Alrhmoun Mousaab, Romano Aurora, Sulaiman Naji, Pieroni Andrea
University of Gastronomic Sciences, Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 9, 12042 Pollenzo, Italy.
Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100 Bolzano, Italy.
Plants (Basel). 2025 Jan 3;14(1):122. doi: 10.3390/plants14010122.
This ethnobotanical study examines the traditional knowledge and usage patterns of wild plants in the western Alps, specifically within the Ubaye and Bellino Valleys, through a comparative analysis of data collected from 1983 (published in 1990) to 2024. Our study aims to assess the change in plant usage, species diversity, and the changing roles of plants in local traditions in the western Alpine mountain ecosystems. While the 1983 survey documented medicinal uses centered around pastoralist practices, the 2024 data highlight a notable increase in the use of synanthropic plants, now utilized both medicinally and as food. Several species such as , , and have shown resilience and continuity in local cultural practices, maintaining medicinal, culinary, and ritual significance across the four decades. The 1983 survey documented the greatest variety of species (101), a number that decreased in subsequent studies. The 2009 survey identified 36 species not previously recorded in 1983, and the 2024 field study noted an additional 20 species. The study highlights the economic potential of several wild species in these alpine areas, such as , , , , , , , and spp., which could be utilized for creating new herbal teas, artisanal beers, liqueurs, ice creams, sweets, and seasoned food products. Expanding the uses of these plants could not only preserve ethnobotanical knowledge but also stimulate local economies and support sustainable development in alpine communities. The documented temporal shifts in plant usage reflect broader cultural, ecological, and socio-economic changes, underscoring the importance of preserving biodiversity and traditional knowledge amidst ongoing environmental and societal shifts. This study underlines the need to conserve ethnobotanical heritage while adapting to the evolving landscape of the region. Future research could focus on exploring the role of these species in broader sustainability initiatives, including conservation strategies, ecosystem services, and community-based tourism while continuing to document the cultural dynamics influencing plant usage.
这项民族植物学研究通过对1983年（1990年发表）至2024年收集的数据进行比较分析，考察了西阿尔卑斯地区，特别是于贝伊山谷和贝利诺山谷野生植物的传统知识及使用模式。我们的研究旨在评估植物使用情况、物种多样性的变化，以及植物在西阿尔卑斯山区生态系统当地传统中不断变化的作用。1983年的调查记录了以畜牧实践为中心的药用用途，而2024年的数据则突出显示，伴人植物的使用显著增加，现在这些植物既用于药用，也用作食物。诸如 、 和 等几个物种在当地文化实践中表现出了韧性和延续性，在这四十年间一直保持着药用、烹饪和仪式方面的重要意义。1983年的调查记录了最多样化的物种（101种），这一数字在后续研究中有所下降。2009年的调查发现了36种1983年之前未记录的物种，2024年的实地研究又指出了另外20种。该研究突出了这些高山地区几种野生物种的经济潜力，如 、 、 、 、 、 、 和 属植物，它们可用于制作新的花草茶、手工啤酒、利口酒、冰淇淋、糖果和调味食品。扩大这些植物的用途不仅可以保护民族植物学知识，还能刺激当地经济，并支持高山社区的可持续发展。记录在案的植物使用的时间变化反映了更广泛的文化、生态和社会经济变化，凸显了在持续的环境和社会变革中保护生物多样性和传统知识的重要性。这项研究强调了在适应该地区不断变化的格局的同时，保护民族植物学遗产的必要性。未来的研究可以侧重于探索这些物种在更广泛的可持续发展倡议中的作用，包括保护策略、生态系统服务和社区旅游，同时继续记录影响植物使用的文化动态。
