Fire is central to the ecology and culture of Brazilian biomes and has long been used by local and traditional communities for land management, yet Brazilian policy has historically marginalized or criminalized these practices, overlooking local knowledge. Understanding how people around protected areas perceive fire, and how those perceptions relate to a changing climate, matters for designing integrated, socially legitimate fire policies. We documented local perceptions of fire around the Chapada Diamantina National Park (Bahia, northeastern Brazil) through semi-structured interviews with 50 residents across nine localities, addressing perceptions, uses, and perceived impacts of fire and traditional management practices. Material was examined through thematic and content analysis, with descriptive frequencies reporting the proportion of participants mentioning each theme. Impact-oriented perceptions predominated: environmental impacts were mentioned by 90
Ethnobiology was not only created as a field to understand the relationship between humans and their environments; it emerged from direct engagement with rural and Indigenous communities. Yet the great paradox is that, despite its field-based origins, the discipline continues to be reproduced within urban academic spaces that often exclude those who are assumed to be at the very heart of knowledge production. In this editorial, we do not simply propose the “inclusion” of rural or Indigenous communities. Instead, we call for a radical repositioning of the knowledge itself: Who can be considered a “scientist”? And who holds the authority to define scientific knowledge? We reject the assumption that urban academic affiliation or formal credentials are the sole basis for scientific credibility, and instead propose a different standard: knowledge should be assessed by its depth, explanatory power, and integrity when co-produced in genuine partnership with living communities. Drawing on our own experiences as researchers raised in rural villages, peripheral regions, and migrant/refugees’ communities, we argue that local and Indigenous ecological knowledge is not a “raw material” for scientific research, but a form of scientific thinking in its own right with its own logic, observations, and rigour, and its own way of assessing, adapting and enacting this knowledge. We therefore call for a further step ahead in the classical structure of ethnobiology: not merely the inclusion of communities in research stages, but the recognition of some of their scholars as the core producers of scientific knowledge, from the formulation of research questions to the interpretation, dissemination and enactment of results. This transformation of the locus aims not only to improve ethnobiology as a field but also to redefine it. Without this redefinition, science will remain detached from the realities it claims to understand. With it, ethnobiology can become a more honest, more courageous discipline, better equipped to confront biodiversity loss, climate change, and the reconfiguration of more-than-human–nature relationships.
Throughout history, diverse ethnic groups worldwide have accumulated rich traditional knowledge related to starch plants through long-term use. This knowledge plays a crucial role in maintaining global food security and contributing to the achievement of SDG 2. Guangxi, a region in China known for its rich biocultural diversity, harbors a vast number of understudied and underutilized starch plants along with associated traditional knowledge. Traditional starch plants constitute an important component of Guangxi’s biocultural heritage and contribute to local food security, although associated traditional knowledge is undergoing rapid erosion. This study aims to conduct an ethnobotanical investigation of these plants in the region, document their traditional uses, and evaluate their practical value. Using ethnobotanical approaches, including semi-structured interviews, free listing, and participatory observation, 127 key informants (such as traditional farmers, herbal healers, and village elders) across 67 locations in Guangxi were interviewed to gather ethnobotanical information on starch plants. An Ethnobotanical Economical Plant Index (EEPI) was constructed to quantitatively assess the value of these plants. A total of 199 species of starch plants were recorded, belonging to 53 families, with Fabaceae (37 species), Fagaceae (17 species), and Poaceae (14 species) being the most represented. Herbs were the dominant life form (78 species, 39.2
Plants used for handicraft and household (HH) purposes play an important role in supporting rural livelihoods, material culture, and traditional ecological knowledge in northeastern Thailand. However, ethnobotanical information on the diversity, utilization patterns, and cultural importance of these plant resources in Yasothon Province remains limited. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of plant species used for non-food and non-medicinal purposes, with emphasis on their functional roles in daily household activities and traditional craftsmanship. Ethnobotanical data were collected through semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and guided field walks with local informants in Yasothon Province. Plant specimens were identified and categorized according to their uses. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including the Cultural Importance Index (CI) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to evaluate cultural significance and agreement among informants. Additional analyses were conducted to examine species composition, growth forms, resource origins, and plant parts used. A total of 34 plant species belonging to 32 genera and 16 families were recorded. Fabaceae was the most species-rich family. Trees were the dominant growth form, and native species slightly exceeded introduced taxa. Cultivated plants represented the main source of raw materials, followed by wild and mixed sources. Shoots were the most frequently used plant parts. Bambusa spinosa Roxb. showed the highest Cultural Importance Index (CI = 1.037), followed by × Thyrsocalamus liang Sungkaew W.L.Goh (CI = 0.833), Cocos nucifera L. (CI = 0.667), and Musa balbisiana Colla (CI = 0.630), indicating their strong multifunctional roles in local household and handicraft systems. Construction materials and household utilities were the most frequently cited use categories, while packaging showed the lowest cumulative importance. Informant Consensus Factor values were consistently high across all categories (0.963–0.980), indicating strong agreement on plant use within the community. Plant resources used for handicraft and household purposes in Yasothon Province form an important component of local biocultural systems. The predominance of cultivated multipurpose species highlights an adaptive strategy that supports resource availability while reducing pressure on wild populations. These plant-based practices contribute to household self-reliance, cultural continuity, and environmentally sustainable resource use. Supporting the conservation and sustainable management of culturally important species may help maintain traditional knowledge and strengthen rural livelihood resilience in northeastern Thailand.
Zongzi is a traditional Chinese food with a long cultural history. Our previous study revealed that the leaves of 57 plant species have been used to wrap zongzi. However, the ingredient system of zongzi, plant-based binding materials, plant transformation in plant-ash water and ash-zongzi preparation, and human-plant relationships in the selection of zongzi materials are unclear. To understand the cultural and dietary significance of zongzi, the ethnobiological surveys were carried out, aiming to investigate the species diversity used for making zongzi and associated traditional knowledge. The literature study was used to collect historical and reported information of zongzi. Web-based investigation was mainly applied to supplement information on zongzi-associated materials and culture. The field investigations were conducted from April 2006 to June 2026 throughout China. Ethnobiological information about zongzi was obtained by direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and key informant interviews. Thirty-six key informants were interviewed, mainly from 14 administrative regions of China, including Beijing, Guangxi, Hunan, and Yunnan. We recorded at least 51 species of zongzi ingredients, covering plant-derived ingredients, animal-derived ingredients, and edible fungi. This group consists of staple grains and legumes, fillings, seasonings, and aromatic plants. The coloring materials for dyeing zongzi are from 12 plant species. Two regionally specific wrapping materials, Eriobotrya japonica and Themeda villosa, were also documented. Most zongzi are secured with strings or other fastening methods. Plant-based binding materials are from at least 27 species. Plant-derived ash used for preparing ash-zongzi is derived from 34 species, in such zongzi, the glutinous rice (main grains) is processed with plant-derived ash or plant-ash water. This paper provided a whole profile of zongzi covering ingredients, seasonings, dyeing plants, binding materials, plant-derived ash, and associated traditional knowledge, in addition to our previous study on leaves of wrapping zongzi. It showed the complete material culture of zongzi in China. The findings revealed that the shaping of zongzi is not simply a matter of wrapping glutinous rice in leaves, but a continuous set of traditional techniques extending from material acquisition and processing to shaping and cooking.
Wild edible plants (WEPs) are key components of indigenous food systems, contributing to food security, dietary diversity, livelihood resilience, and the maintenance of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in rural communities. However, empirical data on WEP diversity, utilization patterns, and indigenous knowledge (IK) distribution remain limited in Zigem District, Ethiopia. This study aimed to document WEP diversity, assess IK and utilization practices among local ethnic groups, and evaluate their implications for food security, public health, environmental sustainability, and biodiversity conservation. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 150 informants (Awi = 60, Amhara = 50, Gumuz = 40) using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, and direct observations. Plant specimens were identified using standard taxonomic procedures, and conservation status was assessed using the locally perceived threat status. Quantitative analyses, including cultural value index (CVI), preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, Jaccard similarity index, and Venn diagram analysis, were conducted using R software to evaluate species importance, cultural variation, and use patterns. A total of 72 WEP taxa belonging to 50 genera and 39 families were documented. Dominant families included Malvaceae, Solanaceae, Anacardiaceae, and Moraceae (6.94
The relationship between sociocultural and biological diversity in local communities is well recognized, motivating the incorporation of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) into alternative management models to improve the effectiveness of socioecological systems. This study aims to understand and spatially analyze fishers’ LEK of the spatiotemporal migration patterns of mugilid species using participatory mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (i.e. ethnomapping). For this, mugilid-specialist fishers were interviewed between July 2023 and June 2024 across two sustainable-use protected areas in northeastern Brazil, where information on fishing practices, spatiotemporal distribution and socioeconomic characteristics was collected. To explore patterns of fishers’ LEK regarding spatiotemporal migration and habitat use of mugilid species, we used a Multiple Correspondence Analysis. Our results show that fishers’ LEK is robust and diverse, revealing distinct spatiotemporal migratory patterns among five mugilid species (Mugil liza, M. brevirostris, M. curvidens, M. curema, and M. rubrioculus). A total of 72 migration sites associated with the reproduction and capture of these mugilid species were identified by fishers, including mangroves, riverine areas, sandbanks, coral reef habitats, and beaches, where some temporal patterns were also elucidated by Multiple Correspondence Analysis. Fishers’ local ecological knowledge (LEK) is essential for understanding estuarine-coastal connectivity and the completion of mugilid life cycles. Integrating structured interviews, participatory mapping, and in situ validation of species distribution based on fishers’ LEK can support co-management strategies and help ensure species persistence across estuarine and coastal environments.
Understanding how people select medicinal plants in local medical systems is one of the central questions in Ethnobiology. Although characteristics of medicinal plant species, such as perceived efficacy, availability, organoleptic characteristics, among others, have been investigated, the influence of perceptions of therapeutic targets, particularly their symptoms, on this process remains poorly understood. We investigated whether therapeutic targets that share similar symptoms are treated with similar sets of medicinal plants, and whether this pattern is maintained for therapeutic targets perceived as recent in people’s daily lives within local medical systems, at both the community and individual levels. The study was conducted in two communities in Northeastern Brazil. We carried out free-listing exercises and semistructured interviews to document medicinal plants, therapeutic targets, associated symptoms, and people’s perceptions regarding the temporality of therapeutic targets. Similarity matrices based on Jaccard distance were constructed for symptoms and plant use. Bayesian mixed-effects models were fitted to test whether symptom similarity predicts similarity in plant use and whether this association is maintained or altered when at least one of the compared therapeutic targets is perceived as recent. At the community level, symptom similarity was positively associated with similarity in the use of medicinal plants, indicating that therapeutic targets with greater symptomatic overlap tend to share similar sets of plants. This association remained stable regardless of the presence of therapeutic targets perceived as recent. At the individual level, however, no consistent association was observed between symptom similarity and similarity in plant use, and recency did not moderate this relationship. The results suggest that local perceptions of disease symptoms may contribute to structuring plant selection at the community level, reflecting therapeutic patterns that likely emerged from individual experiences and were consolidated over time through social validation and cultural transmission. At the individual level, this pattern was not observed, suggesting that individuals participate in the construction of community knowledge but do not retain its full content; instead, they manage only part of the collective repertoire. This management of knowledge may be influenced by pathways of knowledge transmission, characteristics of therapeutic targets, and characteristics of the resources. These findings highlight the relevance of considering the dynamics of medicinal plant knowledge across different scales.
Wild Food Plants (WFPs) are important for food and cultural security. Despite a global trend of erosion in WFP knowledge, little is known about how people perceive their relationship with these species. This study analyzes how WFP knowledge has changed over time, and how ecological and sociocultural perceptions are associated with current and past consumption, and whether patterns of use abandonment exhibit phylogenetic structure. This repeated cross-sectional study compares data collected in 2008–2010 (T1) and 2024–2025 (T2) in a rural community in the Brazilian Caatinga. T1 data come from a prior ethnobotanical survey in the same community, whose free-listing procedure was replicated at T2 to ensure comparability. In T2, 68 participants completed the free listing; the analysis of citation frequency considered the 40 who cited three or more wild food plants, and 36 completed recall procedures and semi-structured interviews on reasons for use, disuse, and non-use. We also compared citation frequency at T1 with that at T2 augmented by species recovered through recall (T2*). Species were classified as currently consumed, formerly consumed, or known but never consumed. Data were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models, and phylogenetic signal (Blomberg’s K) in the propensity to abandon use was estimated. Knowledge of WFPs declined between the compared periods when based solely on free lists. When recall records at T2 were included, however, the same comparison showed an increase. Species defined primarily by ecological attributes, specifically environmental availability, were associated almost entirely with past consumption, whereas species defined by sociocultural attributes showed a more balanced distribution between past and current use. We also detected a significant, albeit limited, phylogenetic signal in the propensity to abandon use. The repeated cross-sectional comparison indicates a reduction in spontaneously reported WFP knowledge when methodologically comparable free-list data are considered — though assisted recall showed that part of this repertoire remained accessible. Ecological and sociocultural perceptions were differently associated with consumption status, while evolutionary history accounted for only part of the variation among species.
Traditional medicinal systems are integral to the healthcare practices of indigenous and local communities, especially in remote regions where modern healthcare may be inaccessible. Ethnobotany and ethnomedicine play vital roles in these systems, providing effective treatments derived from local flora. This study investigates the wealth of ethnomedicinal plant knowledge among the indigenous and saint communities of Chitrakoot, India. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and rapid rural appraisal tools were used to assess ethnobotanical information. Ethnic data were collected from saints and indigenous communities through interviews, discussions, and semi-structured questionnaires. Quantitative analysis was conducted via relative frequency citation (RFC), the informant consensus factor (IFC), and use value (UV). In the present study, a total of 205 individuals (168 males and 37 females) participated in interviews and discussions on ethnomedicine The research was conducted from June 2021 to December 2024. This study identified 119 ethnomedicinal plants, representing 107 genera and 50 families, used to treat various ailments categorized into 15 groups. Piper nigrum had the highest RFC value (1.00) and UV (1.20), followed by Allium sativum (0.84). The highest ICF value was found for the snake, scorpion, and insect bite categories (0.88), followed by the digestive system disorders category (0.84). The most common method of drug administration is the use of plant powder, with leaves being the most commonly used part of the plant. Chitrakoot saint and tribal communities hold rich ethnomedicinal knowledge rooted in their forests, underscoring the need to preserve this vital indigenous heritage.
Wild edible plants (WEPs) contribute substantially to dietary diversity, food security, and cultural identity in rural Ethiopia. Despite their ecological, nutritional, and socioeconomic importance, they remain insufficiently documented and inadequately incorporated into national food security and biodiversity conservation policies. This study documents the diversity of WEPs and associated Oromo traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in Aseko District, Arsi Zone, southeastern Ethiopia. Ethnobotanical data were collected from 206 informants (35 key informants and 171 general informants) across six kebeles representing lowland, midland, and highland agroecological zones. Data collection employed semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews, guided field walks, and participant observation. Plant species were taxonomically verified using Plants of the World Online (POWO) and World Flora Online (WFO) following the APG IV classification system. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including Use Value (UV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Fidelity Level (FL), were calculated. Descriptive statistics, Generalized Linear Modeling (GLM), and qualitative thematic analyses were used to evaluate ethnobotanical knowledge and utilization patterns. A total of 70 wild edible plant species belonging to 58 genera and 32 families were documented. Fabaceae (15.7
Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O.Berg, commonly known as cambuí, is a wild edible fruit with high socioeconomic potential. However, its value chain remains geographically limited and poorly explored. In this study, we sought to identify bottlenecks and understand how the cambuí (Myrciaria floribunda (West ex Willd.) O.Berg) value chain is structured in the São Francisco River mouth region, in Northeastern Brazil. A total of 116 local collaborators (harvesters, processors and consumers) were involved across different stages of data collection, which included semi-structured interviews with harvesters and consumers and a participatory workshop with representatives of the main harvesters’ association in the region. The findings indicated that, although cambuí is perceived as widely available in forest areas, its value chain is short, restricted to the local context, and marked by structural weaknesses, such as limited institutional support and issues related to the transportation and storage of the fruit. Despite these challenges, harvesters recognized the species as one of the most profitable among their current native fruit options available that are traded locally, with high potential to meet high market demands. The main bottlenecks reported to limit the expansion of the cambuí value chain included a lack of technical support and institutional partnerships, land conflicts among harvesters, and the absence of specific standards or a sustainable management plan for the species. We conclude that expanding the cambuí value chain requires integrated strategies, encompassing the valorization of local knowledge, empowerment of extractive communities, conservation of harvesting areas, and access to markets guided by socio-environmental responsibility, thereby ensuring both the socioeconomic well-being of harvesters and the conservation of the species.
Lal Suhanra National Park is home to a variety of landscapes, including wetlands, forests, and deserts, as well as a large number of food and medicinal plant species. The present study was designed to document the traditional knowledge of local communities living in the vicinity of Lal Suhanra National Park in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan. Ethnobotanical information was collected from 100 respondents through a semi-structured questionnaire, field surveys, and group conversations. Several indicators were also employed to assess the ethnomedicinal data. Furthermore, the current findings were compared with previous publications to determine the novelty of the data. In total, 59 botanical species belonging to 31 botanical families were documented. Out of these, 30 species are used in folk medicine. Crotalaria burhia, Hyophorbe lagenicaulis, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Melia azedarach, Moringa oleifera, Morus alba, and Nymphaea nouchali exhibited the highest fidelity level (100
Hunting is a relevant topic within environmental sciences, and its debate has grown in other areas such as the humanities. The discussion about the factors that lead human populations to hunt permeates socioeconomic and cultural issues; these aspects influence various layers of interaction with fauna, whether for food, medicinal use, or others. Considering the threat of species decline, especially when associated with other anthropogenic actions, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to the activity and the profile of the communities that practice it. This work presents, in a descriptive manner, the results of a systematic review carried out in four databases, using the paired blind review method. The study compares "generalist" hunting and zootherapeutic hunting, highlighting the factors that influence these distinct hunting strategies, outlining the profile of hunters, the Brazilian regions with the highest incidence of the activity, and identifying the most cited species and their conservation status. The study indicates that hunters are generally low-income men with low levels of education. The studies are concentrated in the North and Northeast regions, revealing the need for studies in other regions, and that the animals listed are mostly not threatened with extinction. It was also observed that there are gaps in the methodologies applied for data collection, which may influence the way respondents answered and hinder the true interpretation of the data.
Abstract The Brazilian Cerrado harbors a rich diversity of traditional communities, including several Indigenous peoples. Among them are the Guajajara, who inhabit regions extending from the state of Maranhão to the northeastern portion of Pará. Considering the importance of research into ethnomycological knowledge in indigenous communities for the preservation of culture and the environment, especially in relation to macrofungi, the aim of this study was to document and compile the uses of macrofungi by the original Guajajara peoples to evaluate and revitalize traditional knowledge among indigenous generations. The study was carried out in the Cana Brava reserve, located in Barra do Corda, in the state of Maranhão (northeast Brazil). The methodological approach used rapport techniques, semistructured interviews, guided tours, checklist interviews with photo albums and fresh or dried fungal samples, field notebooks and quantitative analysis via Use Value. Ninety-six indigenous people from the Pé de Galinha (28.2%) and Três Irmãos (71.8%) villages were interviewed, 54.1% female and 45.9% male. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling based on the number of families residing in the community who were willing to participate in the study, after obtaining authorization from community leaders. Discourse analysis revealed that Guajajara once used at least six of the 42 species documented. Although they no longer use them in their diet, they agree that Auricularia tremellosa (Fr.) Pat. was used in the diet of their ancestors. For recreational purposes, they use Calvatia rugosa (Berk. & M.A. Curtis) D.A. Reid, Geastrum hariotii Lloyd. and G. javanicum Lev. and occasionally for medicinal purposes: Pycnoporus sanguineus (L.) Murrill and Lentinus crinitus (L.) Fr. The study communities can be considered partially mycophilic. Vertical transmission is responsible for the dynamics of macrofungal knowledge. This study can contribute both to the appreciation and conservation of traditions and to Brazilian fungal biodiversity.
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) are living agroecosystems shaped by the coevolution of traditional knowledge (TK) and agrobiodiversity. As a core GIAHS criterion, agrobiodiversity should be assessed beyond crops and livestock to include wild resources that communities regularly use and manage. Wild edible plants (WEPs) and associated TK that guide their identification, harvesting, processing, and habitat care are therefore a key but poorly documented part of agrobiodiversity in the mountainous regions of northern China. The Kuancheng Traditional Chestnut Eco-Planting System (KTCES) in Hebei Province, northern China, is a chestnut-based GIAHS with great diversity and value of WEPs. Along with the rapid economic development and fast reduction of TK, it is necessary to document WEPs and associated TK in KTCES, both to contribute to the conservation of agrobiodiversity and to provide a reference for the sustainable development of GIAHS. From February 2024 to July 2025, ethnobotanical surveys were conducted in six townships of Kuancheng Manchu Autonomous County, Hebei, China. The investigation methods include free listings, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and participatory observations. A total of 124 respondents were interviewed. Information was collected on the edible parts, categories, consumption methods, and multiple uses of WEPs. The cultural significance of these plants was assessed by calculating the relative frequency of citation (RFC) and the cultural food significance index (CFSI). A total of 87 species of WEPs belonging to 37 families and encompassing various categories, such as wild vegetables (67), wild fruits (16), spices (10) and nuts (3), were documented in this study. The primary parts utilized include tender leaves, fruits, roots, seeds, and flowers, with harvesting predominantly taking place in spring and summer. The most frequently used families were Asteraceae (20), Rosaceae (9), Fabaceae (6) and Amaranthaceae (5). On the basis of the CFSI and RFC values, 30 species were identified as the most significant in local dietary culture, including Gypsophila oldhamiana, Leptopus chinensis, Indigofera kirilowii and Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa and so on. KTCES possesses abundant WEPs resources, and local residents possess a wealth of TK related to WEPs utilization. The diverse ways in which WEPs are used form the foundation for regional ecological adaptation and cultural identity. High-value WEPs have driven local economic development, ecological protection, and cultural innovation. It is necessary to investigate, document, and preserve WEPs and associated TK in GIAHS, as they hold particular significance for the conservation of agrobiodiversity and GIAHS.
Edible underground storage organ (USO) plants are important components of traditional food systems and local healthcare, yet their ethnobotanical roles remain insufficiently documented in many regions. This study investigates the diversity, utilization, and ethnomedicinal significance of USO plants in Youjiang District, Guangxi, China. Ethnobotanical data were collected in 2025 through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and field surveys involving 60 informants, including key informants recognized for their knowledge of local edible plants. Plant specimens were collected and taxonomically identified. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF), were applied to evaluate the cultural importance and medicinal consensus of recorded species. A total of 50 USO plant species belonging to 24 genera and 13 families were documented, with Zingiberaceae as the dominant family. Native species accounted for 72
The influence of morphological traits on the selection and utilization of plants has been widely investigated, but explaining how people recognize a plant’s usefulness based on chemistry has been challenging. Plant aroma, as a perceptual indicator of underlying chemical composition, may play an important role in this process, yet its contribution remains insufficiently understood. We conducted a review of literature published over the past 50 years to examine the role of plant aroma and human olfaction in shaping plant selection and perceived utility within Indigenous and local knowledge systems. We assessed patterns of interdisciplinarity by combining qualitative content and co-occurrence analyses with matrix-based heatmap visualizations. We find that aroma contributes, to some extent, to the selection and utilization of plants by facilitating preliminary identification, therapeutic classification, and intergenerational knowledge transmission. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain poorly understood mainly due to the lack of interdisciplinary approaches and methodological limitations in most studies. Limited integration across disciplines constrains definitive conclusions, underscoring the need for more rigorous interdisciplinary research. We propose integrating phytochemistry with standard ethnobotanical data collection to better understand the role of plant aroma and olfactory perception in plant selection.
Climate and socio-environmental changes have increased the risks to the livelihoods of traditional extractive communities. This study examines how babaçu coconut breaker perceive these risks and develop adaptive strategies based on traditional ecological knowledge in an ecotonal region of Northeast Brazil. The following hypotheses were tested: (i) greater perception of environmental risk is associated with a higher probability of adopting adaptive strategies and greater knowledge thereof; (ii) greater age and longer experience in babaçu extraction are expected to increase environmental risk perception and the probability of adopting adaptive strategies, whereas lower income and lower education levels are expected to constrain adaptive responses; and (iii) community context is expected to influence adaptive responses, as stronger social organization through babaçu coconut breakers’ associations may enhance the capacity to cope with environmental changes. A quali-quantitative approach was adopted in two rural communities (Alegria and Sardinha), with 58 participants engaged in babaçu extraction. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and documentary analysis. Risk perception was assessed across five environmental categories (flora, fauna, soil, babaçu, and rainfall regime) using a Likert scale (1–5). Analyses included generalized linear models, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple regressions. Qualitative data were analyzed through thematic content analysis, involving the coding and categorization of participants’ narratives into perceived causes, consequences, and adaptive responses to environmental change. Risk perception did not directly influence the adoption of adaptive strategies. However, a positive relationship was found between risk perception and strategy diversity. Adaptive strategies are strongly associated with collective factors, such as social organization, community networks, and traditional knowledge. The Sardinha community exhibited greater strategy diversity. Adaptive strategies in extractive communities do not depend solely on individual risk perception but on social, cultural, and institutional factors. Public policies that recognize traditional knowledge and strengthen community organization are essential for enhancing resilience.
Medicinal baths are a widely practiced traditional health maintenance method in southern China, yet systematic ethnobotanical studies from coastal regions remain limited. The Beibu Gulf coastal area of Guangxi is a biologically and culturally diverse region where such practices are actively maintained. This study aims to document the plant species used in traditional medicinal baths and to characterize their composition, usage patterns, and regional variation. Ethnobotanical interviews were conducted at 20 sites across Beihai, Qinzhou, and Fangchenggang City, which comprise the Beibu Gulf. A total of 135 informants (62 males and 73 females) were interviewed in medicinal markets and traditional villages. Data on plant species, plant parts used, and medicinal applications were recorded. Quantitative analyses, including Jaccard Index (JI), cumulative contribution analysis, and Gini coefficient, were applied to assess species similarity and usage patterns. A total of 286 plant species used for medicinal baths were recorded. These plants belong to 92 families and 218 genera. Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Asteraceae were the dominant families, with monotypic genera prevalent. Herbs were the most common life form (99 species, 34.62
