Tag: ethnobotany
Ethnobotany and Agrobiodiversity: Valuation of Plants in the Homegardens of Southwestern Uganda
Identity blues: the ethnobotany of the indigo dyeing by Landian Yao (Iu Mien) in Yunnan, Southwest China
Indigo-dyed textiles have been central to the cultural identity of Landian Yao (literally “blue clothes Yao”) people in Southwest China for centuries, driving a significant local market for naturally dyed indigo cloth. In the past two decades, local indigo production for traditional textiles has declined for several reasons: Firstly, the younger generation of Landian Yao has shifted to using western style jeans and T-shirts. Secondly, due to its labor-intensive nature. In contrast, at a global scale, including in China, there has been a revival of interest in natural indigo use. This is due to a growing awareness in the fashion industry about human and environmental health issues related to synthetic dye production. Ironically, this new awareness comes at a time when traditional knowledge of indigo dyeing is being lost in many places in China, with weaving and use of natural dyes now limited to some remote areas. In this study, we recorded indigo dyeing processes used by Landian Yao people and documented the plant species used for indigo dyeing. Field surveys were conducted to the study area from September 2015 to November 2016, supplemented by follow-up visits in July 2018 and November 2018. We interviewed 46 key informants between 36 and 82 years old who still continued traditional indigo dyeing practices. Most were elderly people. Semi-structured interviews were used. During the field study, we kept a detailed account of the methods used by Landian Yao dyers. The data were then analyzed by using utilization frequency to determine the best traditional recipe of indigo dye extraction. All the specimens of documented species were collected and deposited at the herbarium of Kunming Institute of Botany. Our results showed that indigo dyeing was divided into two main steps: (1) indigo pigment extraction and (2) dyeing cloth. The general procedures of indigo dye extraction included building or buying a dye vat, fermentation, removal of the leaves of indigo producing plant species, addition of lime, oxygenation, followed by collection, and the storage of the indigo paste. The procedures of dyeing cloth included preparing the dye solutions, dyeing cloth, washing, and air drying. It is notable that Landian Yao dyers formerly only performed the dyeing process on the goat days in the lunar calendar from June to October. After comparing the range of local indigo extraction methods, our results showed that the following was best of these traditional recipes: a indigo-yielding plant material to tap water ratio of 30 kg: 200 l, lime 3 kg, a fermentation time of 2–3 d, aeration by agitation for up to 60 min, and a precipitation time of 2–3 h. Our results show that 17 plant species in 11 families were recorded in the indigo dyeing process. With the exception of the indigo sources, only Dioscorea cirrhosa Lour. and Artemisia argyi H.Lév. & Vaniot were previously recorded in dyeing processes. Other species given in this paper are recorded for the first time in terms of their use in the indigo dyeing process. In the study area, Landian Yao men were in charge of indigo dye extraction, and the women were responsible for dyeing cloth. The Landian Yao has completely mastered the traditional indigo dyeing craft and are one of the well-deserved identity blues. Indigo production from plants using traditional methods is a slow process compared to synthetic dyes and is not suitable for modern and rapid industrial production. Therefore, our study records the detailed information of traditional indigo dyeing to protect and inherit it. Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze is the main indigo source in Landian Yao that is widely used in the world and can be commercially exploited as an indigo plant. For commercial and environment benefits, we suggest that producing natural indigo for the commercial market is a good choice.
Africa’s wooden elephant: the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) in Sudan and Kenya: a review
Wild edible fruits hold great potential for improving human diets, especially in agricultural societies of the developing world. In Africa, a well-known supplier of such fruits is the baobab (Adansonia digitata L., Malvaceae), one of the most remarkable trees of the world. Several studies in different African countries have highlighted this indigenous fruit tree as a priority species for domestication and expanded use. However, internationally available information on baobab in East Africa, particularly in Sudan and Kenya, remains scarce. This review aims to shed light on the ecology, diversity and current level of utilization of baobab in East Africa in order to facilitate domestication and conservation of the species. A list of priority research areas is provided at the end of the review to encourage further studies and investment in this unique plant taxon. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.
Farmers’ perceptions of tree mortality, pests and pest management practices in agroforestry in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia
Pest management research within the context of agroforestry is in its infancy, and it is often difficult to say when a particular pest justifies investment in research to establish facts. Understanding the potentials and drawbacks of farmers’ indigenous ecological knowledge (ethnoecology) may form the basis for constructive collaboration between farmers, agroforestry scientists and extension staff. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to (1) assess farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of pests, (2) prioritize pest problems that limit tree planting and maize production based on farmers’ own criteria and (3) to identify farmers’ indigenous pest management practices for priority pests. Data were collected using community meetings, individual interviews and direct observation by the first author. The farmers involved in this study in eastern Zambia had over ten years of experience, while most of the farmers in Mozambique and parts of southern Malawi were new to agroforestry. Farmers perceived insects as the major causes of tree mortality, followed by drought, bush fires and browsing by livestock. Among the biological constraints to maize production, insects (particularly termites and stalk bores) and weeds (particularly Striga asiatica) were more important in farmers’ minds than crop diseases. Fundamentally, the farmers’ perception of the causes of tree mortality and crop pests agreed with researchers’ perceptions and the literature. Both termite and witch weed problems were associated with low soil quality, and farmers use various indigenous control practices to control these pests. Some farmers did not know the causes of tree mortality, and hence do not take action. Farmer’s perception of tree mortality was found to be a function of operator-specific variables such as sex, level of education and years of experience with tree species.
Albizia procera – white siris for reforestation and agroforestry
Albizia is a large fast-growing tree that occurs on many different sites. It occurs in forests and savanna woodlands, but prefers moist sites. This species provides wood for a variety of purpose, nutrition, fodder for livestock and shade for tea plantations. This article gives a brief account of this multipurpose tee and how it can be used for reforestation and agroforestry systems.
Traditional Use of Medicinal Plants Confirmed by the Baka in Southern and Eastern Cameroon
The limitations of biomedecine to provide effective solutions to certain pandemics has led many people to turn to alternative therapies. These palliative solutions, particularly phytomedecines, are much sought after for disease prevention and treatment. The Baka, a group of forest-dwelling people, hold knowledge on how wild plants can be effective in treating many illnesses. However, the greatest challenge for the identification of traditional medicines depends on the veracity of the information provided during ethnobotanic surveys by user populations. The present study describes forest plants used by the Baka and confirmed by them as being employed for traditional medicine. We carried out ethnobotanical surveys between 2019 and 2021 in 221 households within four districts of the Eastern and Southern Region of Cameroon. We used indices of significant use and performance applied to all mentioned species, alongside searches in the literature. The statistical tools used to distinguish the different groups/districts is Pearson’s X2 test. A total of 378 plant species were identified of 270 genera and 85 families. Ethnobotanical indices allowed to identify the most confirmed and efficient plants for several health problems. A pairwise comparison of these indices showed a significant correlation with a p-value < 2.2e-16 and a dissimilarity distance less than 0.5. Some plants selected are widely cited in other regions and/or countries for the same health problems. The presence of active molecules responsible for their biological activity was also proven, justifying their use in traditional medicine. This paper examines the potential to enhance the value of Cameroon’s pharmacopeia by integrating various ethnobotanical indices. It aims to discover new therapeutic molecules and develop improved traditional products from the diverse plant species documented. The findings indicate opportunities to advance both local and global healthcare solutions.
The Floodplain Forests of the Mamberamo Basin, Papua, Indonesia (Western New Guinea): Vegetation, Soils, and Local Use
New Guinea is the world’s largest, most speciose, and most culturally rich tropical island, and the little-studied Mamberamo Basin of Papua (Indonesian New Guinea) is recognised among the region’s most-important areas for biological diversity. Here, we examined the floodplain forests in the indigenous territory of Papasena, within the Mamberamo-Foja Wildlife Reserve in the Mamberamo Basin. As part of a training activity with local researchers, students, and civil servants, and with the permission and assistance of the local people, we employed various methods including the field surveys detailed here. We used variable-area tree plots, transects for non-trees and soil sampling, and local informants to document 17 plots: four in old-growth dryland forest, five in old-growth swamp forests (two seasonally flooded and three permanently wet including one dominated by sago, Metroxylon sagu Rottb.), five in secondary forest (fallows), and three in gardens (two in swamps and one on dryland). In total, we measured 475 trees over 10 cm in diameter at 1.3 m (dbh). The swamp forests had high local basal areas (highest value 45.1 m2 ha−1) but relatively low statures (20 m but with emergent trees over 40 m). In total, 422 morphospecies from 247 genera and 89 different families were distinguished. These included 138 tree species and 284 non-tree plant species. A quarter (105) of the morphospecies lacked species-level identifications. The woody families Rubiaceae, Araceae, Moraceae, and Euphorbiaceae were especially diverse, with 20 or more morphospecies each. Tree richness was highest in dryland forest (plot 7 having 28 species in 40 stems over 10 cm dbh) with more variation in the flooded forests. Non-tree vegetation showed similar patterns ranging from 65 species in one 40-by-5 m primary forest plot to just 5 in one seasonally flooded forest plot. The local people identified many plants as useful. Among trees, at least 59 species were useful for construction (the most common use), while, for non-trees, medicinal uses were most frequent. Inceptisols dominated (12 plots), followed by Ultisols and Entisols (3 and 2 plots, respectively). Drainage appeared poor and nutrient availability low, while land-suitability criteria implied little potential for crops aside from sago. We discuss the implication of local practises and more recent developments that may threaten the conservation of these floodplain systems. We underline the key role of local people in the oversight and protection of these ecosystems.
Blue footprint: Distribution and use of indigo-yielding plant species Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze
Background: Strobilanthes cusia (Nees) Kuntze is an important medicinal, edible, and indigo-yielding plant species. It has been cultivated for centuries and it is often the only natural dye still used in many places of East and Southeast Asia. Although S. cisia is extensively cultivated and widely used, the ecological factors of its environmental demands are poorly understood. Moreover, with the increasing demand and growing habitat degradation, its wild populations are in sharp decline. It is therefore imperative to understand the socio-ecological interactions of this species regarding its climatic niche, ethnobotanical importance, and human relations in order to meet its demand. Methods: We first collected S. cusia occurrences from plant species databases, literatures and ethnobotanical surveys. 244 wild occurrences and 10 variables were used to predict its suitable habitats using the MaxEnt model. Furthermore, for a better understanding of socio-ecological interactions regarding its distribution and use, we also collected use reports and calculated the relative importance level (RIL). Results: Strobilanthes cusia is valued for many reasons, as it contains numerous health benefits as a medicinal plant and use in tea alongside its indigo dying and tattooing properties. Indigo dye, Southern Banlangen, and Indigo Naturalis are its most important usages. Its suitable habitats are chiefly located in Western and Central Himalayas, Southern China, and Southern Japan. The ‘temperature seasonality (standard deviation × 100)’ (bio4), the ‘precipitation of coldest quarter’ (bio19), and the human footprint index showed the strongest association with the relative contributions of 38.5%, 32.4%, and 9.1%, respectively. © 2021
A review of Cameroonian medicinal plants with potentials for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic
Since the outbreak in December 2019, in Wuhan (China) of COVID-19, approved drugs are still lacking and the world is seeking effective treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the medicinal plants with potential to be used as complementary therapies against COVID-19. Bibliographic information was searched in several databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PROTA, ResearchGate and GLOBEinMED), to retrieve relevant papers on (1) plants used to manage common symptoms of COVID-19, (2) plant secondary metabolites with confirmed inhibitory effects on COVID-19 and (3) plants exhibiting pharmacological activities of relevance for COVID-19 management. A total of 230 species was recorded as potential source of ingredients for the fight against the 2019 novel corona virus. Of these species, 30 contain confirmed antiCOVID-19 secondary metabolites, 90 are used traditionally to manage at least 3 common symptoms of COVID-19, 10 have immunostimulant activity, 52 have anti-inflamatory activity, 14 have antiviral properties and 78 species are documented as used to treat malaria. A PCA analysis showing cluster formatting among the recorded species indicates 4 groups of species and an array of possibility of using individual species or a combination of species for their complementary effects. The authors argue that Cameroonian medicinal plants can be of potential contribution to the fight against COVID-19. Further applied research is needed to provide more scientific evidence for their efficacy, to establish standard formulations and clinical studies as part of efforts to develop therapies for COVID-19.