Ethnobotany PDF

# Biol. 2309 Plants and People ## Ethnobotany - the study of how people use plants, and the relationship between humans and plants - a multidisciplinary field that combines botany, anthropology, ecology, and chemistry - A diagram showing the interconnectedness of ethnobotany with other discipli...

# Biol. 2309 Plants and People ## Ethnobotany - the study of how people use plants, and the relationship between humans and plants - a multidisciplinary field that combines botany, anthropology, ecology, and chemistry - A diagram showing the interconnectedness of ethnobotany with other disciplines such as: Anthropology, Biology, Ecology, Etnobiology, Ethnobotany, Economy, Evolution, Governance, Political ecology, and Sociology ## Ethnobotany involves - Studying indigenous knowledge about plants - Classifying plants - Learning how to cultivate plants - Understanding how plants are used for food, medicine, shelter, and more - Examining the connections between ethnic groups and the plants in their environment ## Ethnobotany - from "ethnology" - study of culture and "botany" - study of plants - is the scientific study of the relationships that exist between people and plants. ## History of Ethnobotany - Ethnobotany has evolved from primarily documenting traditional plant knowledge to applying that knowledge in modern contexts - For example, ethnobotanical information is used in pharmaceutical development - The field now addresses complex issues such as intellectual property rights and equitable benefit-sharing arrangements arising from the use of traditional knowledge ## Ethnobotany can serve as a gateway to many disciplines | DISCIPLINE | RELEVANCE TO ETHNOBOTANY | |---------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Botany | The study of plants | | Anthropology | The study of how different cultures use plants | | Sociology | The study of plant uses in various societies | | Ecology | How human interactions with plants and ecosystems affect plant ecology | | Medicine | Study of medicinal uses of plants | | Chemistry | Study of the composition of substances and active chemicals in plants, especially medicinal plants, natural products of various types | | Agriculture | Study of human domestication and management of plants, especially traditional agriculture systems | | Horticulture | Study of management of useful plants (fruits, vegetables, ornamentals) in home gardens or orchards | | Forestry | Study of human management of forests and forest trees | | Agroforestry | Study of land management for the simultaneous production of food, crops and trees | | Archeology/Palaeoethnobotany | How ancient cultures used plants | | Economics/Economic Botany | study of economic uses of plants | | Religious Studies | Ritual uses of plants by different cultures and religions (Some ethnobotanists too much of this) | | Linguistics | Study of linguistic terminology for plants and plant parts by people of different language groups | | Systematics | Study of folk-taxonomy, how different people classify plants (Ethnobiological classification) | ## Scope of Ethnobotany - extends beyond just medicinal or practical uses - includes studying the symbolic and cultural roles of plants, such as their presence in folklore, taboos, and religious practices - dual perspective - abstract and concrete - helps in understanding the full spectrum of human-plant interactions - abstract aspects involve beliefs and rituals, while concrete aspects cover practical uses like food production and artistic applications. ## Example Key Questions - In what ways do the people make use of the local plants for food, medicine, material culture, and ceremonial purposes? - How much knowledge do the people have of the parts, functions, and activities of the plants? - How are plant names categorized in the language of the people studied, and what can the study of these names reveal about the culture of the people, about their knowledge and views on the plants that they use? ## Plants that have made World History 1) The tea tree (Camelia sinensis) [Theaceae] has huge cultural significance in many Asian cultures - Elaborate methods to cultivate & prepare tea began in China & later spread to Japan, where the ceremony got linked to Zen Buddhist beliefs - An image of three people sitting on a porch and enjoying tea. - The text visible in the image says "三 月 飛 花 島 見" - Egyptians invented paper by pressing together strips of papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) [Cyperaceae] - An image of papyrus stalks on the left side of the image and a drawing of an Egyptian deity, in hieroglyphs, on the right. - the poppy plant, Papaver somniferum, is the source of opium. It was grown in the Mediterranean region as early as 5000 B.C. and has been cultivated in a number of countries throughout the world. - from its rise in the 1830s to its pinnacle in the 1930s, the opium trade was a guiding force in the Chinese political economy. Opium money was bound up in local, national, and imperial finances, and the people who piloted the trade were integral to the fabric of Chinese society. - all poppies of this species are capable of producing morphine. - the extraction of different chemical compounds derived from morphine, as well as synthetic versions, have led to the opiate crises of the present ## Importance of Ethnobotany ### Herbal Medicine and Ethnomedicine: - traditional herbal medicines, integral to various societies, form the foundation of many modern medical systems - ethnobotany is essential in exploring and validating these traditional practices, providing a basis for discovering new herbal drugs and nutraceuticals - this knowledge supports primary healthcare in tribal and aboriginal populations and contributes to the development of new therapeutic agents ### Medicinal Plant Research: - ethnobotanical studies contribute to modern medicine by identifying bioactive compounds in plants - historical discoveries of plant-derived drugs such as morphine, aspirine, and quinine underscore the importance of this field. - recent research continues to uncover new drugs and treatments, including those for serious diseases such as cancer and AIDS, derived from plants with extensive traditional use ### Food Security and Nutrition: - the study of ethnobotany also informs the domestication of new food plants, which is vital for enhancing food security and nutrition - this aspect is particularly important in regions where access to modern agricultural practices is limited ### Biodiversity and Conservation: - ethnobotanical research aids in the conservation of plant biodiversity by documenting the status of plant species and supporting conservation strategies - this research helps protect endangered plants and maintain ecological balance ### Preservation of Traditional Knowledge: - as modernization threatens traditional knowledge, ethnobotany helps preserve and document this valuable information - this preservation is crucial for maintaining cultural heritage and ensuring that traditional plant-based remedies and practices are not lost ## Ethnobotany in Alberta - this document describes the ethnobotanical research conducted by **Evelyn Vicky Siegfried** in the summers of 1992/93 on the **Northern Cree of Wabasca/Desmarais**. - The focus of the study was to record the traditional knowledge of plants used by local Cree elders. The research looked at how the knowledge was passed down through generations, and how it was used in daily life, including food, medicine, and shelter. - The document also highlights the importance of ethnobotany in preserving traditional knowledge. ## Ethics of Ethnobotany - The Code of Ethnobotany Ethics acknowledges that biological and cultural harms have resulted from research undertaken without the consent of Indigenous peoples. - Ethnobotanical research should involve local communities at all stages, and researchers should: - Acknowledge indigenous rights and responsibilities - Negotiate and consult with local communities - Incorporate reciprocity and mutual benefit - Conduct research in the local language - Provide opportunities for local people to choose who participates in the project ## Next class: - Special Indigenous Guest Speaker: Dion Simon