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Wang J, Ding X, Guo CA, Zhang X, Feng H, Yang H, Wang Y. An ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants used by the Tibetan in the Rongjia River Valley, Tibet, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2023; 19:49. [PMID: 37891585 PMCID: PMC10612173 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00621-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild edible plants (WEPs) play a crucial role in communities with limited communication with the outside world, where unstable factors, such as poor food supply and insufficient access to timely nutritional supplementation, are common, as in the Himalayan region. To document the traditional knowledge of WEPs and explore their significance for communities with minimal global economic exchange, an ethnobotanical study was conducted in the town of Rongjia, which lies in a narrow valley near Mount Everest, Tibet, China. METHODS This ethnobotanical study was conducted in three villages in the Rongjia River Valley between August 2021 and June 2023. Semi-structured interviews and participatory observations were used to collect information on WEPs. The fieldwork was performed with the assistance of local guides. Voucher specimens were collected from each documented plant species for taxonomic identification. We used the use report (UR) and relative frequency of citations (RFC) to evaluate the comprehensive utilization value of WEPs. RESULTS We interviewed 161 informants who provided us with 2499 use reports. We collected 50 WEPs belonging to 28 families and 42 genera used by the Tibetan people in the Rongjia River Valley. WEPs are used in vegetables, fruits, seasonings, healthcare foods, substitute grains, and beverages. Wild vegetables were the most commonly used, followed by wild fruits. Leaves were the most commonly consumed part of the plant. The three most important WEPs ordered by RFC values were Rosa sericea var. glandulosa Osmaston (RFC = 0.76), Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (RFC = 0.75), and Urtica hyperborea Jacquem. ex Wedd. (RFC = 0.71). Other than that, we also document some of WEPs used in the past. Arisaema erubescens Schott, Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino, and Satyrium nepalense var. ciliatum (Lindl.) Hook. f. used to serve as important substitute grains, are no longer in use, however, they remain vivid in the memories of older people. CONCLUSIONS WEPs included wild vegetables, fruits, seasonings, healthcare food, and substitute grains for Tibetan people in the Rongjia River Valley. Some WEPs have become important cultural symbols for older people, which can help in understanding the relationship between plants and local people in the past. In addition, WEPs can increase the resilience of local people living in remote areas when facing sudden destabilizing events in future. This is the significance of WEPs for communities with minimal global economic exchange. Therefore, we suggest that future studies focus more on WEPs in communities with limited communication with the world to improve their resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Wang
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Yunnan, 650201, Kunming, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyong Ding
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Yunnan, 650201, Kunming, China
- National Centre for Borderland Ethnic Studies in Southwest China, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Chang-An Guo
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Yunnan, 650201, Kunming, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiong Zhang
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Yunnan, 650201, Kunming, China
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, China
| | - Haowen Feng
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Yunnan, 650201, Kunming, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huizhao Yang
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Yunnan, 650201, Kunming, China
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132 Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Yunnan, 650201, Kunming, China.
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Yang F, Ge J, Guo Y, Olmstead R, Sun W. Deciphering complex reticulate evolution of Asian Buddleja (Scrophulariaceae): insights into the taxonomy and speciation of polyploid taxa in the Sino-Himalayan region. ANNALS OF BOTANY 2023; 132:15-28. [PMID: 36722368 PMCID: PMC10550280 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcad022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Species of the genus Buddleja in Asia are mainly distributed in the Sino-Himalayan region and form a challenging taxonomic group, with extensive hybridization and polyploidization. A phylogenetic approach to unravelling the history of reticulation in this lineage will deepen our understanding of the speciation in biodiversity hotspots. METHODS For this study, we obtained 80 accessions representing all the species in the Asian Buddleja clade, and the ploidy level of each taxon was determined by flow cytometry analyses. Whole plastid genomes, nuclear ribosomal DNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms and a large number of low-copy nuclear genes assembled from genome skimming data were used to investigate the reticulate evolutionary history of Asian Buddleja. Complex cytonuclear conflicts were detected through a comparison of plastid and species trees. Gene tree incongruence was also analysed to detect any reticulate events in the history of this lineage. KEY RESULTS Six hybridization events were detected, which are able to explain the cytonuclear conflict in Asian Buddleja. Furthermore, PhyloNet analysis combining species ploidy data indicated several allopolyploid speciation events. A strongly supported species tree inferred from a large number of low-copy nuclear genes not only corrected some earlier misinterpretations, but also indicated that there are many Asian Buddleja species that have been lumped mistakenly. Divergent time estimation shows two periods of rapid diversification (8-10 and 0-3 Mya) in the Asian Buddleja clade, which might coincide with the final uplift of the Hengduan Mountains and Quaternary climate fluctuations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This study presents a well-supported phylogenetic backbone for the Asian Buddleja species, elucidates their complex and reticulate evolutionary history and suggests that tectonic activity, climate fluctuations, polyploidization and hybridization together promoted the diversification of this lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengmao Yang
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Jia Ge
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Yongjie Guo
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Richard Olmstead
- Department of Biology and Burke Museum, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Weibang Sun
- Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Integrative Conservation of Plant Species with Extremely Small Populations, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Kunming 650201, Yunnan, China
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Guo CA, Ding X, Hu H, Zhang Y, Bianba C, Bian B, Wang Y. A comparison of traditional plant knowledge between Daman people and Tibetans in Gyirong River Valley, Tibet, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2023; 19:14. [PMID: 37147662 PMCID: PMC10163752 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00583-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND By comparing the differences in plant use between various cultures or regions, we can gain a better understanding of traditional knowledge of plant use among different groups, which may lead to a more objective understanding. Even though the Tibetan and Daman people live in the same ecosystem in Gyirong town, China, their cultural backgrounds and livelihoods differ. Therefore, the objective of this study is to document the traditional knowledge of plant use among the Daman people and compare it with the local Tibetan knowledge of plant use. By doing so, we aim to explore the relationship between plant selection and use and the cultural backgrounds of different groups. METHODS During fieldwork, ethnobotanical data were collected using various methods including free listings, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews. To quantify the importance of plant species in the Daman people's culture, the culture importance index, informant consensus factor index, and The Index of Agreement on Species consensus (IASc) were used. In addition, we cited previous ethnobotanical survey data from the Tibetan in Gyirong. To more comprehensively compare the differences in plant use between the Daman and Tibetan, this study constructed a knowledge network to compare the knowledge differences between the two groups. RESULTS In this study, traditional knowledge was collected from 32 Daman informants, resulting in a total of 68 species belonging to 39 families mentioned by Daman people and 111 species mentioned by Tibetans. Of these, 58 plants were used by both populations. The plants were classified into 3 categories and 28 subcategories, with 22 identical classes in both groups. The majority of use categories showed a high degree of sharing in both groups, and the Tibetan people had more plant use categories than the Daman people. Five plants with IASc value > 0.5 were identified in both groups: Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don, Artemisia japonica Thunb., Juniperus indica Bertol., Gastrodia elata Blume, and Rheum australe D. Don. The analysis of the knowledge network revealed a 66% overlap between the knowledge of the Daman and the knowledge of the Tibetans. Additionally, the plant knowledge of Tibetan people was found to be richer and more complex than that of the Daman people. However, the Daman people possess 30 unique knowledge items. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of plant use, the history of the Daman people's discrete migration on the border between China and Nepal allows them to retain their own knowledge of plant use. The status quo of joining Chinese nationality and settling in Gyirong town allows them to gradually integrate into the local Tibetan society. In summary, despite living in the same ecosystem and biodiversity background, the plant utilization of the Daman people and Tibetans still shows significant differences, which are due to their different cultural backgrounds and social status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-An Guo
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyong Ding
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- National Centre for Borderland Ethnic Studies in Southwest China, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Huabin Hu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Plant Resources and Sustainable Use, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Mengla, 666303, Yunnan, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Ciren Bianba
- , Daman Village, Gyirong Town, Gyirong County, Shigatse City, 857000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Ba Bian
- , Daman Village, Gyirong Town, Gyirong County, Shigatse City, 857000, Tibet Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Department of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Heilongtan, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
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Liu XJ, Lv TM, Sun S, Xu JY, Guan Q, Hao JH, Zhou ZC, Niu SL, Hua HM. Apoptotic effects of phenols from the twigs and leaves of Garcinia nujiangensis. Fitoterapia 2023; 166:105435. [PMID: 36731607 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
In order to find potential agents for treating cancer disease in naturally occurring compounds, we conducted a systematic phytochemical investigation on the endemic species of Garcinia nujiangensis. Three new biphenyl derivatives (1-3) and one new polycyclic polyprenylated benzophenone (4), together with four known benzophenone analogues (5-8), have been isolated from the CH2Cl2 extract of the twigs and leaves of G. nujiangensis. Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analyses and comparison with structurally related known analogues. Experimental and calculated ECD method was used to determine the absolute configuration of 1 and 4. Moreover, compounds 5-7 were isolated for the first time from this species. The cytotoxicities of the new compounds were evaluated using HL-60, HepG2, and A549 human cancer cell lines. Compound 4 showed more significant antiproliferative effects against HepG2 cells with an IC50 value of 11.38 ± 0.79 μM than that of three biphenyl derivatives. The morphological features of apoptosis were evaluated in 4-treated HepG2 cells. Compound 4 effectively prevented the cell cycle progression of HepG2 cells in G2 phase. Additionally, western blot analysis indicated that treatment of 4 on HepG2 cells led to decreased expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and pro-Caspase-3, and increased protein expression of both pro-apoptotic Bax and cleaved PARP with reference to β-actin. Overall, our results suggested that the active polycyclic polyprenylated benzophenone derivatives in the twigs and leaves of G. nujiangensis can be used as a valuable source of bioactive compounds for the pharmaceutical industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Jia Liu
- National Center for Veterinary Drug Safety Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 00193, PR China; Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
| | - Tian-Meng Lv
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China
| | - Sheng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China
| | - Jing-Yi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China
| | - Qi Guan
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China
| | - Jia-Hui Hao
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China
| | - Zhen-Chi Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China
| | - Sheng-Li Niu
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Infectious Diseases in Northeast China, Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110866, PR China.
| | - Hui-Ming Hua
- Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design and Discovery, Ministry of Education, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang 110016, PR China
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Guo CA, Ding XY, Addi YW, Zhang Y, Zhang XQ, Zhuang HF, Wang YH. An ethnobotany survey of wild plants used by the Tibetan people of the Yadong River Valley, Tibet, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:28. [PMID: 35361213 PMCID: PMC8973548 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00518-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Plant resources gathered from the wild are important sources of livelihood needs, especially for low-income populations living in remote areas, who rely on these plants for food, fuelwood, medicine and building materials. Yadong County is a valley at the border between the China, India and Bhutan in southern Tibet. Yadong is rich in biodiversity and culture, but ethnobotanical knowledge has not been systematically studied. This study aimed to document the ethnobotanical knowledge of Tibetans in Yadong County. METHODS Ethnobotanical data were documented through free listings, key informant interviews, and semi-structured interviews during fieldwork. The culture importance index (CI) and informant consensus factor index (FIC) were used as the quantitative indices. RESULTS In total, 163 informants (46 women and 117 men). A total of 3,031 use reports and 121 plant species belonging to 52 families and 91 genera were included. These use reports were then classified into 20 categories belonging to 9 major categories. The utilisation category that containing the most plant species was food, followed by economic, medicine, animal feed, social uses, other uses, environmental uses, materials and fuels. Among the economic plants, 32 medicinal plants are traditionally used in the local region. Plants with high CI included Fritillaria cirrhosa, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Betula utilis, Rheum nobile, and Urtica hyperborean. CONCLUSION This research demonstrates the diversity of the types and functions of Yadong Tibetan traditional plant knowledge. Knowledge of edible and medicinal plants in this area is prominent, reflecting the ability to cope with the lack of fruits and vegetables and basic family medical care. There were exchanges between the traditional plant culture in the study area and its surroundings. With socioeconomic development, the commercial value of medicinal plants has increased, and locals are also seeking ways to adoptsustainable development to cope with the excessive consumption of plant resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang-An Guo
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Yunnan, 650201 Kunming China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Ding
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Yunnan, 650201 Kunming China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Won Addi
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Yunnan, 650201 Kunming China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Yunnan, 650201 Kunming China
| | - Xiao-Qian Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Yunnan, 650201 Kunming China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hui-Fu Zhuang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Yunnan, 650201 Kunming China
| | - Yu-Hua Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 132# Lanhei Road, Yunnan, 650201 Kunming China
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Cheng Z, Lu X, Lin F, Naeem A, Long C. Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants used by Dulong people in northwestern Yunnan, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2022; 18:3. [PMID: 35062974 PMCID: PMC8781162 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-022-00501-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dulong (Drung people) are one of the ethnic minorities of China, consisting of a small population living in remote and mountainous regions with limited facilities. Over the years, the Dulong have maintained their livelihood by collecting wild medicinal and edible plants. Therefore, through their experience and understanding, they had accumulated sufficient traditional knowledge about local plant resources. Since ancient times, wild edible plants have been essential to the food security of the Dulong people. However, there is almost no comprehensive report available on WEPs consumed by the Dulong people. The objectives of this study were to: (1) make a systematic study of WEPs used by Dulong people, (2) record traditional knowledge related to WEPs, (3) analyze multiple uses of WEPs, and (4) evaluate species with significant cultural significance to Dulong people. METHODS Ethnobotanical survey including free listing, semi-structured interviews, key informant interviews and participatory observations was conducted in Dulongjiang Township, Gongshan County, Yunnan Province, Southwest China. A total of 127 informants were selected using the snowball method and information about WEPs, including vernacular name, food categories, parts used, mode of consumption, collection season, and other local uses were collected. The RFC and CFSI were calculated to identify the most culturally significant WEPs. One-way analysis of variance was performed to evaluate whether the four reference variables (gender, age, occupation, and education) significantly influenced the number of plant species mentioned by the respondents. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A total of 148 species of WEPs consumed by the Dulong people belonging to 58 families were collected, including wild vegetables (71), wild fruits (52), staple food substitutes (15), spices (7), nuts (4), tea substitute (2), liquor making materials (3) oils and fats (3), and culinary coagulants (1). WEPs are used in a number of different ways, including as fuelwood, feed, and medicine. Food substitute plants accounted for the majority of the top 27 wild food plants identified by RFC and CFSI. It was observed that farmers have more knowledge of WEPs, and moderate education level informants reported less WEPs used. CONCLUSION The WEPs used by the Dulong people are diverse and abundant in the Dulongjiang region. In the future, WEPs such as Maianthemum atropurpureum, Caryota obtusa, Cardiocrinum giganteum, and Angiopteris esculenta with economic potential can be developed to provide a source of income for the residents. More studies of the nutritional value, chemical composition, and biological activities of WEPs are needed. The demands and development of local communities can be realized under the premise of protecting WEPs and the associated traditional knowledge. More attention should be paid to the value of WEP and underutilized plants during future rural development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Xiaoping Lu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Fengke Lin
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
| | - Abid Naeem
- Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanchang, 330006 China
| | - Chunlin Long
- Key Laboratory of Ecology and Environment in Minority Areas (Minzu University of China), National Ethnic Affairs Commission of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Minzu University of China, Beijing, 100081 China
- Key Laboratory of Ethnomedicine (Minzu University of China), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100081 China
- Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 China
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Chen WY, Yang T, Yang J, Qiu ZC, Ding XY, Wang YH, Wang YH. Wild plants used by the Lhoba people in Douyu Village, characterized by high mountains and valleys, in southeastern Tibet, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2021; 17:46. [PMID: 34301287 PMCID: PMC8305498 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00472-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Douyu Village, inhabited by the Lhoba people, is situated within the Eastern Himalayas, in southeastern Tibet, China. The village is located among high mountains and valleys, which feature complex terrain with cold and dry climates and distinctive vegetation types and species. The Lhoba people in this village are isolated from other groups in China. The Lhoba people have lived in this village since the 15th century and mainly depended on gathering, hunting, and swidden agriculture before the 1960s. Because they have a long history and live under extreme climatic, geographical, and ecological conditions, the Lhoba people in Douyu Village may have unique traditional knowledge about wild plants. Thus, this research aims to record the traditional botanical knowledge of the Lhoba people in Douyu. METHODS An ethnobotanical study was conducted on the Lhoba people in Douyu Village in Longzi County, Tibet, China. Semi-structured interviews and group discussions with informed consent were used in the study. We interviewed 41 informants (14 key informants) between 18 and 75 years of age. All information was collected, organized, and compiled into "use reports" for quantitative analysis. The informant consensus factor (ICF) was used to determine the homogeneity of the informants' knowledge of medicinal plants, while the cultural importance index (CI) was used to estimate the cultural importance of shared species. RESULTS A total of 91 wild species (90 vascular plants and 1 fungus) belonging to 71 genera and 39 families utilized by the Lhoba people in Douyu were documented. Of these species, Pimpinella xizangense and Wikstroemia lungtzeensis are endemic to Longzi County, while Sinopodophyllum hexandrum and Paeonia ludlowii are endangered species in China. All habitats, from the field vegetation at the valley bottoms to the alpine shrubland and meadows, were used for plant collection, and the numbers of species of plants collected from the various vegetation types (except for fields) decreased with increasing altitude. Our study found that 55 species are edible plants and fungi, 29 species are medicinal plants, and 38 species are used for other purposes. Medicinal plants are used for 11 categories of diseases, among which diseases of blood-forming organs (ICF = 0.96) and gastrointestinal diseases (ICF = 0.95) exhibited the highest ICF values. Based on the CI values, the most important plants in this study area are Berberis xanthophloea, B. kongboensis, Sinopodophyllum hexandrum, Vicatia thibetica, and Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. gyantsensis. Moreover, a comparison of the wild plants used by Lhoba ethnic groups in three counties in China showed significant differences among these regions. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that the wild plants utilized by the Lhoba people in Douyu Village are highly diverse, at 90 plant and one fungal species, which reflects not only the number of species but also their diversified functions. The extreme climatic, geographical, and ecological conditions of Douyu within the high mountains and valleys of the Eastern Himalayas potentially affect the Lhoba people's culture, including plant utilization practices, and contribute to the rich diversity of the wild plants used by the local people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Jun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhu-Chuan Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Xiao-Yong Ding
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 People’s Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yu-Hua Wang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yue-Hu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology and the Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 People’s Republic of China
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Yang R, Zhang Y, Ranjitkar S, Li M, Guo Y, Yan X, Wang C, Stepp JR, Yang L. Reusing wasteroot of Rubia wallichiana dyeing from Monpa of Tibet in China. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14331. [PMID: 34253840 PMCID: PMC8275625 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93848-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans have dyed textiles and leather, colored food, and paint body parts using natural dyes throughout history. Natural dyes have suffered drastically due to recent socioeconomic changes and replacement with synthetic dye in the textile industry. Hence, it is urgent to study indigenous dye plants and dyeing craft in local communities to protect these resources' potential ecological, economic, and cultural values. In 11 Monpa villages of Mêdog County, South-east Tibet, China, we conducted field research to record the indigenous method of cloth dyeing using madder dye. An aqueous extract of the root of Rubia wallichiana is a traditional madder dye. In this study, we used traditional dye and ethyl alcohol extract of the residue of aqueous extract. Two fabrics were dyed with the extractions in the presence of one of the metallic mordants or biomordants. Pigment compounds from aqueous extraction of madder and ethyl alcohol extraction of recycled madder were evaluated using Phytochemical, UV-visible spectroscopy, and FTIR test. We carried out One-way ANOVA and Duncan's new multiple range method to analyze different dying approaches and conditions. The dyed fabrics were evaluated by indicators of color strength and fastness, including washing, rubbing, and perspiration. The findings revealed the potentiality of biomordants to improve the dyeing properties of madder. The dyeing properties of recycled madder were marginally better than traditional madder. The results revealed the feasibility of enhancing the dyeing property and reuse of the residue from madder dyeing. The improved dyeing and reuse of residue can improve local ecological, economic benefits, and cultural heritage while applying research findings for the subsequent commercialization of plant dyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Yang
- grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224 Yunnan China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Yu Zhang
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Sailesh Ranjitkar
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China ,N.Gene Solution of Natural Innovation, Kathmandu, 44614 Nepal ,Mid-Western University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Science, Lalitpur, 44700 Nepal ,grid.449021.aLumbini Buddhist University, Faculty of Agroforestry, Lumbani, Nepal
| | - Mingxiang Li
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yongjie Guo
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China ,grid.410726.60000 0004 1797 8419University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Xiuxiang Yan
- grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China
| | - Chuanfa Wang
- grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224 Yunnan China
| | - John Richard Stepp
- grid.15276.370000 0004 1936 8091Ethnobiology Lab, Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7305 USA
| | - Lixin Yang
- grid.412720.20000 0004 1761 2943Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, 650224 Yunnan China ,grid.9227.e0000000119573309Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201 Yunnan China ,Center for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge, Kunming, 650034 Yunnan China
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Ding XY, Zhang Y, Wang L, Zhuang HF, Chen WY, Wang YH. Collection calendar: the diversity and local knowledge of wild edible plants used by Chenthang Sherpa people to treat seasonal food shortages in Tibet, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2021; 17:40. [PMID: 34112198 PMCID: PMC8190990 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-021-00464-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild edible plants (WEPs) are non-cultivated and non-domesticated plants used for food. WEPs provided food, nutrition, herbs and other plant products for people in underdeveloped areas, such as the Everest region, to maintain their daily lives. Chenthang Town is the only Sherpa ethnic township in Tibet, China. The core purpose of this research is to investigate, collect and record the WEPs and related local knowledge and functions within the Sherpa community. The ultimate goal is to answer the question of why Sherpa people choose these particular plants. MATERIALS AND METHODS The field study was carried out in the six Sherpa communities of Chenthang Township from September 2019 to August 2020. The WEPs and related local knowledge were collected through semistructured interviews and direct observations. The field work was performed with the assistance of local guides. During the field survey, we collected plant specimens based on the principle of one plant with one vernacular name. In this study, we utilised a use report (UR) and cultural importance index (CI) to evaluate the comprehensive utilization value of WEPs in the daily diet of Sherpa people. RESULTS We interviewed 78 people individually who provided us with 1199 use reports. In total, we collected 84 WEPs belonging to 65 genera in 41 families. These species were identified as 78 distinct ethno-species by local people, and the vernacular name of each ethno-species was recorded. Then, these use reports were classified into six use categories. All these plants were native wild plants. In these plants, Arisaema utile, Sorbus cuspidata and Elaeagnus umbellata have been introduced into home gardens by local people. Following the description of the Sherpa people, we articulated a collection calendar for WEPs. The Sherpa collect WEPs throughout nearly the entire year, January and February being the exceptions. CONCLUSION The collection calendar of wild edible plants reflects the wisdom of the Sherpa in terms of survival. The Sherpa cleverly survive the food shortage periods by harnessing the phenology of different species. In general, WEPs can provide the Sherpa with seasonal carbohydrates, nutrition, healthcare supplements and other products and services necessary for survival, which is likely why the Sherpa choose these plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Yong Ding
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Hui-Fu Zhuang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Wen-Yun Chen
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yu-Hua Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
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Heinrich M, Jiang H, Scotti F, Booker A, Walt H, Weckerle C, Maake C. Medicinal plants from the Himalayan region for potential novel antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory skin treatments. J Pharm Pharmacol 2021; 73:956-967. [PMID: 33886964 DOI: 10.1093/jpp/rgab039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Adequate treatment of wounds remains one of the major medical needs globally, most notably in the regions with poor or limited access to health care. In many local and traditional systems of medicine, plants are often widely used for treating infected wounds. AIM AND OBJECTIVES The overarching aim of this project was selection of potential species for use in a future treatment by combining with plant resources with aspects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Specifically, we focussed on species used locally in the Himalayan region for the treatment of skin disorders and then assessed the existing pharmacological evidence for key species based on the published evidence available. METHODS Database searches were performed to identify relevant publications describing local and traditional uses of plants in the Himalayan region of Bhutan, PR China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. Using the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), species were researched in terms of their distribution including in different climatic regions, focussing on species mostly found in higher climatic zones (based on the Köppen-Geiger climate classification). For species used in three or more countries and restricted to the higher altitudes, data on safety, pharmacology, as it relates to dermatological conditions, and phytochemistry were retrieved. KEY FINDINGS The study identified a total of 606 species that are used in the treatment of various skin conditions often associated with infections reported in 84 articles. Common weeds like Ageratum conyzoides and Bidens pilosa, widely used and cultivated species like Centealla asiatiaca and Prunus armenica were excluded. This ultimately led to the identification of a core group of five widely used species restricted to the Himalayan region (Cedrus deodara, Nardostachys jatamansi, Pinus wallichiana, Pinus roxburghii and Valeriana jatamansi). CONCLUSIONS Here we apply a novel approach comprising an assessment of the published information on the use of medicinal plants (i.e. local and traditional knowledge) in the context of their potential to be used in a biomedical form of clinical treatment - aPDT. Then, once sustainable sourcing based on access and benefit-sharing arrangements is in place, these species are investigated for their potential in wound treatment. Ultimately, the goal is to develop a new baseline for primary health care in some of the regions of the world with poor or limited access to health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heinrich
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,'Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine', and 'Chinese Medicine Research Center', China Medical University, Beitun District, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Haiping Jiang
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesca Scotti
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anthony Booker
- Research Group 'Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy', UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.,Research Centre for Optimal Health, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, University of Westminster, London, UK
| | - Heinrich Walt
- Department for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Weckerle
- Institute of Systematic and Evolutionary Botany, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Caroline Maake
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Zhang YY, Zhao H. Wild edible plants collected and consumed by the locals in Daqinggou, Inner Mongolia, China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2020; 16:60. [PMID: 33036666 PMCID: PMC7547461 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00411-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge of wild edible plants is an important part of traditional knowledge. It is closely related to traditional human agriculture, as well as biodiversity. This study aimed to conduct a detailed investigation and evaluation of wild edible plants that are collected and consumed by the Mongolian and Han locals in Daqinggou and to provide valuable data for the development and utilization of plant resources. METHODS In the 9 site visits to the area of Daqinggou during the period of 2017-2019, the authors used key informant interviews, semistructured interviews, and questionnaires to collect utilization information regarding precollected species of local wild edible plants. By combining the data obtained from 101 key informants, the authors used the Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI), a quantitative index to evaluate the relative importance of the wild edible plants that were discussed in the aforementioned interviews. RESULTS The investigation results show that the Mongolian people provided 67 folk names, corresponding to 57 wild plants, and the Han Chinese provided 58 folk names, corresponding to 49 wild plants. A total of 61 edible wild plant species belonging to 29 families and 52 genera were recorded as edible resources for the locals in Daqinggou. The uses include grains, oil and fat resources, vegetables, fruits, beverages, condiments, and snacks. The most commonly reported purpose of wild edible plants is using them as vegetables, followed by using them as beverages and fruits. The most widely used edible parts are fruits, leaves, and other aerial parts. Eating raw and cooked plants are the usual methods of consuming wild edible plants according to the locals. In addition, the CFSI of 61 wild edible plant species shows that 27 species have characteristics of medical food. CONCLUSIONS The knowledge and experience of naming and consuming wild plants by the Mongolian people and Han Chinese in Daqinggou are an important manifestation of the direct interaction between locals and plants. The CSFI evaluation of the wild edible plants consumed by the locals in Daqinggou establishes the utilization of some wild plants as part of the traditional knowledge of medical food.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ying Zhang
- Institute for the History of Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, 010022, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhao
- College of Life Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, 010022, People's Republic of China
- Institute for the History of Science and Technology, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot, 010022, People's Republic of China
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Zhang Y, Yang LX, Li MX, Guo YJ, Li S, Wang YH. The best choices: the diversity and functions of the plants in the home gardens of the Tsang-la (Motuo Menba) communities in Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, Southwest China. JOURNAL OF ETHNOBIOLOGY AND ETHNOMEDICINE 2020; 16:50. [PMID: 32867802 PMCID: PMC7457371 DOI: 10.1186/s13002-020-00395-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Home garden is identified as a kind of small-scale land-use system which is used to manage and cultivate useful plants by local people, and home gardens can provide various plant products and services. Investigating home gardens was regarded as an effective way to understand the biodiversity-related local knowledge and culture of native people in Ethnobiology and Ethnoecology. Home garden is important in less developed and remote areas. The grand canyon of Yarlung Tsangpo is designed as one of the biodiversity hotspots of China, and it is one of the most remote regions of China, because of the rough traffic conditions. The aim of the present study is to collect, record, and document the plants and their local knowledge and functions in the local home gardens, then attempt to answer the question: "why local people selected these plants?" MATERIAL AND METHODS The study area was in Beibeng Township of Motuo County in the grand canyon of Yarlung Tsangpo. Observation and semi-structure interviews with informed consent were used to collect data in field study. All information was collected and organized, then documented based on "ethno-species" as a fundamental unit. All of the information of local use and knowledge were organized as the list of "use-report" for quantitative analysis, and the local uses of plants were merged into 14 use categories. Frequency of citation (FC), relative frequency of citation (RFC), cultural importance index (CI), and cultural value index (CV) were used in quantitative analysis. Besides, the Jaccard Index was used to compare the similarity in plant species selection among different communities. RESULTS A total of 78 home gardens in the 9 communities of Beibeng Township were visited, and 196 ethno-species were collected. These ethno-species were identified into 188 Botanical taxa. A total of 87 home garden owners as informants were interviewed in the present study, and they provided 625 use-reports to us. The top 5 important plants were Su-lan-tsao (Dendrobium nobile), Sa-ga (Zingiber officinale), Soe-lu (Capsicum annuum), Snying-pa (Citrus medica), and Kham-pu (Prunus persica), according to the quantitative analysis. The most citied use-category was "vegetable," followed by "ornamental plant," "medicine," and "fruit." The altitude might be the most important impact factor of the plant diversity and composition of home gardens, and the traffic conditions, local terrain, also impact the plant diversity and composition of home gardens. CONCLUSION In remote areas such as the Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, the plants in home gardens are important sources of plant products such as foods, herbal medicines, and fibers to support daily lives. The local home gardens in Tsang-la communities had high diversity of plants, and these plants provided many functions and services to support daily lives of local people. Local plant knowledge, including the features, life forms, habits, habitats, and use values of plants, were the summary of the understanding of local people to their surrounding plant worlds. Local people selected appropriate plants to cultivate and manage in their home gardens under the guidance of the local plant knowledge. That is the answer to the question "why local people selected these plants?"
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Li-Xin Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Ming-Xiang Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Photochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Yong-Jie Guo
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Germplasm Bank of Wild Species of China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Shan Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Key Laboratory for Microbial Resources of the Ministry of Education, Yunnan Institute of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Yu-Hua Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Wild Plant Resources, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
- Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
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