Summary Study of plants' cultural and traditional uses by human societies.
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Course
Cbcs
Institution
Cbcs
Ethnobotany explores plant use in cultures; conservation ensures sustainable practices, preserving biodiversity and cultural knowledge for future generations.
ETHNOBOTANY AND CONSERVATION
Ethnobotany is the study of interrelations between humans and plants;
however, current use of the term implies the study of indigenous or
traditional knowledge of plants. It involves the indigenous knowledge of
plant classification, cultivation, and use as food, medicine and shelter.
Ethnobotany is the study of a region's plants and their practical uses
through the traditional knowledge of a local culture and people.
Ethnobotany can play an important role in providing access to the local
ecological knowledge in order to combine local knowledge and scientific
strategies for the use and conservation of biodiversity, and in facilitating
the quest to understand the processes between people and plant
resources. By its very nature, ethnobotany recognizes and values the
traditional knowledge of plant resources.
Ethnobotanists aim to document, describe and explain complex
relationships between cultures and plants, focusing primarily on how
plants are used, perceived and managed by human societies.
Some ethnobotanical studies directly emphasize the importance of
traditional knowledge on genetic resources, particularly with regard to
management practices and maintenance, and for broadening the use of
agrobiodiversity. Ethnobotanical studies reveal, document and assess
the value and the unique importance of traditional knowledge and the
high number of varieties maintained by small-scale farmers.
Interdisciplinary techniques, including methods that combine the areas
of geography, biology and anthropology, are useful for learning about the
local management of plant resources. Knowledge and experiences of
local people are not only documented, but are also discussed and
included in joint plans concerning the management and conservation of
local resources. The research now serves to increase awareness of
traditional knowledge and biodiversity; to foster an understanding of the
local situation and the need for joint actions; and to define strategies for
the development of community-based institutions for managing
biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. In this
context, participatory learning and action research (PLAR) is a prominent
methodology that can help to meet this challenge.
, NEED FOR ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY
At the subsistence level, where most farmers are illiterate, their
knowledge is usually passed on by word of mouth. Traditional groups of
people have devised different methods of preserving their knowledge by
embedding it in folklore, songs and sayings, as well as in their cultural
arts and practices. In the process, one can expect the information to
change along the way as some information will undoubtedly be omitted
or added. Thus, any documentation has to take into account the
possibility of such changes over time. The outcome of the oral tradition
of knowledge transmission is given below
The knowledge is lost when the knowledge holder passes away.
The knowledge becomes threatened if there are no recipients for it
(e.g., the younger generation is no longer interested).
The knowledge becomes unwanted (e.g., when it is easier to
access commercial drugs than herbs).
The knowledge becomes just a story when the plants and/or
materials used are no longer available (e.g., when they become
extinct).
Empowering communities to document their knowledge helps to
promote in situ conservation because they then become more interested
in maintaining their plant genetic resources. It also validates their
knowledge and helps to promote the sharing of knowledge among the
community, especially among the youth and children.
IMPORTANCE
Cultural diversity in terms of ethnic groups gives us knowledge on the
value of plant resources. The knowledge of ethnic groups on the cultural,
spiritual, social and economic values of plants can be of immense use to
the entire humankind. It can provide many valuable genes for developing
the crop plants that are extensively cultivated today. It can equip the
humankind with several new chemicals for combating many human
ailments. We have examples from throughout the world where the ethnic
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