2011 - Volume 9 : Ethnobotany Research and Applications

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/20302

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Staple food choices in Samoa : Do changing dietary trends reflect local food preferences?
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Jones, Andrew Maxwell Phineas; Dempewolf, Hannes; Armstrong, Rebecca; Gallucci, Kathy; Tavana, Namulau’ulu Gaugau
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease has become a considerable health problem throughout the South Pacific, including Samoa. The increase in these diseases is most often associated with changes in dietary intake; including increased consumption of fats and sugars concurrent with reduced consumption of fibre and complex carbohydrates. We conducted this study in order to better understand food preferences in the Samoan population. The study focuses on the following common staple foods available in Samoa: taro, banana, elephant ear, yam, breadfruit, tapioca, rice, bread, noodles and potatoes. Interviews were conducted with 51 volunteers to better understand what foods they prefer to eat, which items they viewed as healthy choices, and how they categorize and view these foods. Over all, the participants preferred the traditional foods over imported staples. The local foods were preferred because they are considered to be healthier choices and provide a longer lasting source of energy. The preference ranking assigned to the food items correlated with their documented glycemic indexes (GI). Although it appears that Samoans prefer low GI, fiber-rich staple foods, imported refined cereal products provide more calories for the same price which makes them more economical. We recommend that future public health policy in Samoa should focus on the preference for healthier, more sustainable local foods, and aim at making these foods more economically competitive.
Bamboo trade and future prospects in the Central Himalaya : A case study of the traditional artisans of Uttarakhand, India
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Sundriyal, Manju; Sundriyal R.C.
In India bamboo is valuable in the rural livelihoods. However, despite improvement efforts the conditions of bamboo resources and traditional artisans have been deteriorating over the years. To improvise the socio-economic status of the artisans, different state governments are looking for information on the resource as well as artisans’ skills so that necessary amendments could be accomplished in government policies and programs to develop this sector as an important vehicle for rural development. This article is based on an investigation that was conducted in Uttarakhand state, India using questionnaires. We report on bamboo species being used, indigenous knowledge of articles made from bamboo, resource utilization patterns, and management status of bamboo in Uttarakhand state. The paper also discusses major bottlenecks of the trade along with the potential interventions that could be used to enhance bamboo-based livelihoods in the region.
Ethnobotanical studies in the genus Sansevieria Thunb. (Asparagaceae) in Zimbabwe
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Takawira-Nyenya, Ratidzayi; Stedje, Brita
A study investigating ethnobotanical uses and ethnotaxonomy of the genus Sansevieria Thunb. (Asparagaceae) in Zimbabwe is presented. Direct observation of plant use by informants, open-ended and informal interviews covering questions on local names of species, uses, mode of administration and the specific plant part used were employed during the study. Ethnobotanical uses for four species; Sansevieria aethiopica Thunb., Sansevieria hyacinthoides (L.) Druce, Sansevieria kirkii Baker and Sansevieria pearsonii N.E.Br. were recorded from 60 informants. A total of 11 use categories were defined; ornamentals, medicinal use in humans, medicinal use in animals, food, play, processed fiber, unprocessed fiber, crafts, making whip ends, spiritual uses and other uses. Medicinal use in humans was the most prevalent category, contributing 33% of the total responses. Several uses of Sansevieria in Zimbabwe not previously documented in the literature are described for the first time in this study.
Ethnomedicinal plants of India with special reference to an Indo-Burma hotspot region : An overview
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Rai, Prabhat Kumar; Lalramnghinglova, H.
Ethnomedicines are widely used across India. Scientific knowledge of these uses varies with some regions, such as the North Eastern India region, being less well known. Plants being used are increasingly threatened by a variety of pressures and are being categories for conservation management purposes. Mizoram state in North East India has served as the location of our studies of ethnomedicines and their conservation status. 304 plants from 96 families were recorded as being used by the indigenous Mizo (and other tribal communities) over the last ten years. Analysis of distributions of species across plant families revealed both positive and negative correlations that are interpreted as evidence of consistent bases for selection.
Ancient Kaua`i Mapping Project : Using GIS to locate and map ancient Hawaiian agricultural landscapes on Kaua`i
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Burton, Erik
GIS tools are used to develop a predictive model for identify the primary agricultural complexes on Kaua`i and conduct a systematic aerial survey for plants from transported landscapes. Comparisons were made to historical records and place names were matched to elements of the ancient agricultural landscape. Results are recorded in a series of layers enabling spatial analysis and 3D visualization of the data in its environment. The resulting GIS layers and master model allows custom data views to be created by enabling selected layers so that desired aspects of the agricultural landscape can be visualized. The resulting layers are discussed as individuals and also how they interact to provide a view of the ancient integrated agricultural landscape. Conclusions about the predictive model for agricultural complex, the ethnobotanical surveys and the historical records are discussed.
Mango trees as cultural indicators in the Limahuli Valley, Kauai
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Stangeland, Torunn
This paper describes the development of a new rapid method to age mango (Mangifera indica L.) trees using remote sensing data. The method is based on demonstrating that that crown width (CW) correlates positively with diameter at breast height (dbh). The data generated from this approach were used to assess the relative age of mango plantations in the Limahuli valley, Kaua`i, and to determine if the trees were planted in the latter half of the 1800s - a period of major social disruption on the island. Correlation between dbh and CW shows that these variables are positively correlated (R2 = 0.7014). The freely available Google Earth and GPS Visualizer were used to visualize the position and size of trees. Using high-quality aerial photographs of the island, it may thus be possible to spot and map large mango tree canopies, and thereby provide a starting point to search for sites that were still populated by Hawaiians at the end of the 1800’s. This method, in conjunction with aerial photographs or high-resolution satellite images, may be used to map and age human mango plantations and settlements in other regions, if combined with ground measurements and knowledge about tree growth at the site.
Ethnobotany of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. (Cupressaceae) in Iran
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Pirani, Atefeh; Moazzeni, Hamid; Mirinejad, Shahab; Naghibi, Farzaneh; Mosaddegh, Mahmoud
Ethnobotanical data of Juniperus excelsa M. Bieb. in Iran is documented from various historical, religious, literary, linguistic and pharmacological viewpoints. Field trips were conducted to different habitats of J. excelsa in Iran during 2006-2010 to collect ethnobotanical information about the plant. The present study reveals that J. excelsa is considered as a multi-purpose tree by indigenous people of Iran, and has been used as medicine, incense, material for constructing buildings, fencing, different household articles and decoration. It is respected as a “holy” tree by some Turkmen and Kurdish tribes in Iran.
Etnoecología de las especies vegetales de los bosques estacionalmente secos del Estado Mérida
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Aranguren, Anairamiz; Márquez, Nelson Jhonny
An ethnological analysis aimed at evaluating traditional knowledge on useful plants in six adjacent locations to seasonally dry forests was proposed. Unstructured interviews and free listings were applied to evaluate quantity, uses and similarities between plants utilized by 49 local residents from El Corozo, El Rincón, El Salado, Quebrada Arriba, San Juan y El Vallecito, State of Mérida, Venezuela. Collected species were identified and a multivariate analysis was applied. As a result, 955 plants were listed, among them cinaro (Calycolpus moritzianus (O. Berg) Burret), cedro (Cedrela montana Moritz ex Turcz.), uvito (Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schltdl.), guayaba (Psidium guajava L.) and anime (Montanoa quadrangularis Sch. Bip.) listed as very important. Twenty-six uses were reported, most often as food, timber, medicine, fences, construction and fuel. There was a broad agreement on the information obtained, associated to each location and forest type, as well as to distant locations. Some species were proposed for reforestation purposes and to reduce pressure use on these forests.
Survivor Rongelap : Health issues and use of traditional medicine among the women of Rongelap Atoll
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Releford, Jodi Stevens; McClatchey, Will C.
The people of Rongelap atoll have always been survivors. For centuries they survived in one of the most extreme environments in the world by making the most of the resources available to them. Life was further complicated when they were exposed to fallout from nuclear testing by the U.S. Consequently they have suffered horrible medical ailments and exile from their island home. With plans now in the works for repatriation to Rongelap atoll, safety is the first concern. We believe that the risk of consuming traditional plant-based remedies on Rongelap has been underestimated. Women and infants are particularly at risk because they utilize far more traditional remedies than the rest of the community. Some returning Rongelap Islanders may be consuming more than 60 times the number of remedies than was previously thought. We make some suggestions of ways to make the consumption of traditional remedies safe while still maintaining important cultural traditions.
Assessing the contribution of local and traded biodiversity in community health care : A case study from Keelakodankulam village, South India
(Botany Department, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Mary, D Ahino; Franco, F Merlin; Babu, Vivek
The study aims to assess the contribution of local and traded biodiversity towards community health care. A total of 106 knowledge holders from the Aatha Pallar community were interviewed and medicinal uses for 70 local plants and 28 plant products purchased from the market were recorded. The Pharmacological Ethnobotanical index was found to be low suggesting knowledge erosion. About 13 plant species used by the community show high Use Value Indices. A majority of the plants used in the community’s medicinal system come from the immediate locality and only a minor part comes from the market, though ones from the market tend to have high use value indexes. The study illustrates that local medicinal plant diversity is important for community health care, which in turn, ensures conservation of the local medicinal plant diversity.
Linking Past and Present: A preliminary paleoethnobotanical study of Maya nutritional and medicinal plant use and sustainable cultivation in the Southern Maya Mountains, Belize
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Abramiuk, Marc A.; Dunham, Peter S.; Cummings, Linda Scott; Yost, Chad; Pesek, Todd J.
Paleoethnobotanical analysis of anthropogenic soils sampled from archaeological features dating to the Classic Maya Period (A.D. 250-900) reveal diagnostic phytoliths that help the authors bring to light evidence of a novel sustainable agricultural strategy and a variety of nutritional and medicinal plants that were utilized by the Classic Maya of the Maya Mountains, Belize, Central America. Given the archaeological context of these phytoliths, the authors infer that the plants from which they were derived were exploited by the Classic Maya of the region. These discoveries have the potential for improving health and wellness regionally in the present since the agricultural strategy that is reconstructed demonstrates an intensive means of cultivation that has the potential of sustaining large, dense populations. The nutritional and medicinal plants alluded to, in turn, provide further evidence in support of the utilization of traditional knowledge in sustaining community health and wellness.
Folk Classification of Shea Butter Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. nilotica) Ethno-varieties in Uganda
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Gwali, Samson; Okullo, John Bosco Lamoris; Eilu, Gerald; Nakabonge, Grace; Nyeko, Philip; Vuzi, Peter
Folk knowledge has been the basis for selection and improvement of many food crops such as potatoes, sorghum, yams, cassava and rice. In Uganda, there is strong potential to utilize folk knowledge to select and domesticate the shea butter tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn. subsp. nilotica (Kotschy) A.N. Henry & Chithra & N.C. Nair), an important economic tree species. Farmers report high variation in fruit yield, tree form and pulp taste. In this study, we documented shea tree folk classification by interviewing 300 respondents, 15 focus groups and 41 key informants across three farming systems of Uganda. Data were analyzed using Kruskall-Wallis and Spearman’s tests, Chi-square, Multivariate, Factor and Discriminant Function Analyses. Folk classification and nomenclature of shea tree ethno-varieties is based on fruit/nut organoleptic (color and taste) and morphological attributes. Interestingly, despite the socio-cultural importance of shea oil, it does not feature as a factor in the folk classification and nomenclature of shea tree ethno-varieties. There was no significant difference in classification knowledge across the three farming systems (Kruskal – Wallis ?2 = 28, df = 28, p > 0.05; Spearman’s R > 0.8, p < 0.0001) although there was significant influence from ethnicity of the respondents (Pillai’s trace = 0.817, p < 0.001). While this study provides a record of shea tree ethno-varieties and associated classification criteria, there is need to validate these ‘ethno-varieties’ using detailed morphological, biochemical and molecular analyses.
Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Men, Women and Children in Rural Niger: A mixedmethods approach
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Guimbo, Iro Dan; Muller, Jocelyn; Larwanou, Mahamane
Ethnobotanical studies often underestimate or misrepresent impacts of age and gender on individual ethnobotanical knowledge. This paper compares two common methodologies, participant observation and key-informant interviews, to examine the variation of ethnobotanical knowledge across age and gender in three communities in rural southwest Niger. We compared lists of plants mentioned in interviews as food, fodder, construction and medicine, to lists compiled from observations of daily activities. Compared to men, women reported more edible plants, different medicinal plants, and less detailed information on construction plants. Interview data indicated ethnobotanical knowledge increased with age. However, in observations youth ate a greater diversity of food plants and identified and ranked fodder species more quickly than adults. This paper supports previous research on age and gender effects on ethnobotanical knowledge and critiques common research methods and assumptions. We advocate for mixed-method approaches to gather more nuanced understandings of ethnobotanical knowledge.
“Modern Linnaeus”: A class exercise on plant nomenclature and taxonomy in comparison with a previous experiment
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Savo, V.; Bisceglie, S.; Caneva, G.; Kumbaric, A.; McClatchey, W.C.; Reedy, D.
Ethno-classification is a science dealing with a search for order, or a pattern, in the ways in which people name and categorize plants and animals. An experiment was conducted in the Botany class during the 2008-2009 academic year at the University of Roma Tre to collect data on the naming and classifying process of students not aware of the Linnaean system of classification. Forty plant specimens were shown to students who were divided into small groups and asked to name and classify the plants as they like. This paper shows the results of this experiment which was inspired by a very similar class exercise conducted at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa during the 2007-2008 Fall semester. Differences and similarities between the two experiences are analyzed here. The hypothesis tested is if the naming and classification process may be influenced by differences in language or culture. The use of binomial terms for plant names was predominant in both experiments even if the Italian language construction may have affected this result reducing the related percentage. Plant names are mainly constructed using morphological features of the specimen, among which color prevailed. This same result was observed in Hawai`i. Some differences were highlighted in the percentage of used terms, which may sometimes be traced back to experimental settings, while the overall results of the experiments are very similar.
Surviving on Knowledge: Ethnobotany of Chepang community from midhills of Nepal
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Rijal, Arun
The Chepangs of Nepal are rich in knowledge regarding the use of different plants and this knowledge has been transferred verbally through the generations. This study analyzed traditional knowledge regarding plant use among the Chepang communities from ward number 3 and 4 of Shaktikhor Village Development Committee located in the central mid hills of Nepal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants like traditional healers for medicinal plants, and elder people and women for edible and other useful plants. The ‘artefact/interview’ approach was also used. People were using 435 different plant species for 845 various uses. Eleven of these species belong to different IUCN threat categories. Stems had the highest number of uses (180) followed by whole plants (163) and leaves (134). Fodder had the highest number of species (198) followed by edible plants (136) and medicinal use species (115). 246 species had single-uses while 189 had multiple-uses. Fifty-six plants in use among Chepangs, were not reported in any previous documents from Nepal.
The Contribution of Forest Products to Dryland Household Economy: The case of Kiang’ombe hill forest, Kenya
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Ngugi, Grace; Newton, Leonard E.; Muasya, Muthama
An integrated approach of participatory rural appraisal (PRA), participatory environmental valuation (PEV), household survey, group discussions and forest walks with knowledgeable people was used in an ethnobotanical survey of Kiang’ombe hill forest in Mbeere District of Kenya. Ten forest uses were identified with the highest dependence being in the supply of building materials and medicine, the latter having the highest average annual household value of KSh. 2953 (US$47). The average annual household forest value was calculated at KSh. 16,175.6 (US$256.80), accounting for 55.4% of household income. Use of PEV in Kiang’ombe, where there were no formal records of forest use, was important in assigning monetary value to biodiversity elements essential for survival that were assumed to be free for the taking. The assigned monetary value gives weight to otherwise non-monetary values recognized by local communities but ignored because they do not enter formal markets. PEV is one of the recommended methods for estimation of forest resources’ value in a non-cash economy.
Watermelons in the Sand of Sahara: Cultivation and use of indigenous landraces in the Tombouctou Region of Mali
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Jensen, Brita Dahl; Touré, Fatoumata Maïga; Ag Hamattal, Mohamed; Touré, Fatimata Aya; Nantoumé, Aminata Dolo
Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai) is mainly cultivated worldwide for its dessert type, sweet, red flesh fruits. Other types with white flesh are cultivated for their seeds more locally in some parts of the world. The cultivation and use of these watermelons are less documented than the dessert type watermelons. This photo essay describes and documents watermelon production and processing of seeds of indigenous, white flesh watermelons in the Tombouctou region of Mali. The crop is grown in sandy soils in the desert, relying on a short period of rain for the seed to germinate. In 2008 the watermelons were cultivated on around 540 ha in the region. Three watermelon seed types were identified: Fombou, Kaneye, and Musa Musa. For many people the seeds from these types are an important food source. In addition, dessert types called Kankani were also cultivated. The men take care of the field work related to the watermelon production and the women in the households process seeds into various snacks, flour to make sauces, and oil for meal preparations. Many use most of the seeds in their own household, and only surplus seed is sold on the market. Women, often organized in groups, are also engaged in local sale of the seed derived products.
Beyond the Bounty: Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis) for food security and novel foods in the 21st Century
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Jones, A.M.P.; Ragone, D.; Tavana, N.G.; Bernotas, D.W.; Murch, S.J.
The Food and Agriculture Organization recently reported that the number undernourished people has reached a record high of 1.02 billion, most prevalent in the tropics. Breadfruit, Artocarpus altilis (Parkinson) Fosberg, is an underutilized Oceanic staple crop long recognized for its potential to alleviate hunger in tropical climates. Breadfruit can be grown sustainably with minimal agricultural inputs and can be multicropped with high value cash crops such as coffee, pepper, or vanilla. A great diversity of cultivars with varying nutritional and agronomic characteristics exists, yet few cultivars are widely cultivated. Recent developments in micropropagation have made possible large scale propagation and dissemination but to fully utilize this resource, a deeper understanding of the nutritional characteristics, and the development of new products and markets are needed. This review will highlight and describe the state of our current knowledge and the potential for breadfruit as a sustainable crop to provide new foods for Western markets and food security for the growing global population.
Vaavubhali, a Traditional Festival for Remembering Ancestors
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Franco, F Merlin; Robin, D T Rose
Remembering ancestors is a part of tradition in every society. In this article, we present the importance of a traditional festival called vaavubhali in the context of ecological and economical services rendered. The festival honours deceased souls and also popularizes the planting of ornamental, medicinal and timber yielding plants. The changing scenario is also depicted.
To Strengthen the Teeth and Harden the Gums - Teeth blackening as medical practice in Asia, Micronesia and Melanesia
(University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2011) Zumbroich, Thomas J.
Teeth blackening with agents of plant and mineral origin used to be the most wide-spread form of bodily inscription in parts of Asia, Micronesia and Melanesia, and I argue here that it can be productively studied as a medical practice. Ethnographic evidence supports that teeth blackeners became integrated into indigenous systems of medicine in which they fulfilled different purposes. They aided the recovery from the physically challenging teeth filing procedure, provided a primary form of preventive oral care and treated acute oral afflictions. Frequently used teeth blackening agents were derived from plants (e.g., Paederia foetida L. or Punica granatum L.) which were traditionally considered of high medical value and, from a biomedical perspective, had a high content of bioactive constituents. Biomedical data also validate the usefulness of many blackening plant extracts for improving oral health and suggest efficacy against other diseases prevalent in tropical climates, e.g., diarrheal or intestinal parasitic diseases. An assessment of the risk-benefit balance of teeth blackening suggests that, despite concomitant carcinogenic and other toxic risks, especially from chronic application, the practice could have made a positive contribution to health status in many societies before Western contact. The unique dynamic of medical utility embedded in diverse symbolic ascriptions might have provided the basis for its adoption in so many cultures of Asia, Micronesia and Melanesia.

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