk medicine and the local population, who is well versed in the uses of these plants and their properties. The aim of this study was to document the existing knowledge and practices related to the treatment of neurological disorders, namely epilepsy and seizures, in Guinea-Bissau and in other West African countries. The results presented from this study provide information not only on the specific plants used to treat neurological disorders, but also on social knowledge brought in by various ethnic groups, each one having its own culture, beliefs and ways of nature appropriation. Taking into account the existing knowledge on the medicinal properties of plants for treatment of neurologic disorders, it is believed that research in the areas of ethnomedicine and ethnopharmacology in Guinea-Bissau can bring promising results capable of adding value to the very rich natural resources of this country of West Africa.