- 1Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland. shiva.devkota@gmail.com.
- 2Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal. shiva.devkota@gmail.com.
- 3Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
- 4Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST), Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal.
- 5Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Zürcherstrasse 111, CH-8903, Birmensdorf, Switzerland.
- 6Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Graz, Holteigasse 6, 8010, Graz, Austria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The
aim of the study was to document the prevailing indigenous knowledge
and various uses of lichens among the lichenophilic communities in the
hills and mountainous settlements of Nepal.
METHODS:
Ethnic
uses were recorded during twelve field trips, each of roughly 15 days
in three consecutive years, through direct questionnaires administered
to 190 respondents. Lichen samples were identified applying microscopic
observation and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Voucher specimens of
identified species are deposited at TUCH (Tribhuvan University Central
Herbarium) in Nepal.
RESULTS:
Lichens
are being used in several ways by different communities of Nepal. We
recorded the ethnic use of seven species of lichens belonging to four
families (Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae, Ramalinaceae and Usneaceae) and six
genera (Heterodermia, Everniastrum, Parmotrema, Ramalina, Thamnolia and
Usnea) among the Limbu, Sherpa, Lama, Gurung, Rai, Dalit, Tamang,
Chhetri and Brahman communities. The present study revealed six use
values namely; Medicinal value (MV), food value (FV), ritual and
spiritual value (RSV), aesthetic and decorative value (ADV), bedding
value (BV) and ethno-veterinary value (EVV) from different parts of
Nepal. Three lichen species, Everniastrum cirrhatum, E. nepalense and
Parmotrema cetratum were consumed by the Limbu and Rai communities. The
Limbu and Sherpa ethnic groups are regarded as most lichenophilic
communities while respondents from Brahman, Chhetri and Tamang
communities showed less interest in lichen uses.
CONCLUSIONS:
The
present study contributes to document traditional knowledge on various
uses of lichens among nine communities with three different cultural
background, inhabitants of eight different altitudinal levels of Nepal.
Regarding the six values as identified from this research, significant
difference (p = <0.05) were found along altitudinal gradients or
locations of the settlements, cultural groups and ethnicity of the
respondents.
KEYWORDS:
Ethnolichenology; Ethnoveterinary; Limbu and Sherpa ethnic groups; Use values
- [PubMed - in process]
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