Local Conservation Practices Research Articles

Ethnobotanical study of traditional medicinal plants used by the local Gamo people in Boreda Abaya District, Gamo Zone, southern Ethiopia

BackgroundMedicinal plants have been used for centuries and are still relied upon by over 80% of the Ethiopian population. The people of Gamo, southern Ethiopia, have a rich cultural and traditional lifestyle with a long history of using plant resources for various uses including traditional herbal medicine. However, their traditional knowledge of traditional medicinal plants in Boreda Abaya District has not been explored Ethnobotanically yet, despite preserving diverse indigenous traditional medicinal plants. Hence, the study aimed to document and analyze traditional medicinal plants and associated traditional knowledge and practices used by local people.Materials and methodsQuantitative ethnobotanical data were collected via semi-structured interviews, face-to-face conversations, group discussions, and guided field trips between September 2022 and February 2023. In total, 92 informants participated, of which 25 were key informants. Quantitative data indices (informant consensus factor—ICF—and use report—Ur) were computed by MS Excel spreadsheet software. Scientific names of medicinal plants were checked via World Flora Online.ResultsIn the present study, we recorded 188 traditional medicinal plant species belonging to 163 genera and 73 plant families. Lamiaceae (16 species), Asteraceae (16 species), Fabaceae (11 species), and Euphorbiaceae (8 species) contributed highest number of species and were found to be predominant family in the area. Leaves and seeds were most frequently used plant parts, and pounding (46%) was the main method to prepare remedies. The sudden sickness disease category scored the highest consensus (ICF: 0.35), followed by blood and circulatory-related disease categories (ICF: 0.33). The highest number of plant taxa (61 species) used to treat dermal disease has a 71-use report score, while fewer plant taxa (21 species) were utilized to treat genitourinary system-related disease category, having 25 use reports. Ocimum lamiifolium (Ur:56) and Moringa stenopetala (Ur:51) are widely used species and received highest use report value.ConclusionGamo people possess extensive traditional knowledge of ethnomedicine. The region's vegetation hosts diverse medicinal species, but deforestation, agriculture, and droughts threaten them. Local conservation practices require scientific support, prioritizing species having higher use reports (Ur), and in-depth investigations of promising species for drug development are essential.

Local heritage conservation practices and challenges in Ethiopia: Evidences from the ancient rock-hewn churches in Lay Gayint District, South Gondar, Amhara region

This study sought to assess local conservation practices and problems in the context of management of cultural heritage in Ethiopia focusing on ancient rock-hewn churches in Lay Gayint District, Amhara Region. Interviews, questionnaires, and field observations were used to gather its data. The authors used a descriptive research strategy, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings demonstrated that causes from both nature and human activity deteriorated the rock-hewn churches of Lay Gayint. The main natural elements that damaged the hypogea's architectural elements were sunlight, rain, and botanical interventions. Intentions to repair damaged features of the rock-hewn churches were initiated and managed only with the efforts of the local communities. These local efforts lacked assistance from conservation experts and hence failed to restore the lost architectural details of the rock-hewn churches. These had also posed new challenges to the preservation efforts. The primary man-made factors endangering the churches' movable sacred treasures include theft and a lack of convenient storage for antiquities. The conservation condition of the rock-hewn churches demonstrates the current precarious state of CHM in rural areas of the country, calling for scholars' and enforcement of heritage management frameworks to preserve these incredible cultural properties for future generations.

Nature Conservation in Communities of Rural India through Perspective of UN SDGs

The global community is divided on economic status. The conditions of the poor communities are critical, especially in developing and underdeveloped nations. Most of these nations belong to the Asian, African, and South American continents. The nations from these continents owe rich natural heritage and cultural diversity. The eco-cultural ethos embedded in the indigenous customs and traditions of these nations has global relevance in the modern age of information. It is fact that the solution to any environmental challenge exists in the cultural roots of the nation. India is one of such nations which inhabit diverse eco-culture. The purpose of this paper is to understand the natural heritage of rural India and the local conservation practices prevalent in the rural communities to achieve the targets of UN SDGs. Undoubtedly, nature conservation and environment protection involve social dimensions connected to the local ecological setup. The eco-centric approach of the Indian culture lies in the concepts of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutubkam’ (Earth is one family), ‘Aranya Sanskriti’ (Forest Culture), and the ‘Prakriti Purush’ (Natural Human) which are deeply embedded in the traditions and the customs of the Indian society. Based on traditional conservation practices, the community manages the local natural heritage. The diversity of customs and traditions results in the vividness of the conservation practices. Thus, the socio-ecological systems could be used for site-specific conservation programs and policies.

A proposal for engagement in MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdiction: The case of Macaronesia

The Ocean is the largest ecosystem on the planet, supporting millions of people's livelihood. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are key to guarantee Ocean resilience. About 62 % of the Ocean surface coincide with areas 200 miles from coastlines, called areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). However, MPAs in ABNJ are only 1,18 % of the high seas. Stakeholder involvement is a keystone in the governance process. This is of particular importance in Macaronesia, and the need for compatibility between human activities and conservation, through the synergetic engagement of the local-maritime community. The present paper aims to develop a MPA proposal in the ABNJ context through expert consultation. The proposal was built upon the analysis of the Macaronesia region study case. Results show that there is no integrated international body to fully address the range of problems to be tackled, therefore the option to use the Conference of Parties model seems to be adequate. Considering Macaronesia region specific features, the conclusion is that select local focal points in each archipelago to enhance the local maritime community is essential. Furthermore, it would be necessary to implement Working Groups, rotative between archipelagos, to address different solutions for local conservation practices. Moreover, clear communication is fundamental since the very beginning to guarantee visibility and transparency.

Creation of a Forensic Pathology Biobank in Switzerland: which issues and research opportunities?

A biobank is a collection of biological material associated with health database. The field of biobanking has significantly developed over the past 30years. Research based on biobank material gives access to data of a large number of people and can often significantly accelerate the understanding of disease and improve the quality of care. In the University Center of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, samples collected during autopsies are used for forensic investigations. The legal and ethical framework to use these samples for research is often complex and confused, which is unfortunate given the potential of these biospecimens. Indeed, forensic samples are valuable for research because they originate in part from young (including pediatrics cases) and healthy people who are poorly represented in worldwide institutional biobanks. In this context at the beginning of the year 2019, the Forensic Pathology Biobank was created. Creation of a forensic pathology biobank is the best way to standardize local conservation practices and improve personal data management, thus providing a very valuable biological material for scientific projects. Its development gives rise to many questions about technical standards, ethical and legal issues but also many research opportunities.

Buffer zones maximize invertebrate conservation in a Biosphere Reserve

Recent declines in invertebrates are linked to anthropogenic global change drivers thus land use planning that considers invertebrate conservation is necessary. Although most animals are invertebrates, conservation initiatives largely ignore these groups in part because of a paucity of studies addressing their diversity patterns. Biosphere Reserves provide an holistic approach to conservation planning. Here we explore the covariates that underlie beetle and spider diversity across the largest Biosphere Reserve in South Africa and use this model to predict compositional turnover across the reserve using Generalized Dissimilarity Modelling (GDM). We then use these patterns to assess the proportion of the ecological environments, scaled using beetle and spider assemblages, that is included in either core or buffer zones. The GDM model explained 53% of the variation in observed compositional turnover. Important local-scale drivers of turnover were leaf litter and organic content of the soil, while broad-scale co-variables were isothermality and mean diurnal range. Buffer zones increased conservation coverage by between 50 and 100%, depending on the planning scenario involved and complimented regional conservation plans. However, local conservation practices rarely reflect that of regional planning exercises, and initiatives should focus on monitoring compliance that considers both landscape and local processes. Conservation efforts should not only focus on core areas in Biosphere Reserves. Managing buffer zones must receive similar if not more attention due to the larger anthropogenic footprint.

CHECKLIST OF MACRO-INVERTEBRATES OF THE SPECIAL CONSERVA-TION AREA “POGGI DI PRATA” (GROSSETO, CENTRAL ITALY)THROUGH A CITIZEN-SCIENCE AND EXPERT-BASED APPROACH

The assessment of species composition in a certain area may become outdated over time due to community dynamics including species range expansion, but also to local extinctions, species introductions and taxonomic redefinition. Therefore, updated checklists are required for animal conservation and management. Exhaustive checklists of invertebrate species may be challenging, as species determination often requires the analysis by specialists, but they are fundamental for local conservation practices. In this work, we provided an annotated preliminary checklist of invertebrates of the Special Conservation Area “Poggi di Prata” (province of Grosseto, southern Tuscany), detected through field samplings with experts, and a permanent Bioblitz set out on an online citizen-science platform (iNaturalist.org). The final dataset(1898-2020)included 329records of 282 species (217insects, 34gastropods, 30arachnids and 1 chilopod). Most records were uploaded on iNaturalist (about 56.5%), others came from observations or sampling collections(37%) and were determined by specialists. Only the remaining 6.5% of records came from published studies. Three species were protected by the Habitat Directive, 15 by the Tuscan Regional Law. We also detected two endemic or near-endemic taxa of this area: the beetle Paramaurops diecki massetanus and the land snail Marmorana saxetana. The unexpected (Italian southernmost) record of Gaurotes virginea needs to be deepened. Furthermore, 12 alien species, including insects affecting human economy and wellness (e.g., Rhinchophorous ferrugineus, Aedes albopictus, Halyomorpha halys, Dryocosmus kuriphilus and Cydalima perspectalis), were also detected. With our work, we confirmed that citizen-science platforms (e.g. iNaturalist) are valuable tools, complementary to field-work by specialists, to map local biodiversity and they may help to improve biogeographical knowledge.

Does the local conservation practice of cultural ecosystem services maintain plant diversity in semi-natural grasslands in Kirigamine Plateau, Japan?

Wildflower viewing is recommended as a form of ecotourism in protected areas to facilitate conservation practices; but this relationship between the conservation of attractive flowering plant species and whole plant diversity has not been quantitatively evaluated. The Kirigamine Plateau in Japan encompasses a protected area that supports high grassland species diversity. Browsing activity by the expanding sika deer populations has negatively impacted this region in recent decades, drastically decreasing blooming flower resources that attract ecotourism. The effectiveness of conserving plant diversity through the placement of deer fences by local conservation practices was evaluated, and indicator species requiring future conservation strategies were identified. Compared to outside the deer fences, the five species diversity metrics (flowering plant richness, flowering abundance, flowering functional diversity (flowering FD), plant species richness, and threatened plant species richness) were significantly higher inside the fences. Except for flowering FD, plant species richness was positively correlated with all other species diversity metrics. The important species analysis identified four species as indicators of conservation for plant diversity and flowering FD out of the top 20 indicator species. The construction of deer fences had a strong positive effect on the preservation of four diversity metrics. However, to conserve flowering FD, additional strategies need to be implemented in this area. Conservation planning based on flowering plant diversity and cultural ecosystem services is vital in reducing the loss of biodiversity in semi-natural grasslands in protected areas worldwide.

Characterizing urban butterfly populations: the case for purposive point-count surveys

Developing effective butterfly monitoring strategies is key to understanding how butterflies interact with urban environments, and, in turn, to developing local conservation practices. We investigated two urban habitat types (public gardens and restored/reconstructed prairies) and compared three survey methods (Pollard transects, purposive point counts, and random point counts) to determine which was most productive for detecting butterflies and assessing family diversity. We conducted 66 butterfly surveys by using each method (198 total) from May through September in 2015 and 2016 at six sites (three public gardens and three prairies) in Ames, Ankeny and Des Moines, Iowa. All survey methods were used on 11 sampling dates at each site. Overall, we observed 2,227 butterflies representing 38 species: 1,076 in public gardens and 1,151 in prairie areas. We used a smaller data set standardized for survey effort, including 1,361 of these sightings, to compare survey methods and habitat types. Although there were no significant differences in number of butterfly sightings between the two habitats, more sightings (798) were documented by using purposive point counts when compared to Pollard transects (297) or random point counts (266) (for both comparisons, p < 0.0001). Occupancy modeling also indicated that purposive point counts were most effective in detecting certain species of butterflies, most notably those within the Pieridae (whites, sulphurs) and Papilionidae (swallowtails). We conclude that public gardens and restored/reconstructed prairies in urban settings can provide important butterfly habitat, and that purposive point-count surveys are most effective for detecting butterflies in these relatively small-scale landscape features.

Range size, local abundance and effect inform species descriptions at scales relevant for local conservation practice

Understanding species abundances and distributions, especially at local to landscape scales, is critical for land managers and conservationists to prioritize management decisions and informs the effort and expense that may be required. The metrics of range size and local abundance reflect aspects of the biology and ecology of a given species, and together with its per capita (or per unit area) effects on other members of the community comprise a well-accepted theoretical paradigm describing invasive species. Although these metrics are readily calculated from vegetation monitoring data, they have not generally (and effect in particular) been applied to native species. We describe how metrics defining invasions may be more broadly applied to both native and invasive species in vegetation management, supporting their relevance to local scales of species conservation and management. We then use a sample monitoring dataset to compare range size, local abundance and effect as well as summary calculations of landscape penetration (range size × local abundance) and impact (landscape penetration × effect) for native and invasive species in the mixed-grass plant community of western North Dakota, USA. This paper uses these summary statistics to quantify the impact for 13 of 56 commonly encountered species, with statistical support for effects of 6 of the 13 species. Our results agree with knowledge of invasion severity and natural history of native species in the region. We contend that when managers are using invasion metrics in monitoring, extending them to common native species is biologically and ecologically informative, with little additional investment.

Effects of soil conservation practices on soil losses from slope farmland in northeastern China using runoff plot data

Various conservation practices have been used to control soil erosion in cropland which makes assessing the effects of soil conservation more important. Northeastern China is an important crop-producing regions, with severe soil erosion. In the study, 110 runoff plot-year observations from seven experimental stations distributed over the region were used to assess the effects of local conservation practices on soil erosion, using a simplified USLE. Under the assumption that there were no significant differences in rainfall erosivity and soil erodibility in the study area under the “no practice scenario”, we described a simplified linear model based slope steepness and soil loss rate. The Jixing watershed was selected as a case study to test the model. The results indicate that the derived model can be used in the NE region of China for conservation assessment. The P factor values, related to main soil conservation practices, were derived from the observed plot-year data. The average values of P factor were around 0.01 to 0.35, which were low enough to justify their conservation effects of implementation through the assessment. Comparing to the conventional slope ridging tillage, the conservation rates of terraces, strip ridging, orchards and agro-forestry in the Jixing Watershed were 0.57, 0.6, 1.07, and 0.62 mm/ha, respectively, obtained by the assessment method in the study case. The paper neglected the seasonal variation which should be grouped to the C factor for the annual data and discussed the limitations of the assessment model for application.

Traditional management and conservation of shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa subspecies nilotica) in Uganda

Traditional practices are universally recognised as a basis for conservation of biodiversity. However, such practices are often not included in natural resource conservation policies. This study assessed local conservation practices of shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa) within different farming systems in Uganda and developed conservation guidelines for the species. The assessment involved 300 respondents, 15 focus groups and 41 key informants. Content analysis was used to identify the most important management and conservation practices. Local uses were categorised on the basis of shea tree products while differences in conservation practices were analysed using the Friedman test. The results show that eight shea tree products are used for 36 different purposes. Respondents’ age significantly influenced their knowledge about the shea tree. Traditional conservation practices include on-farm retention during cultivation and the use of folklore (mainly taboos), customs and rituals. Traditional management practices include weeding, bush burning, pollarding and pruning. Based on the current management and traditional conservation practices, a framework for the conservation of shea trees is proposed for integration into conservation policy decisions.

Setting the stage for biofuels:Policy texts, community of practice, and institutional ambiguity at the Fourth World Conservation Congress

This paper explores the discussion on biofuels within the fourth World Conservation Congress (WCC) in Barcelona. The focus on energy and biofuels at the WCC was a change from previous Congresses, highlighting a new negotiation of conservation and development trade-offs within the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Resolutions and IUCN programmes from the 2000 WCC onwards built on one another to reframe energy policy in terms of sustainable use, clean energy technologies, and energy access. With this structure in place, an informal group of key actors at the 2008 WCC were able to dominate the biofuels discourse to advance international sustainability standards for biofuels production. Procedural ambiguities in the resolution contact group made this community of practice, largely formed around the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels, especially important. The negotiation of biofuels policies, and energy policy in general, serves as an example of a large-scale trade-off that will directly affect local conservation practice.

Testing the orthodoxies of land degradation policy in Swaziland

This paper explores Swaziland's National Action Programme (NAP) to combat desertification; the country's main strategy for implementing the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). It considers whether this policy tackles real problems supported by micro-level scientific evidence and local experiences, or whether it further reinforces popular orthodoxies about land degradation. Data from one case study chiefdom in Swaziland are used to test two key orthodoxies identified within the country's NAP: (1) the presentation of degradation as a neo-Malthusian problem resulting from population pressure and (2) the assumption that the poor are responsible for degradation of their environment, in particular, the over-use of forest areas and the degradation of soils. It is found that diverse rural livelihoods inherently deliver patches of degradation at the micro-level but it is not necessarily population pressure or poor people that cause the degradation. Households with varying assets simultaneously degrade and conserve different parts of the land resource through pursuing different livelihood activities. The data indicate that while the NAP focuses on mythical problems grounded in the orthodoxies, policy attention is directed away from the more serious land degradation issues affecting rural livelihoods. The findings of this study provide a more nuanced understanding of the gaps between land degradation policy, local conservation practice and environmental and livelihood outcomes, and suggest that policymakers need to evaluate more critically the outdated and simplistic degradation orthodoxies on which much current policy is based. Stronger links need to be made between scientific and policymaking communities, while more credence should be given to land users’ own knowledges, perspectives, concepts and categories surrounding issues of soil conservation and degradation. It is suggested that steps need to be taken towards the development of broadly applicable benchmarks and indicators that bring together local and scientific knowledges across levels. Without this, popularised orthodoxies will continue to provide a basis for inappropriate land policy.

Diversity and conservation of on‐farm woody plants by field types in Paromo Subcounty, Nebbi District, north‐western Uganda

AbstractA study aimed at assessing diversity and local conservation strategies for on‐farm woody plants (OFWPs) under different cropping systems was conducted in Nebbi District, north‐western Uganda in 2004. Forty farmers were randomly selected and interviewed on local conservation practices of OFWPs. One field per interviewed farmer was randomly selected and woody plants enumerated. On‐farm plants’ diversity was calculated using the Shannon–Weiner Diversity Index (H′). Results indicate that &gt;87% of the OFWPs, majority being indigenous species, were utilized. The highest proportion of OFWPs was retained for poles, shade, fruits and medicine. The OFWPs were conserved by deliberately retaining them while opening the field. Woody plant diversity varied between field types. Fields associated with continuous cropping (H′ &lt; 1.7) were less diverse than those associated with fallows (H′ &gt; 1.7) as fallows allow species to regenerate. Poor access to planting materials of OFWPs, inadequate training on nursery techniques, lack of adequate extension services and markets for indigenous woody products limited their conservation. Farmers need to be trained on tree nursery techniques and provided with relevant extension information in order to diversify the production of OFWPs.

Local Conservation Practice and Global Discourse: A Political Ecology of Sea Turtle Conservation

This article employs political ecology and common property theory to examine sea turtle conservation, how it is articulated and executed at different sociopolitical and geographic scales, and the consequences for local rights of access to resources. It draws on ten years of research at various field sites in Costa Rica, and on sea turtle conservation policy in general, to show that although most sea turtle conservation policy is legitimized in the language of ecology, beliefs about rights to sea turtles as a resource underlie ecological arguments. This becomes clear through analysis of the local, national, and international scales, where ecological arguments are employed differently in order to discount or promote certain types of property rights and to promote particular types of conservation interventions; thus, promoting conservation action at a particular scale is not simply a matter of ecological necessity. The article's main purpose is to outline a political ecology of sea turtle conservation; it also contributes to political ecology and common property theory, and illustrates the productive combination of these for analyzing conservation. Furthermore, it addresses questions about the appropriate scale at which conservation should take place and the rights of local people to use and manage resources, both of which are topics of considerable debate in the wider conservation community.

Raman spectroscopic analysis of Mexican natural artists’ materials

This work represents the Raman spectra of 15 natural artists’ materials that were obtained from local market in Mexico. Some of these products are not endemic to the region, but are often used in local conservation practice. Other materials are of local origin and have been used for centuries by local craftsmen. The Raman spectra that are reported here are: Chia oil, linseed oil, Campeche wax, beeswax, white copal, dammar, colophony, mastic, pixoy, chapopote, chucum, aje gum, gutta gum, peach gum and gum Arabic. The sample of pixoy was mixed with TiO 2, although it was not clear whether this was done intentionally or not. The Raman spectrum of chapopote, the local name for bitumen, contained features of carbonaceous and terpenoid matter. The Raman spectra of chapopote and chucum suffered severely from fluorescence, resulting in noisy Raman spectra. Aje gum and gutta gum are not gums, since they are resinous (terpenoid) in nature. Aje is a rare animal resin originating from Coccus axin.

Effect of indigenous stone bunding (kab) on crop yield at Mesobit‐Gedeba, North Shoa, Ethiopia

AbstractStone bunding (kab) is an age‐old local conservation practice at Mesobit‐Gedeba. This study was conducted to assess the effect of this indigenous practice on crop yield. We compared original ground slope, terrace width, and slope position of the terraced area. The effect of slope width and slope position were found significant (p &lt; 0·05) for both grain and biomass yields of the terraced sites. The mean grain and biomass yields decreased as the original ground slope of the terraced site increased. Both grain and biomass yields decreased with the width of the inter‐terrace area. Significant differences (p &lt; 0·05) in mean grain and biomass yields were observed between the three slope positions. They decreased as one moved up the slope within the inter‐terrace area. In general, the study indicated that indigenous stone bunding has a positive effect on sorghum yield. Future studies should address different locations and crops and ways of integrating indigenous stone bunding with the current conservation programmes of the region. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.