Article
Plant Sciences
Birute Karpaviciene
Summary: Changes in people's dependence on natural resources and information transmission may lead to the loss of traditional plant knowledge. This study collected knowledge about plant treatments in southwestern Lithuania, and found a decline in plant diversity used for healing in the past 20 years.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Dimitra S. Varela-Stasinopoulou, Panayiotis A. Nektarios, Nikolaos Ntoulas, Panayiotis Trigas, Georgios I. Roukounakis
Summary: To date, evaluation of Mediterranean native plants' performance on urban green roofs has been limited to monoculture studies. However, it is important to assess their growth under realistic conditions, including species interactions. This study evaluated the growth, flowering, and self-reproduction capacity of three artificial plant communities consisting of native Mediterranean plants in Greece. Results showed that deeper substrate improved growth and flowering, while minimal irrigation was sufficient for most species. Some plants were able to self-reproduce.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dhruba Khakurel, Yadav Uprety, Gyeongik Ahn, Joon-Yung Cha, Woe-Yeon Kim, Sung-Ho Lee, Sangeeta Rajbhandary
Summary: This study aims to document and analyze the diversity, distribution, and sustainability of traditional medicinal plants used by the Gurung people in western Nepal. The results show that the Gurung people possess rich traditional knowledge of medicinal plants, with herbs being the most dominant life form and stomach disorders being the most commonly treated illness.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ekaterina-Michaela Tomou, Helen Skaltsa, Garyfalia Economou, Antonia Trichopoulou
Summary: This commentary highlights the impact of climate change on agrobiodiversity, food safety and human health, emphasizing the need for remodeling to sustainable diets and lifestyles. It focuses on the Greek traditional Mediterranean diet and the role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Greece, discussing potential climate change effects on their phytochemical content. Additionally, it addresses the challenges faced by Greek MAPs and proposes multiple approaches for addressing them.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ozodbek S. Abduraimov, Wenjun Li, Habibullo F. Shomurodov, Ying Feng
Summary: 70% of Uzbekistan's territory is made up of arid regions, which provide favorable conditions for the growth of plants adapted to desert climates. However, medicinal plants found in these regions have not been extensively studied. These plants are essential for the well-being of local residents, playing a vital role in traditional healing practices. To ensure their conservation and sustainable use, it is important to gather annual information on their distribution, population size, and the threats they face.
Review
Plant Sciences
Olufunke O. O. Fajinmi, Olaoluwa O. O. Olarewaju, Johannes Van Staden
Summary: South Africa has abundant plant resources and unique vegetation types. Native South African medicinal plants have been utilized effectively to generate income in rural communities. The government's bio-conservation policies, coupled with the efforts of research scientists and tertiary institutions, have played a significant role in the development of propagation protocols for valuable medicinal plants.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marisa Milena Scherrer, Stefan Zerbe, Joshua Petelka, Ina Saeumel
Summary: The use of traditional medicinal plants is important in remote rural areas. Environmental education is crucial for preserving local knowledge. Stakeholders in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-South Tyrol in Italy reveal the role of traditional medicinal plants in healthcare, cultural identity, and environmental education.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Cruz-Perez Alejandra Lucia, Barrera-Ramos Jacqueline, Bernal-Ramirez Luis Alberto, Bravo-Avilez David, Rendon-Aguilar Beatriz
Summary: Oaxaca is a diverse state in Mexico with deep traditional knowledge of medicinal plants among different ethnic groups. Over a thousand medicinal plants were documented, mainly treating digestive and genitourinary system illnesses. The importance of recognizing and respecting traditional knowledge and the role of medicinal plants in the conservation of biodiversity is highlighted.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Huizhao Yang, Deli Zhai, Sailesh Ranjitkar, Micai Zhong, Chang'an Guo, Xiong Zhang, Jianwei Yang, Weikang Yang, Jianchu Xu, Yuhua Wang
Summary: The study aimed to document and validate the effectiveness of a traditional ecological calendar-like management system in seasonal grazing in the eastern Pamir Mountains. through an ethno-ecological survey and analysis of satellite data. The findings highlighted the alignment between seasonal migration patterns, grazing activities, and vegetation phenology, and showed the high validity of the calendar system in local resource management.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cecilia Arjona-Garcia, Jose Blancas, Leonardo Beltran-Rodriguez, Citlalli Lopez Binnquist, Hortensia Colin Bahena, Ana Isabel Moreno-Calles, Jose Antonio Sierra-Huelsz, Xavier Lopez-Medellin
Summary: Urbanization in rural Mexico has led to a decline in knowledge and use of local wild species, impacting the conservation of biocultural heritage. Communities with higher levels of urbanization have greater knowledge of and use of introduced plant species, while communities with lower levels of urbanization have more knowledge of and use of wild plants. Urbanization can result in the disinterest and disuse of local medicinal flora, which could have implications for the ecosystems.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Giulia Mattalia, Felina Graetz, Matthes Harms, Anna Segor, Alessio Tomarelli, Victoria Kieser, Stefan Zerbe, Andrea Pieroni
Summary: Mountain regions, such as Trentino-South Tyrol in the Eastern Alps, are fragile ecosystems with rich biodiversity that are under threat from global changes. This study examined the ethnomedicinal knowledge of the area through interviews with local inhabitants and compared the findings with studies conducted 25 years ago. The comparison revealed that many of the plants currently in use were also used in the past, suggesting a continuity in medicinal plant usage.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alfred Maroyi
Summary: This study highlights the reliance of local communities in the Eastern Cape Province on ecosystem services provided by wild and cultivated plant species. The results underscore the importance of plant resources for the well-being of local communities and the provision of essential services.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jingjing Zhao, Linyu Fan, Sifan Hu, Poha, Jiayangji, Anita Kar Yan Wan, Yan Zeng, Yongchuan Yang, Beilu Duan, Tien Ming Lee
Summary: This study conducted a discrete choice experiment with over 900 native Tibetan harvesters in the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau in China, and uncovered their preferences and willingness to harvest traditional Chinese medicinal plant resources, which provide crucial insights for future sustainable use and management of these plants.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Muhammad Zubair, Akash Jamil, Syed Bilal Hussain, Ahsan Ul Haq, Ahmad Hussain, Din Muhammad Zahid, Abeer Hashem, Abdulaziz A. Alqarawi, Elsayed Fathi Abd Allah
Summary: The study found rich medicinal plant resources in the moist temperate forests of Northern Pakistan, with partial tree cover in some areas having a positive impact on the growth of medicinal plants.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tomasz B. Falkowski, Adolfo Chankin, Johannes Lehmann, Laurie E. Drinkwater, Stewart A. W. Diemont, Ronald Nigh
Summary: Maya farmers in Mesoamerica have been practicing milpa, a traditional agroforestry system, for thousands of years. However, burning practices have contributed to greenhouse gas emissions. A study conducted in Chiapas, Mexico found that the carbon retention of char in Maya milpas is significantly higher than other slash-and-burn systems. Although burning resulted in carbon loss, the production of char and incomplete combustion of woody biomass mitigated the loss. The study also found minimal effects of burning on soil quality. Proper management and secure land tenure can help maintain the sustainability of this agroforestry system.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)