Ethnobotany in the Balkans: Quo Vadis?

Abstract

In this introductory chapter, we provide a framework for the contributed chapters of this book, beginning with a discussion of our personal journeys that brought us to the field of Balkan ethnobotany. We discuss the role of traditional environmental knowledge in Balkan ethnobotanical studies, especially with regard to potential applications in future sustainable conservation initiatives, local markets, ecotouristic programs, and more. Lastly, we present a short overview of the contextual basis for the book and introduce the reader to book sections, which cover such topics as folk medicine and the medicinal plant trade, traditional plant-based foods, and small-scale sustainable economies.