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Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use

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A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 4459

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Dr. Surapon Saensouk

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Diversity of Family Zingiberaceae and Vascular Plant for Its Applications Research Unit, Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
Interests: ethnobotany; plant diversity; plant taxonomy; conservation status; plant cytogenetics; palynology; plant anatomy; phytogeography; plant tissue culture; phytochemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the integration of ethnobotanical knowledge and plant diversity research to promote the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant resources. Ethnobotany serves as a vital bridge between cultural heritage and biodiversity science, documenting how human societies—particularly indigenous and local communities—use and manage plants for food, medicine, rituals, construction, and other aspects of daily life. Such traditional knowledge not only reflects deep ecological understanding but also provides valuable guidance for modern conservation and sustainable development strategies. The rapid loss of biodiversity, coupled with cultural erosion and environmental change, poses serious challenges to the preservation of both plant resources and traditional knowledge systems. Exploring the interactions between people and plants offers critical insights into sustainable management practices and biocultural conservation. This Special Issue therefore invites original research, reviews, and case studies that explore the roles of ethnobotany in understanding, conserving, and sustainably utilizing plant diversity at the local, regional, and global levels.

Topics of interest include plant diversity assessment and documentation, traditional plant use and management, the conservation of rare and endemic species, biocultural approaches to sustainability, and the integration of ethnobotanical data with modern technologies such as GIS, molecular analysis, and ecological modeling. By synthesizing perspectives from ethnobotany, ecology, and conservation biology, this Special Issue aims to strengthen the scientific foundation for biodiversity conservation and encourage the responsible, sustainable use of plant resources. The ultimate goal is to enhance ecological resilience, preserve cultural identity, and ensure that both biological and cultural diversity are maintained for the benefit of present and future generations.

Dr. Surapon Saensouk
Guest Editor

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Keywords

ethnobotany
plant diversity
plant taxonomy
conservation status
sustainable use
plant cytogenetics
palynology
plant anatomy
phytogeography
plant tissue culture
phytochemistry
genetic diversity and molecular study
morphological and molecular taxonomy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 2331 KB

Open AccessArticle

Chromosomal Architecture, Karyotype Profiling and Evolutionary Dynamics in Aleppo Oak (Quercus infectoria Oliv.)

by Solmaz Najafi, Nasrin Seyedi, Burak Özdemir, Hossein Zeinalzadeh-Tabrizi, Beatrice Farda and Loretta Pace

Diversity 2026, 18(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18010059 - 22 Jan 2026

Viewed by 393

Abstract

Aleppo oak (Quercus infectoria) is among the most industrially and ecologically significant oak species, valued for its medicinal properties and considerable genetic importance. Cytogenetic analysis provides critical insight into evolutionary history, interspecific relationships, and karyotypic differentiation. This study investigated the chromosomal architecture and karyotypic diversity of five natural populations of this species in western Iran (Sardasht, Oramanat, Baneh, Paveh, and Marivan) using actively dividing root meristems and a high-resolution image-based cytogenetic system. All examined cells displayed a basic chromosome number of x = 12 and a diploid condition, and chromosome lengths ranged from 0.90 to 2.12 µm. ANOVA and mean comparisons of five chromosomal parameters (Long Arm, Short Arm and Total Length, Arm Ratio, and Centromeric Index) revealed significant interpopulation differences in chromosome length and arm dimensions. All populations shared the karyotype formula 12 m and were classified into Stebbins’ Category B, indicating a moderately symmetrical, relatively primitive cytogenetic structure. Principal component analysis reduced the dataset to two major axes explaining 99.93% of the total variance, predominantly influenced by SA and TL on PC1 and by LA, AR, and CI on PC2. Hierarchical clustering grouped the populations into three distinct lineages, with Sardasht–Oramanat–Baneh showing the greatest divergence. Biplot vector patterns further clarified trait correlations, highlighting genomic structuring and potential breeding utility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use)

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41 pages, 6730 KB

Open AccessArticle

Ethnobotany of Local Vegetables and Spices in Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand

by Piyaporn Saensouk, Surapon Saensouk, Phiphat Sonthongphithak, Auemporn Junsongduang, Kamonwan Koompoot, Bin Huang, Wei Shen and Tammanoon Jitpromma

Diversity 2026, 18(1), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18010049 - 17 Jan 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 737

Abstract

Local vegetables and spices are essential components of traditional food and health systems in northeastern Thailand, yet quantitative ethnobotanical evidence remains limited. This study documents the diversity, utilization, and cultural significance of vegetables and spices used in Sang Kho Sub-district, Phu Phan District, Sakon Nakhon Province. Ethnobotanical data were collected in 2025 through field surveys, voucher-based plant identification, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation involving 92 informants across 23 villages. Cultural significance and medicinal knowledge were evaluated using the Cultural Importance Index (CI), Informant Consensus Factor (FIC), and Fidelity Level (FL). A total of 113 taxa belonging to 94 genera and 49 plant families were recorded. Poaceae and Zingiberaceae were the most species-rich families. Native species slightly predominated (51.33%), and herbaceous taxa were most common. Leaves were the most frequently used plant part. Most taxa were used as vegetables (92 species), followed by traditional medicines (20 species), spices or seasonings (18 species), and food ingredients or culinary additives (18 species). The highest CI values were recorded for Allium ascalonicum L. (1.152), Capsicum annuum L. (1.098), and Coriandrum sativum L. (1.043). FIC values ranged from 0.60 to 1.00, with complete consensus for circulatory and neurological disorders. Cymbopogon citratus showed the highest FL (75%) for gastrointestinal uses. These findings demonstrate the close integration of food and medicine in local plant-use systems and provide baseline data for food system resilience and cultural knowledge conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use)

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33 pages, 4946 KB

Open AccessArticle

Diversity and Traditional Uses of Fabaceae Species in Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand

by Piyaporn Saensouk, Surapon Saensouk, Sawai Mattapha, Khamfa Chanthavongsa and Tammanoon Jitpromma

Diversity 2025, 17(12), 838; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17120838 - 4 Dec 2025

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1332

Abstract

The Fabaceae family plays a vital role in tropical ecosystems and human livelihoods due to its ecological, nutritional, and medicinal significance. This study provides a comprehensive ethnobotanical assessment of Fabaceae in Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern Thailand. A total of 83 taxa representing 52 genera were recorded, reflecting the family’s high species richness and cultural importance in local communities. Field surveys and semi-structured interviews were conducted across diverse habitats, including homegardens, community forests, markets, and agricultural areas. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices—Species Use Value (SUV), Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL), and Informant Consensus Factor (F_ic)—were used to evaluate species importance and cultural consensus. The highest SUV and RFC values were observed for Arachis hypogaea L., Glycine max (L.) Merr., Sesbania grandiflora (L.) Poir., and Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc., indicating their central roles in local diets and livelihoods. Medicinally significant taxa, including Abrus precatorius and Albizia lebbeck, exhibited high FL and Fic values, reflecting strong community agreement on their therapeutic uses. Diverse applications—spanning food, medicine, fodder, fuelwood, dye, ornamental, and construction materials—highlight the multifunctionality of Fabaceae in rural livelihoods. The documentation of 44 new provincial records further emphasizes the value of integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into biodiversity assessments. These findings provide essential insights for sustainable utilization, conservation planning, and the integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use)

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Review

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44 pages, 70284 KB

Open AccessReview

Research Trends and Evidence Gaps in Selected South/Central American Medicinal Plants: A Scientometric Review

by Elisabeth Mariano Batista, José Diogo da Rocha Viana, Jesus Fernando Ayala-Zavala, Laura Maria Bruno and Luciana de Siqueira Oliveira

Diversity 2026, 18(3), 185; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18030185 - 18 Mar 2026

Viewed by 388

Abstract

Medicinal plants from South and Central America are widely used, but the scientific literature remains fragmented and strongly concentrated in laboratory-based studies. This scientometric review mapped research trends and translational gaps for five focal species (Amburana cearensis, Libidibia ferrea, Justicia pectoralis, Lippia origanoides, and Spondias mombin). These species were selected because they combine ethnobotanical relevance, recurrent pharmacological and phytochemical interest, and sufficient representation in the retrieved corpus to support comparative scientometric analysis. Records indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (1991–2024) were analyzed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix within a transparent and reproducible workflow. Evidence was also organized across four domains, chemistry, preclinical, clinical, and safety, to support cross-species synthesis. A total of 183 publications were included. Brazil accounted for more than 60% of the records and concentrated the most productive authors and institutions. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology was the main publication outlet, followed by Industrial Crops and Products, indicating overlap between ethnopharmacological research and application-oriented development. Keyword networks were dominated by Spondias and Lippia, with recurring themes such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity, and in vitro assays. Across species, preclinical evidence substantially exceeded controlled human studies and systematic safety reporting. Controlled trials were found only for Amburana and Justicia, whereas clinical and safety gaps remained evident for the other species despite the extensive experimental literature. Overall, the field is expanding, but its translational progress remains uneven. Future advances will depend on stronger chemical standardization, mechanism-driven study designs, and better integration of clinical and safety evidence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use)

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28 pages, 2378 KB

Open AccessReview

Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Diversity of Greece: Biodiversity Knowledge, Ethnobotany and Sustainable Use—A Short Review

by Alexandra D. Solomou, Aikaterini Molla and Elpiniki Skoufogianni

Diversity 2026, 18(1), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18010056 - 22 Jan 2026

Viewed by 809

Abstract

Greece lies within the Mediterranean global biodiversity hotspot and harbors exceptional plant richness and endemism, including numerous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). These taxa underpin long ethnobotanical traditions and contemporary bioeconomy niches (culinary herbs, essential oils, phototherapeutics). The aim of this review is to map (i) the biodiversity knowledge base for Greek MAPs, (ii) recent ethnobotanical evidence, and (iii) sustainability pathways (conservation, cultivation, value chains, and regulation) in a Mediterranean context. The information is presented and analyzed in a critical manner. A total of 148 research studies were systematically reviewed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Key findings highlight that (i) Greece is a regional plant-diversity hotspot with many MAP endemics in Lamiaceae; (ii) contemporary ethnobotanical knowledge persists and adapts; and (iii) strong sustainability levers exist through Natura 2000 coverage, Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) frameworks, and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognitions (e.g., Krokos Kozanis saffron, Chios mastic), although threats from climate and land-use change remain significant. In conclusion, Greek MAPs combine high biodiversity value, living ethnobotanical traditions, and tangible bioeconomic opportunities. Their sustainable prospects depend on integrating habitat protection, GACP and FairWild Standard (FairWild)-aligned wild collection and cultivation, domestication of priority endemics, and climate-resilience planning, all supported by traceable value chains and Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS)/Nagoya Protocol compliance. The review concludes with practical recommendations and a prioritized list of flagship taxa for “conservation through use.” Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ethnobotany and Plant Diversity: Conservation and Sustainable Use)

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