Scholarlink

Background <p>Wild edible plants (WEPs) play a crucial role in rural livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage in Ethiopia. Despite their importance, comprehensive documentation of WEP diversity, utilization, and associated indigenous knowledge in Tegedie District remains limited. This study aimed to identify WEP species, evaluate their uses, assess knowledge distribution among community members, and identify threats to their sustainability.</p> Methods <p>Ethnobotanical data were collected from 144 purposively selected informants across eight sites using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field observations. Quantitative indices, including the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), were employed to assess species importance, cultural significance, and similarity with other Ethiopian districts. Preference ranking and direct matrix ranking were used to evaluate species preference, multifunctionality, and perceived threats. Data analysis was conducted using R software, and species identifications were cross-checked against the IUCN Red List.</p> Results <p>A total of 52 WEP species were documented, comprising trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers. Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs were the most frequently cited, highly preferred, and culturally significant. The top-ranked WEPs included <i>Cordia africana</i> Lam., <i>Syzygium guineense</i> (Willd.) DC., <i>Diospyros mespiliformis</i> Hochst. ex A.DC., and <i>Tamarindus indica</i> L. Knowledge of WEPs was significantly higher among men, older individuals, illiterate participants, and key informants (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.005), reflecting the cumulative and experiential nature of indigenous knowledge. Major threats to WEPs included agricultural expansion, overgrazing, firewood collection, charcoal production, and habitat degradation. WEPs were primarily harvested from forests, grazing lands, and uncultivated areas, with knowledge transferred orally and through hands-on participation in harvesting.</p> Conclusion <p>WEPs in Tegedie District are vital for dietary diversity, food security, and cultural practices, but they face significant anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Conservation strategies, including habitat protection, sustainable harvesting, ex situ cultivation, and systematic documentation of indigenous knowledge, are urgently needed. Promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer is essential to ensure the continued availability and sustainable use of these valuable plant resources.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Ethnobotanical assessment of wild edible plants and indigenous knowledge in Tegedie District, Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月22日

查看全文
  • Alemnesh Goshe,
  • Getinet Masresha,
  • Muluye Asnakew,
  • Ashebir Awoke

摘要

Background

Wild edible plants (WEPs) play a crucial role in rural livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage in Ethiopia. Despite their importance, comprehensive documentation of WEP diversity, utilization, and associated indigenous knowledge in Tegedie District remains limited. This study aimed to identify WEP species, evaluate their uses, assess knowledge distribution among community members, and identify threats to their sustainability.

Methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected from 144 purposively selected informants across eight sites using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field observations. Quantitative indices, including the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Jaccard Similarity Index (JSI), were employed to assess species importance, cultural significance, and similarity with other Ethiopian districts. Preference ranking and direct matrix ranking were used to evaluate species preference, multifunctionality, and perceived threats. Data analysis was conducted using R software, and species identifications were cross-checked against the IUCN Red List.

Results

A total of 52 WEP species were documented, comprising trees, shrubs, herbs, and climbers. Fruit-bearing trees and shrubs were the most frequently cited, highly preferred, and culturally significant. The top-ranked WEPs included Cordia africana Lam., Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC., Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst. ex A.DC., and Tamarindus indica L. Knowledge of WEPs was significantly higher among men, older individuals, illiterate participants, and key informants (P < 0.005), reflecting the cumulative and experiential nature of indigenous knowledge. Major threats to WEPs included agricultural expansion, overgrazing, firewood collection, charcoal production, and habitat degradation. WEPs were primarily harvested from forests, grazing lands, and uncultivated areas, with knowledge transferred orally and through hands-on participation in harvesting.

Conclusion

WEPs in Tegedie District are vital for dietary diversity, food security, and cultural practices, but they face significant anthropogenic and environmental pressures. Conservation strategies, including habitat protection, sustainable harvesting, ex situ cultivation, and systematic documentation of indigenous knowledge, are urgently needed. Promoting intergenerational knowledge transfer is essential to ensure the continued availability and sustainable use of these valuable plant resources.