Richard Wadsworth

Background Sierra Leone’s food system faces persistent nutritional challenges, largely due to limited crop diversity and reliance on imported staples. Neglected and Underutilized Food Crops (NUFCs), though culturally embedded and ecologically resilient, remain underexplored in formal nutrition and agricultural strategies. This study evaluates the mineral composition of selected NUFCs cultivated in Bo and Kenema districts regions known for their agricultural activity and vulnerability to micronutrient deficiencies. Methodology A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining ethnobotanical surveys with laboratory-based nutritional analysis. Plant samples were collected through guided field walks and community engagement, then identified and authenticated at the National Herbarium, Njala University. Mineral profiling was conducted using standardized procedures: Kjeldahl digestion for nitrogen (converted to protein), Bray I extraction for phosphorus, and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) and flame photometry for trace elements including iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), and phosphorus (P). All concentrations were standardized to mg/100g for comparability. Result The results revealed that Piper unbellatum exhibited the most diverse mineral profile, with high concentrations of zinc (12.49 mg/100g), phosphorus (103.1 mg/100g), magnesium (8.94 mg/100g), calcium (11.62 mg/100g), and sodium (1.93 mg/100g). Celosia argentea and Luffa aegyptiaca were iron-rich, while Ipomoea aquatica showed the highest protein content (7.00%) and notable potassium levels. These findings affirm the nutritional relevance of NUFCs and their potential to address micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in rural communities with limited access to fortified foods. Conclusion This study confirms the nutritional value of selected indigenous NUFCs, providing empirical evidence to support their role in nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Crops such as Piper unbellatum, Celosia argentea , and Ipomoea aquatica show strong potential to improve dietary diversity, public health, and food system resilience in Sierra Leone. The findings lay a foundation for future research, policy action, and community-level nutrition initiatives.

Gibourtia copallifera is a rare, range-restricted tree native to the Kasewe Forest Reserve in southern Sierra Leone. Historically exploited for gum copal, it now faces threats from charcoal production due to its high-quality charcoal. Although the species shows good growth in forest patches established 60 years ago, natural regeneration remains minimal. While many tropical tree species form beneficial relationships with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), these associations are still poorly understood in humid regions like Sierra Leone. This study investigated the AMF associations of G. copallifera and assessed changes in mycorrhizal diversity in relation to forest degradation and tree development stages. Soil characterization was conducted through profile analysis, and samples were subjected to laboratory testing. Three soil types were identified within the reserve: K 01—barren land with sparse vegetation; K 02—forest land dominated by G. copallifera ; and K 03—upland fallow agricultural land with shrubs and a few trees. Soil analysis indicates pH values ranging from 5.03 to 5.87 (acidic), with calcium as the most dominant exchangeable base, followed by magnesium, potassium, and sodium. The surface horizon under G. copallifera exhibited the highest total exchangeable bases, and high cation exchange capacity (CEC) was linked to the presence of decomposed plant matter. A total of 22 AMF species were identified in plant root samples, with a significantly higher proportion found in non-degraded forest patches. These accounted for around 68% of AMF species, especially Scutellospora and Gigaspora , along with Glomus and Acaulospora . AMF species richness and diversity were considerably higher in non-degraded patches (3.13 species) than in degraded areas (1.75). Mycorrhizal frequency and intensity were also significantly greater in undisturbed forest sites. AMF colonization peaked in mature trees and was lowest in seedlings, although the variation across trials was not statistically significant (P = 0.07). The study concludes that K01 is unsuitable for G. copallifera due to its shallow depth, which restricts growth. In contrast, K02 and K03 are more favorable for the species. However, many K02 areas have been converted to agricultural land, and in locations where natural forest regeneration is allowed, more aggressive species such as Gmelina arborea and Anisophyllea laurina tend to dominate. Additionally, AMF play a crucial role in promoting the growth of G. copallifera in nutrient-poor soils. These findings are important for informing reintroduction and reforestation strategies for this native tropical tree species.

Hypertension is a multifactorial disease caused by various environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors. Hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular mortality in Sierra Leone, with the prevalence estimated to be 29.4% among males and 31.6% among females. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure among people seeking medical treatment at four health facilities in the southern province of Sierra Leone.We obtained anonymized individual records of blood pressure measurements from four health facilities (Njala University Hospital, Dandabu CHC, Futa Pejeh CHC, and Njala University Teaching Health Center). A total of 1,793 outpatient records were collected. Linear regression was used with age (years) and sex as independent variables. The total prevalence of hypertension in our study was 36.8%. The average male patient was an adult (37.5 years) with healthy blood pressure (123/75.4 mm/Hg). The average female patient was relatively young (27.6 years) with healthy blood pressure (113.8/72.8 mm/Hg). Age and sex significantly affect the increase of blood pressure in the study. Based on this finding, we recommend the improvement of healthcare infrastructure and affordable antihypertensive medication for all patients.

This study investigates the impact of human activity on the diversity, abundance, and species composition of trees in southwestern Sierra Leone's Kasewe Forest Reserve. The specific objectives are to assess the historical use of Guibourtia copallifera in relation to the reserve and examine community relations with this species. Primary data were collected through a floristic inventory and key informant interviews, focusing on the use of forest land and floral resources. A total of 1,294 living specimens from 74 tree species and 12 lianas, belonging to 61 genera in 27 families, were recorded in the study. The most dominant species were Guibourtia copallifera, followed by Nesogordonia papaverifera, Memecylon normandii , and Gmelina arborea. Other species recorded at lower levels include Homalium africanum, Lindackeria dentata, Pentadesma butyracea, and Santiria trimera. Additionally, 675 stumps from 42 genera in 29 families were identified, with 88 trees showing harvesting marks. The study also recorded 147 old charcoal pits and 76 new charcoal pits. In the Kasewe Forest Reserve, 13 patches of Gmelina arborea plantations, along with 26 old and 11 new farms, were recorded. The study revealed that rapid anthropogenic activities and poor forest management have led to a decline in tree diversity. Edge communities remain crucial for the reserve's health, management, and future. Traditions, culture, and customs play a key role in the reserve's services and products, but the full historical use of the area is poorly documented. These findings highlight the urgent need for effective forest development and a recovery plan for degraded areas.

Sierra Leone on the west coast of Africa has a monsoon-type climate. Reports by politically influential donors regularly state that Sierra Leone is extremely vulnerable to climate change, but the objective evidence backing these statements is often unreported. Predicting the future climate depends on modelling the West African monsoon; unfortunately, current models give conflicting results. Instead, changes in rainfall over the last four decades are examined to see if there are already significant changes. Rainfall records are extremely limited, so the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station daily data at a spatial resolution of 0.05 degrees was used. In addition to total annual rainfall, the characteristics of the early rainy season (critical for farmers), the length of the rainy season and growing season, and the frequency of extreme events were calculated. There is evidence for a significant reduction in annual rainfall in the northwest. There is only limited support for the widely held belief that the start of the rainy season is becoming more erratic and that extreme events are becoming more common. El-Niño was significant in the southeast. If these trends continue, they will exacerbate the consequences of temperature increases (predicted to be between 1 and 2.6 °C by 2060) and negatively affect the livelihoods and agricultural practices of the rural poor.

The last National Forest Inventory of Sierra Leone took place more than four decades ago in 1975. There appears to be no legal definition of “forest” in Sierra Leone and it is sometimes unclear whether reports are referring to the forest as a “land use” or a “land cover”. Estimates of forest loss in the Global Forest Resource Assessment Country Reports are based on the estimated rate during the period 1975 to 1986, and this has not been adjusted for the effects of the civil war, economic booms and busts, and the human population doubling (from about three million in 1975 to over seven million in 2018). Country estimates as part of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) Global Forest Assessment for 2015 aggregate several classes that are not usually considered as “forest” in normal discourse in Sierra Leone (for example, mangrove swamps, rubber plantations and Raphia palm swamps). This paper makes use of maps from 1950, 1975, and 2000/2 to discuss the fate of forests in Sierra Leone. The widely accepted narrative on forest loss in Sierra Leone and generally in West Africa is that it is rapid, drastic and recent. We suggest that the validity of this narrative depends on how you define “forest”. This paper provides a detailed description of what has happened, and at the same time, offers a different view on the relationship between forests and people than the ideas put forward by James Fairhead and Melissa LeachIf we are going to progress the debate about forests in West Africa, up-to-date information and the involvement of all stakeholders are needed to contribute to the debate on what to measure. Otherwise, the decades-old assumption that the area of forest in Sierra Leone lies between less than 5% and more than 75%, provides an error margin that is not useful. This, therefore, necessitates a new forest inventory.