Opportunities and challenges for ethnobotany at the start of the twenty-first century

Abstract

Habitat destruction and urbanisation of many parts of the world have contributed to a decrease in the diversity of species being used in agriculture and for economic uses as well as our knowledge about the traditional uses of our biodiversity. The work undertaken by ethnobotanists can assist help access the impact biodiversity loss has on the well being of communities. However, scientists wishing to research biodiversity are faced with having to obtain the correct permits to collect species and any associated traditional knowledge about the uses of these species. This paper provides a summary of the types of agreements that are needed for ethnobotanical studies and the importance of having prior informed consent and Access and Benefit-Sharing clauses in research agreements, especially when dealing with traditional knowledge.