Monpa, memory, and change: an ethnobotanical study of plant use in Mêdog County, South-east Tibet, China

Abstract

Background: Due to their relative isolation, the previous studies of Monpa plant use were only conducted in north-east India. In October 2013, Mêdog County was no longer remote, thanks to completion of a highway into the county. This study of plant species used by the Monpa had three research objectives. These were (i) to identify and record local names and uses of plants in Mêdog County, (ii) to assess which of these were uses of endemic or near-endemic species within this part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, and (iii) to assess how plant uses reflect socio-economic change in Mêdog County? Methods: Field surveys were conducted in 12 villages of four townships in Mêdog County, Tibet, China. Two field visits were made. The first field trip was in November 2017 and the second field trip was in May 2018. We interviewed 64 key informants between 21 and 84 years old. Most of them were the village leaders and other local people who are knowledgeable about plants. After transect walks with knowledgeable local people, we used free listing, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews during the field work. Plants traditionally used by the Monpa were documented. Utilization frequency was used to assess the significance of each species, and the Cultural Importance index was used to estimate the cultural significance of the species in common. We also used the informant consensus factor (FIC) to determine the homogeneity of the informants' knowledge of medicinal plants.

The best choices: the diversity and functions of the plants in the home gardens of the Tsang-la (Motuo Menba) communities in Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, Southwest China

“…Most of previous studies in the region were about biodiversity, and just few studies involved the relationship between local people and biodiversity such as the local knowledge of plants [16]. In our preliminary Ethnobotanical studies of local people in the region, we found rich local knowledge of plants [19][20][21]. The functions of the plants in home gardens played important roles in the daily lives of local people.…”

The Best Choices: the Diversity and Functions of the Plants in the Home Gardens of the Tsang-la (Motuo Menba) Communities in Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, Southwest China

“…Most of previous studies in the region were about biodiversity, and just few studies involved the relationship between local people and biodiversity such as the local knowledge of plants [13]. In our preliminary Ethnobotanical studies of local people in the region, we found rich local knowledge of plants [16][17][18]. The functions of the plants in home gardens played important roles in the daily lives of local people.…”

Being Blessed by Qomolangma: The Diversity and Local Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants Used by Chenthang Sherpa People to Treat Seasonal Food Shortage

“…S. heterophylla is also used by other indigenous tribes settle in Himalaya region. Our previous study showed that the species was consumed as fruit by Monpa in eastern Himalaya [47,48]. Besides, S. heterophylla is also used in local medicine.…”