Traditional Methods of Plant Conservation for Sustainable Utilization and Development

Abstract

Cultural or indigenous practices refer to long-standing traditions and ways of life of specific communities or locales. These practices are place-based and often location- and culture-specific. Plants are integral to livelihood especially in indigenous communities within the Global South. Ethnologists including ethnobotanists continue to enumerate the interface between nature and culture, which addresses the need to provide quality information for plant conservation and their sustainable utilization. Plant conservation is the wise use of plant resources by the present generation so that future generations can benefit. Traditional conservation ethics protect plant diversity and natural resources because local communities consider themselves as the major stakeholders. Globally, support for contemporary plant conservation approaches exists whereas none exists for traditional methods. Some traditional systems used for plant conservation through their utilization include taboos, totemism, rituals, domestication, reserves, secrecy, selective harvesting, sacred groves, etc. Totemism is the practice-based consciousness of the supernatural link that exists between people and specific objects including plant species, natural resources and or objects made from these items whereas taboo is the forbidden practice of using or consuming some plant species, natural resources and objects or their parts (totems). Sacred groves are described as patches of land considered sacred and conserved by indigenes through sociocultural, economic and religious observances and include traditional sacred groves, temple groves, burial and cremation grounds, etc. like the Asanting Ibiono sacred forest, Nigeria; Anweam sacred grove within the Esukawkaw forest reserve, Ghana; sacred Mijikenda kaya forest, Kenya; Kpaa Mende sacred grove, Sierra Leone; Thathe Vondo holy forest Limpopo, South Africa and Kwedivikilo sacred forest, Tanzania. These largely informal conservation and utilization practices have several ecological, sociocultural and economic relevance. They have contributed towards the protection of plant species like Lippia javanica , Milicia excelsa, Adansonia digitata, Spathodea campanulata,  Ziziphus mucronata and Ficus thonningii. However, growing pressures from human population boom, reduced environmental quality, and neglect of sociocultural norms and traditional belief systems are undermining the relevance of these practices. Therefore, it is essential to document these practices, enlighten future generations of their importance and institute legal instruments to promote the sustainable management and application of these cultural heritage and natural resources for societal development.