Indigenous use and bio-efficacy of medicinal plants in the Rasuwa District, Central Nepal

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>By revealing historical and present plant use, ethnobotany contributes to drug discovery and socioeconomic development. Nepal is a natural storehouse of medicinal plants. Although several ethnobotanical studies were conducted in the country, many areas remain unexplored. Furthermore, few studies have compared indigenous plant use with reported phytochemical and pharmacological properties.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ethnopharmacological data was collected in the Rasuwa district of Central Nepal by conducting interviews and focus group discussions with local people. The informant consensus factor (F_IC) was calculated in order to estimate use variability of medicinal plants. Bio-efficacy was assessed by comparing indigenous plant use with phytochemical and pharmacological properties determined from a review of the available literature. Criteria were used to identify high priority medicinal plant species.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 60 medicinal formulations from 56 plant species were documented. Medicinal plants were used to treat various diseases and disorders, with the highest number of species being used for gastro-intestinal problems, followed by fever and headache. Herbs were the primary source of medicinal plants (57% of the species), followed by trees (23%). The average F_IC value for all ailment categories was 0.82, indicating a high level of informant agreement compared to similar studies conducted elsewhere. High F_ICvalues were obtained for ophthalmological problems, tooth ache, kidney problems, and menstrual disorders, indicating that the species traditionally used to treat these ailments are worth searching for bioactive compounds: <it>Astilbe rivularis</it>, <it>Berberis asiatica</it>, <it>Hippophae salicifolia, Juniperus recurva</it>, and <it>Swertia multicaulis</it>. A 90% correspondence was found between local plant use and reported plant chemical composition and pharmacological properties for the 30 species for which information was available. Sixteen medicinal plants were ranked as priority species, 13 of which having also been prioritized in a country-wide governmental classification.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The <it>Tamang </it>people possess rich ethnopharmacological knowledge. This study allowed to identify many high value and high priority medicinal plant species, indicating high potential for economic development through sustainable collection and trade.</p

The IPBES Conceptual Framework - connecting nature and people

The first public product of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is its Conceptual Framework. This conceptual and analytical tool, presented here in detail, will underpin all IPBES functions and provide structure and comparability to the syntheses that IPBES will produce at different spatial scales, on different themes, and in different regions. Salient innovative aspects of the IPBES Conceptual Framework are its transparent and participatory construction process and its explicit consideration of diverse scientific disciplines, stakeholders, and knowledge systems, including indigenous and local knowledge. Because the focus on co-construction of integrative knowledge is shared by an increasing number of initiatives worldwide, this framework should be useful beyond IPBES, for the wider research and knowledge-policy communities working on the links between nature and people, such as natural, social and engineering scientists, policy-makers at different levels, and decision-makers in different sectors of society

Impacts of ecosystem degradation on Lake Abijata, vegetation and herbaceous biomass in and surrounding Abijata Shalla National Park

This study aimed to assess changes in spatial cover of Lake Abijata and impacts of land use/land cover changes on the floristic composition and herbaceous biomass in and surrounding Abijata Shalla National Park. Data were collected using systematic sampling method from 64 quadrats of 400 m2 established along eight line transects. Land use/land cover changes over time (from 1978 to 2018) were determined from satellite images of the study area using ArcGIS 10.5 and ENVI 5.0 software. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 60 plant species belonging to 49 genera and 27 families were documented. Most species had mean Diameter at Breast Height (DBH)/Diameter at Stamp Height (DSH) less than 10 cm, few species (four) were in higher diameter classes (27.6–32.5) and only one species (Acacia tortilis) was in the 32.6– 37.5 and 37.5–42.5 diameter classes. Most species (77%) had low importance value index which imply the need for conservation attention in the area. Spatial cover of Lake Abijata decreased by 58.6% as its cover decreased from 20,676.51 ha in 1978 to 8,558.1 ha in 2018. Similarly, grassland, wetland and forest/shrub land decreased by 87.6%, 48.9% and 40.9%, respectively. Human settlements, crop land and bare land increased by 517.7%, 105.1% and 81.1%, respectively. Protected area had higher mean biomass (289 g/m2 ) than the open access sites (71 g/m2). Coordinated and multidisciplinary interventions are recommended to restore the degraded terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and conserve the diverse biodiversity in the study area. Key words/phrases: Ecosystem restoration, Herbaceous biomass, Land use/land cover change, Species richnes

Impact of area closure on vegetation cover, woody species structure and soil chemical properties in Kelala Dalacha Mountain, Oromia, Ethiopia

This study was undertaken in Kelala Dalacha Mountain in Oromia, Ethiopia to determine the impacts of ecosystem rehabilitation on vegetation cover, woody species structure and soil chemical properties. A random sampling method was used to collect vegetation data from a total of 31 quadrats of 400 m2 each. Four satellite images of the study area, distributed between 1988 and 2018 were analyzed using Arc GIS software to assess the Land Use Land Cover (LULC) changes of the area. Composite sampling was used for soil sample collection and soil was analyzed for selected chemical properties. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Result indicated that the vegetation cover was 58.1% in 1988, 64.47% in 1998, 80.32% in 2008 and 88.43% in 2018, showing the positive contribution of area closure in ecosystem rehabilitation. The bare land in 1988 was changed to either woody species or grasses nowadays. Similarly, area closure had a positive impact on vegetation structure. Woody species in the study area displayed an inverted J-shaped pattern of distribution. The lower DBH classes were found to have relatively higher number of individuals than that of the middle and the top classes indicating the importance of area closure. Mean values of soil pH, EC, CEC, OC, TN, P and K were 6.64, 0.082, 30.92, 2.44, 0.213, 3.91 and 219.38, respectively. Area closure is a viable strategy for restoring degraded ecosystems as it had positive impact on vegetation cover, woody species structure and soil chemical properties. Therefore, it was recommended to ensure wide scale applications of area closure on all mountains for restoration of ecosystem function and biodiversity conservation. &nbsp

Woody Species Diversity, Structure, and Regeneration Status of Yemrehane Kirstos Church Forest of Lasta Woreda, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This study is aimed at generating data on woody species diversity, structure, and regeneration status of some species and was conducted in Yemrehane Kirstos Church Forest of Lasta Woreda, North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Six transect lines were laid following altitudinal gradient. Quadrats of size 20 m × 20 m (400m2) were used to collect data that were established systematically at every 100 m interval along the transect lines. Data on woody species was collected from a total of 34 sampling quadrats of 400m2. To collect data on seedlings and saplings, five subplots of 1 m × 1m (1m2) size located at the four corners and centre of the main plot were used. Species diversity was determined using the Shannon-Wiener index (H′). A total of 39 woody species belonging to 38 genera and 29 families were identified in Yemrehane Kirstos Church Forest. The overall Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) and evenness values for the entire forest were 2.88 and 0.79, respectively. The six most abundant woody species in their order of highest density were Juniperus procera, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata, Maytenus arbutifolia, Osyris quadripartita, Calpurnia aurea, and Debregeasia saeneb. The densities for mature woody species, saplings, and seedlings were 506.6, 514.7, and 415.4 individuals ha−1, respectively. The basal area of the forest is 72 m2 ha−1. The population structure and regeneration status of the forest indicated that there have been high forest degradation and severe anthropogenic disturbances in the area and, therefore, conservation of species, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable use of the forest genetic resources are recommended as a result of this study

Effect of environmental gradients on diversity and plant community distribution in remnant dry Afromontane forest of Mount Duro, Nagelle Arsi, Ethiopia

For forest ecosystem management to be effective, explicit understanding of the species diversity-environmental relationship along elevation gradient is crucial. This study aimed at identifying and describing plant communities and also documenting their species diversity. Evaluation of relationships between selected environmental variables and species diversity was another objective of this study. Systematic sampling techniques were used to collect vegetation data in a total of forty two sample plots (size=20×20 m). Within main plots, four sub-plots of 5×5 m were established at four corners and – one sub-plot of the same size in the center. These plots were used for shrub and herb diversity assessment. Within each sample plot, all plant species were documented and their scientific names were identified. Environmental variables, such as: elevation, aspect and slope, were also recorded for each main plot. Species diversity was determined using Shannon-Wiener diversity index and evenness in R statistical software. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering method was used for plant community classification. The total of 44 plant species belonging to 30 families was documented. Four plant community types were identified with different diversity, evenness and species richness. These plant communities were: Afrocurpus falcatus-Ficus sur, Maesa lanceolata-Bersama abyssinica, Vernonia myriantha-Urera hypselodendron and Croton machrostachus-Tecleanobilis occurring at average elevation of 2521, 2429, 2329, and 2364 m asl, respectively. Maesa lanceolata-Bersama abyssinica community type exhibited the highest species diversity and evenness followed by Croton machrostachus-Teclea nobilis community type showing the fact that median elevation ranges were rich in species. Elevation and slope gradient explained significant variation in species richness in the studied forest. For effective conservation of biodiversity and sustainable management of the forest ecosystem, further research on the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances and soil properties is recommended as a result of this study

Impacts of <i>Parthenium hysterophorus</i> L. on Plant Species Diversity in Ginir District, Southeastern Ethiopia

Invasive alien species are considered the second greatest global threat to biodiversity. This study is aimed at determining the impacts of Parthenium hysterophorus on herbaceous and woody plant species diversity in the Ginir district, southeast Ethiopia. Data on vegetation were collected from the three study sites’ four land use types, with each land use type having invaded and non-invaded land units. A systematic random sampling method was used for establishing sampling plots. To examine the impacts of the invasive on native plant diversity, a total of 160 plots (120 plots of 1 m2 on grazing lands, roadsides, and abandoned agricultural lands and 40 plots of 20 m2 for sampling herbaceous and tree (shrub) species, respectively) were established. The number of plots was equally distributed in both invaded and adjacent non-invaded areas. Plant species from each plot were recorded and identified. In each plot, all the individuals of P. hysterophorus were counted, the heights of the five tallest individuals were measured, and the mean height was calculated. The percentage cover of P. hysterophorus was visually estimated. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 105 plant species (45 trees/shrubs and 60 herbaceous) belonging to 84 genera and 42 families were documented in the study area. The result showed a strong negative relationship between the density of P. hysterophorus and other plant species richness (r = −0.82, p = 0.013) and species abundance (r = −0.917, p = 0.001) per study site of the invaded community. Species richness in the non-invaded site was higher (105 species) than in the invaded area (63 species), demonstrating the negative impact of P. hysterophorus on local biodiversity. Furthermore, the number of plant families was 42 in the non-invaded area, in contrast to only 32 in the invaded areas, a 23.8% decline. Of the plant communities, similarity indices between non-invaded and invaded sites among different land use types were >50%. It was concluded that P. hysterophorus was one of the most dominant invasive alien species in the study area that reduced the species diversity of various plant species. Putting in place a strategy and effective planning for the control and management of this invasive alien species is strongly recommended

Relationships between vegetation composition and environmental variables in the borana rangelands, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Topography, climate and soil are the three important environmental abiotic factors that affect vegetation composition in rangelands. Determination of environmental factors that are responsible for the spatial distribution and abundance of vegetation is useful in ecological restorations and grazing land use planning. This study was conducted in the Borana lowlands to quantitatively explore relationships between vegetation composition and abiotic environmental factors. A combination of stratification and systematic random sampling techniques were employed to collect vegetation and environmental data in 58 plots of 500 m2 size. Redundancy Analysis (rda) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (cca) were used to detect patterns of vegetation variation that were explained by the assessed environmental variables. cca and rda ordination diagrams revealed that the composition and distribution of both woody and herbaceous vegetation were mainly determined by altitude, soil pH, calcium, cation exchange capacity and magnesium. Density of woody plants was negatively correlated with altitude. Species richness was positively correlated with sand and altitude but negatively correlated with soil nutrients and clay content. It is concluded that the measured environmental variables significantly account for variation in the composition and distribution of the plant species composition in the Borana lowlands. Therefore, rangeland managers should incorporate environmental factors in planning and implementing restoration activities and planning grazing land use