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<p>Traditional smoke-based practices involving wild olive (<i>Olea europaea</i> subsp. <i>cuspidata</i>) remain culturally and medicinally significant across many Ethiopian communities, yet remain understudied in&#xa0;the scientific literature. This study examines the ethnobotanical significance, cultural applications, and conservation challenges associated with the smoke value of wild olive in Gurage, Silte, Kambata, Hadiya, Tembaro, and Yem zones of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving 1,782 respondents was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Ethnobotanical indices such as Fidelity Level (FL), Cultural Importance Index (CI), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were calculated and compared using non-parametric tests. Market dynamics and conservation participation predictors were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including logistic regression. The majority of respondents were male (55%), with a significant proportion (31%) aged 36–45&#xa0;years and 68% originating from rural areas. Educational disparities were evident, with 45% reporting no formal education. Wild olive is highly valued for ceremonial smoke (FL = 95%) (<i>p</i> = 0.002), as an insect repellent (FL = 86%) (<i>p</i> = 0.010), and in traditional alcoholic beverage production (FL = 70%) (<i>p</i> = 0.050). The CI was 0.56 (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and the ICF was 0.87 (<i>p</i> = 0.001). Conservation challenges included agricultural expansion (70%) and unsustainable harvesting (65%), with 60% reporting population decline. Women accounted for 78% of the trade. Conservation participation was higher among middle-aged respondents (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.55, <i>p</i> = 0.002), those with secondary or higher education (AOR = 1.48, <i>p</i> = 0.003), and rural-born individuals (AOR = 1.40, <i>p</i> = 0.002). Encouragingly, 81% expressed willingness to engage in conservation activities. Wild olive smoke holds deep cultural and economic significance but faces threats from unsustainable practices and environmental pressures. Community willingness to engage in conservation highlights the potential for integrating ethnobotanical knowledge into sustainable management strategies.</p>

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Ethnobotanical Insights into the Smoke Value and Conservation of Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) in Central Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • Lemma Abayneh,
  • Cristina M. Menéndez,
  • Hewan Demissie

摘要

Traditional smoke-based practices involving wild olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) remain culturally and medicinally significant across many Ethiopian communities, yet remain understudied in the scientific literature. This study examines the ethnobotanical significance, cultural applications, and conservation challenges associated with the smoke value of wild olive in Gurage, Silte, Kambata, Hadiya, Tembaro, and Yem zones of Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study involving 1,782 respondents was conducted using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Ethnobotanical indices such as Fidelity Level (FL), Cultural Importance Index (CI), and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were calculated and compared using non-parametric tests. Market dynamics and conservation participation predictors were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including logistic regression. The majority of respondents were male (55%), with a significant proportion (31%) aged 36–45 years and 68% originating from rural areas. Educational disparities were evident, with 45% reporting no formal education. Wild olive is highly valued for ceremonial smoke (FL = 95%) (p = 0.002), as an insect repellent (FL = 86%) (p = 0.010), and in traditional alcoholic beverage production (FL = 70%) (p = 0.050). The CI was 0.56 (p = 0.005), and the ICF was 0.87 (p = 0.001). Conservation challenges included agricultural expansion (70%) and unsustainable harvesting (65%), with 60% reporting population decline. Women accounted for 78% of the trade. Conservation participation was higher among middle-aged respondents (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 1.55, p = 0.002), those with secondary or higher education (AOR = 1.48, p = 0.003), and rural-born individuals (AOR = 1.40, p = 0.002). Encouragingly, 81% expressed willingness to engage in conservation activities. Wild olive smoke holds deep cultural and economic significance but faces threats from unsustainable practices and environmental pressures. Community willingness to engage in conservation highlights the potential for integrating ethnobotanical knowledge into sustainable management strategies.