Ethnnobotany and the economic role of selected plant species in Gambela, Ethiopia
Year: 1995
Type: article
Abstract: If the integrity of biodiversity can be maintained, variety of plant species will support natural life, food, medicaments, and cash (in the form of tourism, timber products, fire-wood, dyes, charcoal, shelter, etc.). Plants also provide free services, such as air quality, flood and erosion control and quality of water, as well as natural chemical substances (allolochemistry) against insects and diseases (Farnworth, 1981). Despite this knowledge, plants, especially forest species, are being destroyed in many parts of the developing countries. In order to document the losses, ethnobotanical studies are indispensable. Ethnobotany is the study of the relationship which exists between the local peoples and the uses of indigenous plants of an area ( Jain et al., 1979; Rao, 1991; Shah et al., 1971). Specialists have provided ethnobotanical information concerning local and scientific names, geographical distribution, ethnography and habitat for plant species (Zemede, 1989; De 1968; Fraquemont et al., 1990; Groh, 1955; Schutes, 1962; Woodwards, 1956; Xolocotzi, 1987).
Source: Journal of Ethiopian studies
Author: Wegene Mengistu
Language: English
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2282160710