Assessing Biodiversity, Health Benefits, and Knowledge of Wild Edible Plants in Rural and Urban Areas

Abstract

This study examines the diversity of wild fruit trees and shrubs in Central Kazakhstan and the preservation of traditional knowledge about their nutritional and medicinal uses. The objectives included identifying taxonomic composition, analyzing nutritional and medicinal properties, and assessing awareness among rural and urban residents of different age groups. Fieldwork involved route surveys, herbarium collection, and laboratory identification using classical floristic references. A survey (n=240) was conducted among youth (18–25 years) and older adults (35–65 years) in rural (Karkaraly) and urban (Karaganda) areas. A total of 28 species from nine families were identified, with the Rosaceae family having the highest diversity (12 species). Older rural residents demonstrated greater awareness and frequent use of wild plants for nutrition and medicine, while younger and urban populations showed lower awareness and use. Generational and geographic divides were evident, with younger generations less engaged in traditional practices. This study provides a detailed account of wild fruit species biodiversity and uses in a region with limited ethnobotanical data. The findings highlight the need to conserve plant gene pools, preserve cultural heritage, and promote the integration of wild species into modern diets and phytotherapy practices, fostering sustainability.