Ethnobotany As an Interdisciplinary Science: Integrating Contemporary Research and Conventional Knowledge for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Ethnobotany is the scientific study of the interrelationship between plants and human societies including their use for food, medicine, shelter, economic, cultural, and religious purposes. This area has developed into an important multidisciplinary study that connects traditional knowledge with contemporary studies in agriculture, pharmacology, nutrition, ecology, and biodiversity conservation. This review summarizes recent case studies to show how ethnobotanical knowledge influences cultural practices, economic activities, sustainable agricultural systems, and applications in medicine and nutrition which further contributes to food security, drug development, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood sustenance. The review also discusses current issues such as habitat deterioration, intellectual property issues, and the loss of traditional knowledge. This study highlights the importance of combining indigenous knowledge with interdisciplinary scientific approaches to support cultural heritage preservation and sustainable development by focusing on documentation, ethical research practices, and conservation strategies.