Contribution of indigenous knowledge to the conservation of wild medicinal plants in Mvomero district, Tanzania
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Date
2016
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Wild medicinal plants are used and conserved based on indigenous knowledge. The
objective of this study was to assess the contribution of indigenous knowledge to
conservation of wild medicinal plants. Four villages were selected based on their
proximity to the forest reserves. Data were collected through household questionnaires
with 133 respondents, focus group discussions (FGDs), and transect walk. The Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and MS Excel computer software tools were used to
analyse qualitative and quantitative data respectively. One hundred twenty-seven out of
133 respondents (95%) reported using WMPs. A total of 91 WMPs reported to be used as
traditional medicine by communities were identified and documented. Ten out of 91
WMPS were reported to be grown mainly on home gardens while the rest (81) are wild-
harvested. Roots (57%) and leaves (57%) were reported to be harvested from grown and
wild harvested WMPs respectively. Farmland, public land, homesteads and forest reserves
were reported to be sources of WMPs. Though public land was reported to be the main
source (39%), the study noted that most of the WMPs were harvested from the forest
reserves as most of the identified WMPs were from forest reserves. Nine traditional
practices were mentioned to be used in conservation of wild medicinal plants. These
included domestication, beliefs in sacred plants and forests, respect of cultural forests,
protection of plants at the burial sites, selective harvesting, secrecy on plants name,
location, collection of deadwood for firewood, and use of energy-saving cooking stoves.
The logistic regression test results showed that indigenous knowledge has an influence on
conservation. The Likert-scale response categories of the respondents showed that 99% of
the respondents had positive attitude towards local conservation methods. The study found
that indigenous knowledge contributes to conservation of wild medicinal plants in the
communities around Mvomero Distric
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirements of the degree of master of science in forestry
Keywords
Indigenous knowledge, Wild medicinal plants, Forestry, Mvomero district, Tanzania