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 hypothesis testing and ends with
practical ideas on fieldwork ethics and the application of results to conservation and community development.
Case studies illustrate the explanations, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in achieving results.
Contents
Data collection and hypothesis testing
botany
anthropology
ecology
economics
linguistics
ethnobotany, conservation and community development.
