Wild edible plant species and their role in nutrition and health in Korahe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Wild edible plants (WEPs) are vital for food security, nutrition, and cultural identity, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. In Korahe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia, Somali communities rely heavily on natural vegetation, yet ethnobotanical documentation of WEPs remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the diversity, utilization, knowledge patterns, and conservation status of WEPs, with implications for food security and health.

Methods

Ethnobotanical data were collected from 120 purposively selected informants across five study sites using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and guided field walks. Species were also screened against the IUCN Red List to identify threatened and vulnerable wild edible plants, providing insights into their c

SUBMITTER: Alemayehu G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12683791 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature