• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2017

Trees at farm are considered as one of the option to reduce poverty of smallholders by contributing to livelihood security and resilience to climate change. A perception based study was conducted to assess the cultural importance of tree species suitable for practicing agroforestry in randomly selected agroforestry-dominated villages in Alaknanda valley of Western Himalayas during 2015-16. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data on the provisioning services of major agroforestry tree species in randomly surveyed 87 households. Based on cultural importance (CI) index value, the most suitable agroforestry tree species was Morus alba (3.32) followed by Celtis australis (3.22), Mangifera indica (3.01), Grewia optiva (2.79), Toona ciliata (2.22), Bauhinia variegata (2.08), Leucaena leucocephala (1.76) and Emblica officinalis (1.74). The preference of use has also been governed based on their indigenous knowledge. This study will also facilitate in evaluating the importance of provisioning services of agroforestry tree species in improving livelihood as well as facilitates smallholder's resilience to climate change in Western Himalayas.

• CELLMED
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.10.1-10.10
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• 2017

The Maasai community from Kenya is highly esteemed for their strong adherence to traditional cultures and ethno medicine. This is attributed to their age-old traditional mechanisms of passing down knowledge to the younger generation. Adoption to new socio-economic lifestyle and urbanization has been associated with development of diabetes, which has been reported among some indigenous pastoral communities in Kenya. Documentation of traditional methods of treatment and management of diabetes by the Maasai has not yet been reported, yet it is noteworthy. Thirty traditional healers from Narok County were purposively selected and interviewed about traditional knowledge of antidiabetic medicinal plants, parts used, preparation dosage and administration. A total of 14 antidiabetic plant species distributed within 13 genera and 12 families were identified and documented as herbal medicine used in the management of diabetes. The most highly cited plant species was Dovyalis abyssinica (20%), the plant family Flacourtiaceae and Rhamnaceae (2 plant species each) recorded the highest number of plant species while the most frequently used plant part was the roots (46%). Literature review revealed that some of the cited plants have known phytochemicals with antidiabetic activity; the study recommends further scientific investigation to validate their efficacy and safety.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-185
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• 2022

Objectives: The Barak Valley is well known for its rich diversity of medicinal plants. Ethnomedicinal practices are prominent among Barak Valley's major and minor ethnic groups. This systemic review focuses on traditionally used medicinal plants found in the Barak Valley as reported in different ethnobotanical surveys. Methods: We searched various databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, to find ethnomedicinal surveys conducted in the Barak Valley. The search was performed using different terms, including ethnomedicinal survey, folk medicine, indigenous knowledge, and Barak Valley. Potential articles were identified following the exclusion and inclusion criteria. Results: A total of eight ethnobotanical surveys were included in this study. We identified a total of 216 plant species belonging to 167 genera and 87 families, which are widely used by the ethnic communities who live in the rural areas of Barak Valley for the treatment of various diseases and ailments. Conclusion: Folk medicine is the result of decades of accumulated knowledge and practices by people who live in rural communities based on their needs and provides an important source of information to assist the search for new pharmaceuticals. Therefore, available information on traditional medicinal plants needs to be explored scientifically to find effective and alternative treatments for different diseases.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 2014.10a
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• pp.21-21
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• 2014

The importance of utilizing biological resources has become magnified and it has been a big issue to share the benefit among nations as Nagoya Protocol began in 2010. This study was conducted to research the diversity and distribution of wild mushrooms, and to survey the traditional mushroom knowledge of the people in Jejudo which is a volcanic island having a distinctive climate and forest environment. The research sites were Dongbaekdongsan, Keuneonggot, Hallasan National Park, Muryeongarioreum, Saryeonisupgil and other important area where mushrooms are growing spontainously in Jejudo. A total of 511 species comprising 2 phylums, 8 classes, 20 orders and 74 genera were identified from 1600 specimens collected from 2006 to 2012. In previous studies, a total of 561 species comprising 69 families and 99 genera were investigated. As a result, a total of 755 species comprising 23 orders, 87 families and 263 genera were documented in Jejudo. In this study, 137 species were newly identified as unrecorded species in Jejudo and 9 species, Amanita gemmata, Tricholoma aurantiipes, Panellus violaceofulvus, Leucopaxillus septentrionalis, Bondarzewia montana, Psilocybe argentipes, Boedijnopeziza insititia, Sarcoscypha occidentalis for. occidentalis and Morchella patula var. semilibera were the first record for Korea. Also, 7 species, Amanita gemmata, Tricoloma aurantiipes, Panellus violaceofulvus, Leucopaxillus septentrionalis, Boedijnopeziza insititia, Sarcoscypha occidentalis for. occidentalis and Morchella patula var. semilibera were known as only growing in Jejudo. The traditional knowledge was collected from visiting and questionnaire survey in 50 villages in Jejudo. A total of 23 mushrooms were found in which 12 species were used for food, 2 species were poisonous, 6 species were medicinal, 2 species were used for folk religion and 3 species were used for play purposes. Macrolepiota procera was the most commonly used as an edible mushroom and Chlorophyllum neomastoidea was the most well known poisonous mushroom. Also, 267 cases of traditional knowledge about using mushrooms as a food and medicine were collected. This study has significance for supplementing previous studies about distribution of wild mushrooms in Jejudo and documenting unrecorded species in Korea. Also, it is valuable by providing important data of traditional knowledge for using mushrooms since old times.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Earth Science Education
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2017

This study presents an out-of-school problem-solving lesson we designed for American Indian students using a culturally relevant STEM topic. The lesson was titled "Shelter Design for Severe Weather Conditions." This shelter design lesson was developed based on an engineering design allowing us to integrate STEM topics within a traditional indigenous house-building context. This problem context was used to encourage students to apply their prior knowledge, experience, and community/cultural practice to solve problems. We implemented the lesson at a summer program on an American Indian reservation. Using the lesson, this study explores how American Indian students use cultural knowledge and experience to solve a STEM problem. We collected student data through pre- and post-STEM content knowledge tests, drawings and explanations of shelter models on the students' group worksheets, and classroom observations. We used interpretive and inductive methods to analyze the data. This study demonstrates that our culturally relevant, STEM problem-solving lesson helped the American Indian students solve a complex, real-world problem. This study examines how students' prior experiences and cultural knowledge affect their problem-solving strategies. Our findings have implications for further research on designing problem-solving lessons with culturally relevant STEM topics for students from historically marginalized populations.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.217-227
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• 2021

This study is a record of ethnomedicinal knowledge in Begumganj province focussed on medicinal plants and their local uses for primary health care. The aim was to document and preserve the ethnomedicinal knowledge used by traditional healers of Begumganj upazila, Bangladesh, to treat human diseases and evaluate the relative efficacy of the medicinal plants. The uses of medicinal plants were documented as an ethnomedicinal data sheet using direct observation, field interview, plant interview and group interview techniques from December 2012 to January 2014 in the study area. Data were collected from 98 traditional healers through a questionnaire survey and analyzed through informant consensus factor and fidelity level. This study revealed comprehensive relationship among various diseases and families, forms and parts of plants and modes of preparation. Overall, 75 plant species under 71 genera of 47 families were documented, which are used to treat 41 diseases. Data analysis revealed that 41.33%, 14.67%, 36% and 8% of the medicinal plant species were herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers, respectively. Leaves were the most used parts, followed by stem, root, fruit, bark, latex and rhizome. The most frequently treated diseases were dysentery, rheumatism and skin diseases. This is the first ethnobotanical survey, which recorded the importance of medicinal plants in Begumganj upazila, Bangladesh. This study can contribute to preserving the indigenous knowledge on the traditional use of medicinal plants in this region and new drug development with attracting future generations towards traditional healing practice.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2010

The Asian cultural landscape is a mirrored ecosystem of great complexity, formed by the interaction of man and nature, coupled with a host of ecological processes. The human dependencies on and environmental adaptation of the bio-organisms and the surrounding landscape constitute the typical cultural landscape. Islands are a good example of a cultural landscape, and each mosaic pattern of marine and coastal ecosystems reflects bio-cultural diversity. Along with land-use patterns, wise use of biological organisms and indigenous knowledge has expanded to islands in the Asia-Pacific region in several ways (sea current and human impact, etc.). Loss in biodiversity and landscape diversity as well as cultural diversity owing to global warming and rapid urbanization are emerging issues for island ecosystems all over the world. In order to sustain the historical coexistence between man and natural systems, we ecologists must continue to search for a holistic solution for academic consilience. In this paper, I present the vision and practical characteristics of island ecology with a view toward the conservation of the traditional landscape and bio-cultural diversities in the seascape.

• Journal of Forest and Environmental Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.392-399
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• 2016

This review paper presents guidelines which stakeholders use in addressing on-farm tree planting configuration, establishment, tending, silvi- cultural management, management of pests and diseases, challenges and opportunities as practiced in the medium to high potential areas of Kenya. The tree planting configurations discussed includes blocks planting (woodlot), boundary, compound planting, home/fruit gardens, trees intercropped or mixed with pasture, trees on riverbanks and roadside. Participatory monitoring and evaluation techniques have been highlighted. The main challenges facing tree planting activities include culture and attitude of local people, land and tree tenure, inadequate technical support, lack of recognition and integration of technical information and indigenous knowledge, capital and labour shortages, lack of appropriate incentives measures, damage by domestic and wild animals, conflict over trees on the boundary and policy and legal issues. This guideline targets forest managers, extension agents, students and other practitioners in policy and day to day decision making processes in Kenya.

• World Technopolis Review
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2012

As reflected in the title, the main objective of the paper is to explore an appropriate approach to promote technological innovation for developing countries. Aiming to this goal, the paper studies three main innovation system approaches, whose implantation is being attempted in developing countries: first, national innovation systems (NIS), which was developed in OECD countries; second, the system of innovation for development (SID), which is a concept that tries to adapt NIS to developing countries; and third, inclusive innovation which is a pro-poor innovation system. Based on the strengths and the weaknesses of each concept and their potential adaptation in developing countries, the paper proposes an integrated approach of innovation system for developing countries. Compared to developed countries, the concept of innovation system in developing countries should be more complex because it involves not only the formal sector such as enterprises, universities, research institutes, government, and financial system but it also involves NGOs, informal companies, grassroots inventors, local and indigenous knowledge, etc. The last part of the paper discusses the ideas that innovation stakeholders in developing countries can use to promote their proper innovation system.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2021

The era of mass production of agricultural and dairy systems inevitably causes a huge amount of biowastes during their processes. Modern consumption patterns of the general public also contribute to biowaste formation. Thus, processing biowastes has attracted much attention. The introduced black soldier fly (BSF) (Hermetia illucens) is considered as one of environmentally friendly management options for solving biowaste issues. However, an indigenous species, Ptecticus tenebrifer, is also a powerful decomposer that has been largely neglected. This species can be easily found on biowastes such as manure dump, agricultural wastes, and human food wastes. It can be also easily found in the field. It is even attracted to a food trap. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ecological study on this species.