Prioritizing Conservation of Medicinal Flora in the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot: An Integrated Ecological and Socioeconomic Approach

Tali, Bilal A.; Khuroo, Anzar A.; Nawchoo, Irshad A.; Ganie, Aijaz Hassan

doi:10.1017/s0376892918000425

Cited by 58 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…5e). Cultivated medicinal species are dominant and thus, in contrast to other more pristine mountain regions (e.g., [56] in Himalaya or [57] in Ethiopian Highlands), overexploitation is not a current issue in South Tyrol. This has also been reported for other regions with long phytomedicinal traditions (e.g., [58] from Central China or [59] from the Balkan Mountains).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (northern Italy, southern Alps): biodiversity and use

Petelka

Plagg

Säumel

et al. 2020

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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Background Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity. Methods Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species. Results A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming. Conclusions Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Furthermore, we point out particularly sensitive species that should be reconsidered for stronger protections in legal regulations.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (northern Italy, southern Alps): biodiversity and use

Petelka

Plagg

Säumel

et al. 2020

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

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“…By contrast, the significant global illegal trade in plants has received little attention, a latest manifestation of plant blindness within a growing policy sphere (Margulies, Hinsley, & Phelps, 2018). Yet, there is wide, long-standing literature on (legal and illegal) plant trades, including of medicinal and aromatic plant species (MAP species) and Non-Timber Forest Products (e.g., Broad, Mulliken, & Roe, 2003;Cruz-Garcia, Lagunez-Rivera, Chavez-Angeles, & Solano-Gomez, 2015;Flores-Palacios & Valencia-Diaz, 2007;Pauls & Franz, 2013;Rijal, Smith-Hall, & Helles, 2011;Tali, Khuroo, Nawchoo, & Ganie, 2019). Moreover, recent research on illegal plant trade has highlighted the importance of filling these knowledge gaps.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Illegal wildlife trade and the persistence of “plant blindness”

Margulies

Bullough

Hinsley

et al. 2019

Plants People Planet

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Societal Impact Statement A wide variety of plant species are threatened by illegal wildlife trade (IWT), and yet plants receive scant attention in IWT policy and research, a matter of pressing global concern. This review examines how “plant blindness” manifests within policy and research on IWT, with serious and detrimental effects for biodiversity conservation. We suggest several key points: (a) perhaps with the exception of the illegal timber market, plants are overlooked in IWT policy and research; (b) there is insufficient attention from funding agencies to the presence and persistence of illegal trade in plants; and (c) these absences are at least in part resultant from plant blindness as codified in governmental laws defining the meaning of “wildlife.” Summary This review investigates the ways in which “plant blindness,” first described by Wandersee and Schussler (1999, p. 82) as “the misguided anthropocentric ranking of plants as inferior to animals,” intersects with the contemporary boom in research and policy on illegal wildlife trade (IWT). We argue that plants have been largely ignored within this emerging conservation arena, with serious and detrimental effects for biodiversity conservation. With the exception of the illegal trade in timber, we show that plants are absent from much emerging scholarship, and receive scant attention by US and UK funding agencies often driving global efforts to address illegal wildlife trade, despite the high levels of threat many plants face. Our article concludes by discussing current challenges posed by plant blindness in IWT policy and research, but also suggests reasons for cautious optimism in addressing this critical issue for plant conservation.

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“…Cultivated medicinal species are dominant and thus, in contrast to other more pristine mountain regions (e.g. [56] in Himalaya or [57] in Ethiopian Highlands), overexploitation is not a current issue in South…”

Section: Assessment Of Vulnerabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (Northern Italy, Southern Alps) – Biodiversity and use

Petelka

Plagg

Säumel

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity.Methods: Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species. Results: A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming. Conclusions: Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Furthermore, we point out particularly sensitive species that should be reconsidered for stronger protections in legal regulations.

show abstract

Prioritizing Conservation of Medicinal Flora in the Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot: An Integrated Ecological and Socioeconomic Approach

Cited by 58 publications

References 69 publications

Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (northern Italy, southern Alps): biodiversity and use

Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (northern Italy, southern Alps): biodiversity and use

Illegal wildlife trade and the persistence of “plant blindness”

Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (Northern Italy, Southern Alps) – Biodiversity and use

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