Traditional medicinal plants in South Tyrol (northern Italy, southern Alps): biodiversity and use

Background: Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity. Methods: Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species. Results: A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming. Conclusions: Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Furthermore, we point out particularly sensitive species that should be reconsidered for stronger protections in legal regulations.Peer Reviewe

Understanding old herbal secrets: The renaissance of traditional medicinal plants beyond the twenty classic species?

The use of traditional medicinal plants plays an important role especially in remote rural and marginalized landscapes at different latitudes. In the development of nature conservation strategies based on local knowledge and sustainable resource management, medicinal herbs have been hypothesized to be cultural key stone species. Environmental education is a crucial driver for fostering environmental literacy and preserving local knowledge across generations. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-South Tyrol (N Italy) to gain insights into, and reflections on, the cultural value of traditional medicinal plants and their interplay within the local landscape, nature conservation and their role in environmental education and knowledge transfer across generations. We also used a combination of purposive and snowball sampling to identify relevant actors. The different voices collected in the study clearly highlight the role of medicinal herbs in healthcare, for cultural identity of local communities and demonstrate a growing commercial market niche that maintains the local economy and services, including widespread offers related to environmental education, that have not, unfortunately, been used yet in the formal curricula of local schools. The latter is crucial for a holistic approach taking medicinal plants as an ideal vehicle to connect especially children with nature and history of South Tyrol, strengthening health education and overall environmental literacy, including species knowledge. However, the revival of herbal medicine and related knowledge do not prevent the continuous loss of local traditional knowledge regarding medicinal plants, recipes and use. More species and their uses are being forgotten due to superficialisation of knowledge and of mainstreaming and homogenization of the global market of herbal medicine. Safeguarding the natural and cultural treasures of South Tyrol for future generations is in the hands of the local communities.Peer Reviewe

Conservation with local people: medicinal plants as cultural keystone species in the Southern Alps

The concept of “cultural keystone species” (CKS) combines ecological and socioeconomic aspects and has a great potential for improving the overall success of conservation and restoration of ecosystems. In our study, we combined an ecological analysis of traditional medicinal plant species with an explorative analysis of the stakeholder landscape to understand the importance of plants for local communities. We investigate the feasibility of the CKS concept for traditional medicinal plants using the Southern Alps (Northern Italy) as a case study. Based on a comprehensive survey of traditional medicinal plants, we analyzed the habitats where they occur and their significance as CKS candidates. We applied the index of identified cultural influence (ICI). We identified some of the relevant stakeholders and their potential interest in traditional medicinal plants. From a total of 273 native medicinal species, we ranked the 10 most important CKS candidates. These comprised species with different ecology such as the herbs Achillea millefolium agg., Alchemilla xanthochlora , Arnica montana , Hypericum perforatum , Matricaria chamomilla , Peucedanum ostruthium , Urtica dioica , the shrub Juniperus communis , and the tree species Betula pendula . By merging their importance for the local communities with their occurrences in the habitats of South Tyrol, the concept of CKS can stimulate species and habitat conservation, and ecosystem restoration

Traditionelle Heilpflanzen als kulturelle Schlüsselarten für Naturschutz und Ökosystemrenaturierung - Ergebnisse einer Studie in den Südtiroler Alpen

Despite the manifold environmental legislation, initiatives, agreements, and conventions at the national and international level, loss of biodiversity at the global level has not yet been significantly halted. Thus, new strategies are needed, especially with regard to the restoration of ecosystems and land-use systems that have high biodiversity and pro-vide diverse ecosystem services. In order to involve local communities more in conservation and restoration efforts, the concept of Cultural Keystone Species could be applied. Focusing on traditional medicinal plants in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-South Tyrol in the Alps (northern Italy), we identified 10 such Cultural Keystone Species with high importance (e.g., multiple benefits, medicinal uses) for the local population. The occurrence of these species in open land and forests and their use as wild plants or cultivation in gardens can promote the acceptance of the protection and active restoration of corresponding habitatsTrotz der vielfältigen Umweltgesetzgebungen, Initiativen, Vereinbarungen und Konventionen auf nationaler und internationaler Ebene ist der Verlust der biologischen Vielfalt auf globaler Ebene bisher nicht signifikant aufgehalten worden. Es bedarf also neuer Strategien, insbesondere was die Renaturierung von Öko- beziehungsweise Landnutzungssystemen angeht, die eine hohe Biodiversität und vielfältige Ökosystemleistungen aufweisen. Um die lokale Bevölkerung stärker in Naturschutz- und Renaturierungsbestrebungen miteinzubeziehen, bietet sich das Konzept der kulturellen Schlüsselarten an. Wir identifizierten mit Blick auf traditionelle Heilpflanzen in der Provinz Bozen-Südtirol in den Alpen (Norditalien) zehn solcher kulturellen Schlüsselarten mit einer hohen Bedeutung (etwa Mehrfachnutzen, medizinische Anwendungen) für die Bevölkerung. Das Vorkommen dieser Arten in Offenland und Wäldern und ihre Nutzung als Wildpflanze oder kultiviert in Gärten kann die Akzeptanz für den Schutz und die aktive Wiederherstellung entsprechender Lebensräume fördern