Wild Harvest Research Articles

Climate Change Dependence in Ex Situ Conservation of Wild Medicinal Plants in Crete, Greece.

Over 80% of the global population addresses their primary healthcare needs using traditional medicine based on medicinal plants. Consequently, there's a rising demand for these plants for both household and industrial use at local, regional, national, and international levels. However, wild harvesting has negatively impacted natural ecosystems. Cultivating medicinal species has been proposed as a conservation strategy to alleviate this pressure. Yet, in this age of global climate change concerns, smallholder farmers' views on the benefits of such cultivation clash with the uncertainties of climate change impacts, amplifying their anxieties. In this context, the climate change dependence of ex situ cultivation of ten wild medicinal taxa with significant ethnopharmacological interest in Crete, Greece, were studied, projecting their potential habitat suitability under various future climate scenarios. The results demonstrated species-specific effects. Based on the potential cultivation area gains and losses, these effects can be categorized into three groups. We also outlined the spatial patterns of these gains and losses, offering valuable insights for regional management strategies benefiting individual practitioners.

Sustainable scale-up of Irish seaweed production: Quantifying potential environmental, economic, and social impacts of wild harvesting and cultivation pathways

Seaweed is a versatile bioresource which can be used as a source of food, feed, fertilizer, and higher-value products. Countries with extensive sea areas such as Ireland have the potential to produce significant volumes domestically, but limitations and consequences to this potential should be considered. This study aims to capture the environmental, economic, and social consequences of different pathways for scaling up Irish seaweed production using a life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) framework. Six pathways are considered: manual wild harvesting by foot, manual wild harvesting by boat, mechanical wild harvesting by trawler, and three longline cultivation systems. Environmental, economic, and social impacts are considered through quantifying exergy extraction (MJex), global warming potential (kg CO2-eq), minimum selling price (MSP), and improvements in human wellbeing (HP). Finally, limitations to scale-up are assessed. The results demonstrate that manual wild harvesting has a relatively low climate impact (0.03–0.04 kg CO2-eq/kg fresh seaweed), resource intensity (1.75–2.00 MJex/kg fresh seaweed), and MSP (0.10–0.12 €/kg fresh seaweed), but a low increase in wellbeing (5.01–5.45 HP/kg fresh seaweed), while mechanical wild harvesting has a worse performance than manual harvesting in every dimension (0.14 kg CO2-eq/kg fresh seaweed, 3.50 MJex/kg fresh seaweed, 0.16 €/kg fresh seaweed, 0.60 HP/kg fresh seaweed). The impacts of cultivation pathways vary significantly, but generally perform better than wild harvesting for social impacts (18.53–20.59 HP/kg fresh seaweed) and worse for environmental and economic (MSP) impacts (0.12–0.35 kg CO2-eq/kg fresh seaweed; 2.30–5.95 MJex/kg fresh seaweed; 1.05–1.80 €/kg fresh seaweed). Nonetheless, limitations to upscaling manual wild harvesting (max 8.4 % of a future production target of 900,000 t fresh seaweed) determine that both mechanical wild harvesting and cultivation pathways will be needed to achieve future targets. It is therefore important that steps be taken to optimize each of these pathways based on the overall priorities of society.

Bacterial community trends associated with sea scallop, Placopecten magellanicus, larvae in a hatchery system

Atlantic sea scallops, Placopecten magellanicus, are the most economically important marine bivalves along the northeastern coast of North America. Wild harvest landings generate hundreds of millions of dollars, and wild-caught adults and juvenile spat are increasingly being cultured in aquaculture facilities and coastal farms. However, the last two weeks of the larval maturation phase in hatcheries are often plagued by large mortality events. Research into other scallop- and aquacultured-species point to bacterial infections or altered functionality of microbial communities which associate with the host. Despite intense filtering and sterilization of seawater, and changing tank water every 48 h, harmful microbes can still persist in biofilms and mortality is still high. There are no previous studies of the bacterial communities associated with the biofilms growing in scallop hatchery tanks, nor studies with wild or hatchery sea scallops. We characterized the bacterial communities in veliger-stage wild or hatchery larvae, and tank biofilms using the 16 S rRNA gene V3-V4 region sequenced on the Illumina MiSeq platform. Hatchery larvae had lower bacterial richness (number of bacteria taxa present) than the wild larvae and tank biofilms, and hatchery larvae had a similar bacterial community (which taxa were present) to both wild larvae and tank biofilms. Bacterial richness and community similarity between tank samples fluctuated over the trial in repeated patterns of rise and fall, which showed some correlation to lunar cycle that may be a proxy for the effects of spring tides and trends in seawater bacteria and phages which are propagated into hatchery tanks. These results along with future work, will inform hatcheries on methods that will increase larval survival in these facilities, for example, implementing additional filtering or avoiding seawater collection during spring tides, to reduce bacterial taxa of concern or promote a more diverse microbial community which would compete against pathogens.

Rooting potential of the ‘vleitee’ honeybush (Cyclopia subternata) as affected by growth season and the manipulation of stock plant characteristics

To ensure a high-quality, sustainable supply of South African indigenous honeybush (Cyclopia spp.) tea to domestic and international markets, a shift from wild harvesting practices to true-to-type clonal material is required. This study investigated the impact of stock plant rejuvenation period and seasonality, and the harvesting position of cutting material on stock plants, on the rooting success of four genotypes of Cyclopia subternata Vogel, the most widely cultivated honeybush species. Cutting rooting success varied between 65–94% in summer and 49–91% in autumn, whilst winter-rooted cuttings showed poor rooting success (0–7%). Cutting dry weight was positively correlated with rooting percentage (r = 0.647; p ≤ 0.001). The rooting success of cuttings was strongly impacted by internal stock plant factors, such as clonal effects, cutting position and rejuvenation period. The use of terminal, semi-hardwood cuttings collected in autumn, following 15 months of regrowth, is recommended to achieve acceptable-to-high rooting success. This study confirms that the clonal propagation of C. subternata via cuttings could be a viable option for the sustainable production of high-quality honeybush tea, provided the selection criteria of the stock plant material used as the cutting source is carefully considered.

Socio-economic exploitation of edible caterpillars in the bimodal rainforest zone of Cameroon

Edible caterpillars are the most traded edible insects in Cameroon, particularly in the humid forest zone, where they are excellent sources of proteins and fats for many indigenous peoples. Their large consumption and their wild harvest have been a major concern, and there is a need for sustainable management. However, specific data on species’ diversity and trade are scarce. Hence, the present study aims to provide an overview of the socio-economic exploitation of edible caterpillars in the bimodal rainforest zone of Cameroon. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with caterpillar traders in six localities covering the three administrative Regions (East, Centre, and South) of the bimodal forest zone of Cameroon. The socio-demographic characteristics of traders, the traded species, quantities, and prices were recorded. Fresh and live samples were also recorded for morphological identification. A total of 129 traders were interviewed, with the majority being women (94.8%). Eleven species of caterpillars were involved in this trade, with the most remarkable diversity observed in the Centre Region. The traded quantity per species varied significantly with Regions, with the overall most exploited species beingImbrasia oyemensis (13,250.44 kg/year),Imbrasia truncata (4,992.30 kg/year) andAnaphe venata (2,589.51 kg/year). The price of caterpillars differed significantly depending on whether the locality was rural or semi-urban.Notodontidae sp. was the most valuable species (US$ 3.63/kg), followed by species of the genus Anaphe (US$ 3.1±0.5/kg). Special attention should be given to the most traded species to enhance their sustainable exploitation. Further studies on the bio-ecology, habitat and life cycle of these caterpillars are needed for the sustainable management of these beneficial insects. Forest authorities should enhance the regulations governing their exploitation and logging of their host trees.

Nutritional profile of a novel artificial diet and the effect of photoperiod on the fitness parameters of rearedRuspolia differens

The tettigoniid,Ruspolia differens, is a widely consumed grasshopper across Sub Sahara Africa (SSA), mainly where periodic large swarms occur during the rainy months. The present wild harvesting of this grasshopper species is not sustainable and limits the yearlong presence of these delicacies. One method to circumvent this is developing mass-rearing technologies for this nocturnal and omnivorous insect within SSA. However, to mass-rear this species on a large scale, the optimal diets and light regimes need to be established. Complete nutritional profiles of edible insect diets are rare. In our study, using a newly formulated artificial diet we assessed multiple performance traits forR. differens reared at two light regimes. A complete dark (<1 h light, 5:95 L:D) and 50% light (~12 h light, 50:50 L:D) from newly hatched nymphs to death of the adults. Proximate composition of this novel artificial diet was carbohydrates: 53.5%, crude protein: 21.0%, ash: 7.0%, fat: 5.0%, crude fibre: 4.5%. All essential amino acids and mineral elements were also present. It took on average 8-9 moults to reach adults in the light-reared insects as opposed to 6-7 moults for those reared in the dark. Adult longevity in the dark-reared insects was also significantly longer (37±3.7 days) compared to the light-reared ones (10±3 days). These findings strongly support the nocturnal behaviour of these bush crickets and suggest rearing them in a predominantly dark environment would seem a profitable venture, as fewer energy demands in terms of lighting are required. Such a diet, when fully optimised will facilitate automation and reduce labour for feeding them in mass-rearing programs.

Aboriginal Community Views about a Native Plant-Based Enterprise Development in Northern Australia

As global populations rapidly increase, there is a need to maintain sustainable landscapes through innovative agricultural systems and practices that continue to work towards addressing Sustainable Development Goal 2, Zero Hunger. Indigenous people around the world seek culturally appropriate and sustainable livelihood opportunities to improve their socioeconomic status, and there is a rich diversity of existing globally important agricultural heritage systems that have been developed by Indigenous cultures over millennia. Wild harvest of plant products is an innovative agricultural practice which has been conducted by Aboriginal Australians for thousands of years and is a more acceptable form of agriculture on Aboriginal land than more intensive forms, such as horticulture. Wild harvest is typically more culturally appropriate, less intensive, and involves less impact. However, enterprise development programs in Aboriginal communities across Northern Australia have historically had very limited economic success. Such communities often experience high welfare dependency and few economic development opportunities. This research takes a case study approach to explore community views about the development of an Aboriginal plant-based enterprise in the Northern Territory, Australia. We used qualitative methods to engage with community members about their experiences, current attitudes, and future aspirations towards the Enterprise. We found that there was broad support from across all sectors of the community for the Enterprise and clear understanding of its monetary and non-monetary benefits. However, there was limited knowledge of, and involvement in, the business beyond the role of provider and producer, and of the governance aspects of the Enterprise. Using this case study as our focus, we advocate for deeper understanding and stronger inclusion of community aspirations, realities, and perspectives on Aboriginal economic development. Cultural values and knowledge need to inform business development. Additionally, there is a need to invest in basic infrastructure to account for the low base of private asset ownership in this context. A holistic, multifunctional landscape approach is required to support sustainable agricultural practices on Aboriginal lands across Northern Australia.

Off-shore and On-shore Macroalgae Cultivation and Wild Harvesting: an LCA-based Evaluation from Baltic Case Studies

Seaweeds are organisms with unique characteristics. They contain a broad spectrum of micro and macro elements (i.e., minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, pigments, and vitamins). Furthermore, they have a very high growth rate and are present in large quantities and species in nature. Therefore, they represent an ideal feedstock for a biorefinery concept. Historically, macroalgae used in biorefineries have been harvested directly from the sea or the shores (off-shore technique). However, recent studies are analysing the possibility of creating on-shore cultivation facilities. This research aims to perform a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study that analyses and compares the environmental impact of two seaweed cultivation and wild harvesting techniques in the Baltic conditions based on existing pre-commercial and commercial projects. Inventory data are collected directly from two macroalgae producers in the Baltic Sea region (one wild harvester and one on-shore), integrated with literature, and then normalized to the selected functional unit, i.e., 1 ton of harvested fresh macroalgae. The results, implemented with SimaPro 9.4 software, determine which of the two techniques has the highest environmental impact and which are the most sensitive environmental indicators. Furthermore, the results underline the critical parameters for the two cultivations (i.e., fuel consumption and electricity), contributing to identifying environmental benchmarks for further optimization strategies. The alternative scenarios analysis included in the study aims to explore and highlight the effect of the variation of selected input parameters or assumptions to provide a consistent assessment of the uncertainty of the model outputs and the main findings in terms of environmental impacts.

Concise review of genus Lessonia Bory

Abstract Lessonia (order Laminariales) is a kelp genus restricted to the temperate southern hemisphere, where species form dense forests from the low intertidal to 25 m depth at wave exposed sites. Lessonia spp. are among the most harvested kelps globally due to their importance in providing raw materials for food, cosmetics, bioactive and biomedical industries. Over-harvesting of natural beds can negatively affect Lessonia populations and the many species that depend on these habitats, including commercially important fish and molluscs, but good harvest management plans reduce these impacts on natural Lessonia stocks. However, the increasing demand for raw materials will likely only be met by aquaculture for which Lessonia shows high potential in pilot scale studies undertaken in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia. In this concise review, we highlight the current knowledge of Lessonia spp. taxonomy and distribution, life history, ecology and ecosystem services, wild harvest, aquaculture, and commercial applications. We discuss future research directions.

Potential of Seaweeds to Mitigate Production of Greenhouse Gases during Production of Ruminant Proteins.

The potential of seaweed to mitigate methane is real and studies with red seaweeds have found reductions in methane produced from ruminants fed red seaweeds in the region of 60-90% where the active compoundresponsibleforthisis bromoform. Other studies with brown and green seaweeds have observed reductions in methane production of between 20 and 45% in vitro and 10% in vivo. Benefits of feeding seaweeds to ruminants are seaweed specific and animal species-dependent. In some instances, positive effects on milk production and performance are observed where selected seaweeds are fed to ruminants while other studies note reductions in performance traits. A balance between reducing methane and maintaining animal health and food quality is necessary. Seaweeds are a source of essential amino acids and minerals however, and offer huge potential for use as feeds for animal health maintenance once formulations and doses are correctly prepared and administered. A negative aspect of seaweed use for animal feed currently is the cost associated with wild harvest and indeed aquaculture production and improvements must be made here if seaweed ingredients are to be used as a solution to control methane production from ruminants for continued production of animal/ruminant sourced proteins in the future. This review collates information concerning different seaweeds and how they and their constituents can reduce methane from ruminants and ensure sustainable production of ruminant proteins in an environmentally beneficial manner.

Achieving conservation and restoration outcomes through ecologically beneficial aquaculture.

A range of conservation and restoration tools are needed to safeguard the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems. Aquaculture, the culturing of aquatic organisms, often contributes to the numerous stressors that aquatic ecosystems face, yet some aquaculture activities can also deliver ecological benefits. We reviewed the literature on aquaculture activities that may contribute to conservation and restoration outcomes, either by enhancing the persistence or recovery of one or more target species or by moving aquatic ecosystems toward a target state. We identified 12 ecologically beneficial outcomes achievable via aquaculture: species recovery, habitat restoration, habitat rehabilitation, habitat protection, bioremediation, assisted evolution, climate change mitigation, wild harvest replacement, coastal defense, removal of overabundant species, biological control, and ex situ conservation. This list may be expanded as new applications are discovered. Positive intentions do not guarantee positive ecological outcomes, so it is critical that potentially ecologically beneficial aquaculture activities be evaluated via clear and measurable indicators of success to reduce potential abuse by greenwashing. Unanimity on outcomes, indicators, and related terminology will bring the field of aquaculture-environment interactions into line with consensus standards in conservation and restoration ecology. Broad consensus will also aid the development of future certification schemes for ecologically beneficial aquaculture.

Disentangling global market drivers for cephalopods to foster transformations towards sustainable seafood systems

Abstract Aquatic food systems are important contributors to global food security to satisfy an intensifying demand for protein‐based diets, but global economic growth threatens marine systems. Cephalopod (octopus, squid and cuttlefish) fisheries can contribute to food security; however, their sustainable exploitation requires understanding connections between nature's contributions to people (NCP), food system policies and human wellbeing. Our global literature review methodology examined what is known about cephalopod food systems, value chains and supply chains, and associated market drivers. For analysis, we followed the IPBES conceptual framework to build a map of the links between cephalopod market drivers, NCP and good quality of life (GQL). Then we mapped cephalopod food system dynamics onto IPBES (in)direct drivers of change relating to catch, trade and consumption. This research contributes knowledge about key factors relating to cephalopods that can support transitions towards increased food security: the value of new aquatic food species; food safety and authenticity systems; place‐based innovations and empowerment of communities; and consumer behaviour, lifestyle and motivations for better health and environmental sustainability along the food value chain. We outline requirements for a sustainable, equitable cephalopod food system policy landscape that values nature's contributions to people, considers UN Sustainable Development Goals and emphasises the role of seven overlapping IPBES (in)direct drivers of change: Economic, Governance, Sociocultural and Socio‐psychological, Technological, Direct Exploitation, Natural Processes and Pollution. We present a novel market‐based adaptation of the IPBES conceptual framework—our ‘cephalopod food system framework’, to represent how the cephalopod food system functions and how it can inform processes to improve sustainability and equity of the cephalopod food system. This synthesised knowledge provides the basis for diagnosing opportunities (e.g. high demand for products) and constraints (e.g. lack of data about how supply chain drivers link to cephalopod NCP) to be considered regarding the role of cephalopods in transformations towards a resilient and more diversified seafood production system. This social–ecological systems approach could apply to other wild harvest commodities with implications for diverse marine species and ecosystems and can inform those working to deliver marine and terrestrial food security while preserving biodiversity. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Medicinal forest herbs: conservation and economic development in the Appalachian Mountains

The medicinal plant industry, and the people of Appalachia, have relied on the rich natural resources of the Appalachian Mountains for centuries, collecting plants for food, medicine, and livelihood. By the 1700s, Appalachia had become a major supplier of medicinal plants and was recognized internationally as a source of American ginseng. Today, the value of these products is substantial, with more than $11 billion in 2020 U.S. sales. There is a growing concern, however, that many medicinal herbs are disappearing. We review current research on wild harvesting, forest cultivation, and efforts to create markets for sustainably-sourced Appalachian medicinal herbs. There is a critical need for ecologically sound management and sustainable economies in Appalachia, to support our natural resources and communities. Keywords:

Spatiotemporal spatfall dynamics and prevailing estuarine conditions for optimal oyster (Crassostrea tulipa) spat availability in selected Gulf of Guinea brackish systems

Uncertainties associated with wild harvests of seed and adult oysters due to unknown oceanographic oscillations are a major challenge in oyster fisheries and aquaculture development. In contribution to addressing this challenge, we proffer clarity on the spatiotemporal variations in spatfall (number of spat/m2) of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea tulipa (Lamarck, 1819) in four estuaries along the Gulf of Guinea coast. By monthly deployment of artificial substrates affixed to bamboo racks over 12 months, we find significant differences in spatfall among and within the brackish systems, and across months and seasons. Spatfall regimes were unique in each ecosystem albeit with an overall preponderance of dry season availability of spat. Locations with reef oysters had superior spatfall to mangrove root-adapted-oyster areas. Narkwa, a relatively small lagoon with reef oysters had the highest annual mean spatfall, which was 1.3, 2.5, and 9.8 folds the spatfall in Densu Delta, Benya Lagoon and Whin Estuary, respectively. Spatfall varied significantly by depth as the more frequently exposed top collectors harvested much less spat than submerged collectors. There was a year-round availability of spat, confirming continuous spawning in C. tulipa. Spatfall variability was significantly driven by fluctuations in prevailing dissolved oxygen and salinity. Prevailing dissolved oxygen and salinity levels in the estuaries for optimal spat settlement were 1.68 – 3.40 mg L-1 and 11.00 – 29.33 ppt (parts per thousand), respectively. The findings of this study are recommended as empirical reference points for sustainable seed procurement for aquaculture production and management of C. tulipa fishery in the region of the study.

Assessment of suitable shrimp farming site selection using geographical information system based Analytical Hierarchy Process in Turkey

In the last century, the increasing global population and the demand for animal food have caused the limit of the fishing and wild harvest production capacity to be reached. In order to ensure sustainability in the fishing and wild harvest, it is necessary to focus on aquaculture activities. When it is planned to open a new aquaculture facility, the first step to be taken is to determine the most suitable establishment site. Suitable site selection affects both the success and sustainability of any aquaculture development. The aim of this study is to determine the most suitable areas to establish shrimp farming facilities in the Mediterranean Region of Turkey by using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) which are among the Multi-Criteria Decision-Making methods and Geographic Information Systems. In the first stage, analyses of airports, ports, hotels and feed mill businesses in the Mediterranean Region were conducted. Second stage study was performed on the most suitable area determined as a result of the analysis. Within the scope of this purpose, eleven sub-criteria that will affect the facility location were determined under three main criteria (land, water availability, infrastructure and socio-economic). Constraint criteria were determined to exclude areas where shrimp farming facilities are not allowed to be established. As a result of the analysis, it was specified that 0.01% of the study area is highly suitable, 0.87% suitable, 4.69% moderately suitable and 94.43% unsuitable. This study showed that the AHP method and geographical information system techniques are applicable in the selection of suitable areas for greenhouse shrimp farming.

In vitro callus and shoot initiation of Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa. L) pre-incubated in darkness treatments

A medicinal plant that is commonly overharvested in its native habitat, Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa L.) rhizomes are used to mitigate symptoms of menopause and are a common alternative to hormone replacement therapy. Developing an accurate protocol for initiation of Black cohosh in tissue culture is becoming a necessity. Wild harvesting practices are the main source of Black cohosh rhizomes processed by pharmaceutical companies and are causing a significant decrease of these wild plants, leading to an At-Risk status. Growing these plants in a plant tissue culture laboratory is more sustainable than current practices, and having an accurate protocol for initiation of these plants is crucial to this. Our lab has previously developed a protocol for initiation of Black cohosh and this research was meant to optimize this protocol. Leaf explants of Black cohosh were cultured in vitro to determine the optimal duration of time for initiation of callus and/or shoot under darkness, and appropriate plant growth regulators (PGR) for shoot growth. Leaf explants incubated under darkness for increasing amount of time (0 to 6 weeks of darkness) were analyzed at two stages of tissue development. Stage 1 involved initiation of leaf explant material under darkness (treatment) and measured the callus development in leaf explants; Stage 2 was induction of adventitious shoot growth and cell division and compared the effect of two PGRs, KT and BA, on shoot growth for each darkness treatment. Leaf explants were given a score using a culture chart that assigns a numerical score to leaf explants based on their physiological characteristics. These numerical scores took into account color of leaf explant, callus development, shoot growth, and presence of dead leaf tissue. Stage 2 measured the number of shoots produced per explant within culture containers between PGRs and the number of weeks in darkness. Overall trends indicated that mortality of leaf explants decreased as the duration of incubation under darkness increased with mortality of explants decreasing from 63.9% (T0 darkness treatment) to 2.8% (T6 darkness treatment). Culture scores of explants (including dead explants) was highest for T6 weeks of darkness (culture score 2.96 on average), and for culture scores without dead explants (culture score of 3.05). During the adventitious shoot growth stage, however, T5 weeks of darkness performed significantly higher (KT: 28 shoots/ BA: 17.3 shoots) than T6 weeks of darkness (KT: 12.9 shoots/ BA: 9.4) in Replication 2 for both plant growth regulators KT PGR performed better, on average, than BA PGR

Off-Shore and On-Shore Macroalgae Cultivation and Wild Harvesting: an LCA-Based Evaluation from Baltic Sea Region Case Studies

Abstract Seaweeds are organisms with unique characteristics. They contain a broad spectrum of micro and macro elements (i.e., minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, pigments, and vitamins). Furthermore, they have a very high growth rate and are present in large quantities and species in nature. Therefore, they represent an ideal feedstock for a biorefinery concept. Historically, macroalgae used in biorefineries have been harvested directly from the sea or the shores, i.e., off-shore technique. However, recent studies are analysing the possibility of creating on-shore cultivation facilities. This research aims to perform a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study that analyses and compares the environmental impact of two seaweed cultivation and wild harvesting techniques in the Baltic Sea Region conditions based on existing pre-commercial and commercial projects. Inventory data are collected directly from two macroalgae producers, one off-shore and one on-shore, integrated with literature, and then normalized to the selected functional unit, i.e., 1 ton of harvested fresh macroalgae. The results, implemented with SimaPro 9.4 software, determine which of the two techniques has the highest environmental impact and which are the most sensitive environmental indicators. Furthermore, the results underline the critical parameters for the two cultivations (i.e., fuel consumption and electricity), contributing to identifying environmental benchmarks for further optimization strategies. The sensitivity analysis included in the study aims to explore and highlight the effect of the variation of selected input parameters or assumptions to provide a consistent assessment of the uncertainty of the model outputs and the main findings in terms of environmental impacts.

Ethnobotanical Study of Medicinal Plants Used against Human Diseases in Zuway Dugda District, Ethiopia.

In Ethiopia, traditional medicine has significantly contributed to the treatment of public health conditions. However, when contrasted with the ethnic diversity of Ethiopians, the number of medicinal plants that have been documented remains limited. As a result, the study aimed to record the medicinal plants used in the Zuway Dugda district communities. Methodology. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by local people of Zuway Dugda district was carried out from February 2020 to November 2020. Semistructured interviews, a market survey, field observations, and group discussions were used to gather pertinent data. One hundred informants (83 males and 17 females) provided data. 76 informants were chosen at random, while 24 key informants were chosen on the basis of recommendations from local elders. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, preference ranking, paired comparison, and direct matrix ranking. A total of 73 plant species, representing 62 genera and 40 families, were collected and identified. Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Solanaceae had the most species, with each family having 6 (8.22%) species, followed by Euphorbiaceae, which had 4 (5.48%) species. The wild harvest of approximately 49 medicinal plants (or 67.12%) was used. 31 plant species, or 42.47% herbs, were found to be the most commonly used life forms. The most frequently used plant parts were reported to be the leaves, which accounted for 55 species (41.35%) and then the roots 25(18.80%). Headache, toothache, depression, febrile illness, and fever had the lowest ICF values (0.33), while snake bite-related issues had the highest ICF values (0.93). The results of the preference ranking indicated that locals prefer to treat wounds with Asparagus africanus Lam. The community used Cordia africana Lam. the most, according to direct matrix ranking. It is essential to combine indigenous knowledge with scientific methods in order to extract the most benefit from medicinal plants. The results of the ICF and preference ranking could be used as a prelude to this. Since A. africanus was found to be the most effective wound-healing medicinal plant in the current study, further phytochemical and pharmacological research is recommended.

Efficient spatial kelp biomass estimations using acoustic methods

Kelp forests are the largest vegetated marine ecosystem on earth, but vast areas of their distribution remain unmapped and unmonitored. Efficient and cost-effective methods for measuring the standing biomass of these ecosystems are urgently needed for coastal mapping, ocean accounting and sustainable management of wild harvest. Here we show how widely available acoustic equipment on vessels can be used to perform robust and large-scale (kilometer) quantifications of kelp biomass which can be used in assessments and monitoring programs. We demonstrate how to interpret echograms from acoustic systems into point estimates of standing biomass in order to create spatial maps of biomass distribution. We also explore what environmental conditions are suitable for acoustic measures. This has direct application for blue carbon accounting, coastal monitoring, management of wild seaweed harvest and the protection and conservation of marine habitats supporting high biodiversity.

Sequential extraction and fractionation of four polysaccharides from cultivated brown algae Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta

Norway has a well-established seaweed industry based on extraction of alginates from wild harvested brown algae, Laminaria hyperborea (LH). However, further expansion of wild harvest is limited, and cultivated seaweed can contribute to meeting increasing demands for high value compounds in an environmentally sustainable manner. Herein, an integrated process for retrieving alginate, fucoidan, laminarin and cellulose was established for cultivated Saccharina latissima (SL) and Alaria esculenta (AE). Focus was to develop a process using mild chemical methods that do not compromise the molecular weights (MW) of the polysaccharides, particularly with respect to alginate. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the yield of fucoidan and laminarin and assess the effect of the applied extraction parameters: pH, temperature, and time, on the MW of subsequently extracted alginates. RSM confirmed that high yields of fucoidan and laminarin can be achieved while maintaining the alginate MW. Optimized conditions were applied in a pilot scale process, where all four polysaccharides were extracted. Purity (ranging from 40 up to 98 %) and composition of the components were evaluated combining several analytical techniques. Total yields of the polysaccharides were 23.4 % of the entering dry biomass from SL and 26.3 % from AE, representing around 55 % of the estimated maximal yield. However, all extractions were not optimized, and a mass balance revealed that <75 % more alginates could have been collected. The process can be adapted to simultaneously collect mannitol, which accounted for <15 % of the dry weight. The alginates were further examined by producing hydrogels, showing that the gel properties are comparable to alginates from LH fronds. The study demonstrated that mild chemical extraction techniques can be combined to extract all four polysaccharides from SL and AE, providing a foundation for a multicomponent biorefinery using cultivated brown algae.