Ethnopharmacology of Calotropis procera: Traditional knowledge and scientific insights from Dodoma Region, Tanzania

Adaptive livelihood strategies for coping with water scarcity in the drylands of central Tanzania

Kitchen gardens in Tanzania are currently facing a variety of threats. However, many households depend on basic farming activities to meet household food needs. The objective of this study was to describe the current status and scope of kitchen gardening for improving the food security situation in the Morogoro and Dodoma regions of Tanzania. A cluster sampling method was used to select 383 households. The main respondents were mothers or caregivers responsible for food preparation. Techniques for data collection were observations, focus group discussions and face to face interviews. A small proportion (2.6%) of residents in the semi-arid Dodoma region had a kitchen garden as compared to the sub-humid Morogoro region (9.9%). Sweet potato leaves, cassava leaves, pumpkin leaves, cowpea leaves and African egg plant were the principal vegetables grown in the two areas. The market provided vegetables to 87% of the surveyed households. Vegetables sold at the market were mostly in the dried form, fresh vegetables in the market being those cultivated near ponds, especially during dry seasons. About 90% and 55% of the kitchen garden produce was used for home consumption in Dodoma and Morogoro, respectively. Women contributed 80% and 75%of the total labor for managing kitchen gardens in Dodoma and Morogoro, respectively. Socio-cultural factors (food habit and demand and supply of food materials), environmental factors (climatic factors, water availability), types of soils and farmers’ local knowledge and understanding (traditional knowledge and practices, formal and non-formal education) were the key determinants of vegetables grown in the traditional kitchen garden. Kitchen gardening was practised by few of the surveyed households and the diversity of the planted vegetables was low. Factors that influenced the presence of a kitchen gardens at household level were: sex of the household head (p = 0.002), literacy status of the mother/caregiver (p = 0.001) and the education level (p = 0.001) of the respondent.

*Background/Question/Methods* In our increasingly urban world, indigenous knowledge of local ecology is declining rapidly, because survival in industrialized urban environments does not depend on knowing the details of local flora, fauna, or phenologies. While traditional ecological knowledge has been documented since 1980s, this is has been largely descriptive, e.g., ethnobotany of sacred groves, cultivation practices, or use of medicinal plants. Until recently, conservation biologists and managers of protected areas have followed western models of conservation that exclude local people and often abandon local ecological knowledge. However, many scientific studies of local ecosystems would not have been possible without the knowledge-base of indigenous people helping researchers. Yet, careful scientific analysis of such knowledge systems is scarce, except in some commercial applications such as forestry or fisheries. Further, even in rare instances when park managers have recruited knowledgeable locals as partners in PA management, the bureaucracy ended up dissipating ecological knowledge rather than sustaining it. The challenge therefore is to understand the epistemology of ecological knowledge, especially the costs and benefits to local people, to help create novel management regimes which provide new incentives for sustaining such knowledge even as traditional dependencies on natural resources are transformed for long-term sustainability of biodiversity. *Results/Conclusions* This paper reviews the literature on indigenous ecological knowledge in South Asia, to establish a baseline for systematic epistemological analyses. Examples include the Bihari bird-trappers assisting the Bombay Natural History Society's bird-ringing projects, Irulas helping snake research at Madras Crocodile Bank, Kanis supporting a variety of research projects, including our own, in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve over the past two decades, and the modern day settlers in Andaman Islands who have turned from over-harvesting and poaching to sustainable cultivation of Edible-nest Swiftlets. We argue that indigenous knowledge is useful not only for monitoring ecosystems or determining use of natural resources, but more importantly for generating fundamental scientific insights, and adding to the knowledge part of our collective social capital. Even as indigenous knowledge is being lost, volunteer-based Citizen Science projects are recruiting amateur naturalists, especially in urban areas, to monitor and study local biodiversity. Such approaches need to be extended into genuinely participatory research programs where indigenous people are engaged in generating and sustaining ecological knowledge, from traditional and modern scientific perspectives, to become well-informed stewards of the socio-ecological systems we inhabit from local to global scales. This is a crucial step towards slowing the loss of biodiversity by reversing our collective loss of knowledge of biodiversity.

Food shortages often threaten central Tanzania. Sustainable action adapted to local environmental conditions is desperately needed. In the framework of the TransSEC project, two food value chains in the Dodoma region of Tanzania were inspected in order to make propositions for improvement , spanning from soil preparation to product consumption. Therefore, soil mapping approaches were required to obtain rapid and reliable information. This would enable local farmers to participate in the development of upgrading strategies and extensionists to develop recommendations that take local soil conditions into account. In this study, a combination of participatory soil mapping and gamma ray spectrometry-assisted transect mapping was applied to establish local soil maps of two villages in the Dodoma region. Participatory mapping included key informant interviews, group discussions and transect walks. Local farmers indicated reference profiles for local soil types. Their gamma radiation signatures delivered base information for further soil exploration and soil unit delineation in the field. Finally, high resolution satellite images were used to establish the village soil maps. This approach allows capture of the major soil differences within a village territory and reduction of the costs of chemical analyses. Challenges were soil unit separation with gamma ray spectrometry due to erosional redistribution processes at the surface, correct translation of specific terms from local tongues as well as variable individual soil knowledge of local participants. Ultimately, the combination of local soil knowledge with innovative scientific mapping yielded quick results with sufficient spatial resolution for extension work.

In the phase of global climate change, the role of villages and rural populations is increasingly recognized as both critical and complex. This paper explores the potential for villages and villagers to significantly contribute to climate change mitigation by transforming livelihoods and abandoning unscientific practices. It is argued that rural areas hold traditional ecological knowledge and practices that, if re-cultured and updated with scientific insights, could lead to substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhance local resilience to climate impacts. The paper first examines the existing agricultural methods, energy use, and waste management practices prevalent in villages that contribute to environmental degradation and climate change. It then outlines the socio-cultural, educational, and economic barriers that hinder the adoption of more sustainable practices. Drawing on diverse case studies, we highlight how innovative policies at local, national, and international levels can support the necessary transitions. It proposes a multi-faceted approach to re-culture village livelihoods, integrating traditional wisdom with modern technologies and sustainable practices. The paper discusses the importance of policy interventions sensitive to local contexts, including the decentralization of governance, financial incentives for sustainable practices, investment in renewable energy, and the strengthening of village institutions. Furthermore, we stress the imperative of embedding climate change education within villages to foster behavioral change and empower villagers to participate in climate action actively. Our analysis concludes that villages, through re-cultured livelihoods and scientifically informed practices, can become dynamic frontiers in the global effort to mitigate climate change. Policy reforms are vital to catalyze this transition. Keywords Climate change mitigation, Traditional ecological knowledge, Sustainable practices, Rural practices, Policy interventions, Socio-cultural interventions, Education

The UN Decade Programme "Digital Twins of the Ocean" (DITTO) is dedicated to creating a comprehensive digital framework to support the UN Ocean Decade’s Challenge 8: developing a global digital ocean map for free and open access. DITTO strengthens science and evidence-based decision-making through extensive community engagement and the development of accessible and transferable community interfaces to prioritise user-friendly and trustworthy digital twin frameworks. By promoting these community-centric approaches, DITTO is championing sustainable and extensible practices that help ensure that decisions are grounded by the best possible understanding of potential risks, both now and in the future. The aspiration is for a collaborative and transparent framework where science consistently informs responsible and sustainable ocean practices, enabling effective engagement and proactive management that safeguards marine habitats and biodiversity, helping to support UN Sustainable Development Goals. DITTO provides a focal point for users, developers and stakeholders to ensure that digital twin technologies are accessible and fit-for-purpose for policymakers, researchers, industry leaders and local communities. By championing best practice and helping communities establish shared standards for digital twin development, DITTO is helping to ensure that digital twins are interoperable and scientifically robust, contributing to a unified global ocean knowledge system. These trusted foundations are essential for making informed, impactful decisions that align with the UN Ocean Decade’s vision. As part of its mission, DITTO is actively collaborating with other Decade actions and initiatives to maximise the impact of digital twin technologies at global and regional scales. This includes establishing community interfaces that enable and promote common resources, standards, interoperability, and coordinated responses to ocean challenges within and between ocean communities. DITTO also fosters inclusive and broadscale community engagement in the co-development of digital twin models that ensures that local knowledge and concerns are incorporated, making digital twins more comprehensive and relevant to specific regions and user needs. Through workshops, training, and open-access tools, and soliciting feedback on their use, DITTO is empowering communities to engage with ocean data directly, bridging the gap between scientific insights and decision-making.

Therapeutic Plants: Recent Advances in the Use of Herbs as Alternative Medications offers an in-depth exploration of how herbs are reshaping modern healthcare. Bridging traditional knowledge and scientific innovation, the book highlights the therapeutic power of medicinal plants in managing chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. It explores bioactive compounds, Ayurvedic principles, and advanced drug delivery systems, including nanoparticles. Chapters cover disease-specific applications, plant-based drug discovery, and the role of metabolomics and in-silico methods in drug design. The book also features detailed studies on specific herbs like Barleria longiflora, Terminalia chebula, and Lawsonia inermis. Key Features: - Scientific insights into herbal treatments for chronic diseases. - Integration of traditional and modern medicine. - Innovative delivery systems, including nanotechnology. - In-silico drug design and metabolomics applications. - Case studies of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds.

The traditional Indian knowledge system encompasses rich intellectual, philosophical, and scientific traditions, mostly documented in Sanskrit, making it less accessible today. This research proposes Sanskrit-to-English Machine Translation to bridge this gap, enabling practical applications. It focuses on translating Meghamala, a Sanskrit text on rainfall prediction, to extract key parameters. These insights will be computationally modeled to develop an improved rainfall prediction system. This approach not only enhances weather forecasting but also promotes interest in Sanskrit literature and its scientific relevance in modern society. Objectives: This research applies NLP-based Machine Translation for accurate Sanskrit-to-English translation, making ancient Indian knowledge accessible. It focuses on developing a rainfall prediction model by extracting meteorological parameters from Meghamala and integrating them with modern computational techniques. By bridging traditional wisdom with advanced technology, this approach enhances rainfall forecasting accuracy, benefiting agriculture, water resource management, and climate studies, while also promoting the relevance of Sanskrit literature in scientific research. Methods: The methodology involves applying NLP-based Machine Translation algorithms to translate Meghamala from Sanskrit to English, extracting rainfall-related parameters. These parameters are analyzed and structured for integration into a predictive model. Machine learning techniques are then employed to develop a rainfall prediction system, combining traditional insights with modern meteorological data. The model is validated against historical weather records to assess its accuracy and applicability in real-world forecasting. Results: The Sanskrit-to-English Machine Translation of ‘Meghamala’ can extract rainfall-related parameters, enabling their integration into modern prediction models. This approach enhances rainfall forecasting accuracy, benefiting agriculture and water management. Bridging ancient knowledge with technology, the model demonstrates potential for broader applications in weather prediction and other scientific domains. Conclusions: Rainfall prediction is crucial for India's economy, which heavily relies on agriculture. Traditional Indian knowledge, documented in Sanskrit, holds valuable scientific insights but remains inaccessible to many. Sanskrit-to-English Machine Translation can bridge this gap, enabling its application in real-world problems like weather prediction, healthcare, and agriculture. The proposed translation of Sanskrit-rich texts like Meghamala, which contains extensive rainfall parameters and observations, can aid in developing improved rainfall prediction systems tailored to India’s needs.

T2DM (type 2 diabetes mellitus, or Māori term “mate huka”) is a major long-term health issue in New Zealand particularly among the Māori community. Non-insulin drugs commonly used in New Zealand for the treatment of T2DM have limits to their efficacy as well as side effects, which are of concern for diabetics. As such, the potential for natural products such as traditional rākau rongoā are of interest for potentially preventing the development of T2DM or improving the treatment of the disease. In particular, anti-diabetic effects have been reported for rākau rongoā such as karamu, kūmarahou, and kawakawa. Natural products have been identified in karamu, kūmarahou, and kawakawa that have documented potential effects on glucose metabolism that could contribute to the anti-diabetic effect of these rākau rongoā. As such, this could provide scientific insight into the mātauranga (traditional knowledge) developed over generations by Māori. However, detailed laboratory based and clinical studies would be required to understand and validate these properties of karamu, kūmarahou, and kawakawa, and to understand how they can be used in T2DM treatment. Social determinants of indigenous health such as language, culture, traditional knowledge, and identity, are important in understanding the relationship Māori have with their land and the mātauranga they developed of the medicinal properties within their rākau rongoā, over many centuries. Interestingly, traditional Māori views towards scientific research using animal models to test rākau rongoā are varied but supportive. Furthermore, cultural issues surrounding Māori mana motuhake (self-determination) of traditional rongoā Māori healing practices and the inequity faced by many kairongoā (rongoā Māori practitioners) and tohunga (healers) compared to mainstream health are a current issue within the New Zealand health system. As such, a cultural holistic approach for T2DM care among Māori would be advantageous. This review will outline the available evidence supporting the anti-diabetic efficacy of karamu, kūmarahou, and kawakawa. Currently though there is a lack of molecular research to understand the mechanisms of this efficacy, as such this review will also outline Te Reo Tipu Research, a kaupapa Māori framework for molecular and genomic research on taonga flora.

Innovative approaches could enhance scientific insights into how climate change affects mountain ecosystems and livelihoods and enrich climate action. Using an inter- and transdisciplinary approach in a remote tropical dry forest region of the Andes in southern Ecuador, this article combines local knowledge about climate change and adaptation, based on perceptions and experiences, with quantitative climate measurements. Our theoretical framework is based on the concept of vulnerability and sustainable livelihoods perspectives. Methodologically, we draw on the Participatory Rural Appraisal approach. Participatory workshops and qualitative interviews were carried out in the canton of Macara between 2015 and 2017. Local and regional climate data series were analyzed for climate trends and extreme events. Our study improves understanding of the social and physical dimension of climate change. Especially in mountain areas, differing scales of climate data must be considered to capture local climate conditions and changes. Thus, local knowledge could make a major contribution to selecting representative climate datasets, estimating local impacts of climate change, and developing adaptation policies.

The incidence of diabetes mellitus, a pressing global health concern that is rapidly increasing, has prompted the exploration of medicinal plants for potential remedies, particularly those within the Rubus genus. This comprehensive review aims to connect traditional knowledge with scientific insights, shedding light on the antidiabetic properties of various Rubus species. An exhaustive exploration of the literature revealed that Rubus chingii Hu, Rubus idaeus, Rubus ulmifolius, Rubus fruticosus, Rubus amabilis, and some other Rubus species exhibited noteworthy antidiabetic effects, each operating via distinct mechanisms. Furthermore, Rubus species serve as abundant reservoirs of bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, antioxidants, triterpenoids, and sterols. As indicated by various in vivo and in vitro studies, these compounds notably improve insulin secretion, increase hepatic glycogen synthesis, inhibit key digestive enzymes, enhance the functions of β-cells in the pancreas, and effectively reduce blood glucose levels. This review, which describes the antidiabetic potential of Rubus species in terms of both pharmacological effects and traditional uses, offers valuable insights for future scientific initiatives in the development of innovative antidiabetic therapies.Graphical

The ethnoscience learning strategy is designed to develop students' ethnographic insight into scientific knowledge by combining modern science with traditional knowledge possessed by local communities or specific ethnic groups. As such, its implementation in elementary schools is highly relevant for developing students' appreciation of local wisdom values. The assessment of its effectiveness served as the primary basis for conducting this study, which was analyzed using a case study-based mixed-methods approach involving teachers and students from grades IV, V, and VI as a representation of the population at SDN 1 Nalu. The findings show that ethnoscience learning, based on strengthening local wisdom values, is highly effective in several ways: (1) increasing students' understanding of ethnoscience concepts; (2) improving students' critical thinking skills related to the development of local wisdom and scientific insights; (3) fostering the development of scientific attitudes; and (4) promoting the development of students' character in relation to local wisdom. The implications of these findings suggest that ethnoscience learning is an approach that stimulates the development of students' scientific concepts in connection with cultural heritage and the practice of local wisdom values in Tolitoli Regency, thereby increasing students' awareness of regional cultural heritage.

Rural development is a social process. It involves local community in all stages of development. Community dialog is a means for facilitating community involvement in determining a development direction, potential development plan and development sus-tainability in the future. Frequently, local community is considered as the development target. This position puts them just being development watchers, spectators, silent and passive recipients. Moreover, these silent roles make them remain unempowered since they do not know how to determine their future, how to take part in collective decision and feel being neglected. This study examines potentials of community involvement in dialog. A qualitative research paradigm is adopted. The data are collected byrecording, transcribing and analyzing community dialog at Klagen, Nganjuk, Jawa Timur. The study finds that community dialog offers considerable potentials. The first potential of community dialog is generating local community commitment, awareness, sense of belongingness and supportive character to build their own homeland. These positive development psychological states,characters and ethos are soft human dimensions which can be critical drivers in rural development. The second is creation of local knowledge and scientific knowledge joint enabling innovation and collective learning process. This joint-knowledge allows the combination of local wisdom and scientific insight. The third is building shared or collective development vision and plan. This plan and vision allow the development prioritizing process and development of rural strength, potential competitive advantage and resource building. The fourth is expanding rural networking and exercising rural people capacity to build wider internal and external social relationship.

This presentation explores the transformative impact of "DIALOGUES OCEANIQUES," a monthly online seminar dedicated to enhancing ocean literacy in Benin. As a coastal country, Benin faces challenges related to marine conservation and sustainable management. The DIALOGUES OCÉANIQUES an initiative of the national ECOP node fostered a platform for diverse stakeholders—including educators, policymakers, and community leaders— to engage them in meaningful discussions about ocean-related issues. By integrating local knowledge and scientific insights, the online seminars aim to nurture a deeper understanding of the ocean's role in societal well-being and environmental health.After five sessions, focusing on the values of marine invertebrates, seagrass ecosystems, the role of coastal ecosystems, the management of the coastal areas, and the coastal infrastructures, our findings indicate that participation in these webinars kept increasing and has led to increased awareness and positive behavioural changes among participants regarding ocean sustainable management. The seminars have effectively highlighted the interconnectedness of local communities with marine ecosystems, promoting a culture of responsibility and proactive engagement in ocean conservation efforts. This initiative aligns with global frameworks such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive ocean literacy programs that are culturally relevant and inclusive. Through this presentation, we aim to share best practices derived from the DIALOGUES OCÉANIQUES, illustrating how targeted dialogue can serve as a catalyst for enhanced ocean perception and stewardship in Benin. We will present the implications of these findings for broader ocean literacy initiatives globally, advocating for similar models that prioritize community engagement and knowledge exchange to achieve sustainable ocean management.

Lack of awareness owing to insufficient access to climate information is one of the factors contributing to farmers’ failure to adapt to climate change. The awareness of grapevine farmers about climate change was investigated in Dodoma, Central Tanzania. The study involved 248 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires and document reviews, and analysed through inferential and descriptive statistics using the International Business Machines Corporation-Statistical Product and Service Solutions (IBM-SPSS) software. Findings revealed that age, education, sex, and access to climate information sources influenced grapevine farmers’ awareness of climate change. Climate change awareness was higher among grapevine farmers who had access to climate information and education; and males were more aware than females. As for the age group, the elderly was substantially more aware (p = 0.02, at 5% confidence level) than the youths. Radio, indigenous knowledge, and friends were the most important sources of climate information. To improve grapevine farmers’ awareness of climate change, the findings suggest strengthening grapevine farmers’ access to education services; improving collaboration with development practitioners, including the Tanzania Meteorological Agency and the media; improving farmers’ access to climate information; and focusing on sharing and transferring climate-related knowledge, skills, and experience among diverse groups.