Paper short abstract:

This ethnobotanical research addresses contemporary sustainability challenges by proposing cultural criteria in the selection of framework species for ecosystem restoration, diversification of agriculture, diets, livelihoods and landscapes.

Paper long abstract:

Climate change, population growth and persistent poverty are applying pressure to the world’s most fragile ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in unprecedented ways. There is an urgent need to document and catalogue plant species that provide important ecological services, preserve cultural and natural heritage and contribute to overall human quality of life. Participatory rural appraisal tools, collection of herbarium specimens and statistical analysis on the basis of quantitative indices were used to rank the cultural significance of plant species in ethnic communities living inside the mountain forests of Northern Thailand. An ethnobotanical inventory with data on significant plant families, use categories and useful plant parts led to the prioritisation of culturally important tree species for ecosystem restoration on the basis of four quantitative indices. Most of the reported plants are neglected and underutilized resources in need of further research and development for the diversification of agriculture, diets, livelihoods and landscapes. The integration of cultural criteria in the selection of framework species for ecosystem restoration embeds local cultural heritage and community needs in conservation efforts, increasing their potential for success and complying with an integrated approach to sustainable development.