Diversity of use and local knowledge of wild edible plant resources in Nepal

Abstract

BackgroundWild edible plants (WEP) provide staple and supplement foods, as well as cash income to local communities, thus favouring food security. However, WEP are largely ignored in land use planning and implementation, economic development, and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, WEP-related traditional knowledge is rapidly eroding. Therefore, we designed this study to fulfill a part of the knowledge gap by providing data on diversity, traditional knowledge, economic potential, and conservation value of WEP from Nepal.MethodsThe information was collected through focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Percentage of general utility of the plants among the study communities was evaluated using the Chi-square (χ2) test of homogeneity. High priority species were identified after consultation with the local stakeholders followed by scoring based on defined criteria. Pairwise ranking was used to assess ethnoecological knowledge to identify the threats to WEP.ResultsWe documented 81 species belonging to Angiosperms (74), Pteridophytes (5), and Fungi (2). Most of the species were used as fruits (44 species) followed by vegetables (36). Almost half of the species (47%) were also used for purposes other than food. From the species with market value (37% of the total), 10 were identified as high priority species. Pairwise ranking revealed that WEP are threatened mostly by habitat destruction, land-use change and over-harvesting. Some of these plants are crop wild relatives and could thus be used for crop improvement. Interestingly, our study also revealed that young people who spend most of the time in the forest as herdsmen are particularly knowledgeable of wild fruit plants.ConclusionWe provide empirical evidence from a relatively large area of Nepal about diversity and status of WEP, as well as methodological insights about the proper knowledge holders to consult. Regarding the unique and important knowledge they have on WEP, young people should be included when recruiting participants to ethnobotanical studies or to any type of consultation about WEP. The habit of using wild edible plants is still alive and is a traditional culinary practice that demonstrates rich traditional knowledge of local people. WEP were found to be important for livelihood as well as showing great potential for crop improvement. Priority species should be promoted for income generation activities through sustainable collection and trade. Communities should engage in minimizing the threats to these valuable resources.

The Consumption of Wild Edible Plants

“…In many cases, nonfood uses of wild edible plants are also relevant; in particular, additional medicinal properties are strongly linked with wild edibles intake (Abbasi et al 2013a,b,c;Uprety et al 2012). This is also the case in Vietnam, studied by Ogle et al (2003), where they have acknowledged the multifunctionality of wild edible plants.…”

“…However, within other surveys (Kang et al 2014;Li et al 2015Uprety et al 2012, wild edible fruits are the most cited category (see Table 6.1). Schulp et al (2014) estimate that 65 million people in Europe (14% of all EU citizens), mainly living in rural areas, collect wild food occasionally (including game, mushrooms, vascular plants), and at least 100 million Europeans consume wild food.…”

“…Surveys from Brazilian dry forest (Cruz et al 2014;Nascimento et al 2012 The last five years have been quite prolific in terms of wild food species research within the different Asian regions, providing interesting and significant information about species, distribution, and availability, as well as plant uses and knowledge (Boesi 2014;Ghorbani et al 2012;Hong et al 2015;Ju et al 2013;Kang et al 2012Kang et al , 2013Kang et al , 2014Li et al 2015;Panda 2014;Uprety et al 2012).…”

The State of Food (In)Security in the Trans-Himalaya, Upper-Mustang, Nepal

“…Researchers found that forest supplies a sizable portion of food for rural farming households of Nepal (Ephrosine, 1994;Koirala, 2006;Rijal, 2010Rijal, -2011Subedi & Pandey, 2002). Uprety et al (2012) documented 44 species of edible fruits and 36 species of edible vegetables that local communities in Nepal have identified and are including in their food items, although such traditional knowledge is eroding throughout the country. The case of the Trans-Himalaya is different than that of other places in Nepal that limited availability of edible items due to harsh climatic conditions has reduced the scope of forest food collection in UpperMustang.…”

Antioxidant and Prebiotic Activity of Selected Edible Wild Plant Extracts

“…Arguably, some domesticated food plants have low ascorbic acid content and antioxidant activity as compared to the edible wild plants (Legwaila, Mojeremane, Modisa, Mmolotsi & Rampart, 2011). Studies on edible wild plants from other geographical locations around the world largely focus on the proximate and micronutrient content analysis as well as agronomic improvement of wild and semi-wild crop varieties (Uprety et al, 2012). Meanwhile, southern African indigenous knowledge on the value of edible wild plants is rapidly eroding due to limited local scientific evidence to substantiate their benefit to human health.…”