Plants and Human Culture

Shoemaker, Candice A.

doi:10.1300/j280v01n02_02

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition to their ecological and economic value, plant and animal species have frequently been used as symbolic representations of national as well as regional identity or as flagship species (Gascon et al 2015;Shoemaker 1994). In this study, we contributed to the mapping and understanding of symbolic species as a CES, focusing on selected symbolic species in the European Alps.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They contribute to the shaping of peoples ' emotions, experiences, thoughts, values, and cultural identity (Kellert and Wilson 1995). Accordingly, the cultural importance of species is reflected in art, literature and language, mythology and religion, music, politics and world events, among others (Grabherr 2009;Malamud et al 2007;Manning and Serpell 1994;Shoemaker 1994). Plants and animals can hold a great symbolic value for a particular place through social and political developments, representing the cultural identity and heritage of the people at the local, regional, or national level, and are recognisable to people from other places (Forristal et al 2014;Urbanik 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Symbolic species as a cultural ecosystem service in the European Alps: insights and open issues

Schirpke

Meisch

2018

Landscape Ecol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose Symbolic plants and animals are recognised as a cultural ecosystem service (CES), which is still underrepresented in ecosystem services assessments. Thus, this study aims at identifying and mapping important symbolic species in the European Alps, which are of cultural significance to large parts of the Alpine population. Methods Symbolic species were identified by ten expert groups, and their use was assessed in a qualitative way. The spatial distribution of all species across the Alpine Space area was mapped at the municipality level. Through hotspots analysis, we identified spatial patterns in the distribution of species. Spearman correlation was used to evaluate the relationship between symbolic species and selected environmental and social variables. Results Ten species were identified (edelweiss, gentian, alpenrose, larch, pine, Alpine ibex, chamois, marmot, brown bear, and golden eagle) that are widely used for symbolic representations, i.e., depiction on flags, emblems, logos, and naming of hotels and brands. Hotspots of symbolic species were found in several locations in the European Alps and could be related to high elevation, steep slopes, open land cover, and naturalness. Conclusions This study proposes a methodology to map and assess symbolic species as a CES. As the spatial distribution of symbolic species depends on environmental characteristics and human activities, our results provide important insights for landscape planning and management. However, it remains unclear whether associated cultural values depend on the presence of the species and further research is needed to understand the relationships between the distribution of symbolic species and social benefits.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Symbolic species as a cultural ecosystem service in the European Alps: insights and open issues

Schirpke

Meisch

2018

Landscape Ecol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Plants have been largely used in medicine to cure disease and provide drugs. Plants give people on earth pleasure through gardening [1]. People on the earth still linked to plants for food whether directly or as feed for animals breeding.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Natural Dyes Food from the Powder of Prickly Pear Fruit Peels (Opuntia spp.) Growing in the Mediterranean Basin under Climate Stress

Bourhia

Elmahdaoui²,

Moussa

et al. 2020

BioMed Research International

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background. Barbary fig (Opuntia spp), called prickly pear, is a cultivated species belonging to family Cactaceae. It produces fruits one time per year during a short season. It is largely spreading in the Mediterranean countries. The aim of the study was to investigate the physicochemical and biochemical analysis of powder of prickly pear fruit peels of three Moroccan varieties (Aakria, Derbana, and Mles). Material and Methods. Both physicochemical analysis (humidity, water activity, Brix, ash content, pH, and total titratable acidity) and biochemical analysis (total carotenoid content, betalain content, total polyphenolic content, and ascorbic acid content) were effectuated according to protocols reported within the present research work. Results. Regarding the physiochemical analysis, the humidity of powder of prickly pear fruit peels ranged from 10.173 ± 0.002 to 15.27 ± 0.02%. The water activity (aw) ranged from 0.17 ± 0.002 to 0.336 ± 0.002. The values of Brix ranged from 68.67 ± 0.33 to 74.22 ± 0.51° Bx. pH values ranged from 5.41 ± 0.01 to 5.62 ± 0.01. The total titratable acidity values ranged from 0.644 ± 0.014 to 0.76 ± 0.007 g citric acid/100 g DM (dry matter). The ash content ranged from 1.02 ± 0.02 to 11.41 ± 0.03 g/100 g DM. Regarding the biochemical analysis, the total carotenoid content ranged from 5.14 ± 0.10 to 9.79 ± 0.06 mg/g of FM (Fresh matter). The total betalain content ranged from 2 ± 0.69 to 37.66 ± 2.65 mg/100 g of DM. The total polyphenolic content ranged from 1739.92 ± 13.69 to 2409.66 ± 43.65 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g of DM. The ascorbic content values ranged from 186.78 ± 13.23 to 294.04 ± 5.81 mg/100 g of DM. Conclusion. The results showed an interesting richness of the investigated powder in pigments (betacyanins, indicaxanthins, and carotenoids) and nutritional compounds including sugar, proteins, and vitamins that make this powder interesting for being used as a dye in food.

show abstract

“…Ethnobotany can serve as a platform for studying specific relationships between indigenous cultures and plant species. The interaction of humans or a group of people (ethnic) with natural resources of flora and fauna was a very important study with interesting and dynamic issues (Gremillion 1989;Terashima 2001;Shoemaker 2010). Ethnobotany study was also very important in plant conservation efforts (Pei 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotany of the Toba Batak Ethnic Community in Samosir District, North Sumatra, Indonesia

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. Sitanggang NDH, Zuhud EAM, Masy’ud B, Soekmadi. 2022. Ethnobotany of the Toba Batak Ethnic Community in Samosir District, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 6114-6118. The Toba Batak ethnic community is one of the ethnic groups in Indonesia that is believed to have unique characteristics in terms of ethnobotanical aspects. The objectives of this study were to identify the diversity of plant species that were used and collected by the Toba Batak ethnic community, analyze their Cultural Significance Index and determine the economic potential of plant species of high cultural value. The survey was conducted in four villages near Samosir Botanical Gardens and Aek Natonang Lake. We collected data through field observations and interviews with key respondents of chiefs, healers, homemakers and youth as users. We analyzed the data to determine the number of plant species collected and used by the Toba Batak ethnic community, to calculate the cultural importance of the plant species, and to determine the economic potential of the plant species. The result showed that the community collected and used 146 plant species from 53 families. We distinguished it into three categories, food (66 species), medicine (67 species) and traditional rituals (13 species). Twenty plant species had the highest cultural value (ICS > 30). Nine species had the highest cultural value, i.e., ginger (Zingiber officinale) (54), rice (Oryza sativa) (50), garlic (Allium sativum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) 48), mango (Mangifera indica) and sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) (40), and lime (Citrus aurantifolia), kaffir lime (Citrus hystrix) and rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) (39). Six of the nine plant species with high cultural value were considered potential and priority economic commodities. These species were ginger, rice, garlic, turmeric, mango and sweet potato.

show abstract

Plants and Human Culture

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Symbolic species as a cultural ecosystem service in the European Alps: insights and open issues

Symbolic species as a cultural ecosystem service in the European Alps: insights and open issues

Potential Natural Dyes Food from the Powder of Prickly Pear Fruit Peels (Opuntia spp.) Growing in the Mediterranean Basin under Climate Stress

Ethnobotany of the Toba Batak Ethnic Community in Samosir District, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About