Julio Alberto Hurrell’s research while affiliated with Universidad Nacional de La Plata and other places

This opinion piece, written by ethnobiologists from different parts of the world, emphasizes the importance of ethno-biology research in advancing contemporary biology, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and, especially, contributing to the ecological transition and more just and inclusive world. To achieve these goals, it is essential to develop research and collaborate with social groups that live in close relationship with nature in research activities, such as Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), as well as Afro-descendants and other Marginalized, Minority or Minoritized Communities (AMMC). Ethnobiology can identify and provide locally appropriate solutions to local problems, enabling sustainable resource management at the landscape level. The text explores important aspects that need to be considered to guide the future of ethnobiology in the next 20 years, aiming to integrate and amplify previous discussions held in the discipline and identify points that demand ongoing attention. This paper highlights reflections from diverse researchers, emphasizing how ethnobiology can embrace different perspectives and employ rigorous analysis of complex phenomena toward effective policies and practices. This approach holds the potential to address the challenges the planet is currently facing in the coming decades.

This opinion piece, written by ethnobiologists from different parts of the world, emphasizes the importance of ethnobiology research in advancing contemporary biology, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and, especially, contributing to the ecological transition and more just and inclusive world. To achieve these goals, it is essential to develop research and collaborate with social groups that live in close relationship with nature in research activities, such as Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), as well as Afro-descendants and other Marginalized, Minority or Minoritized Communities (AMMC). Ethnobiology can identify and provide locally appropriate solutions to local problems, enabling sustainable resource management at the landscape level. The text explores important aspects that need to be considered to guide the future of ethnobiology in the next 20 years, aiming to integrate and amplify previous discussions held in the discipline and identify points that demand ongoing attention. This paper highlights reflections from diverse researchers, emphasizing how ethnobiology can embrace different perspectives and employ rigorous analysis of complex phenomena toward effective policies and practices. This approach holds the potential to address the challenges the planet is currently facing in the coming decades.

El estudio de los huertos es un tema relevante en etnobotánica, tanto por ser expresión de un conocimiento botánico local, como por la significativa diversidad biocultural que preservan. Esta es resultado de la experiencia vital de las y los horticultores y a menudo permanece oculta al emplear estrategias metodológicas cualitativas habituales en la disciplina. En esta contribución se utiliza por primera vez la aproximación biográfica en el cinturón hortícola platense (Buenos Aires, Argentina), espacio pluricultural y diverso en sus modos productivos, a fin de evaluar su potencial para conocer la diversidad biocultural de la zona. Al comparar los resultados con los obtenidos por técnicas sincrónicas de observación y entrevista, se identificó un número similar de taxones, con una ampliación del número total de plantas reconocidas y utilizadas en el área. Se observó que la experiencia previa adquirida en otras regiones habilitó el uso de ciertas plantas, no habitual en el área. Se discuten las ventajas y desventajas de la aproximación biográfica y el aporte de este tipo de estudios en proyectos de desarrollo local. Se concluye que la integración de metodologías sincrónicas con los estudios biográficos resulta en un abordaje integral y complejo de la diversidad biocultural que no podría alcanzarse por una única vía metodológica.

For at least 30 years researchers have called for a deeper reflection on the paths we desire for ethnobotanical research. Although the discipline of ethnobotany is growing, as measured by the number of publications in the area, there is still work to be done regarding the homogeneity of theoretical and methodological approaches and the implications of ethnobotanical research findings for society as a whole. In this article we present 10 questions/issues that we believe can guide the research and actions of ethnobotanists for the coming years.

“Thistles” constitute a group of prickly herbaceous plants included in the Cardueae tribe (Asteraceae), but in the popular sense that concept is frequently applied to other species of the same family, as well as to some Dipsacaceae, Bromeliaceae, Apiaceae or Cactaceae. Since antiquity, the cultivation and use of thistles for food and medicinal purposes has been well known in the Mediterranean cultures. The different popular knowledge could allow us to refer to a “thistle culture”. During the exploration of America, many of those species and their associated knowledge were transferred from the Old to the New World. In Argentina, several species of thistles, especially Cynara cardunculus, spread extensively throughout the pampas. From early times, they constituted a source of food and low quality fuel, and in several cases they were also employed in popular medicine, with diverse uses, some of which are still in practice. The local importance of some species is mentioned in gaucho literature, arts, and gastronomy. In the 20th century, a large production of artichokes from introduced crops that increased local agro-diversity was recorded in Argentina. This contribution summarizes some aspects of the transfer and re-signification of the thistle between the Iberian Peninsula and Argentina.

p>En este estudio se cita por primera vez a Lilium regale (Liliaceae) como especie naturalizada en Misiones, Argentina, y se suman nuevos registros para el sur de Brasil. Seincluye: descripción de la especie, sinonimia, iconografía, distribución, fenología, polinización, dispersión, nombres vernáculos, usos, materiales de referencia y comentarios sobre su naturalización. Además, se presenta una clave para diferenciar L. regale de L. longiflorum, la otra especie de Liliaceae naturalizada en la Argentina</p

This chapter is a contribution to current ethnoecology from a complex perspective, through a revision of the presuppositions that constitute its theoretical–methodological framework. The systemic approach of ecology understood as a science of synthesis based on relationships between the organism and its environment is discussed. The complex thinking applied to biocultural ecology, based on the relationships between the people and their environment is also discussed, including a reflection about the dissociation between nature and culture, and its conceptual implications. Ethnoecology as the study of local people knowledge system about their own relationships with their environment poses a discussion on sciences and ethnosciences, and its relationships with ecology and biocultural ecology. The reflection about the relationships between the observer and the observed people implies a discussion upon the researcher’s presence in his own research, and how he manages his thinking categories. The role of interviews as communication systems in which the generated knowledge is embodied in actions (discourses and behaviors) is revalued. Ultimately, three cases for the Rio de la Plata riverside (Buenos Aires province, Argentina) are presented. These cases illustrate how the local people identify and value the environmental changes in the pluricultural contexts of the urban areas, and how the obtained results have meaning in the theoretical–methodological framework developed. In conclusion, complex thinking allows us to construct adequate explanations for complex phenomena that ethnoecology tries to explain, and to avoid reductionisms.

Clinopodium gilliesii (Benth.) Kuntze is an aromatic species from the Andean region, from southern Peru to northern-central Argentina. It is mainly known as muña-muña and its leaves and tender stems are used as a flavoring and medicinal: stimulant, against mountain sickness, aphrodisiac, digestive, antispasmodic, among others traditional uses. Its bioactive constituents are essential oils, to which the plant owes its aroma and many of its therapeutic properties. The presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds has also been detected. The essential oil composition of aerial organs is variable according to geographical location and ecological conditions, soil-type, weather-conditions and altitude of the population. Regarding its popular uses, the majority of uses has not been validate by pre-clinical tests, therefore they require experimental founding. Some of its biological activities, e.g.: aphrodisiac (in particular, erectile dysfunction), against some gastrointestinal disorders, antibacterial, antifungal, antiplasmodial, trypanocidal, insect repellent, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities have already been analyzed. Some data about the similar species: C. bolivianum (Benth.) Kuntze and C. odorun (Griseb.) Harley is additionally commented.

Aloysia citriodora Palau, cedron or lemon verbena, is a South American aromatic species, widespread in North America, Eurasia, and Africa. It is appreciated because of its therapeutic and food (condiment, flavoring) uses. It is also valued for its ornamental, insect repellent properties and sometimes in perfumery. Its popular culinary and medicinal uses have been expanded from Latin America to the rest of the Western world. Its main active constituents are essential oils to which its lemon like aroma and flavor can be attributed. Farther constituents include flavonoids, verbascosides, iridoids heterosides. In folk medicine it is most frequently used to treat gastrointestinal disorders (digestive, antispasmodic, carminative, antidiarrheal), or used as a mild sedative, cardiotonic, febrifuge, analgesic, and antiseptic. Various experimental studies validate different effects, as eupeptic, spasmolytic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypotensive, among others. Its sedative/anxiolytic activity requires further studies. Of particular interest are its cancer-related effects (antimutagenic, antigenotoxic, and antiangiogenic), and its antioxidant activity linked in various ways to our health.

Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) Mosyakin & Clemants (= Chenopodium ambrosioides L.) is an American aromatic species used for medicinal and culinary purposes, since pre-Columbian times by Aztecs and Mayans in Mesoamerica (where is called epazote) and Andean communities and many others in South America (where it is known as paico). Currently, it is globally known by a wide diversity of cultures around the world, due to its cultivation and naturalization. Its uses are currently widespread in pluricultural contexts, by means of the commercial circuits and mass media, especially the Internet. The main active constituents of the plant are essential oils, to which it owes its aroma and flavor. It is toxic in high doses, but safe when consumed in appropriated concentrations. The most widespread folk therapeutic use is as antiparasitic (anthelmintic, antimicrobial), and it is also employed against gastrointestinal disorders, as hypotensive, antipyretic, vulnerary, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, sedative and anxiolytic, among others, many of which have been evaluated scientifically. Recent research results on its anticancer activity are very promising.