Applied Ethnobotany

Wild or non-cultivated plants are crucial to the lives of a large portion of the world's population, providing low-cost building materials, fuel, food supplements, medicines, tools and sources of income. Despite their importance, their vulnerability to harvesting and other social impacts is not well understood. This is the first practical guide to be published on how to manage wild plant species sustainably. This practical manual on the value and management of wild plant resources sets out the approaches and field methods involved in participatory work between conservationists and researchers and the primary resource users. Supported by extensive illustrations, it explains how local people can learn to assess the pressures on plant resources and what steps to take to ensure their continued availability. This guide will be invaluable for all those involved in resource management decisions regarding plant species and diversity, in particular those studying or working in conservation, rural development and park management. Published in association with WWF International and UNESCO