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  • A survey of useful wild plants of Zang People in Zada County, Xizang

    Subjects: Biology >> Botany submitted time 2024-06-02 Cooperative journals: 《广西植物》

    Abstract: Wild plants play a pivotal role in people’s daily lives, providing numerous necessities such as food, medicine, and living tools for survival. Zada County, located in the southwestern part of Ngari Prefecture (མངའ་རི, mngav-ri) , Xizang Autonomous Region of China, bordering India, serves as an important gateway for China’s access to South Asia. This region used to engage in prosperous and lively border trade. Characterized by a plateau sub-frigid arid climate, characterized by low annual average temperature, low oxygen concentration, cold winters, and cool summers. The Zang People here has amassed rich traditional knowledge on the utilization of wild plants in adapting to harsh environments. To comprehensively and systematically investigate, document, and study the traditional knowledge of the Zang People in Zada County on the utilization of wild plants, an ethnobotanical investigation methods were adopted. The research involved interviews with 173 informants, recording 3 639 utilization reports (URs), and conducting quantitative analyses using UV, CV, and CII metrics. The results were as follows: (1) The Zang People in Zada County possesses extensive traditional knowledge on the utilization of wild plants, employing 119 species belonging to 40 families and 83 genera. (2) The utilization categories of wild plants in this area are diverse, with 8 utilization categories, and multiple plants possessing two or more uses simultaneously. (3) The most significant plants in people’s lives are Carum carvi (UV=1.220), Artemisia stracheyi (UV=0.919), Rheum acuminatum (UV=0.890), Cupressus sp. (UV=0.769), and Urtica dioica (UV=0.757). Theses plants are intimately connected to the lives of the local Zang People and are deeply loved by them. (4) The intricate and diverse plateau environment significantly influences the utilization of wild plants in this region. This research not only comprehensively and systematically documents the utilization knowledge and characteristics of wild plants in Zada County, but also provides evidence for the further exploration and rational utilization of local plant resources, contributing to the sustainable development of the region. At the same time, it also helps to promote the inheritance and promotion of traditional knowledge, contributing to the prosperity of local culture. In addition, this research has positive implications for biodiversity conservation, helping to raise public awareness and protection consciousness towards biodiversity, and promoting the balance and harmonious development of the ecosystem.