Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity
Vol. 24 No. 4 (2023)

Uncovering the ethnobotanical importance of community forests in Chai Nat Province, Central Thailand

SUKANDA CHAIYONG (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chandrakasem Rajabhat University. Bangkok 10900, Thailand)
WITTAYA PONGAMORNKUL (Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, the Botanical Garden Organization, Chiang Mai, Thailand)
PRATEEP PANYADEE (Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden, the Botanical Garden Organization. 100 Moo 9 Mae Rim, Chiang Mai, Thailand)
ANGKHANA INTA (Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University. 239 Huaykaew Rd, Tumbol Suthep, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand)



Article Info

Publish Date
05 May 2023

Abstract

Abstract. Chaiyong S, Pongamornkul W, Panyadee P, Inta A. 2023. Uncovering the ethnobotanical importance of community forests in Chai Nat Province, Central Thailand. Biodiversitas 24: 2052-2063. Ethnobotanical studies are crucial for understanding local communities' traditional knowledge and use of plants and conserving biodiversity. This is the first public ethnobotanical study in the Chai Nat Province. It is an essential contribution to the limited knowledge of the traditional use of plants in this region. Three key informants with high experience in traditional knowledge were selected through a small meeting in the village. Using a semi-structured interview method during the walk-to-the-wood method, we gathered data on 103 plant species belonging to 92 genera and 49 families. The majority of the plant species (57) were used for medicinal purposes, followed by food (38), materials (17), and other small categories. It is worth noting that some plant species were used in more than one category. Our study provides an in-depth understanding of local communities’ traditional knowledge and use of plants which is essential for managing and conserving these important resources. This study not only contributes to the field of ethnobotany but also highlights the importance of preserving traditional ecological knowledge for future generations.

Copyrights © 2023






Journal Info

Abbrev

biodiv

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology

Description

The Biodiversitas Journal was first published in 2000 by the Department of Biology, FMNS, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia, then in 2006 it was co-published by the Society for Indonesian Biodiversity and that department; since 2017 it was also hosted by Smujo. From 2003-2012 it was ...