Ethnobotany is the study of the classification, use and management of plants by people. It draws on a range of disciplines, including natural and social sciences, to show how conservation of plants and of local knowledge about them can be achieved. Ethnobotany is critical to the growing importance of developing new crops and products such as drugs from traditional plants. This text is a basic introduction to the field, showing how botany, anthropology, ecology, economics and linguistics are all employed in the techniques and methods involved. It begins by explaining data collection and...

In order to manage, use and conserve plants, we need to improve communication of useful information about them. For this, accurate identification using field guides is important. This book provides potential authors of field guides with an understanding of the issues and methods suitable for producing user-friendly guides which help to identify plants for the purposes of conservation, sustainable use, participatory monitoring or greater appreciation of biodiversity. The book draws on both scientific and participatory processes, supported by the experience of contributors from across the...

Part of the 'People and Plants' series, this book describes plant conservation in the context of livelihoods and development. It also discusses ways of balancing the conservation of plant diversity with the use of plants and the environment for human benefit.