Anthony B. Cunningham’s research while affiliated with University of KwaZulu-Natal and other places

Although distributed across the Sudano-Sahelian region as an agroforestry system tree species, Vitellaria paradoxa has yet to be reported as successfully established outside of Africa, significantly limiting its yield and further exploitation. In this paper, in order to assess a well-established population of V. paradoxa in the Yuanjiang dry-hot valley of China and examine the relationships between morphological-geological factors and fruit yield, we monitored dendrometric traits and fruiting across 844 shea trees located on different aspects, and applied partial least square regression to build a yield model based on dendrometric and geographical variables. Results revealed climatic resemblance of the introduction site in Yuanjiang to the natural habitat in Ghana, and the growth performance and fruit yield were also comparable, but accumulated precipitation of about 600 mm was better for fruit yield when heat accumulation reached about 2,000 °C. Apart from crown diameter (p < 0.05), dendrometric parameters (basal diameter, basal area and tree height) had positively weak relationships with fruit yield. On the contrary, aside from north and northeast aspect, other aspects showed a strong negative influence. The findings presented that growth and productivity of V. paradoxa increased with dendrometric parameters and monthly average temperature on shady and semi-shady slope, providing a theoretical basis for the development of shea tree and construction of agroforestry system in dry tropical areas outside Africa.

This study aims to: (1) clarify confusion about Lygodium circinnatum fern fiber used in Bali, Indonesia, to weave basketry for international export, variously called “grass,” “rattan,” “reed,” “vine,” or “ata”; (2) explain how since the 1970s, entrepreneurial “champions” in Bali and Lombok have transformed a small, informal sector activity into the world’s largest fern fiber basketry trade; and (3) document all stages of the L. circinnatum supply chain from wild fern harvest to retail outlets in Asia, Europe, and North America. In the late 1980s, an earlier study estimated 70–270 million L. circinnatum stems per year were required for basketry production needs. Thirty years later, demand for L. circinnatum stems supplied a global market worth over US$26.3 million (in 2020) and over a billion stems per year. L. circinnatum resource management and cultivation are required to sustain the trade at this level. Better supply chain transparency (SCT) is also needed, particularly in the USA, the major importing country for this basketry (67% of exports in 2020). Implementation of the 2000 USA Indian Arts and Crafts Enforcement would improve SCT and simultaneously benefit basket producers in both the USA and Indonesia.

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Prunus africana (Hook.f.) Kalkman (Rosaceae), commonly known as "Pygeum" or "African cherry", occurs in mainland montane forest "islands" scattered across sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and some surrounding islands. Traditionally, decoctions of the stem-bark are taken orally for the treatment of a wide variety of conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), stomach ache, chest pain, malaria, heart conditions, and gonorrhoea, as well as urinary and kidney diseases. The timber is used to make axe handles and for other household needs. The dense wood is also sawn for timber. Aim: The fragmented information available on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and biological activities of the medicinally important P. africana was collated, organised, and analysed in this review, to highlight knowledge voids that can be addressed through future research. Materials and methods: A bibliometric analysis of research output on P. africana was conducted on literature retrieved, using the Scopus® database. The trend in the publications over time was assessed and a network analysis of collaborations between countries and authors was carried out. Furthermore, a detailed review of the literature over the period 1971 to 2021, acquired through Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciFinder, Pubmed, Scirp, DOAJ and Google Scholar, was conducted. All relevant abstracts, full-text articles and various book chapters on the botanical and ethnopharmacological aspects of P. africana, written in English and German, were consulted. Results: A total of 455 documents published from 1971 to 2021, were retrieved using the Scopus search. Analysis of the data showed that the majority of these documents were original research articles, followed by reviews and lastly a miscellaneous group comprising conference papers, book chapters, short surveys, editorials and letters. Data were analysed for annual output and areas of intense research focus, and countries with high research output, productive institutions and authors, and collaborative networks were identified. Prunus africana is reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiviral, antimutagenic, anti-asthmatic, anti-androgenic, antiproliferative and apoptotic activities amongst others. Phytosterols and other secondary metabolites such as phenols, triterpenes, fatty acids, and linear alcohols have been the focus of phytochemical investigations. The biological activity has largely been ascribed to the phytosterols (mainly 3-β-sitosterol, 3-β-sitostenone, and 3-β-sitosterol-glucoside), which inhibit the production of prostaglandins in the prostate, thereby suppressing the inflammatory symptoms associated with BPH and chronic prostatitis. Conclusions: Many of the ethnobotanical assertions for the biological activity of P. africana have been confirmed through in vitro and in vivo studies. However, a disparity exists between the biological activity of the whole extract and that of single compounds isolated from the extract, which were reported to be less effective. This finding suggests that a different approach to biological activity studies should be encouraged that takes all secondary metabolites present into consideration. A robust technique, such as multivariate biochemometric data analysis, which allows for a holistic intervention to study the biological activity of a species is suggested. Furthermore, there is a need to develop rapid and efficient quality control methods for both raw materials and products to replace the time-consuming and laborious methods currently in use.

Available at the website of the CITES Secretariat (https://cites.org/sites/default/files/documents/E-PC26-28-01_0.pdf), the report "Boswellia species in international trade: Identification, supply chains and practical management considerations" was commissioned on 13 October 2021 by the Secretariat in support of implementation of Decision 18.205. It was elaborated in collaboration with the Secretariat and submitted in English only in information document CoP19 Inf. 10 (Rev.1). In accordance with Decision 19.241, the Secretariat includes the recommendations section in Annex 1 to this document and the full report in English only in Annex 2.

Modern indigo dyeing is achieved using chemical dye vats with toxic reducing agents that have an impact on the environment and human health. Consequently, there has been interest in traditional indigo dyeing processes and their potential for more environmentally friendly industrial production. Traditional indigo dyeing was studied by conducting a literature review (China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam) and field surveys (Timor Leste, Indonesia, Laos, and China) in Southeast Asia and China (SAC). Traditional SAC blue and black dyeing processes can be a combination of separate dyeing steps. Here, we documented plant species and ingredients in the blue to black dyeing processes used in addition to indigo yielding species. We recorded 80 plant species belonging to 39 families and 67 genera used in the “blue to black” dye processes in SAC. Owing to local use and phytochemicals or microbial substances of these species and their function in the dyeing processes, eight hypotheses for added species, including lime or ash water, microorganisms, food for microorganisms, electron donors, electron mediators, reducing sugars, metallic mordants, and tannins were suggested herein. The combination of hypotheses was supported by the findings and theories of previous studies and clarifies why these particular plant species are likely added to dye vats. The hypotheses and theories derived from this study pave the way for insights into indigo dyeing processes that reduce inorganic chemical additives using additional plant products, which consequently may provide a green route for cleaner production strategies. This research identifies gaps in knowledge and highlights where further work is needed to verify the hypotheses proposed for adding products to dye vats in the future.

African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) are significant ecosystem engineers – having profound effects on the vegetation when at high population densities. To provide a context for modern conservation decisions it would be useful to know the ‘natural’ population densities prior to the arrival of firearms in Africa. Here, we use botanical and archaeological arguments to suggest a lower density of elephant populations than in some present protected areas over at least the last few millennia, and arguably much longer. This suggests that elephant population densities seen in some protected areas during the second half of the twentieth century are likely higher than those seen in the past and so have the potential to result in significant negative impacts on associated fauna and flora.

This study focuses on the potential for sustainable use of M. cochinchinensis, a yellow dye used in Javanese soga batik. Prices paid for M. cochinchinensis heartwood at the start of the value–chain (IDR 1,000/kg [USD 0.071/kg]) in West Timor are low, despite depleted wild stocks. Bulk suppliers to the batik industry in Java, however, sell M. cochinchinensis dye–wood at IDR 21,000/kg (USD 1.50/kg), trying to source this heartwood at low prices. Although we estimated 14.12 stems/ha, most (87%) were small stems (< 10 cm basal circumference [BC], 11.53 stems/ha). M. cochinchinensis dye is heartwood from large diameter (> 29 cm BC) stems (0.8 stems/ha [5.5%]). Recruitment of medium and large stems is poor due to browse of small stems by livestock. Wild stocks are unlikely to sustain current commercial demand. Natural mortality rates of this dense (c. 0.8 g/cm3) hardwood species are low, so we also concluded that the option of sustainable harvesting deadwood based on natural mortality rates was not economically viable. The most appropriate ways forward are first, to conserve M. cochinchinensis populations in remnant le’u (“sacred”) forests and maintain “trellis trees” in the surrounding landscape. Second, to promote M. cochinchinensis cultivation along wooden fence lines (bahan). Implementation of “living fences” at a large scale is possible, also improving food security by reducing livestock damage to crops. Third, to develop niche markets paying fair prices for sustainably harvested M. cochinchinensis dye–wood. Studi ini difokuskan pada potensi pemanfaatan secara berkelanjutan dari M. cochinchinensis, yaitu pewarna kuning yang digunakan pada resep soga oleh pembatik di Jawa. Harga yang dibayarkan kepada pemanen hati kayu M. cochinchinensis yang berada pada rantai pasar paling pertama di Timor Barat tergolong rendah (Rp. 1000 / kg (USD 0,071 / kg), padahal stok liar yang layak panen telah habis. Akan tetapi, penjual grosir untuk industri batik di Jawa menjual hati kayu M. cochinchinensis dengan harga Rp 21.000 / kg (USD 1,50 / kg), padahal mereka membeli dengan harga rendah. Dari kepadatan populasi yang diperkirakan 14,12 batang / ha, sebagian besar (87%) adalah batang kecil (< 10 cm lingkar basal (BC), 11,53 batang / ha). Bagian yang menghasilkan warna dari M. cochinchinensis adalah hati kayu dari batang berdiameter besar (> 29 cm BC) (0,8 batang / ha (5,5%). Tingkat kelangsungan hidup batang berukuran sedang dan besar tidak bagus karena anakan dimakan ternak. Stok liar tidak mungkin bisa menopang permintaan komersial saat ini. Oleh karena tingkat kematian alami dari jenis kayu keras dan padat ini cukup rendah (c. 0.8 g / cm3) kami menyimpulkan bahwa pemanenan kayu mati tidak layak secara ekonomi. Jalan untuk menjaga ketersediaan tumbuhan ini terdiri dari tiga tahap. Pertama, melestarikan populasi M. cochinchinensis di sisa hutan le’u (hutan keramat) dan memelihara “pohon terali” di area sekitarnya. Kedua, mempromosikan pembudidayaan M. cochinchinensis di garis pagar kayu (bahan). Penerapan “pagar hidup” dalam skala besar dimungkinkan, dan akan meningkatkan ketahanan pangan dengan mengurangi kerusakan kebun oleh ternak. Ketiga, mengembangkan pasar khusus yang mau membayar harga yang wajar untuk kayu pewarna M. cochinchinensis yang dipanen secara berkelanjutan.

Background Fieldwork plays an important role in research projects across a variety of fields, especially in the multidisciplinary setting of natural and social science research. As is the nature of fieldwork, things do not always work out as planned, and yet this is not often written about. In response to the need for honest and transparent accounts of fieldwork, the purpose of this article is to review the methods used during fieldwork for the first author’s dissertation research on ethnoveterinary knowledge. Methods To critically review and reflect on the fieldwork methods used for an ethnoveterinary study in Mongolia, we compare the theory underpinning each method with the practical reality of implementing the method in the field. From this comparison, we draw out and discuss a number of key themes. Results Eighteen methods and approaches used for the research project are reviewed and compared. From this, we distil and further discuss the following five overarching themes: reflections on specific data collection methods (free listing, semi-structured interviews with interpreters, voucher specimen collection); assumptions around involving local people; power dynamics; gender relations; and researcher well-being. Conclusion By juxtaposing the theory and practical reality of the methods used, we highlight many potential fieldwork challenges and, within this context, offer general pointers, especially for novice female researchers doing fieldwork in foreign countries. A critical review of this type, where the experience and use of various methods, techniques, and approaches are openly shared and evaluated, is a contribution to selecting, adapting, and fine-tuning the methods best suited to a particular research context.

Occurring in China, DPR Korea, Japan, and Russian Federation and classified in the Red List of Chinese Flora as a vulnerable species, Rhodiola sachalinensis Boriss. is used increasingly in cosmetics, dietary supplements, and Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the (i) conservation status, harvesting and trade levels of R. sachalinensis, (ii) current state of experimental and commercial farming, and (iii) evidence of substitution or interchangeable use of R. sachalinensis with other Rhodiola species. We assessed data from multiple disciplines and languages including studies on R. sachalinensis biology and ecology, information on impacts of wild harvest, management measures, and current levels of cultivation. Our assessment shows that while R. sachalinensis is increasingly produced by cultivation, wild populations are decreasing and face multiple threats. These include (a) habitat loss including due to oil and gas infrastructure development on Sakhalin island, (b) climate change impacts on alpine ecosystems, and (c) overexploitation of wild plants to satisfy the growing commercial demand. Assessments of the conservation status of R. sachalinensis should commence in each Range State, as well as resource assessments and monitoring of harvesting and trade of wild R. sachalinensis. Even with increased reliance on cultivation, biodiversity conservation, and genetic diversity in wild populations are relevant to future use of this species.