ethnobotany
Ethnobotany is the interdisciplinary study of how humans use, manage, and perceive plants across different cultures, drawing on knowledge from botany, anthropology, ecology, and chemistry. It matters for plant science because it documents traditional ecological knowledge that can reveal previously unknown properties and applications of plant species. By analyzing how diverse societies have utilized local flora over generations, ethnobotanical research bridges cultural practices with scientific discovery and identifies sustainable approaches validated through centuries of use.
open_in_new WikipediaPubMed · 2026-02-25
DNA from ancient soil proves indigenous Amazonians managed 38 tree species across the rainforest for 4,500+ years.
38 domesticated species in aDNA record
4,500+ years of forest management
Matches modern dark earth forests
