Ethnoecology and Medicinal Plants of the Highland Maya

Plants play a central role in human existence. Medicinal plants, in particular, have allowed for the continued survival of the human species. This book, based on over a decade of research in Southern Mexico with the Highland Maya, explores the relationship between medicinal plants, traditional ecological knowledge and the environment. The biodiversity of the region remains among the highest in the world, comprising more than 9000 plant species. Over 1600 employed for medicinal uses and knowledge for approximately 600 species is widespread. Medicinal plants play an overwhelmingly primary role in the daily health care of the Highland Maya. Three principal objectives are addressed: 1) identifying which medicinal plants are used; 2) determining the role of environmental variation on use and selection of medicinal plants; and 3) identifying which habitats are preferred for medicinal plant procurement. Findings demonstrate the overwhelming importance of human modified environments for medicinal plants. Explanations are presented from human ecology and biochemical ecology. Implications for conservation, health and the environment are discussed.

List of contents

Preface.- Introduction.- Identifying medicinal plants used.- The role of environmental variation on use and selection.- Identifying preferred habitats.- Importance of human modified environments for medicinal plants.- Human ecology and biochemical ecology.- Implications for conservation, health, and the environment.- Index.

About the author

Dr. John Richard Stepp serves as Associate Professor of Anthropology and Latin American Studies at the University of Florida. For the last decade he has conducted ethnobiological research with the Tzeltal Maya in Highland Chiapas, Mexico. He currently coordinates an interdiscplinary research program in the Maya Forest of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico. His research explores persistence, change and variation of traditional ecological knowledge and ethnobotany.

Summary

The only comprehensive ethnoecological study of medicinal plants of the Highland Maya
Written by the leading researchers in the field
Covers a broad range of disciplines but written in an accessible manner for the educated public

Product details

• Authors: John Richard Stepp
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 28.02.2018
• EAN: 9783319693132
• ISBN: 978-3-31-969313-2
• No. of pages: 112
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 245 mm x 13 mm
• Weight: 326 g
• Illustrations: IX, 112 p. 74 illus., 66 illus. in color.
• Series: Ethnobiology; Ethnobiology
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Biology > Ecology; B, Ecology, biotechnology, Zoology & animal sciences, Conservation Biology, Conservation Biology/Ecology, Biomedical and Life Sciences, Botany & plant sciences, Taxonomy & systematics, Plant Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography, Plant systematics, Plant Evolution, Plant taxonomy, Plant anatomy, Plant Development, Plant Anatomy/Development, Developmental biology, Plant breeding, Plant Breeding/Biotechnology, Plant Biotechnology, Community ecology, Biotic, Community & Population Ecology, Community and Population Ecology