Ecological Knowledge of indigenous plants among the Marakwet Community (Embobut Basin), Elgeyo Marakwet County (Kenya)

Abstract

Background:Sustainable utilization and conservation of indigenous plants requires information on the Indigenous Ecological Knowledge (IEK). This study assessed IEK on plant species identification, use and management of indigenous non-medicinal plants among the Marakwet Community in Embobut Basin in Kenya, which has a wealth of such knowledge.Methods: Plant inventories for this study were done through interviews with seven elders from the Marakwet Community who are considered to have immense IEK. The same knowledge was also evaluated among 116 local community members using checklist-based questionnaires.Results: There were 48 indigenous plant species inventoried by elders, where 4 plants (8.3%) had up to 3 indigenous names for the same plant while nine plant species (18.75%) had two names for the same plant among elders. The number of plant species that had a single and consensus name among the elders were 66.67%%. The average identification index of the species among the local was only 47.7%. Up to 58.3% of the local community members identified at least over 50% of the plant species, while 41.7% were able to identify below 50%.Conclusions: This study demonstrates loss of IEK in the Marakwets Community of Kenya. The results of the study could be used to develop culture specific sustainable utilization and conservation strategies to preserve indigenous plants of cultural value to the rural communities. This may form the first strategy in co-management of plant resources for sustainable ethnobotanical and environmental management.

Medicinal Plant Use by Sundanese Ethnic in Nyangkewok Hamlet, Sukabumi Regency

“…Knowledge decrease in young generation is caused by activity change in young age group and the educational system that marginalize ethnobotany indigenous knowledge (Iswandono et al 2015). A study (Wanjohi et al, 2020) also agrees that old age group has adequate ethnobotany knowledge to become respondents compared to the young generation with less knowledge. Young generation looks for more practical and quick treatment by visiting public health center, the reason why knowledge of medicinal plants to cure illness only limited to the old generation.…”

Traditional use of wild edible plants in the communities adjacent to Mabira Central Forest Reserve, Uganda

“…Reduction in the diversity of WEPs is an indicator that some of these foods have been overexploited, which has resulted in their eventual depletion (Maikhuri et al 2001). This might deplete the store of genetic material available for future adaptation (Wanjohi et al 2020). Therefore, there is need to form collaborative partnerships between the conservationists and local communities to widen the social base of conservation so as to promote sustainable utilization of the wild plants (Hamilton et al 2016).…”

“…The use of the same species in different geographical regions could be attributed to their wide occurrence but also to knowledge sharing resulting from migrations and intermarriages. The WEPs of the forest reserve had several other uses many of which are mentioned by Wanjohi et al (2020). Medicinal plants were the second most important after food species and were represented by 16 families.…”

Traditional Knowledge and Medicinal Importance of African Rosewood (Pterocarpus Erinaceus Poir, Fabaceae) Across Sociolinguistic Groups in Benin

“…This has led researchers to take an increasing interest in studies about traditional knowledge of plant species, including socio-demographic, ecological and botanical factors, such as sociolinguistic groups, socio-professional groups, age, sex, habitats, areas of occurence of species, etc. [2,3,4,5]. These studies have become very interesting for the sustainable management of endangered species because they make it possible to assess the differences in knowledge about selection and use of plant resources by sociodemographic groups for de ning of priorities, planning and monitoring of conservation [6].…”

“…These studies have become very interesting for the sustainable management of endangered species because they make it possible to assess the differences in knowledge about selection and use of plant resources by sociodemographic groups for de ning of priorities, planning and monitoring of conservation [6]. The ecological knowledge of populations on plant species and habitats could contribute to the development of co-management strategies of plant resources for sustainable environmental management [3].…”