Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine最新文献

{"title":"Wild fungi used in an ecoturistic town in Central Mexico.","authors":"Adriana Díaz-Pérez, Adriana Montoya, Alejandro Kong, Mariana Cuautle, Laura Trejo-Hernández, Luís Pacheco-Cobos, Marco Antonio Hernández-Muñoz","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00758-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00758-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Central Mexico is located an ecoturistic town in Nanacamilpa, state off Tlaxcala. The main activity of the villagers in the summertime is the ecotourism activity including gastronomic use of wild mushrooms. The aim of this paper is to describe the traditional knowledge of mushrooms and discuss the role and perspectives in the business of ecotourism.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Interviews in town and local school and forest trips with local experts were the main techniques used. To compare the number of mushrooms mentioned by persons of different age category and gender, during a free-listing task, a two-way ANOVA test was used. The local names used by interviewed persons were compared by a Chi-square analysis. A person-mushrooms network was performed using ANINHADO program.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A list of 61 species of mushrooms was generated, including 43 traditional names, selling prices, and criteria for distinguishing edible mushrooms during collection. No differences were found in the mushroom species mentioned by gender, indicating that both men and women prefer the same species. In the case of 10 most mentioned mushrooms by age group, the mushroom mentioned was dependent on the age class. The network analysis shows that experts are familiar with nearly all the mushroom species mentioned (49.0%), whereas non-experts only recognize the most notable species (9.0%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Several wild mushroom species are important to the community of San Felipe Hidalgo; however, Lyophyllum spp. have true cultural significance. It is necessary to include activities related to mushrooms at school level to reinforce traditional knowledge of young people. Expert mushroom collectors are reliable and qualified people for the identification of wild species.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"36"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144152655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Can socioeconomic factors and the availability of medicinal plant resources influence people's perception of risk in relation to diseases?","authors":"Cecilia de Fatima Castelo Branco Rangel de Almeida, Maria Lorena da Silva, Washington Soares Ferreira Junior, Taline Cristina da Silva","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00784-2","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00784-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study explores how socioeconomic factors and the availability of medicinal plant resources influence the perception of disease risk in a local medical system. It addresses the role of traditional knowledge and the care and prevention practices used by the community, highlighting the interactions between cultural, social and environmental aspects.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The research was conducted in the community of Serra Grande, Lagoa do Ouro, Pernambuco, with 95 participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data on socioeconomic factors, perceived risk of disease (using ranking and Likert scale), and perceived availability of medicinal plants. The data were analyzed with Generalized Linear Models using R software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Age was the only socioeconomic factor with a significant influence on the perception of risk of disease, being higher among individuals aged between 51 and 70. In addition, the results indicated that the perception of risk of disease is negatively influenced by the availability of medicinal plant resources, i.e., a lower availability of plants is associated with a higher perception of risk. 117 species of medicinal plants used by the community were identified, with the Fabaceae and Lamiacae families standing out.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study highlights the complexity of risk perception in rural communities, influenced by social, cultural and environmental factors. Effective public health policies must integrate these dynamics, creating adaptive strategies that strengthen community resilience and preserve traditional knowledge and resources essential for health.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"35"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12096568/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144121285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Participatory Ethnobotany in indigenous health: study conducted by a Pataxó Hãhãhãi ethnobotanist among his people, Brazil.","authors":"H D S Pataxó Hãhãhãi, E Rodrigues","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00782-4","DOIUrl":"10.1186/s13002-025-00782-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The traditional medicine of the indigenous Pataxó Hãhãhãi (PH) people, Brazil, is in jeopardy because of the significant fragmentation of their biological and cultural aspects. In addition to providing plants that can treat the complaints that these people face, the current endeavor has attempted to retrieve and document their traditional and local medicine, which is nearly forgotten.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Using the Participatory Ethnobotany approach, Pataxó Hãhãhãi, H.D.S. (author), an indigenous person who lives in the PH territory, led the project from outlining the objectives with his people to fieldwork. It was collectively decided to focus on the plants involved in the three most common complaints of the PH people: diabetes, worms, and hypertension. The plants recommended by the experts were collected, and data on their traditional and academic knowledge were compiled.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Participatory Ethnobotany approach proved to be effective, as it facilitated impacts on several phases of the work. The 175 medicinal plants, as well as their ancient healing practices indicated by 19 experts, were recovered and registered. Forty-three species were indicated for those complaints, and 79% of them supported their use in the scientific literature.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In an unprecedented way, an indigenous ethnobotanist retrieved and documented the plants and medicinal practices of his people, which were subjected to many attacks and fragmentations over the years. People learned about the recovery of plants for their three primary illnesses, making their use safe and efficient.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"34"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12085075/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144086937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Edible caterpillars and their host plants: ethnobotanical insights in Kwilu, Democratic Republic of Congo.","authors":"Françoise M Madamo, Marcellin C Cokola, Armel Gougbedji, François Malaisse, Constantin Lubini, Dieudonné Mangunza, Paul Latham, Michel Frédérich, Frédéric Francis, Rudy Caparros Megido","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00781-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00781-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>In Kwilu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo, almost 99% of the population eats a variety of edible caterpillars. Many plant species used by humans are also eaten by these caterpillars. Intensive human use of these plants could lead to their gradual extinction. This would directly affect the caterpillars that feed on them and reduce their protein supply to local populations. Assessing these pressures requires a basic understanding of the species involved.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Semi-structured surveys were conducted with 180 randomly selected informants in the two most populated areas of Kwilu (Masi-Manimba and Idiofa). Questions focused on the 'most consumed' edible caterpillars (i.e. those that are best known and most eaten), their host plants, and how the local population uses them. Caterpillars and branches of host plants were collected during the survey visits. The importance of each cited caterpillar species, their host plant, and the host plant's use category by the local population was assessed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seventeen species of 'most consumed' edible caterpillars were recorded, with the Saturniidae being predominant. They feed on the leaves of fifty-one plant species, mostly Fabaceae. There are seven main use categories of caterpillar host plants. Among these, wood charcoal, construction, and slash-and-burn agriculture are estimated to be the primary factors causing the destruction of caterpillar's host plants. Petersianthus macrocarpus (P. Beauv.) Liben and Ricinodendron heudelotii (Baill.) Pierre ex Heckel are preferred by the 'most consumed' caterpillars. Both plant species, along with Erythrophleum africanum (Benth.), hold great cultural importance in Kwilu and are under significant pressure.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The promotion of edible caterpillars through the establishment of plantations for the semi-rearing would contribute to the conservation of these species and make them more available to the local population. Caterpillar preference testing, diet modification and interaction studies between these species would enable better management.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"33"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12080176/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healing from the wild: an ethnozoological exploration of animal-based medicine in Jhargram, West Bengal, India.","authors":"Rakesh Acharya, Sanjib Kumar Das, Ankur Bhowal, Koushik Sen","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00760-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00760-w","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;India possesses immense faunal, floral, and cultural diversity that supports numerous ethnic communities relying on traditional medicine for primary healthcare. The Jhargram district, an underprivileged area in West Bengal, India, and part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau, is rich in biodiversity. This area is home to various ethnic communities that practice their own ethnobiological medicine. Despite this, there is a lack of documented use of animal-based traditional medicine in this region. This study aims to explore and document the use of animal parts/products for medicinal purposes among indigenous communities in Jhargram. A summary of the study is presented in the Graphical Abstract.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Method: &lt;/strong&gt;The study was conducted in Jhargram district, West Bengal, India, from March 2023 to January 2024. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to conduct face-to-face interviews with 55 selected individuals (29 males and 26 females) to document the medicinal uses of animals in the traditional healthcare system. The questionnaire included queries about the local names of animals, modes of preparation, applications, and other ethnozoological details. The photographs were also recorded using a camera. The collected data were analyzed using a Microsoft Excel 2019; quantitative ethnobiological indices such as the informant consensus factor (ICF) and the degree of fidelity (FL) were calculated to assess the reliability and significance of the information provided by the respondents. Additionally, use value (UV), Jaccard index (JI), and frequency of citation (FC) were also calculated.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Result: &lt;/strong&gt;This study recorded 57 species from 57 distinct genera across 47 families, used by ethnic communities in Jhargram addressing a wide range of ailments categorized into 14 groups. Birds accounted for the highest proportion (33%) of utilized species. Apis cerana exhibited the highest use value (UV = 5.69). Apis cerana and Homo sapiens sapiens recorded the highest fidelity levels (FL = 94.54%), indicating their critical roles in treating respiratory ailments and wound healing, respectively. Conversely, Dinopium benghalense had the lowest FL (FL = 3.63%), reported for kidney stone treatment. Four species, including Hydrophilus sp., demonstrated the lowest use value (UV = 1.00), suggesting their specialized or rare application in the community's ethnomedicinal practices. In terms of informant consensus, infectious diseases recorded the highest informant consensus factor (ICF = 1.00), followed closely by eye ailments (ICF = 0.99). Common preparation methods included cooking, boiling, roasting, and frying, with oral administration being the most frequently used method, followed by topical, inhalation and anal applications.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusion: &lt;/strong&gt;This study documents 57 species, including several novel species and their therapeutic uses, within the indigenous communities of Jhargram. It emphasizes th","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"32"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12076855/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144081608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used to treat human and livestock ailments in Addi Arkay district, northwest Ethiopia.","authors":"Worku Misganaw, Getinet Masresha, Asmamaw Alemu, Ermias Lulekal","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00775-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00775-3","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;Ethiopia harbors a wealth of plant biodiversity, diverse ecological zones, rich cultural heritage, and long-standing traditional knowledge and medical practices. Despite documentation of this knowledge in few regions, information remains limited for the Addi Arkay district of northwestern Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aimed to document the indigenous and local knowledge on the use of human and livestock medicinal plants.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methodology: &lt;/strong&gt;Ethnobotanical data were collected between October and December 2024 through semi-structured interviews, guided field observations, focus group discussions, and ranking exercises conducted with 385 informants. Stratified sampling, random, and purposive sampling techniques were employed. A mixed-methods approach (both qualitative and quantitative) was used for data analysis. Quantitative analyses included preference ranking, Direct Matrix Ranking (DMR), Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), and Rahman's Similarity Index (RSI). T tests and one-way ANOVA were employed to compare mean levels of indigenous and local knowledge across different socio-demographic and socio-economic factors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;This study documented 112 medicinal plant species (105 genera, 58 families, including four endemic and one nearly endemic) were used for human and livestock remedies in the Addi Arkay district, northwestern Ethiopia. Fabaceae was the dominant family (7.14%). The majority of plant species (75.89%) were used to treat human ailments, while a smaller proportion (5.36%) were used for livestock, and 18.75%) were used for both human and livestock ailments. The most frequently used plant parts were leaves (34.6%) followed by roots (27.9%), and grinding was the most common method of preparation (30.4%). The preference ranking exercise revealed Opuntia ficus-indica as the top choice for treating human hemorrhoids and Phytolacca dodecandra as the preferred treatment for rabies in livestock. DMR revealed Cordia africana, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, and Terminalia leiocarpa as the most threatened multipurpose medicinal plants. Informant Consensus Factor values ranged from 0.63 to 0.93. Fidelity level analysis revealed that Phytolacca dodecandra was most effective against rabies, followed by Rubia cordifolia for cough and Plumbago zeylanica for swelling. Agricultural expansion posed the most significant threat, followed by overgrazing and fuel (charcoal and fuel wood). The highest levels of indigenous and local medicinal plant knowledge were predominantly transmitted orally through family lines, with paternal contributions often playing a significant role. Compared to other studies conducted in Ethiopia, the Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI%) for human medicinal plants ranged in value from 6.9% to 68.92% and for veterinary plants from 10.91% to 27.91%, whereas the Rahman's Similarity Index (RSI) ranged from 0.98% to","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"31"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12065351/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144051607","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Folk taxonomy of wild mushrooms in communities of the indigenous groups Chatino, Chontal, and Chinantec in Oaxaca, Mexico.","authors":"Alexanders López-García, Marko Gómez-Hernández, Etelvina Gándara","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00779-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00779-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Traditional names of wild mushrooms have long served as crucial links between these organisms and humans. In Mexico, cultural groups traditionally use indigenous and Spanish names and have developed effective methods for classifying and naming mushrooms. This has allowed the suitable use of fungal resources and the transmission of ancestral knowledge regarding each species. The present study explores the folk taxonomy of wild mushrooms in communities belonging to the Chatino, Chontal, and Chinantec indigenous groups of Oaxaca, Mexico. The goal was to assess the origins and meanings of the mushroom names, their connections to local culture, and the similarities in folk taxonomy among indigenous groups to understand the dynamics of classification and assignment of names.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between April and October 2022, 10% of the inhabitants in each community, including children, youth, adults, and elderly individuals, were interviewed to gather information related to their knowledge of wild mushrooms. Local translators assisted in analyzing the origins and meanings of mushroom names. Field trips to collect sporomes were conducted with community members. Regression analysis and analysis of covariance were performed to assess the use of traditional names among community members.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 43 indigenous names were recorded for 32 mushroom species. The Chatino people use 22 indigenous names for 23 species and refer to mushrooms as \"Kía\"; the Chontal group uses 15 names for 16 species, and the term for mushrooms is \"Jlapilí\"; the Chinantec group has six names for six mushroom species and uses the generic term \"Naẗ.\" Indigenous names consist of a generic term for mushroom and a specific suffix. Since the mushroom names are assigned based on ecological, morphological, and cultural factors, similarities in their meanings can be observed among the communities. People's age is positively related to the number of indigenous mushroom names they use. Women use more Spanish names than men.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The variety of names used in each studied community underlines the relevance of wild mushrooms for these indigenous groups. They have developed a comprehensive folk taxonomy that enables them to effectively utilize fungal resources and ensure the transmission of traditional knowledge.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"30"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12044724/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144021859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The contemporary challenge for ethical research involving the knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities and afro-descendants and other marginalized, minority, or minoritized groups.","authors":"Ulysses Paulino Albuquerque, Romulo Romeu Nóbrega Alves, Washington Soares Ferreira Júnior","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00774-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00774-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The publication of ethnobiological data raises crucial ethical questions regarding the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) and Afro-descendants and other Marginalized, Minority, or Minoritized Communities (AMMC). While ethnobiology as a discipline is rooted in ethical principles that emphasize respect and appreciation for these communities, the question remains: Is publishing ethnobiological data always respectful of knowledge holders' rights? This article argues that the answer is contingent on how research is conducted, how consent is obtained, and how data is handled and disseminated. We emphasize the need for a nuanced approach that goes beyond compliance with ethical guidelines and embraces the principles of epistemic justice, equitable benefit-sharing, and genuine co-production of knowledge. By distinguishing between raw traditional knowledge and ethnobiological data systematized within scientific paradigms, we highlight the potential risks of knowledge misappropriation and the epistemological implications of translating diverse knowledge systems into western scientific frameworks. We also discuss the limitations of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) as a safeguard and propose alternative strategies for ensuring IPLC and AMMC autonomy in the knowledge production process. Finally, we advocate for hybrid co-production of knowledge as a transformative approach to fostering equitable collaborations between researchers and communities. By embedding ethical considerations at every stage of the research process, we argue that ethnobiology can evolve into a discipline that actively contributes to social justice, sustainability, and the recognition of diverse epistemologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"29"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12034147/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143992632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mixed teff (Eragrostis tef, Poaceae) cultivation and consumption among smallholder farmers in South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia.","authors":"Daniel Melese, Zemede Asfaw, Zerihun Woldu, Bikila Warkineh, Endale Amare, Alex C McAlvay, Morgan Ruelle","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00776-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00776-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Indigenous cropping systems were often developed with a focus on resilience. For example, farmers in many parts of the world have traditionally grown crop varietal mixtures to mitigate risks of crop failure due to drought, pests, and disease. However, crop varietal mixtures are threatened by policies encouraging farmers to plant homogenous, single-variety cropping systems, which are more vulnerable to increasing climate variability. Teff is one of the indigenous staple crops of Ethiopian origin cultivated throughout the country for multiple purposes. Farmers continue to cultivate diverse varieties of teff, as well as a varietal mixture known as SERGEGNA teff. We assessed farmers' knowledge and practices related to SERGEGNA teff in the northern highlands of Ethiopia to understand its advantages as well as threats to its continued use.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Research was conducted in six kebeles (sub-districts) of Kalu and Tehuledere districts of South Wollo Zone, Ethiopia, situated in warm moist lowlands and tepid and cool mid-highlands. Data were collected through structured surveys with 304 randomly sampled interviewees, semi-structured interviews with 36 purposively sampled key informants, six focus group discussions, guided field tours and market surveys. Varieties of teff in standing crop fields were assessed within 5 m × 5 m random plots at the seed-setting stage. Data analysis included cross-tabulation of survey and interview data, descriptive statistics, and hierarchical clustering.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Teff dominates the farm fields in the six study kebeles. Altogether, 13 distinct varieties, including farmers' varieties (landraces) and breeders' varieties, were recorded. Fifty-three percent of survey respondents reported active cultivation of SERGEGNA teff variety mixtures. The same proportion asserted preference for varietal mixtures over pure brown or white varieties on account of nutritional benefits and non-food domestic functions. The varietal mixture was also top-ranked by key informants for drought and disease resistance, resilience, and ecological elasticity. Households reported utilizing the varietal mixture in various types of food and selling at local markets. Most respondents (53% of those who reported cultivating SERGEGNA teff in 2023) indicated using SERGEGNA teff to prepare leavened and unleavened foods, including INJERA, DIMESO, KITA, ANEBABERO, SEREBAT, porridge and gruel.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Farmers express that the ongoing cultivation and use of SERGEGNA teff boost production and enhance resilience and economic returns. These perspectives should be considered in initiatives promoting single breeder's varieties, which risk supplanting traditional crop varietal mixtures. Further study, alongside proactive conservation, and scaled-up efforts of institutions concerned with food security, biodiversity conservation, and inclusion of ILK are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"27"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12023553/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144018679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medicinal plants trade in Harare's urban markets: diversity, conservation status, and economic significance.","authors":"Justice Muvengwi, Monicah Mbiba","doi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00778-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00778-0","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urban markets serve as crucial centres for trading traditional medicinal plants, yet there is limited research on the diversity, geographic origins, and socio-economic contributions of these plants. Therefore, this study aimed at understanding the species composition and diversity, conservation status, and economic importance of medicinal plants in urban markets of Harare, Zimbabwe, to provide insights into their sustainability and cultural significance.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study surveyed medicinal plant vendors in three major urban markets in Harare, Mbare, Highfield, and the Central Business District (CBD) in 2019 over a period of three months. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires to inventory medicinal plant species, document vendors' districts of origin, and assess harvesting practices. Species diversity was analysed using Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices, while Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) was used to compare species composition across markets. The informant consensus factor (ICF) was calculated to determine the level of agreement among vendors on the medicinal use of plant species.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 64 medicinal plant species were identified, with Fabaceae being the most represented family. Sixty-one species were in the least concern IUCN Red List category. Key species with high use reports included Entada goetzei (62), Cassia abbreviata (58), Pterocarpus angolensis (40), and Albizia anthelmintica (31). Roots were the most sold plant part, followed by bark and leaves. Mbare exhibited the highest species richness (54), followed by Highfield (34), while the CBD recorded the lowest richness (23). Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) analysis revealed distinct differences in species composition among the three markets (R = 0.492), with Highfield displaying a unique suit of medicinal plant species. Vendors primarily originated and sourced their medicinal plants from eastern Zimbabwe, particularly Chipinge, highlighting a strong link between plant sourcing and geographic origin. The ICF was highest for gastrointestinal disorders (0.807), women's health (0.778), sexually transmitted infections (0.746), and labour-related ailments (0.842). Medicinal plant trade contributed significantly to vendors' livelihoods, with monthly incomes ranging from US$150 to $300.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study underscores the high diversity of medicinal plants and their socio-economic importance in Harare's urban markets. This shows that traditional medicine is still considered important in primary health care in the city of Harare. However, the reliance on distant districts (~ ≥ 100 km) for plant sourcing raises concerns about the possibility of unknowingly overharvesting.</p>","PeriodicalId":49162,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","volume":"21 1","pages":"28"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12023468/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144021919","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}