Knowledge and Use Value of Plant Species in a Rarámuri Community: A Gender Perspective for Conservation

We used a quantitative ethnobotanical approach to analyze factors influencing the use value of plant species among men and women of the Rarámuri people in Cuiteco, Chihuahua, Mexico. We constructed a use value index (UV) combining the use frequency (U) and the quality perception (Q) of useful plant species by local people. We identified all plant species used by the Rarámuri and classified them into 14 general use categories. We interviewed 34 households in the village to compare men and women’s knowledge on the five main general use categories (and on their respective subcategories and specific uses), to document how they practice gathering activities and to calculate scores of plants UV. A total of 226 useful plant species were identified, but only 12% of them had high UV scores for the 42 specific uses defined. When the overall knowledge of plant species was examined, no significant differences were detected between men and women, but significant differences were identified in general use categories such as medicinal plants, plants for construction and domestic goods, but not in plants used as food and firewood. We identified a division of labor in gathering activities associated with gender, with women mainly gathering medicinal and edible plants and being involved in preparing medicines and food, whereas men were primarily gathering and using plants for manufacturing domestic goods, firewood, and building materials. Plant species UV associated to gender were significantly different between men and women at the level of specific uses in the general category of domestic goods and building. Frequency of use is highly associated with plant species quality perception.     

“Berry Patch” As a Kind of Place—the Ethnoecology of Black Huckleberry in Northwestern Canada

The Gitksan and Wet’suwet’en of Northwestern British Columbia formerly used landscape burning to manage patches of black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum), the most important plant resource of their seasonal round. In view of its significance one might postulate that managed sites would conform to a biophysical or ecological type to maximize return for effort. However, a survey of a number of traditionally managed sites indicated that managed sites are characterized by wide variation in biophysical attributes including elevation, aspect and moisture regime, while proximity to fishing sites, village sites, or sites for harvest of alpine resources proved to be a common factor in known historic berry patch sites. We conclude that characterization of the ideal site type for aboriginal V. membranaceum management must include the economy and social institutions of the local First Nations and requires an enhanced appreciation for the sophistication of the strategies and techniques employed in their management and utilization of the species.

Reptiles used in traditional folk medicine: conservation implications

The present work provides an overview of the global use of reptiles in traditional folk medicine and the implications for conservation. The results demonstrate that at least 165 reptile species belonging to 104 genera and 30 families are used in traditional folk medicine around the world. Some species are used as sources of drugs for modern medical science. Of the reptiles recorded, 53% are included on lists of endangered species, demonstrating the importance of understanding such medicinal uses in the context of reptile conservation as well as the need for considering socio-cultural factors when establishing management plans directed towards the sustainable use of these reptiles.     

药用民族植物学及其研究进展

药用民族植物学是研究传统医药或民间医药中植物药及其相关内容的一门由多学科组成的交叉学科。随着科学界对传统医药知识认识的不断加深 ,药用民族植物学已经受到了世界范围内的普遍关注。本文从传统医药的概念、引起科学界对传统医药知识产生兴趣的原因、民族传统药物的特点、药用民族植物学在发达国家和发展中国家的研究状况等方面对药用民族植物学的研究进展作了综合评述。     

Antagonistic effect of enterocin CCM 4231 from Enterococcus faecium on “bryndza”, a traditional Slovak dairy product from sheep milk

“Bryndza” is a traditional Slovak dairy product (type of soft cheese) made from sheep cheese which was ripened for 14 days. Because its manufacture, transporting and/or storing represent conditions which facilitate contamination, the effect of enterocin CCM4231 in “bryndza” was investigated with the aim to reduce the contaminant agents. “Bryndza” was divided into equal portions (50 g). The experimental sample (ES) as well as the control sample one (C1) were inoculated with Listeria innocua Li1 strain. The other control samples C2 and C3 were without Li1 strain. C3 control was selected as a reference control. ES and C2 portions were treated with purified enterocin CCM4231 in a concentration of 6400 AU/ml. Before the experimental inoculation, “bryndza” was checked for the presence of contaminant agents. The experiment lasted 1 week and the samples were stored in the refrigerator at 4 °C. Sampling was performed on day 1, on day 4 and on day 7. The control samples C2 and C3 were checked only on day 1 and then after 1 week. The following contaminant agents were detected in “bryndza” before its experimental inoculation with L. innocua Li1 strain: Escherichia coli in the amount 10³ cfu/ml/g, Staphylococcus aureus (10² cfu/ml/g) and enterococci (10⁴ cfu/ml/g). In the control sample C2, the number of E. coli was reduced to 10² cfu/ml/g. Enterococci and staphylococci were totally eliminated there. Concerning C3 control, natural decrease of bacteria was found and/or their unchanged counts. The value of pH (5) was stable during the whole experiment. In the experimental sample inoculated with Li1 strain, its counts were decreased immediately after enterocin CCM4231 addition approximately by one order of magnitude. This inhibitory effect was also detectable on day 4 by the difference of one order of magnitude between ES and C1. On day 7, 10³ cfu/ml/g of Li1 strain were detected in both samples (ES, C1). The difference by one order of magnitude indicated, an inhibitory effect of enterocin CCM4231 in “bryndza”. However, bacteriocin activity was not determined by laboratory analyses.     

Correspondence between Scientific and Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Rain Forest Classification by the Non-Indigenous Ribereños in Peruvian Amazonia

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is a potential source of ecological information. Typically TEK has been documented at the species level, but habitat data would be equally valuable for conservation applications. We compared the TEK forest type classification of ribereños, the non-indigenous rural peasantry of Peruvian Amazonia, to a floristic classification produced using systematically collected botanical data. Indicator species analysis of pteridophytes in 300 plots detected two forest types on non-flooded tierra firme, each associated with distinct soil texture and fertility, and one forest type in areas subject to flooding. Nine TEK forest types were represented in the same set of plots. Each TEK forest type was consistently (>82%) associated with one of the three floristic classes and there were also clear parallels in the ecological characterizations of the forest types. Ribereños demonstrated clear preferences for certain forest types when selecting sites for slash-and-burn agriculture and hunting. Our results indicate that the non-tribal inhabitants of Amazonia possess valuable TEK that could be used in biodiversity inventories and wildlife management and conservation for characterizing primary rain forest habitats in Amazonia.     

中医药治疗胃溃疡的特色

胃溃疡是临床常见但十分棘手的消化系统疾病,主要临床表现为长期性、周期性、节律性上腹部疼痛。现代治疗多采用西医治疗,效果显著,但复发率高、不良反应较大。大量研究表明,祖国医学对治疗胃溃疡具有独特的优势,且在临床上取得了良好的疗效,尤其是大大降低了胃溃疡的复发率。关于中医药治疗胃溃疡的方式非常成熟且规范全面,主要包括辨证论治、专方加减、专药治疗、其他中医治法等,说明中医药治疗胃溃疡具有一定的特色及广阔的前景,同时也面临一些问题,需要医务人员共同思考并解决。现将中医药治疗胃溃疡的现状概述如下。     

生物技术在传统药材生产中的应用前景

生物技术在传统药材生产中的应用前景刘涤胡之璧（上海中医药大学中药生物工程研究室,上海２０００３２）我国的中药材是一个具有数千年历史的医药宝库,至今仍在中国和许多国家和地区广为使用。传统药材中,８０％为野生资源,但由于盲目挖掘,不仅使野生资源日益减少,而且严重破坏了自然界的生态平衡;人工种植又面临品质退化,农药污染和种子带病等问题。而且,人工种植的药材,活性成分的种类和数量往往因地区及气候不同...