Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.
Faculty of Education, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy.
J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2020 Nov 26;16(1):74. doi: 10.1186/s13002-020-00419-8.
Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region's high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity.
Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species.
A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming.
Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Furthermore, we point out particularly sensitive species that should be reconsidered for stronger protections in legal regulations.
全世界的山区都被认为是具有民族药理学相关物种多样性的热点地区。在南蒂罗尔（意大利南部阿尔卑斯山），由于该地区植物多样性高且人口孤立，独特的传统植物药知识蓬勃发展，其历史可以追溯到史前时期。然而，农村生活和文化的变化可能会威胁到这种独特的生物多样性和文化遗产。我们的研究旨在收集和分析传统民间医学中使用的本地植物信息，重点是保护植物和文化的多样性。
通过对南蒂罗尔传统药用植物的已发表文献进行综述，收集数据，以捕捉植物及其用途的总多样性。我们评估了不同的参数，包括民族植物学指数（EI）、民族植物学指数（EPI）、相对引用频率（RFC）、红色名录状况以及有关植物物种的区域法规。
共鉴定出 276 种植物，包括 3 种蘑菇和 3 种地衣，它们分属于 72 科，最常见的科是菊科、蔷薇科和唇形科。被引用最多的物种是贯叶金丝桃、荨麻和车前草。根据 12 个 ICPC-2 疾病类别，最常治疗的人类健康症状来自消化系统、呼吸系统和皮肤。共有 27 种被列为濒危物种，其中 16 种不受保护，两种现已灭绝。在 59 种主要高山物种中，有 11 种局限于阿尔卑斯山的高海拔地区，可能受到全球变暖的威胁。
我们的研究表明，南蒂罗尔的民族植物学丰富度在意大利和阿尔卑斯山地区都是最高的。然而，生物多样性和传统知识显然已经受到严重侵蚀。此外，我们还指出了一些特别敏感的物种，这些物种应在法律规定中重新考虑加强保护。
