RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Ethnobotanical survey of wild edible fruit tree species in lowland areas of Ethiopia
A1 Dejene, Tatek
A1 Samy Abdel-Hamed Agamy, Mohamed
A1 Agúndez Leal, María Dolores
A1 Martín Pinto, Pablo
K1 Biodiversity
K1 Biodiversidad
K1 Ethnic groups
K1 Grupos étnicos
K1 Conservation
K1 Conservación
K1 Food security
K1 Seguridad alimentaria
AB This study aimed to provide baseline information about wild edible tree species (WETs) through surveying of different ethnic groups in dryland areas in Ethiopia. Here the data about WETs are scant, and WETs status is unexplained under the rampant habitat degradation. Use forms, plant parts used, status, ethnobotanical knowledge, conservation needs as well as those threats affecting WETs were reviewed. The study identified 88 indigenous wild edible plants, of which 52 species were WETs. In most cases, fruits were found as the dominant use part, and they were used as raw but were occasionally cooked and preserved. Roots and bark uses are also reported from Ximenia americana and Racosperma melanoxylon respectively. June, July and August were critical periods observed for food shortage in most of the regions. However, in the Gambella region, food shortages occurred in most months of the year. The respondents in this region suggested that WETs could potentially provide them with enough food to make up for the shortage of food from conventional agricultural crops. From the respondents’ perception, Opuntia ficus-indica, Carissa edulis and Ficus vasta were among the most difficult to locate species, and they also received the highest conservation attention. Because of the variety of WETs and existing different threats, a management strategy is required for future conservation, as WETs are vital for the livelihood of local communities and are also necessary to devise a food security strategy for Ethiopia. The lesson obtained could also be useful in other dryland parts in developing countries with similar contexts.
PB MDPI
SN 1999-4907
YR 2020
FD 2020
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/52618
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/52618
LA eng
NO Forests, 2020, vol. 11, n. 2, 177
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 06-ago-2024