Quantitative Ethnobotany

Context: Physiologically, memory is created by changes in the synaptic conductivity from one neuron to the next neuron, leading to the emergence of new or facilitating pathways to guide messages in the neuronal circuits of the brain. Throughout the life in today’s industrial conditions in which memory impairment is occurring at a faster pace, humans seek to figure out methods that prevent the development of related disorders and improve memory. The role of medicinal plants in learning and memory is one of the areas that have drawn substantial attention. Hence, this study introduces some of the most effective medicinal plants with memory improving properties according to Iranian ethnobotanical documents.

Aim: To analyze some of the most effective medicinal plants with memory-enhancing properties according to the Iranian ethnobotanical documents.

Methods: The data for this systematic review were collected from six popular databases including Institute for Scientific Information, PubMed, Google Scholar, Scientific Information Database, Magiran, and Scopus and included in the search terms the words “memory enhancement”, “ethnobotany”, “herbal drug”, “Iran”, “medicinal plants”, “extracts”, and “essential oils”. The present dataset finally included 43 published articles.

Results: Based on the available evidence of the studies on Iranian ethnobotany, certain medicinal plants such as Achillea wilhelmsii, Avena sativa, Boswellia papyrifera, Erucaria hispanica, Helianthus annuus, Ixiolirion tataricum, Lagochilus acutilobus, Pistacia atlantica, Pistacia khinjuk, Sinapis abyssinica, Spinacia oleracea, and Vicia sativa are among the plants that improve the mind.

Conclusions: According to the findings found in this review, there is evidence that the plants that grow in Iranian territory have beneficial effects on the memory enhancement.

This study describes the ethnobotany of the Hotì, a group of about 800 Indians living in the Serranía de Maigualida of the Venezuelan Amazon. Field research was conducted between 1996 to 1999, mostly in four socioecologically different Hotì communities: Caño
Iguana, Caño Mosquito, Caño Majagua y Kayamá. The methodology includes quantitative and qualitative approaches. The research had four main goals.
1. Initiate the documentation of the botanical diversity of a previous unknown region of Venezuela. A total of 2340 botanical specimens were collected, of which approximately 1500 have been determined botanically. Botanical inventories and
ecological measurements (density, dominance, frequency, and importance values) were made in four one-hectare plots set up in different ecological areas, and on the basis of this data different forest types were defined. A total of 59 families, 247 genera and 399 species were identified in the four plots.
2. Explore Hotì cultural ecology, one of the least known ethnic groups in Venezuela. The subsistence ecology (foraging, hunting, fishing, horticulture) is described, with particular emphasis on plant-people interactions, ideological and utilitarian aspects
of plant use, and the role of Hoti as ecological disturbance agents.
3. Test empirically theoretical proposals on the nature of ethnobiological classifications. The Hotì ethnobotanical classification system is described and analyzed in the light of current theory. The system exhibits well defined ethnobotanical categories: Kingdom (unnamed), Life Form (10 taxa), Generic (565
taxa), Specific (509 taxa) and Varietal (5 taxa). The percentage of polytipic generic taxa, (108) 23,6%, is in agreement with the 20% predicted by the theory.
4. Test the hypothesis that the Hotì, described as incipient horticulturalists, have less extensive and less detailed knowledge of the plant world than more horticultural lowland groups. Data from the ethnobotanical plot surveys in fact shows that the
Hotì possess a comparatively higher knowledge of their botanical surroundings in comparison to other groups, thus falsifying the null hypothesis. The global use percentages of the plot species are between 49% to 100%, corresponding to the least (Kayama) and the most (Mosquito) traditional environments respectively.

Local perception and ethnobotanical survey were conducted on Jatropha curcas in south and center of Benin. Actually, J. curcas is a multipurpose species wich is increasingly receiving attention as a renewable source of energy. Specific objectives were:(i) to analyze local population perceptions on the domestication of J. curcas in Benin; (ii) to describe different utilizations forms of J. curcas according to sociolinguistic categories and (iii) to analyze the use value of J. curcas according to sociolinguistic categories. To achieve these goals, ethnobotanical investigation was conducted on 534 respondents from 28 localities belonging to 14 districts. The informants were divided into 12 ethnics groups gathered in three sociolinguistics groups namely Adja, Fon and Yoruba. The collected data were about the different utilizations of the species as well as their perceptions on its domestication. Data were analysed according to sociolinguistic group, gender and age groups. Results indicated that Adja were ethnic group most favorable to the species introduction in agricultural system then came Fon. Yoruba were less favorable to the species introduction. Seventy eight (78) different utilization forms of J. curcas were reported. These different forms of utilization of J. curcas were classified in eight types of utilizations (food, bioenergy, manure, hedge, magic, medicinal, insecticide and treatment of animals diseases). the medicinal uses came first whereas utilization for insecticide and treatment of animals diseases were the last. Almost all organs of J. curcas were used in traditional medicine. The leaf was the part of the shrub which is prone to more anthropic pressure for therapeutic use ends. On the other hand, fruit virtues in medicine are unknown to populations. The analysis of J. curcas organ utilizations by sociolinguistic groups revealed that plant health and food types are strongly known by Yoruba whereas all other types of utilizations are little known by them. The analysis of the relation between age categories and gender and plant organs utilization revealed that young women, adults men, old men and women strongly used fruits, flowers, seeds and roots. values of ethnobotanic index showed that the informants all have the same knowledge of the species and thus that knowledge on the species are relatively and overall well distributed within each studied sociolinguistic group. The informants came to an agreement on organs utilization in traditional medicine.
Key words: Jatropha curcas, valorization, endogenous knowledge, Benin.

Green monkey orange (Strychnos spinosa) is an important multipurpose tree in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, including Benin. The objectives of this study were to (i) examine the various indigenous uses of Strychnos spinosa, (ii) assess local perception of the major threats to Strychnos spinosa, and (iii) identify the conservation strategies adopted by local communities to ensure its sustainable use in Benin. A participatory rural appraisal study was undertaken across three climatic zones in Benin. Data were collected through structured questionnaires involving 733 informants from 22 ethnic and 7 sociolinguistic groups. Correspondence analysis (CA) showed that S. spinosa is most widely used in the Sudanian zone (20 uses). About 73% of the informants used Strychnos spinosa as food, and 68% used it for medicine. The most valued organs were fruits, leaves, bark, and seeds. The major threats to Strychnos spinosa were human activities rather than climatic factors. Religion and cultural values were the main strategies adopted by local communities to conserve the species. The value of Strychnos spinosa is well appreciated in Benin, and local knowledge depends on the particular climatic zone, ethnic group, study level, and gender.

Resumé

L'oranger de singe (Strychnos spinosa) est un arbre à usage multiple important pour les communautés rurales d'Afrique subsaharienne dont le Bénin. Les objectifs de cette étude étaient de (i) examiner les différentes utilisations indigènes de Strychnos spinosa, (ii) évaluer la perception locale des principales menaces pesant sur l'espèce et (iii) identifier les stratégies de conservation adoptées par les communautés locales pour assurer son utilisation durable au Bénin. Une recherche participative a été entreprise en milieu rural dans trois zones climatiques du Bénin. Les données ont été collectées au moyen de questionnaires structurés auxquels ont participé 733 personnes appartenant à 22 groupes ethniques et de 7 groupes sociolinguistiques. L'analyse factorielle de correspondance (AFC) a montré que S. spinosa est plus largement utilisé dans la zone soudanienne (20 utilisations). Environ 73% des personnes interrogées utilisent S. spinosa à des fins alimentaires et 68% l'utilisent à des fins médicinales. Les organes les plus prisés étaient les fruits, les feuilles, l'écorce et les graines. Les principales menaces pesant sur S. spinosa sont plus liées aux activités humaines qu'aux facteurs climatiques. Les principales stratégies adoptées par les communautés locales pour conserver l'espèce

Orchids bear the crown of highly evolved ornamental floral specialization in the plant kingdom, but have poor medicinal background. Further, Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume is much less studied plant species among Orchidaceae due to its overexploitation in the wild. This epiphytic herb belongs to the tropical areas and kept under endangered category by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) that points out its abated natural population. In this sense, the aim is to document the past and present researches upon R. retusa highlighting the traditional and remedial uses, and to ignite the conservation awareness among the people.

Context: Documenting folk uses of wild medicinal plants provide an important baseline for the future novel drugs development and pharmacological evaluation. Aims: To document the traditional ethnomedicinal knowledge of Ilam city of Ilam Province, Iran. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out in the study area from 190 informants to document the ethnomedicinal knowledge during 2008-2014. The collected data were assessed with quantitative tools viz. medicinal use value (MUV), family use value (FUV) and relative frequency of citation (RFC). Results: A total of 132 plant species distributed in 116 genera and 51 families were revealed to be used in herbal-based therapy. The highest medicinal plants diversity was shown by Compositae (19 species). A total of 13 types of plant parts were reported to be used in different recipes dominated by leaf (31%). Highest MUV were shown by Alhagi maurorum Medik. (0.87) and Cannabis sativa L. (0.85). In case of RFC, the highest RFC were expressed by Lycium depressum (0.95) followed by Pistacia khinjuk (0.94), Nasturtium officinale (0.93) and Portulaca oleracea (0.90). Highest FUV among small families was shown by Cannabaceae (0.85) and among the large families by Leguminosae (0.55). Conclusions: The study revealed a high medicinal plant diversity that is utilized for long time by the local communities of Ilam to resolve their health-based problems. The plants marked in the present paper could be brought under pharmacological evaluation to further exploit their efficacy. This paper could be an important document for the future generations of the Ilam province, Iran.

Background: Leading scholars in ethnobiology and ethnomedicine continuously stress the need for moving beyond the bare description of local knowledge and to additionally analyse and theorise about the characteristics and dynamics of human interactions with plants and related local knowledge. Analyses of the variation of local knowledge are thereby perceived as minimal standard. In this study we investigate the distribution and variation of wild plant knowledge in five domains: food, drinks, human medicine, veterinary medicine and customs. We assess relations between the wild plant knowledge of informants and their socio-demographic as well as geographic background. Method: Research was conducted in the Biosphere Reserve Grosses Walsertal, Austria. Structured questionnaires were used to inquire wild plant knowledge from 433 informants with varying socio-demographic and geographic background. Children assisted in the data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and generalized linear models. Results and discussion: A majority of respondents is familiar with wild plant uses, however to varying degrees. Knowledge variations depend on the socio-demographic and geographic background of the informants as well as on the domains of knowledge under investigation: women, older informants and homegardeners report more human medicinal applications and applications in drinks than men, younger informants and non-homegardeners; farmers know a greater variety of veterinary medicinal applications than non-farmers; the place of residence relates significantly to food and veterinary uses. Customs are difficult to investigate in standardized matrices. The household-related distribution of work and the general socio-cultural context are especially helpful in order to explain intracultural variation of knowledge in the Grosses Walsertal. Conclusions: Research on the intracultural variation of local knowledge exposes cultural characteristics and highlights the cultural embeddedness of local knowledge. The impact of socio-cultural developments on local knowledge may be anticipated from understanding the intracultural variation of knowledge.

Context: The increase in cancer morbidity and mortality, as well as high cost and adverse effects of the available cancer therapies, necessitate the need for the discovery of new and safe anticancer agents. Many medicinal plants, which have served as sources of beneficial drugs were revealed through an ethnobotanical survey. Aims: To reveal and document the medicinal plants used in treating cancer in Iwo and Ibadan, SouthWestern , Nigeria. Methods: The Snowball method was used to search and select the participants who included herb sellers, traditional medical practitioners, and herbalists. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information, which included herbal recipes, dosage, and methods of preparation of the herbs. Relative frequency citation (RFC), family use value (FUV) and medicinal use-value (MUV) were calculated. Results: A total number of 92 plant species belonging to 51 families were revealed. Citrus limon, Xylopia aethiopica and Crotalaria pallida had the highest RCF of 0.25, 0.22 and 0.17, respectively, while the family Leguminosae (10.99%) had the highest number of plants species. Three of the plants had the highest MUV of 0.12 while Bignoniaceae family had the highest FUV. Various parts of the plants were used in preparing these. Conclusions: Many plants used in treating cancer have been revealed in this study. Therefore, scientific validation of the biological properties of the species, both singly and in combination as used, is strongly recommended.

Ethnobiology as a discipline has evolved increasingly to embrace theory-inspired and hypothesis-driven approaches to study why and how local people choose plants and animals they interact with and use for their livelihood. However, testing complex hypotheses or a network of ethnobiological hypotheses is challenging, particularly for data sets with nonindependent observations due to species phylogenetic relatedness or socio-relational links between participants. Further, to account fully for the dynamics of local ecological knowledge, it is important to include the spatially explicit distribution of knowledge, changes in knowledge, and knowledge transmission and use. To promote the use of advanced statistical modelling approaches that address these limitations, we synthesize methodological advances for hypothesis-driven research in ethnobiology while highlighting the need for more figures than tables and more tables than text in ethnobiological literature. We present the ethnobiological motivations for conducting generalized linear mixed-effect modelling, structural equation modelling, phylogenetic generalized least squares, social network analysis, species distribution modelling, and predictive modelling. For each element of the proposed ethnobiologists quantitative toolbox, we present practical applications along with scripts for a widespread implementation. Because these statistical modelling approaches are rarely taught in most ethnobiological programs but are essential for careers in academia or industry, it is critical to promote workshops and short courses focused on these advanced methods. By embracing these quantitative modelling techniques without sacrificing qualitative approaches which provide essential context, ethnobiology will progress further towards an expansive interaction with other disciplines.

An ethnobotanical survey was undertaken to collect information from traditional healers on the use of medicinal plants in Mudivaithananthal village, Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. The indigenous knowledge of local traditional healers and the plants used for medicinal purposes were collected through questionnaire and personal interviews during field trips. The investigation revealed that, the traditional healers used 39 species of plants distributed in 35 genera belonging to 25 families to treat various diseases. In this study the most dominant family was Euphorbiaceae and leaves were most frequently used for the treatment of diseases. This study showed that many people in the studied area still continue to depend on medicinal plants at least for the treatment of primary healthcare. The traditional healers are dwindling in number and there is a grave danger of traditional knowledge disappearing soon since the younger generation is not interested to carry on this tradition.

A thorough review concerning palm uses in tropical rainforests of northwestern South America was carried out to understand patterns of palm use throughout ecoregions (Amazonia, Andes, Chocó), countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia), and among the different human groups (indigenous, mestizos, afroamericans, colonos) that occur there. A total of 194 useful palm species, 2,395 different uses and 6,141 use-reports were recorded from 255 references. The Amazon had the highest palm use, whereas fewer, but similar uses were recorded for the Andes and Chocó. Ecuador was the most intensively studied country. Most palms were used for human food, utensils and tools, construction, and cultural purposes. Indigenous people knew more palm uses than mestizos, afroamericans and colonos. The use of palms was not random and the main uses were the same throughout the studied ecoregions and countries. Palms satisfy basic subsistence needs and have great importance in traditional cultures of rural indigenous and peasant populations in our study area. Arecaceae is probably the most important plant family in the Neotropics, in relation to use diversity and abundance.

The aim of the present study was to explore and document medicinal plants frequently utilized by Lodha women of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal (India) for the treatment of common gynecological ailments. In this present paper four polyherbal and six monoherbal preparations are documented utilizing 29 plant species for the treatment of 11 common gynecological disorders. The data were analyzed using Fidelity Level (FL) and Relative frequency of citation (Rfc). In this investigation, the most useful species ranked according to their Relative frequency of citation (Rfc) and high fidelity level (FL) are: Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. for leucorrhea, Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi for dysmenorrhea, Asparagus racemosus Willd. for infertility in women, Musa × paradisiaca L. for menorrhagia, Euphorbia fusiformis Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don for poor lactation and Cassia fistula L. for post-partum body swelling and temperature control, Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty fo...

Ethnopharmacological relevance: We introduce and explain the advantages of the Bayesian approach and exemplify the method with an analysis of the medicinal flora of Campania, Italy. The Bayesian approach is a new method, which allows to compare medicinal floras with the overall flora of a given area and to investigate over-and underused plant families. In contrast to previously used methods (regression analysis and binomial method) it considers the inherent uncertainty around the analyzed data. Materials and methods: The medicinal flora with 423 species was compiled based on nine studies on local medicinal plant use in Campania. The total flora comprises 2237 species belonging to 128 families. Statistical analysis was performed with the Bayesian method and the binomial method. An approximated 2-test was used to analyze the relationship between use categories and higher taxonomic groups. Results: Among the larger plant families we find the Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, and Malvaceae, to be overused in the local medicine of Campania and the Orchidaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae to be underused compared to the overall flora. Furthermore, do specific medicinal uses tend to be correlated with taxonomic plant groups. For example, are the Monocots heavily used for urological complaints. Conclusions: Testing for over-and underused taxonomic groups of a flora with the Bayesian method is easy to adopt and can readily be calculated in excel spreadsheets using the excel function Inverse beta (INV.BETA). In contrast to the binomial method the presented method is also suitable for small datasets. With larger datasets the two methods tend to converge. However, results are generally more conservative with the Bayesian method pointing out fewer families as over-or underused.

A thorough review concerning palm uses in tropical rainforests of northwestern South America was carried out to understand patterns of palm use throughout ecoregions (Amazonia, Andes, Chocó), countries (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia), and among the different human groups (indigenous, mestizos, afroamericans, colonos) that occur there. A total of 194 useful palm species, 2,395 different uses and 6,141 use-reports were recorded from 255 references. The Amazon had the highest palm use, whereas fewer, but similar uses were recorded for the Andes and Chocó. Ecuador was the most intensively studied country. Most palms were used for human food, utensils and tools, construction, and cultural purposes. Indigenous people knew more palm uses than mestizos, afroamericans and colonos. The use of palms was not random and the main uses were the same throughout the studied ecoregions and countries. Palms satisfy basic subsistence needs and have great importance in traditional cultures of rural indigenous and peasant populations in our study area. Arecaceae is probably the most important plant family in the Neotropics, in relation to use diversity and abundance.

Context: Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in the treatment of high blood pressure in the region of Tlemcen (Northwestern Algeria).

Aims: To establish an inventory of medicinal plants recommended by herbalists and used by the local population of Tlemcen against this disease.

Methods: The survey was conducted with 242 hypertensive people and 11 herbalists, in 14 municipalities of the Wilaya (Province) of Tlemcen, using a pre-established questionnaire.

Results: At the end of this survey, 37 species belonging to 18 families were inventoried. The three most dominant families were Apiaceae (6 species), Lamiaceae and Rosaceae (4 species). The most cited species were Allium sativum L. (48.4%), Citrus limon (L.) Burm (42.7%), Olea europaea var. sativa L. (19.1%), Rosmarinus officinalis L. (9.6%), and Origanum vulgare L. (8.9%). The aerial parts were the most used (23.26%) and most of the remedies were prepared in the form of infusion and decoction (30.5%).

Conclusions: The results obtained constitute a highly valuable source of information regarding the traditional treatment of high blood pressure. The selected plants may be the subject of pharmacological studies in order to prove their effectiveness against this disease.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: We introduce and explain the advantages of the Bayesian approach and exemplify the method with an analysis of the medicinal flora of Campania, Italy. The Bayesian approach is a new method, which allows to compare medicinal floras with the overall flora of a given area and to investigate over-and underused plant families. In contrast to previously used methods (regression analysis and binomial method) it considers the inherent uncertainty around the analyzed data. Materials and methods: The medicinal flora with 423 species was compiled based on nine studies on local medicinal plant use in Campania. The total flora comprises 2237 species belonging to 128 families. Statistical analysis was performed with the Bayesian method and the binomial method. An approximated 2-test was used to analyze the relationship between use categories and higher taxonomic groups. Results: Among the larger plant families we find the Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, and Malvaceae, to be overused in the local medicine of Campania and the Orchidaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Poaceae, and Fabaceae to be underused compared to the overall flora. Furthermore, do specific medicinal uses tend to be correlated with taxonomic plant groups. For example, are the Monocots heavily used for urological complaints. Conclusions: Testing for over-and underused taxonomic groups of a flora with the Bayesian method is easy to adopt and can readily be calculated in excel spreadsheets using the excel function Inverse beta (INV.BETA). In contrast to the binomial method the presented method is also suitable for small datasets. With larger datasets the two methods tend to converge. However, results are generally more conservative with the Bayesian method pointing out fewer families as over-or underused.

An applied human ecology and ethnobotany study of selected elders from the Vietnamese Dao, Hmong, Kinh, Ma-Lieng, Sach, Tai, Tay, and Xinh-Mun ethnic groups was undertaken to catalogue traditional uses and conservation practices related to biodiversity and plant use in northern and central Vietnam. The study utilized a human ecology systems theory approach developed by the indigenous and ethnic minority peoples’ networks of the Mekong region. Through ethnobotany field interviews the study gathered traditional knowledge of plants, including 27 climbers, 4 ferns, 29 annual and 2 perennial herbs, 24 shrubs, 24 trees, and 1 liana species. Plant importance was analyzed using quantitative indices. Model tests support a human ecology systems model approach and suggest that culture, customary law, spiritual practices, and ethnobotany are important contributors to plant conservation practices.

The aim of the present study was to explore and document medicinal plants frequently utilized by Lodha women of Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal (India) for the treatment of common gynecological ailments. In this present paper four polyherbal and six monoherbal preparations are documented utilizing 29 plant species for the treatment of 11 common gynecological disorders. The data were analyzed using Fidelity Level (FL) and Relative frequency of citation (Rfc). In this investigation, the most useful species ranked according to their Relative frequency of citation (Rfc) and high fidelity level (FL) are: Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. for leucorrhea, Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi for dysmenorrhea, Asparagus racemosus Willd. for infertility in women, Musa × paradisiaca L. for menorrhagia, Euphorbia fusiformis Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don for poor lactation and Cassia fistula L. for post-partum body swelling and temperature control, Chrysopogon zizanioides (L.) Roberty fo...

We examined demand and supply of Food Tree Species (FTS) products in Burkina Faso. The hypotheses were: 1) demand for FTS products by local communities exceeds what can be sustainably extracted, and 2) local communities of the Sudanian zone have access to more diverse FTS products compared to Sahelian zone. Surveys were conducted in 300 households and 360 quadrats in landscapes surrounding 6 villages to determine the diversity, richness and availability of FTS. The results indicate that local communities tend to exploit FTS which are rare to find or absent in the landscape surrounding their village. While the range of FTS largely exploited tends to coincide across the two ecological zones, the diversity and density of the preferred FTS are discordant between the two zones. The results of the present study further support the need for conservation and restoration strategies to sustain the local communities demand for FTS products.

Orchids bear the crown of highly evolved ornamental floral specialization in the plant kingdom, but have poor medicinal background. Further, Rhynchostylis retusa (L.) Blume is much less studied plant species among Orchidaceae due to its overexploitation in the wild. This epiphytic herb belongs to the tropical areas and kept under endangered category by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) that points out its abated natural population. In this sense, the aim is to document the past and present researches upon R. retusa highlighting the traditional and remedial uses, and to ignite the conservation awareness among the people.

Cultural Importance Indices: A Comparative Analysis Based on the Useful Wild Plants of Southern Cantabria (Northern Spain). This paper compares four indices based on informant consensus. Each index aims to assess the cultural significance of plant species and is suitable for statistical testing of different hypotheses. For the comparison, we used data concerning plants traditionally used in the Campoo area of southern Cantabria in northern Spain. Our results show a positive and significant correlation between the number of uses (NU) and the frequency of citation (FC) of the species. It seems to be a general rule that the more versatile a plant, the more widespread its usefulness. In addition, NU is highly influenced by the number of use-categories in the study. Consequently, an objective index must rely on FC more than NU. We propose the use of the cultural importance index (CI), which is defined as the summation of the informants' proportions that mention each of the uses of the species. The CI index is highly correlated with FC and, although it also considers diversity of use, each usecategory is conveniently weighted by the number of informants mentioning it. Despite the use of cultural significance indices being questioned, we believe that indices based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews are still very useful for compilation studies of passive knowledge, such as most ethnobotanical works conducted in the last three decades in Europe.

Cultural Importance Indices: A Comparative Analysis Based on the Useful Wild Plants of Southern Cantabria (Northern Spain). This paper compares four indices based on informant consensus. Each index aims to assess the cultural significance of plant species and is suitable for statistical testing of different hypotheses. For the comparison, we used data concerning plants traditionally used in the Campoo area of southern Cantabria in northern Spain. Our results show a positive and significant correlation between the number of uses (NU) and the frequency of citation (FC) of the species. It seems to be a general rule that the more versatile a plant, the more widespread its usefulness. In addition, NU is highly influenced by the number of use-categories in the study. Consequently, an objective index must rely on FC more than NU. We propose the use of the cultural importance index (CI), which is defined as the summation of the informants' proportions that mention each of the uses of the species. The CI index is highly correlated with FC and, although it also considers diversity of use, each usecategory is conveniently weighted by the number of informants mentioning it. Despite the use of cultural significance indices being questioned, we believe that indices based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews are still very useful for compilation studies of passive knowledge, such as most ethnobotanical works conducted in the last three decades in Europe.