Harvesting Of Medicinal Plants Research Articles

Study on Medicinal Forest Plants in Ifo, Ogun State, Nigeria, and Factors Shaping Usage Patterns

The utilization of medicinal plants in Nigeria is not solely associated with availability and accessibility but also reflects cultural heritage and local knowledge regarding natural resources. This research addresses the pressing issue of the medicinal utilization of selected forest plants in the Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. Commencing with a succinct presentation of the identified problem, the study aims to explore solutions to formulated research questions and test hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05 alpha. Employing a descriptive survey research design, the study involves one hundred respondents randomly selected from Ifo Local Government Area, including forest and herbal operators, civil servants, and farmers. Five communities, i.e., Alagbole, Lambe, Ibogun, Onihale, and Igbusi, were purposively sampled, with 20 randomly chosen respondents. Data collection utilized a self-structured questionnaire to gather pertinent responses on the variables central to the study. Analysis methods included simple percentages, tables, Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (PPMCC), and independent Student's T-test statistics, applied to test hypotheses at a 0.05 significance level. The research findings highlight, among other insights, the frequent use of forest plant-derived herbs for treating or preventing various health issues in the study area. As a recommendation, the study suggests the need for effective legislation to regulate the harvesting and trade of medicinal plants.

Assessing the risks to valuable medicinal plants in Nepal from human activities and environmental factors

The demand for trade has led to unsustainable harvesting of medicinal plants, causing a decline in their population in natural habitats. This presents a notable problem, however, there is a lack of information regarding the severity of the threat to these resources. To address this, a study was conducted to identify high-value medicinal plants in the Annapurna Conservation Area in Nepal and evaluate their potential endangerment by using the Rapid Vulnerability Assessment method (RVA). The study also calculated the distribution of these plants in different habitats and their population size. Results showed that there were 19 threatened, high-value medicinal plants in the region frequently used by local communities and with high trade values. Rhizome/roots were the most commonly used plant parts (58%), followed by whole plants (37%). The wild population of these plants was found to be low, with varying abundance among different habitats. Overexploitation driven by high trade demand, low population density, and critical life forms were identified as the main threats to these plants. The study placed Dactylorhiza hatagirea and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora in the highest threat category. Effective conservation and management measures, both in-situ and ex-situ, were suggested based on the population and threat status of these high-value medicinal plants.

Analysis of Medicinal Plants and Traditional Knowledge Development in Ethiopia

As the review conducted Ethiopia has richened by medicinal plant species and traditional knowledge that have a significant role in the management of various human and livestock diseases. Medicinal plants are vastly used by the communities particularly rural communities to treat various human and livestock aliments.Medicinal plants also important for the development of modern medicine. Traditional knowledge is the accumulation of communities’ knowledge according to their cultures, beliefs, and experiences. Different parts of medicinal plants are used for traditional remedies in order to cure human beings and livestock. Traditional knowledge and medicinal plants are critically threatened and extinct due to overgrazing, charcoal production, deforestation, urbanization, agricultural expansion, and fire wood collection. Traditional medicinal plants and associated knowledge can be conserved using either in-situ or ex-situ conservation methods. Therefore, create awareness among the local people about the use of medicinal plants and the associated knowledge to ensure sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants. Conducting ethnobotanical research and documented medicinal plants and indigenous knowledges is very important for conserve.

Ethnobotanical study of plants used in management of diabetes mellitus in Eastern Uganda

Ethnopharmacological relevanceDiabetes mellitus (DM) is the fourth leading cause of morbidity and mortality among non-communicable diseases affecting about 422 million people worldwide and an estimated 1.5 million deaths directly attributed to diabetes each year with a prevalence of approximately 4.1% in Uganda. The disease is on an unprecedented rise in developing countries yet access to conventional diabetes medication is a huge challenge due to limited resources. Moreover, the current management and treatment options are life-long, expensive and associated with undesirable side effects. Consequently, there is widespread use of complementary and alternative medicines, mostly herbal medicines in the management of DM in Uganda. Aim of the studyTo conduct an ethnobotanical study about medicinal plants for the management of DM in Eastern Uganda, a resource-limited area with rich plant biodiversity. Materials and methodsAn ethnobotanical survey was conducted in eight districts of Eastern Uganda. Eighty-six TMPs were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Data on screening of DM, medicinal plant harvesting, herbal medicine preparation, packaging, posology and toxicities were generated. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software version 26. ResultsSixty-one plant species belonging to 38 families and 59 genera were used by the TMPs in the preparation of herbal remedies for the management of symptoms of DM. The most commonly used plant species were Kigelia africana, Tamarindus indica, Aloe vera, Erythrina abyssinica, Entada abyssinica, Carica papaya, and Maytenus senegalensis. The most frequently used life forms were trees (63.2%) and herbs (20%) belonging to families Fabaceae (11.4%) and Asteraceae (10%). Roots and leaves were the most used plant parts harvested predominantly from the wild. Most herbal remedies were prepared as decoctions and administered orally with no reported toxicities. ConclusionA wide range of medicinal plants are used by TMPs for management of diabetes in Eastern Uganda. Scientific evaluation of the antidiabetic potential, phytochemistry and toxicology of these remedies is needed to validate their use and inform the production of improved herbal medicines or discover novel molecules for effective management of DM.

Does higher demand for medicinal plants lead to more harvest? Evidence from the dual trade of Nardostachy jatamansi and Fritillaria cirrhosa and Tibetan people’s harvesting behavior

IntroductionAs the demand for herbal medicines is surging worldwide, regions of medicinal plants are vulnerable to large-scale and unsustainable exploitation for commercial trade and use. Yet, we still lack the understanding about the relationship between indigenous people harvesting and trade practices of medicinal plants and their influencing factors for possible intervention measures.MethodsHere, we combined qualitative and quantitative methods to survey traders (N = 20) and local harvesters (N = 923) from nine Tibetan townships in Hongyuan county, Sichuan Province, on the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan plateau in China. Specifically, we elucidated the local value chain of medicinal plants trade and harvest of Nardostachy jatamansi and Fritillaria cirrhosa, and explored the factors influencing harvester’s willingness to harvest these plants. Furthermore, we empirically tested the constructs of the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation -Behavior) in predicting the sustainable harvesting behavior of medicinal plants.Results and DiscussionOur results revealed that the trade characteristics of N. jatamansi and F. cirrhosa were contrasting, and the sustainability of the former species was largely dependent on the latter one. Importantly, the traders’ practices were affected by the supply, while the harvesters’ willingness to harvest were mainly influenced by harvest incomes, past harvesting experience, and grassland tenure. Finally, though motivation was not directly affecting harvesting behavior, the harvesters’ ecological worldview indirectly affected their harvesting behavior, particularly through the mediation of the level of compliance of village rules and customs. Overall, our results provided crucial insights for the conservation and sustainable management of the valuable wild medicinal plants.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON HARVESTING SPECIES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS GROWN ON SMALL AREAS

The operation of harvesting medicinal plants is one of the important factors, which influences the quality of plant material and thus its value. In order to optimize the cultivation technologies and to adapt them to the local conditions, INMA Bucharest has developed and tested a multifunctional equipment for the mechanized harvesting of medicinal plants (annual and perennial), cultivated on small and medium areas. This equipment, of small capacity, equipped with interchangeable working parts, performs the harvesting operation by cutting, at a certain height from the ground. The paper presents the results obtained when testing the experimental model of Multifunctional equipment for harvesting medicinal and aromatic plants in the crops of three species of medicinal plants, grown on small areas. Determining for each crop some qualitative working indices (average working height, cutting degree, collecting degree, losses, etc.) as well as some energy indices (working speed, hourly fuel consumption, working capacity, etc.) allows the evaluation of the technical and working performances of the Multifunctional equipment for harvesting medicinal and aromatic plants.

The Use of Medicinal Plants and Its Implication on Plants Conservation: The Case of West Usambara, Tanzania

In recent decades, medicinal plants have been overused. The failure of some modern medicines, an increase in degenerative diseases and the trading of medicinal plants are among the factors that have triggered such overutilization. This study was carried out in West Usambara Mountains, in Tanzania, to investigate the effects of medicinal plant harvesting on plants conservation. We collected ethnobotanical data from 160 respondents. Interviews and field observation were the main data collection methods. SPSS Version 25 was used to analyse the collected data to understand the knowledge on the parts of medicinal plant used, the preparation of medicines from plants, amount harvested, and the effects of harvested herbs on plants conservation. Information obtained from key informants was analysed through thematic analysis. The study revealed that some medicinal plant species such as Omphalogonus calophyllus and Aloe spp. were being unsustainably harvested. Furthermore, the change from cultural ways of using medicinal plants to commercial purposes was found to be threatening plant species in the area. The study concludes that West Usambara is a rich region of diverse medicinal plants and traditional healthcare knowledge. However, the change from the culture of using medicinal plants for domestic use only to commercial use is threatening the existence of medicinal plants. Hence, it signals the need for serious efforts to be made to create public awareness; initiate and establish laws so that appropriate measures are taken to conserve medicinal plants in the fragile natural ecosystem of the West Usambara Mountains.

Wild harvesting or cultivation of commercial environmental products: A theoretical model and its application to medicinal plants

On average, environmental income accounts for more than a quarter of rural household income in tropical and sub-tropical countries. One way to increase incomes from wild-harvested products is cultivation. In a landmark paper, Homma (1992) identified four phases describing the economic dynamics of environmental product cultivation, emphasising product scarcity. We reviewed literature that applied and/or discussed Homma's model. This suggested that additional factors, beyond resource scarcity, induce the transition to cultivation. We propose an alternative model of the dynamics of environmental product cultivation pathways, emphasising stock size, contextual, harvester, and mediating factors. The model has four possible product-level outcomes: scarcity induced cultivation, economic extinction, abundance with cultivation, and continued sole wild harvesting. We investigated this model empirically through the case of commercial medicinal plant harvesting in Nepal, using harvester interviews (n = 362) and published monthly price data for the most commonly traded products (n = 12) during a nine-year period. We found evidence of all four possible product-level outcomes, with “abundance with cultivation” being the most common. This supports that scarcity is not sufficient to explain cultivation processes; harvester decision-making processes and contextual and mediating factors must also be assessed.

Scientific justification of the need for balanced development of medicinal plant growing

Medicinal plant growth plays a significant role in the development of the national economy as a component of the processing industry, agriculture and forestry nowadays. Its resource base is a valuable natural resource, an indispensable functional part of the biosphere, and the basis for maintaining the potential of human health. An important aspect of balanced development is the preservation of medicinal plant resources in the natural conditions of their growth to preserve the species composition of commodity products and the biological diversity of the ecosystem. The global trend, including Ukrainian, testifies to the rapid increase in the importance of preserving the species diversity of the natural fauna and wild herbs in particular. There are two directions of medicinal plant cultivation: the use of natural plant resources (the collection of wild species) and the cultivation of medicinal plants. The specificity of the development of this industry directly depends on the way of its management for the production of medicinal plant material, about 160 species of wild plants and about 60 species of cultivated medicinal plants are currently used. That is, over 70% of medicinal plants are wildlife, and they constitute the fund of comprehensive renewable resources of the state that are harvested in Ukraine, ad this, in turn, attaches great importance to this area of harvesting of medicinal plants, since it is predominant. The following research methods were used to perform the tasks set in the work: economic-statistical, abstract-logical, system-structural and comparative, graphic and design-constructive, and others like that. The current state of medicinal plant growing shows a significant gap in production processes, logistics, environmental management, certification, and other financial and organizational aspects. Solving of these issues will contribute to the development of the greening agriculture, the development of rural areas, the stabilization of the volume of cultivation of medicinal plants, and the regulation of market relations for the production of medicinal plants. Additional attention needs to be paid to the systematization of priorities, and search for ways to optimize the direction of development of medicinal plant growth in order to balance. In particular, taking into account the ecological, economic, and social features of the development of this industry involves solving the problems of preserving the natural resources of medicinal plants, the instability of the volumes of their harvesting and growing, the low weight of environmentally clean (from chemical and radiation pollution) quality of products that meet the quality requirements for its certification, as well as the low level of innovation implementation in the development of Ukrainian industry.

Crop planting and harvesting planning: Conceptual framework and sustainable multi‐objective optimization for plants with variable molecule concentrations and minimum time between harvests

The planting and harvesting of medicinal plants have characteristics that differentiate them from other crop types and complicate their planning. For example, drug processors do not require large quantities of product to be harvested but have a high concentration of active molecules. There is no evidence for any optimization tool to support the planting and harvesting of such plants. Given this sector's importance and its impact on populations’ health, it is necessary to develop solutions to increase the sustainability of their supply chains. This paper aims to bridge this gap by proposing a conceptual framework to characterize a crop planting and harvesting planning problem, and a multi-objective optimization model for the planning of planting, harvesting, post-harvesting, distribution and storage of medicinal plants with variable concentrations of molecules and minimum time between harvests. The model optimizes three objectives aligned with sustainability: supply chain costs, concentration of molecules in plants, farmers’ perceived economic unfairness. It is validated by its application to a case study of medicinal plants in the Basilicata region (Italy). The ε-constraint method is used to obtain 11 non dominated solutions showing the possibility of eliminating farmers’ perception of economic unfairness by maintaining similar values for supply chain costs and concentrations of active molecules when planning the production of medicinal plants. Finally, the TOPSIS method is applied to select the best plan to be implemented into the supply chain.

Indigenous Knowledge on the Uses, Sustainability and Conservation of African Ginger (Siphonochilus aethiopicus) among Two Communities in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Harvesting of medicinal plants in the wild has an impact on sustainability of medicinal plants, which leads to the need for intervention in terms of conservation strategies. Siphonochilus aethiopicus, commonly known as African ginger or wild ginger is used to cure a variety of health conditions/illnesses, such as coughs, colds, asthma, nausea, headaches and pains. This study explored the potential role of indigenous knowledge on the uses, sustainability, and conservation strategies for African ginger among two communities in Mpumalanga province. Qualitative method entailing in-depth interviews were used for this research. We used a non-probability sample (snow-balling) to recruit ten (10) participants that comprised of four traditional health practitioners, four knowledge holders and two herbalists, considered as experts on African ginger in the study area. The data was analysed using thematic analysis. The diverse indigenous knowledge on the uses of African ginger were divided into two categories (diseases and spiritual/cultural purposes) among the local communities. African ginger is indigenous to South Africa and the plant species in the wild is mainly lost to commercial trade. As revealed by the participants, the multiple uses of African ginger are major contributing factors exacerbating the demands for the plant. The uses of African ginger have resulted in the scarcity and possibly extinction of this plant species in the wild, which remain a major concerns to several stakeholders especially traditional health practitioners. Harvesting of the rhizomes of African ginger is recommended instead of the root given the relative ease and higher chances for survival and regeneration. To ensure the sustainable utilisation of African ginger, its cultivation was recommended by the participants. However, there is a need for further intervention to assess how the community members can be assisted with developing and adopting indigenous conservation protocols for the continuous sustainability of African ginger. In addition, it is pertinent to strongly discourage the indiscriminate destruction of natural habitats and create more awareness on the importance of designating protected areas among local communities.

Model implementation of the legal regulation on medicinal plant cultivation for pharmaceutical purposes. Case study of Crocus sativus cultivation in Ukraine

Crocus sativus L. (Iridaceae) is the source of saffron, a traditional spice and herbal medicine, usually cultivated in Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean. Saffron is a new niche food and medicinal plant in Ukraine. An important area of production, namely the application of Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) principles for obtaining high-quality saffron raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry, has been evaluated. The study was conducted on a plantation in Lyubimovka village, Kherson Region in Ukraine, from 2016 to 2021. The research object was Crocus sativus and the quality management system in the cultivation and harvesting of medicinal plants. The Ukrainian legislation on herbal drug production introduced guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO) ‘Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for Starting Materials of Herbal Origin’ in 2012. The Guidelines are recommendatory and not mandatory. However, these principles ensure that appropriate quality herbal raw materials are obtained. Implementing GACP principles with the example of saffron includes a description of the plant, sowing material, primary processing, sowing conditions, transportation and storage, packaging, quality control, and documentation. The presented results reflect the entire production process and show the prospects for obtaining high-quality raw materials. The study suggests the results of implementing the WHO GACP guidelines to guarantee the traceability of herbal raw materials and their reliable quality.

Lesser-known Conservation Efforts of the Medicinal plants in Uttarakhand: An overview

Uttarakhand state is the part of the Indo-western Himalayas. Government-owned natural forest habitats are the source of about 90% of medicinal and aromatic plants. More than 1642 species of prospective medicinal plants are documented in the state distributed in subtropical, temperate, sub-alpine, and alpine climatic zones. Nearly 700 species of medicinal plants are used in the traditional system of medicines in Uttarakhand. The total area under the state forest department is 24,415 sq. km, and the forest managed by local communities through Van Panchayat is 5449 sq. Km. Increasing demand for plant-based or herbal medicines has resulted in the huge depletion of such plants and has promoted the illegal trade and unsustainable harvesting of medicinal plants. Local and poor communities are dependent on these natural resources to meet their traditional healthcare system and livelihood. The medicinal plant wealth of the state has received significant attention and it has been mentioned even in mythological epics. In this chapter, we would discuss the role of Medicinal Plants Conservation Areas (MPCAs) as In-situ conservation methods and the importance of Nakshatra Vatika, Rashi Vatiaka, and Navgrah Vatika as methods of lesser-known conservation efforts of the medicinal plants for promoting awareness of conservation of medicinal plants.

Harvesting patterns, risk of harvesting and sustainability of medicinal and aromatic plants in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh in India

The rising faith in herbal-based medicinal and cosmetic products, at present, leads to increase the demand of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) that subsequently invites unsustainable harvesting of demand-driven MAPs. In this context, an attempt is made to investigate the harvesting practices and risk of harvesting MAPs in Himalayan region of India. A total of 29 villages were surveyed and structured questionnaires and personal interviews among 356 informants were conducted. Information such as harvesting purpose, plant parts extraction, collection process, and season of collection were gathered. To access the impact of harvesting, the harvesting risk score was prepared. There were two types of collectors of MAPs - regular and irregular. The regular collectors collected MAPs for both domestic and commercial purposes whereas majority of irregular collectors were involved in collection of MAPs for commercial purpose. Most of the MAPs as collected for commercial purpose were harvested frequently. Eighty-one percent of MAPs collection was made from the wild, and the majority of harvesting (77%) was made by applying destructive harvesting practices. The harvesting risk score raises serious concerns for sustainability of at least 39% of MAPs, as the current level of harvesting is unsustainable, which adversely affects their continued survival. The frequency of harvesting, harvesting by untrained irregular collectors and harvesting risk score of MAPs indicate that destructive harvesting has pushed many species to the critical condition. The proper harvesting plan for MAPs based on the species-specific post-harvest assessment need to be designed and implemented for the sustainability of these valuable species.

Exploring options for a PES-like scheme to conserve red panda habitat and livelihood improvement in western Nepal

Mountain ecosystems in western Nepal provide critical habitats for the endangered red panda. These habitats also need to satisfy the daily livelihood requirements of local communities. High levels of resource dependence and unsustainable resource use are creating pressure on the provision of ecosystem services in the region. Understanding the views of local villagers about their willingness to constrain the use of forest resources is the first step towards helping them realise sustainable environmental management. We conducted a survey among villagers to determine their willingness to participate in a potential PES-like scheme to help the conservation of the red panda habitat through reduced use of forest resources. Choice experiment results indicate that a high proportion of respondents (87%) were willing to accept payments in return for reducing the use of the high pastures for animal grazing while a reduction in the harvest of medicinal plants would require more compensation. People living inside a protected area were willing to accept a lower compensation than those outside. Respondents indicated that they would prefer communal over personal compensation payments. The findings could support design and implementation of a PES-like scheme that concurrently manages the nexus between effective conservation, sustainable resource utilisation and livelihoods improvement.

Economic valuation of ecosystem services: application of a choice experiment approach on mount Guna services, North West of Ethiopia

Guna Mountain is the highest point with an elevation of 4,113 m above sea level and located in South Gondar Zone. It is surrounded by Estie, Lay Gayint, Begemidir Guna, and Farta Woredas and served as a source of livelihood for the nearby communities. However, the area of Mount Guna has been still unprotected because of a lack of suitable conservation measures and weak control of inappropriate practices. Moreover, empirical investigations on the value of the mountain in terms of its ecosystem service are scanty available. This study aims at valuing ecosystem services of Guna Mountain using the choice experiment method and hence identifying farmer's choices of ecosystem service attributes. By considering farmers' preferences, watershed protection service, harvesting of medicinal plants, and water supply together with the cost of management attribute were identified as ecosystem service attributes. Primary data were collected from randomly selected respondents and the Random Parameter Logit model (RPL) was employed for estimation. Results of this model revealed that revealed that the signs of attribute levels are positive except for watershed protection service level 25%, and harvesting of a medicinal plant 20%. In addition to this, socioeconomic variables were significant such as family size and farm distance with a negative sign, education, and land size with a positive sign. The estimated MWTP from the basic model of RPL for non-monetary attribute levels were Ethiopian Birr (ETB)11During the study period, 2019: 1$ = 27 Ethiopian Birr (ETB). 8.575 and 175.526 per household per year for watershed protection service level 25% and watershed protection service level 50%. It was ETB 1.190 and 24.487 per household per year for the harvesting of a medicinal plant at 10% and harvesting of a medicinal plant at 20%. The contribution was ETB 116.868, 112.042, and 26.776 for water supply at two seasons of the year, water supply at three seasons of the year, and water supply for all seasons of the year attribute levels respectively. Valuing watershed protection was more than water supply followed by harvesting of medicinal plants attribute. To improve the quality and quantity of protection and water supply service, the government and farmers should work together.

Illegal harvesting and livestock grazing threaten the endangered orchid Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soó in Nepalese Himalaya.

Harvesting of orchids for medicine and salep production is a traditional practice, and increasing market demand is spurring illegal harvest. Ethno‐ecological studies in combination with the effect of anthropogenic disturbance are lacking for orchids. We compared population density and structure, and tuber biomass of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soó for three years in two sites: Manang, where harvesting of medicinal plants was locally regulated (protected), and Darchula, where harvesting was locally unregulated (unprotected). Six populations were studied along an elevation gradient by establishing 144 temporary plots (3 × 3 m2) from 3,400 to 4,600 m elevations. Mean density of D. hatagirea was significantly higher in the locally protected (1.31 ± 0.17 plants/m2) than in the unprotected (0.72 ± 0.06 plants/m2) site. The protected site showed stable population density with high reproductive fitness and tuber biomass over the three‐year period. A significant negative effect (p < .1) of relative radiation index (RRI) on the density of the adult vegetative stage and a positive effect of herb cover on juvenile and adult vegetative stages were found using mixed zero‐inflated Poisson (mixed ZIP) models. The densities of different life stages were highly sensitive to harvesting and livestock grazing. Significant interactions between site and harvesting and grazing indicated particularly strong negative effects of these disturbances on densities of juvenile and adult reproductive stages in the unprotected site. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with informants (n = 186) in the villages and at the ecological survey sites. Our interview results showed that at the protected site people are aware of the conservation status and maintain sustainable populations, whereas the opposite was the case at the unprotected site where the populations are threatened. Sustainability of D. hatagirea populations, therefore, largely depends on controlling illegal and premature harvesting and unregulated livestock grazing, thus indicating the need for permanent monitoring of the species.

Collective occupations and nature: Impacts of the coloniality of nature on rural and fishing communities in Chile

ABSTRACT This manuscript is a reflection about existing relationships among the domination processes of capitalism/colonialism/patriarchy and two collective occupations that take place in the Bio Bio Region, Chile. The first of these occupations is artisanal fishing in Tumbes Cove and the second is the harvesting of medicinal plants in the locality of Manco. Specifically, an attempt is made to discuss the impacts of the coloniality of nature and the actual possibilities for resistance provided by these collective occupations. For this purpose, a desk research with a decolonial perspective was conducted, using as analytical axes the categories of extractivism, technologization, and scientification, which correspond to the domination mechanisms of nature. The findings suggest that collective occupations are versatile, as in some cases this capacity produces decomposition and, in others, a naïve re-existence. The powers and mechanisms triggered by these responses on different collective occupations is a field that needs further study in order to formulate critical and transformative knowledge in occupational science, as well as the possibility of creating counterhegemonic practices for communities to resist the power exerted by domination processes. This article aims to enhance the relationship among occupations and nature, as well as the idea that collective occupations are forms of resistance and re-existence facing patriarchal-colonial-capitalism, thus contributing to decolonizing practices informed by occupational science.

Improving the efficiency of forest use in the Russian Federation

The article discusses practical aspects of forest use in the Russian Federation and identifies the most common forest uses. We propose to increase forest use by harvesting and collection of non-timber forest products, including resin, forest foods and medicinal plants. We also describe the main pathways of utilizing waste from logging and wood processing to obtain products that are in great demand in the market and have a high selling price. Finally, we present the results of the analysis of changes in forest productivity depending on the increase in the number of types of forest use.

Precision Harvesting of Medicinal Plants: Elements and Ash Content of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.) as Affected by Harvest Height

To investigate the effect of harvest height on the amassed elements and ash content of Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis L.), an experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Treatments included four harvest heights, i.e., 15, 25, 35, and 45cm (from the tip of the plant) and the residual stalks. The dependent variables were the amassed content of elements N, K, P, Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn, and Pb in different heights of the plant and the associated ash content (total ash (TA), acid-insoluble ash (AA), and water-insoluble ash (WA)). The results showed that by moving from the upper shoots toward the ground, the amassed content of Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, and Pb increased by 22.67%, 43.74%, 12.87%, 39.02%, and 85.04%, respectively. Further, a downward trend was observed for N (50.16%) and K (6.41%) content, while an upward trend reported for P (29.06%) content. As for the residual stalks, by moving from the upper shoots toward the ground, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, and Pb contents decreased by 1.01%, 21.03%, 9.11%, 17.02%, and 51.06%, respectively, while N and P contents increased by 60.59% and 3.15%, respectively, and a 34.74% increase was seenin P content. With increasing harvest height, TA, AA, and WA values increased by 33.48%, 27.03%, and 18.25%, respectively. As for the residues, these variables increased by 11.44%, 6.35%, and 5.22%, respectively. Our results showed that 15cm harvest height had the highest quality with the lowest heavy metal content. Graphical Abstract.