Mishra Alka, Swamy Singam Laxmana, Thakur Tarun Kumar, Bhat Rajeev, Bijalwan Arvind, Kumar Amit
Department of Rural Technology, Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur 495 001, India.
College of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Katghora-Korba 495 445, India.
Foods. 2021 Jun 23;10(7):1453. doi: 10.3390/foods10071453.
Despite significant evidence base on quantifying ecosystem services, the role of biodiversity in supporting such services in diversified landscapes, and how indigenous communities exploit, utilize and manage plant resources in a biocultural regime, remains understudied. This study examines the role of wild edible plants (WEPs) in meeting the food, nutrition and household income of indigenous communities under the biodiversity rich landscape of the Achanakmaar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve (AABR-22°15' to 22°58' N latitudes and 81°25' to 82°5' East longitudes) of Central India. Results revealed remarkable differences among Baiga, Gond, Kol, and Oraon ethnic communities and also location (core, buffer and transition) effect on utilization pattern of wild edibles. A sum total of 172 WEPs comprising 60 vegetables, 70 fruits, seeds and nuts, 23 underground tubers and 19 mushrooms were collected, consumed, and surplus were marketed by the communities. On average, the number of wild edibles collected annually by households were in the following quantities: 40-240 kg leafy vegetables, 125-386 kg flowers, 120-250 kg fruits, 12-125 kg legumes, 24-120 kg tubers, 5-35 kg mushrooms. Among ethnic groups, the Baiga primitive community utilized 70-90% followed by Gonds (58-81%), Kols (52-78%), Oraons (43-79%), and other communities (38-68%) in different zones. WEPs have contributed to 5-24% (Rs 3559- 12,710) of household income, which was highest in the core zone and lowest in the transition zone. It was observed that WEPs were complemented the diets rather than being a substitute for staple foods. They supplied only 3.7-8.3% of energy and 1.1-4.9% protein requirements; however, they significantly supplemented ascorbic acid, thiamine, calcium, and iron by 38.1-73%, 13.7-35.4%, 17.2-29.1%, 2.6-13.5%, respectively. Significantly higher quantities of nutrients were supplemented in the core zone compared to other zones. WEPs were currently underutilized (less intake) especially in buffer and transition zones, complementing the staple foods and partially supplementing the essential macro- and micro-nutrients. However, these have the potential to fulfill the dietary needs and ensure balanced nutrition, if consumed in recommended portions and sizes. The paper discusses policy implications that ensure coherence and coordination of local indigenous communities for conservation and sustainable utilization of WEPs of AABR, Central India.
尽管在量化生态系统服务方面有大量证据，但生物多样性在多样化景观中支持此类服务的作用，以及土著社区在生物文化体系中如何开发、利用和管理植物资源，仍未得到充分研究。本研究考察了野生可食用植物（WEPs）在印度中部阿恰那克玛尔-阿马尔康特克生物圈保护区（AABR，北纬22°15′至22°58′，东经81°25′至82°5′）生物多样性丰富的景观下，对满足土著社区的食物、营养和家庭收入方面所起的作用。结果显示，拜加、贡德、科尔和奥昂族社区之间存在显著差异，而且地点（核心区、缓冲区和过渡区）对野生可食用植物的利用模式也有影响。社区共收集、食用了总计172种野生可食用植物，包括60种蔬菜、70种水果、种子和坚果、23种地下块茎以及19种蘑菇，并有剩余用于市场销售。平均而言，家庭每年收集的野生可食用植物数量如下：叶菜类40 - 240千克、花125 - 386千克、水果120 - 250千克、豆类12 - 125千克、块茎24 - 120千克、蘑菇5 - 35千克。在不同区域，拜加原始社区对野生可食用植物的利用率为70 - 90%，其次是贡德族（58 - 81%）、科尔族（52 - 78%）、奥昂族（43 - 79%）以及其他社区（38 - 68%）。野生可食用植物对家庭收入的贡献为5 - 24%（3559 - 12710卢比），在核心区最高，在过渡区最低。据观察，野生可食用植物起到了补充饮食的作用，而非主食的替代品。它们仅提供了3.7 - 8.3%的能量需求和1.1 - 4.9%的蛋白质需求；然而，它们显著补充了抗坏血酸、硫胺素、钙和铁，分别补充了38.1 - 73%、13.7 - 35.4%、17.2 - 29.1%、2.6 - 13.5%。与其他区域相比，核心区补充的营养物质数量显著更高。野生可食用植物目前未得到充分利用（摄入量较少），尤其是在缓冲区和过渡区，它们补充了主食，并部分补充了必需的常量和微量营养素。然而，如果按推荐的份量和大小食用，这些植物有潜力满足饮食需求并确保营养均衡。本文讨论了相关政策影响，以确保印度中部AABR地区当地土著社区在野生可食用植物保护和可持续利用方面的一致性与协调性。
