{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,11,12]],"date-time":"2026-11-12T23:19:20Z","timestamp":1794525560156,"version":"4.9.1"},"reference-count":84,"publisher":"Springer Science and Business Media LLC","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,4]],"date-time":"2026-02-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1770163200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]],"date-time":"2026-02-05T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1770249600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":1,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["link.springer.com"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine"],"abstract":"<jats:title>Abstract<\/jats:title>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Wild edible plants are critical for local nutrition, cultural heritage, and livelihoods, yet their diversity and traditional uses are underexplored in Pakistan. Swat Valley, a biologically and culturally rich region, relies on wild plants for food security, particularly among economically vulnerable households.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Field surveys were conducted from 2018 to 2022 across 20 villages in six tehsils of Swat District. A total of 160 informants (100 males, 60 females; aged 20\u201390 years) were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and personal observations. The quantitative ethnobotanical indices, including (UV), (RFC), and (UR), were calculated to assess cultural importance and usage patterns.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      A total of 175 wild edible plant species from 72 families were documented. Herbs dominated\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      62.3%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , followed by shrubs (20.6%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , trees\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      16%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , and climbers (1.1%\n                      <jats:bold>).<\/jats:bold>\n                      Young shoots\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      41.7%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , fruits\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      30.6%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , and leaves\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      13.9%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      were most commonly used. Plants were used as vegetables\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      37%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , fruits\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      39%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , raw foods\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      14%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , teas\/flavoring agents\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      5%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , sauces\/chutneys (2%\n                      <jats:bold>)<\/jats:bold>\n                      , and oils\n                      <jats:bold>(<\/jats:bold>\n                      2%\n                      <jats:bold>).<\/jats:bold>\n                      <jats:italic>Berberis lycium<\/jats:italic>\n                      showed the highest cultural importance (UV\u2009=\u20090.813, RFC\u2009=\u20090.75), followed by\n                      <jats:italic>Chenopodium album<\/jats:italic>\n                      (UV\u2009=\u20090.68, RFC\u2009=\u20090.63) and\n                      <jats:italic>Berberis vulgaris<\/jats:italic>\n                      (UV\u2009=\u20090.65, RFC\u2009=\u20090.63). Novel use analysis of 115 species revealed High Level (22%), Moderate Level (23%), and Low Level (55%) novelty. Twenty-seven species were marketed locally, generating income ranging from (0.09 to 1.74 $) per Kg. Conservation assessment highlighted Endangered species (\n                      <jats:italic>Abies pindrow<\/jats:italic>\n                      ,\n                      <jats:italic>Mentha royleana<\/jats:italic>\n                      ,\n                      <jats:italic>Zanthoxylum armatum<\/jats:italic>\n                      ) and Vulnerable species (\n                      <jats:italic>Thymus linearis<\/jats:italic>\n                      ,\n                      <jats:italic>Mentha longifolia<\/jats:italic>\n                      ,\n                      <jats:italic>Morus alba<\/jats:italic>\n                      ).\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Wild edible plants in Swat Valley provide essential nutrition, support local livelihoods, and sustain cultural traditions. Quantitative indices demonstrate the most culturally significant species and highlight gaps for conservation. Sustainable management, cultivation, and policy interventions are recommended to preserve these vital resources, ensuring biodiversity conservation and continued food security in mountainous regions.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-026-00850-3","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,4]],"date-time":"2026-02-04T01:47:38Z","timestamp":1770169658000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/springer_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":4,"title":["Traditional knowledge and utilization of wild edible plants in Swat district, Pakistan: implications for nutrition and food security"],"prefix":"10.1186","volume":"22","author":[{"given":"Shujat","family":"Ali","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Salahud","family":"Din","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Sayed Afzal","family":"Shah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Wahid","family":"Hussain","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rainer W.","family":"Bussmann","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"297","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,4]]},"reference":[{"key":"850_CR1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1521","DOI":"10.1007\/s10722-020-00926-3","volume":"67","author":"W Abbas","year":"2020","unstructured":"Abbas W, Hussain W, Badshah L, Hussain K, Pieroni A. Traditional wild vegetables gathered by four religious groups in Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Northwest Pakistan. Genet Resour Crop Evol. 2020;67:1521\u201336. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10722-020-00926-3.","journal-title":"Genet Resour Crop Evol"},{"key":"850_CR2","first-page":"1","volume":"18","author":"Z Abbas","year":"2019","unstructured":"Abbas Z, Alam J, Muhammad S, Bussmann RW, Khan SM, Hussain M. Phyto-cultural diversity of the Shigar Valley (Central Karakoram), Baltistan, Northern Pakistan. Ethnobot Res Appl. 2019;18:1\u20138.","journal-title":"Ethnobot Res Appl"},{"issue":"2","key":"850_CR3","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"528","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2013.04.050","volume":"148","author":"AM Abbasi","year":"2013","unstructured":"Abbasi AM, Khan MA, Khan N, Shah MH. Ethnobotanical survey of medicinally important wild edible fruit species used by tribal communities of lesser Himalayas\u2013Pakistan. J Ethnopharmacol. 2013;148(2):528\u201336. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jep.2013.04.050.","journal-title":"J Ethnopharmacol"},{"issue":"2","key":"850_CR4","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"241","DOI":"10.4236\/ajps.2022.132015","volume":"13","author":"M Abera","year":"2022","unstructured":"Abera M. Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants and their Indigenous knowledge in Sedie Muja District, South Gondar Zone, Northwestern Ethiopia. Am J Plant Sci. 2022;13(2):241\u201364. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4236\/ajps.2022.132015.","journal-title":"Am J Plant Sci"},{"key":"850_CR5","first-page":"103","volume":"154","author":"M Adnan","year":"2025","unstructured":"Adnan M, Rasul G, Ahmad M, Hussain A. Climate change impacts on vegetation and food systems in mountain regions of Pakistan. Environ Sci Policy. 2025;154:103\u201314.","journal-title":"Environ Sci Policy"},{"key":"850_CR6","unstructured":"Ahmad H. Sirajuddin. Ethnobotanical profile of Swat. In: Proceedings of the First Training Workshop on Ethnobotany and its Application to Conservation. Islamabad: PARC; 1996. pp. 202\u201311."},{"key":"850_CR7","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.5586\/asbp.3616","volume":"88","author":"K Ahmad","year":"2019","unstructured":"Ahmad K, Weckerle CS, Nazir A. Ethnobotanical investigation of wild vegetables used among local communities in northwest Pakistan. Acta Soc Bot Pol. 2019;88:3616. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5586\/asbp.3616.","journal-title":"Acta Soc Bot Pol"},{"key":"850_CR8","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-016-0083-9","volume":"12","author":"M Ahmad","year":"2016","unstructured":"Ahmad M, Pieroni A. Folk knowledge of wild food plants among tribal communities of Northwestern Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2016;12:17. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13002-016-0083-9.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"key":"850_CR9","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/1746-4269-10-52","volume":"10","author":"M Ahmad","year":"2014","unstructured":"Ahmad M, Shad N, Ullah Z. Wild food plant gathering and culinary practices in northwestern Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2014;10:52. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1746-4269-10-52.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"key":"850_CR10","unstructured":"Ali H, Qaiser M. Flora of Pakistan. Karachi: University of Karachi; 1993\u20132006."},{"key":"850_CR11","first-page":"27","volume":"18","author":"H Ali","year":"1986","unstructured":"Ali H, Qaiser M. Phytogeographical analysis of the flora of Pakistan. Pak J Bot. 1986;18:27\u201336.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"issue":"4","key":"850_CR12","first-page":"2009","volume":"41","author":"H Ali","year":"2009","unstructured":"Ali H, Qaiser M. The ethnobotany of Chitral Valley, Pakistan with particular reference to medicinal plants. Pak J Bot. 2009;41(4):2009\u201341.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"key":"850_CR13","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"256","DOI":"10.1007\/s12231-012-9200-5","volume":"66","author":"S Ali","year":"2012","unstructured":"Ali S, Badshah L, Hussain F. Trade and sustainability of wild edible plants in Swat Valley, Pakistan. Econ Bot. 2012;66:256\u201369. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12231-012-9200-5.","journal-title":"Econ Bot"},{"key":"850_CR14","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-019-0325-8","volume":"15","author":"S Ali","year":"2019","unstructured":"Ali S, Khan MPZ, Ahmad M. Ethnobotanical knowledge of wild food plants in Swat Valley, Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2019;15:45. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13002-019-0325-8.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"key":"850_CR15","volume":"196","author":"S Ali","year":"2024","unstructured":"Ali S, Mehmood T, Hussain A. Deforestation dynamics and biodiversity loss in northern Pakistan. Environ Monit Assess. 2024;196:112.","journal-title":"Environ Monit Assess"},{"key":"850_CR16","first-page":"1","volume":"25","author":"S Ali","year":"2023","unstructured":"Ali S, Sayed AS, Saeed RF, Iqbal J, Ijaz S, Munazir M. Ethnomedicinal plant use value in lower Swat, Pakistan. Ethnobot Res Appl. 2023;25:1\u201322.","journal-title":"Ethnobot Res Appl"},{"key":"850_CR17","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/foods12061234","volume":"12","author":"S Ali","year":"2023","unstructured":"Ali S. Wild food plants and food security: global perspectives with reference to Pakistan. Foods. 2023;12:1234. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/foods12061234.","journal-title":"Foods"},{"issue":"5","key":"850_CR18","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/foods9050601","volume":"9","author":"AM Aziz","year":"2020","unstructured":"Aziz AM, Abbasi AM, Ullah Z, Pieroni A. Shared but threatened: the heritage of wild food plant gathering among linguistic and religious groups in North Pakistan. Foods. 2020;9(5):601. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/foods9050601.","journal-title":"Foods"},{"key":"850_CR19","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"3245","DOI":"10.3390\/su13063245","volume":"13","author":"AM Aziz","year":"2021","unstructured":"Aziz AM, Ullah Z, Pieroni A. Functional food and medicinal overlaps of wild plants in mountainous Pakistan. Sustainability. 2021;13:3245. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su13063245.","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"850_CR20","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-018-0235-9","volume":"14","author":"AH Khan","year":"2018","unstructured":"Khan AH, Adil M, Aziz MA, S\u00f5ukand R, Pieroni A. Traditional foraging for ecological transition? Wild food ethnobotany among three ethnic groups in the highlands of the eastern Hindukush, North Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2018;14:81. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13002-018-0235-9.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"key":"850_CR21","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fsufs.2025.1686446","volume":"9","author":"BM Kumar","year":"2025","unstructured":"Kumar BM, Bhavya G, De Britto S, Jogaiah S. Wild edible plants for food security, dietary diversity, and nutraceuticals: a global overview of emerging research. Front Sustain Food Syst. 2025;9:1686446. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fsufs.2025.1686446.","journal-title":"Front Sustain Food Syst"},{"key":"850_CR22","first-page":"231","volume":"50","author":"F Berisha","year":"2022","unstructured":"Berisha F, et al. Linguistic diversity and ethnobotanical knowledge transmission. Hum Ecol. 2022;50:231\u201344.","journal-title":"Hum Ecol"},{"issue":"9","key":"850_CR23","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules23092299","volume":"23","author":"C Ceccanti","year":"2018","unstructured":"Ceccanti C, Landi M, Benvenuti S, Pardossi A, Guidi L. Mediterranean wild edible plants: weeds or \u201cnew functional crops\u201d? Molecules. 2018;23(9):2299. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/molecules23092299.","journal-title":"Molecules"},{"key":"850_CR24","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"6121","DOI":"10.1007\/s00382-018-4507-6","volume":"52","author":"Z Wang","year":"2019","unstructured":"Wang Z, Yang S, Duan A, et al. Tibetan Plateau heating as a driver of monsoon rainfall variability in Pakistan. Clim Dyn. 2019;52:6121\u201330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s00382-018-4507-6.","journal-title":"Clim Dyn"},{"issue":"1","key":"850_CR25","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"71","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02862114","volume":"50","author":"FG Coe","year":"1996","unstructured":"Coe FG, Anderson GJ. Ethnobotany of the Garifuna of Eastern Nicaragua. Econ Bot. 1996;50(1):71\u2013107. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/BF02862114.","journal-title":"Econ Bot"},{"issue":"1","key":"850_CR26","first-page":"19","volume":"48","author":"ZH Dahri","year":"2011","unstructured":"Dahri ZH, Ahmad B, Leach JH, Ahmad S. Satellite-based snowcover distribution and associated snowmelt runoff modeling in swat river basin of Pakistan. Proc Pakistan Acad Sci. 2011;48(1):19\u201332.","journal-title":"Proc Pakistan Acad Sci"},{"key":"850_CR27","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.71958\/wfp130793","volume-title":"Global report on food crises 2025","author":"FSIN, & Global Network Against Food Crises","year":"2025","unstructured":"FSIN, & Global Network Against Food Crises. Global report on food crises 2025. Rome: FSIN; 2025. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.71958\/wfp130793."},{"key":"850_CR28","volume-title":"The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2009: Economic crises \u2013 impacts and lessons learned","author":"FAO","year":"2009","unstructured":"FAO, WFP. The State of Food Insecurity in the World 2009: Economic crises \u2013 impacts and lessons learned. Rome: FAO; 2009."},{"issue":"10184","key":"850_CR29","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1958","DOI":"10.1016\/S0140-6736(19)30041-8","volume":"393","author":"GBD 2017 Diet Collaborators","year":"2019","unstructured":"GBD 2017 Diet Collaborators. Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990\u20132017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2019;393(10184):1958\u201372. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/S0140-6736(19)30041-8.","journal-title":"Lancet"},{"key":"850_CR30","volume-title":"National nutrition survey 1999","author":"Government of Pakistan","year":"1999","unstructured":"Government of Pakistan. National nutrition survey 1999. Islamabad: Nutrition Wing, Cabinet Division; 1999."},{"issue":"1","key":"850_CR31","first-page":"9","volume":"2005","author":"M Hamayun","year":"2005","unstructured":"Hamayun M. Ethnobotanical profile of utror and gabral Valleys, Swat, Pakistan. Ethnobot Leaflets. 2005;2005(1):9.","journal-title":"Ethnobot Leaflets"},{"issue":"7","key":"850_CR32","first-page":"2307","volume":"39","author":"M Hamayun","year":"2007","unstructured":"Hamayun M. Traditional ecological knowledge of swat Valley. Pak J Bot. 2007;39(7):2307\u201315.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"key":"850_CR33","volume-title":"Women and plant knowledge","author":"PL Howard","year":"2003","unstructured":"Howard PL. Women and plant knowledge. London: Zed Books; 2003."},{"key":"850_CR34","first-page":"R12","volume":"44","author":"A Hussain","year":"2024","unstructured":"Hussain A, et al. Climate-induced vulnerability of alpine flora. Mt Res Dev. 2024;44:R12.","journal-title":"Mt Res Dev"},{"key":"850_CR35","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-023-00607-2","volume":"19","author":"ST Hussain","year":"2023","unstructured":"Hussain ST, Muhammad S, Khan S, Hussain W, Pieroni A. Ethnobotany for food security and ecological transition: wild food plant gathering and consumption among four cultural groups in Kurram District, NW Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2023;19:35. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13002-023-00607-2.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"key":"850_CR36","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2022.881234","volume":"9","author":"F Ijaz","year":"2022","unstructured":"Ijaz F, Naumovski N, Karrar A, Manzoor H, Hussain S, Xu B, et al. Food\u2013medicine continuum in wild plants: the ethnobotanical evidence and implications for nutrition and health. Front Nutr. 2022;9:881234. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fnut.2022.881234.","journal-title":"Front Nutr"},{"issue":"6","key":"850_CR37","first-page":"35","volume":"4","author":"S Gul","year":"2017","unstructured":"Gul S, Ullah I, Rehman HU, Ahmad N, Ullah I, Aziz-ud-Din AJ, Akbar MU. Analysis of nutrients and minerals of some wild edible plants. Int J Fauna Biol Stud. 2017;4(6):35\u20139.","journal-title":"Int J Fauna Biol Stud"},{"issue":"5","key":"850_CR38","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1727","DOI":"10.30848\/PJB2020-5(43)","volume":"52","author":"M Ilyas","year":"2020","unstructured":"Ilyas M, Qureshi R, Ziaul-Haq IU, Haq M, Munir M, Munazir, Maqssod M. Ecological evaluation of existing plant resources of Manrai Hills, Swat, Pakistan using multivariate analysis. Pak J Bot. 2020;52(5):1727\u201336.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"issue":"5","key":"850_CR39","first-page":"801","volume":"15","author":"M Ilyas","year":"2013","unstructured":"Ilyas M, Qureshi R, Shinwari ZK, Arshad M, Mirza SN, Haq ZU. Some ethnoecological aspects of the plants of Qalagai Hills, Kabal Valley, Swat, Pakistan. Int J Agric Biol. 2013;15(5):801\u201310.","journal-title":"Int J Agric Biol"},{"key":"850_CR40","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.1186\/1746-4269-9-66","volume":"9","author":"AM Abbasi","year":"2013","unstructured":"Abbasi AM, Khan MA, Zafar M, et al. Ethnobotanical appraisal and cultural values of medicinally important wild edible vegetables of lesser Himalayas\u2013Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2013;9:66. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1746-4269-9-66.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"issue":"4","key":"850_CR41","first-page":"1849","volume":"43","author":"G Jan","year":"2011","unstructured":"Jan G, Khan MA, Farhatullah JF, Ahmad M, Jan M, Zafar M. Ethnobotanical studies on some useful plants of Dir Kohistan valleys, KPK, Pakistan. Pak J Bot. 2011;43(4):1849\u201352.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"issue":"3","key":"850_CR42","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"235","DOI":"10.1007\/s12231-016-9355-x","volume":"70","author":"R Kalle","year":"2016","unstructured":"Kalle R, S\u00f5ukand R. Current and remembered past uses of wild food plants in Saaremaa, Estonia: changes in the context of unlearning debt. Econ Bot. 2016;70(3):235\u201353. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12231-016-9355-x.","journal-title":"Econ Bot"},{"key":"850_CR43","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"191","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2015.07.029","volume":"173","author":"MPZ Khan","year":"2015","unstructured":"Khan MPZ, Ahmad M, Zafar M, Sultana S, Ali MI, Sun H. Ethnomedicinal uses of edible wild fruits (EWFs) in swat Valley, Northern Pakistan. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;173:191\u2013203. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jep.2015.07.029.","journal-title":"J Ethnopharmacol"},{"issue":"19","key":"850_CR44","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"11845","DOI":"10.3390\/su141911845","volume":"14","author":"L Yang","year":"2022","unstructured":"Yang L, Cao K. Cultural ecosystem services research progress and future prospects: a review. Sustainability. 2022;14(19):11845. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su141911845.","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"issue":"10","key":"850_CR45","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1347","DOI":"10.3390\/w13101347","volume":"13","author":"C Pironti","year":"2021","unstructured":"Pironti C, Ricciardi M, Proto A, Bianco PM, Montano L, Motta O. Endocrine disrupting compounds: an overview on their occurrence in the aquatic environment and human exposure. Water. 2021;13(10):1347. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/w13101347.","journal-title":"Water"},{"issue":"3","key":"850_CR46","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"334","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1095-8339.2011.01205.x","volume":"168","author":"\u0141 \u0141uczaj","year":"2012","unstructured":"\u0141uczaj \u0141, Kujawska M. Botanists and their childhood memories: an underutilized expert source in ethnobotanical research. Bot J Linn Soc. 2012;168(3):334\u201343. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/j.1095-8339.2011.01205.x.","journal-title":"Bot J Linn Soc"},{"issue":"9","key":"850_CR47","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1101","DOI":"10.3923\/pjbs.2001.1101.1107","volume":"4","author":"A Matin","year":"2001","unstructured":"Matin A, Khan MA, Ashraf M, Qureshi RA. Traditional use of herbs, shrubs and trees of Shogran Valley, Mansehra, Pakistan. Pak J Biol Sci. 2001;4(9):1101\u20137.","journal-title":"Pak J Biol Sci"},{"issue":"3","key":"850_CR48","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"850","DOI":"10.19045\/bspab.2017.60089","volume":"6","author":"S Ali","year":"2017","unstructured":"Ali S, Ali W, Khan UA, Iqbal A, Rahman Z. Forest cover change and carbon stock assessment in swat Valley using remote sensing and geographical information systems. Pure Appl Biol. 2017;6(3):850\u20136.","journal-title":"Pure Appl Biol"},{"key":"850_CR49","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10745-009-9249-y","author":"O Mertz","year":"2009","unstructured":"Mertz O, Leisz S, Heinimann A, Rerkasem K, Thiha, Dressler W, Cu PV, Vu KC, Schmidt Vogt D, Colfer CJP, Epprecht M, Padoch C, Potter L. Who counts? The demography of Swidden cultivators. Hum Ecol. 2009. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10745-009-9249-y.","journal-title":"Hum Ecol"},{"issue":"2","key":"850_CR50","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/plants12020344","volume":"12","author":"MB Alhawarri","year":"2023","unstructured":"Alhawarri MB, Dianita R, Rawa MSA, Nogawa T, Wahab HA. Potential anti-cholinesterase activity of bioactive compounds extracted from Cassia grandis L.f. and Cassia timoriensis DC. Plants. 2023;12(2):344. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/plants12020344.","journal-title":"Plants"},{"key":"850_CR51","volume-title":"National Nutrition Survey 2018: Key Findings Report","author":"Government of Pakistan, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), Aga Khan University, Pakistan Medical Research Council, UNICEF, UK Aid","year":"2019","unstructured":"Government of Pakistan, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination (MoNHSR&C), Aga Khan University, Pakistan Medical Research Council, UNICEF, UK Aid. National Nutrition Survey 2018: Key Findings Report. Islamabad: Government of Pakistan; 2019."},{"issue":"1","key":"850_CR52","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.1007\/s10745-018-9976-z","volume":"46","author":"H Maseko","year":"2018","unstructured":"Maseko H, Shackleton CM, Nagoli J, Pullanikkatil D. Children and wild foods in the context of deforestation in rural Malawi. Hum Ecol. 2018;46(1):145. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10745-018-9976-z.","journal-title":"Hum Ecol"},{"issue":"13","key":"850_CR53","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7425","DOI":"10.3390\/su13137425","volume":"13","author":"K Qian","year":"2021","unstructured":"Qian K, Lv T, Yuan Y. Integrated energy system planning optimization method and case analysis based on multiple factors and a three-level process. Sustainability. 2021;13(13):7425. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su13137425.","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"850_CR54","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1777","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biocon.2009.03.015","volume":"142","author":"J Pretty","year":"2009","unstructured":"Pretty J, Adams B, Berkes F, et al. The intersections of biological and cultural diversity. Biol Conserv. 2009;142:1777\u201389. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.biocon.2009.03.015.","journal-title":"Biol Conserv"},{"issue":"4","key":"850_CR55","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"480","DOI":"10.1659\/MRDJOURNAL-D-12-00068.1","volume":"32","author":"R Sharma","year":"2012","unstructured":"Sharma R. Impacts on human health of climate and land use change in the Hindu Kush\u2013Himalayan region. Mount Res Dev. 2012;32(4):480\u20136. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1659\/MRDJOURNAL-D-12-00068.1.","journal-title":"Mount Res Dev"},{"key":"850_CR56","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"100628","DOI":"10.1016\/j.envdev.2021.100628","volume":"39","author":"G Rasul","year":"2021","unstructured":"Rasul G, Sharma E, Khurshid AZ, et al. Food insecurity and climate risks in Pakistan. Environ Dev. 2021;39:100628. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.envdev.2021.100628.","journal-title":"Environ Dev"},{"issue":"3","key":"850_CR57","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"249","DOI":"10.1007\/s12231-020-09504-1","volume":"74","author":"R Motti","year":"2020","unstructured":"Motti R, Bonanomi G, Lanzotti V, Sacchi R. The contribution of wild edible plants to the mediterranean diet: an ethnobotanical case study along the coast of Campania (Southern Italy). Econ Bot. 2020;74(3):249\u201372.","journal-title":"Econ Bot"},{"key":"850_CR58","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/1746-4269-10-71","volume":"10","author":"H Sher","year":"2014","unstructured":"Sher H, Al Yemeni MN, Hussain F, Sher H. Economic benefit of high value medicinal plants to Pakistani communities: an analysis of current practice and potential. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2014;10:71. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1746-4269-10-71.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"issue":"17","key":"850_CR59","first-page":"4066","volume":"8","author":"H Sher","year":"2009","unstructured":"Sher H, Hussain F. Ethnobotanical evaluation of some plant resources in the Northern part of Pakistan. Afr J Biotechnol. 2009;8(17):4066\u201376.","journal-title":"Afr J Biotechnol"},{"issue":"12","key":"850_CR60","first-page":"1197","volume":"4","author":"H Sher","year":"2010","unstructured":"Sher H, Alyemeni MN, Sher H, Hussain F. Forest resource utilization assessment for economic development of rural community, Northern parts of Pakistan. J Med Plants Res. 2010;4(12):1197\u2013208.","journal-title":"J Med Plants Res"},{"key":"850_CR61","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2017.00841","volume":"8","author":"AN Shikov","year":"2017","unstructured":"Shikov AN, Tsitsilin AN, Pozharitskaya ON, Makarov VG, Heinrich M. Traditional and current food use of wild plants listed in the Russian Pharmacopoeia. Front Pharmacol. 2017;8:841. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fphar.2017.00841.","journal-title":"Front Pharmacol"},{"key":"850_CR62","first-page":"575","volume":"35","author":"ZK Shinwari","year":"2003","unstructured":"Shinwari ZK, Gilani SS. Sustainable harvest of medicinal plants. Pak J Bot. 2003;35:575\u201384.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"key":"850_CR63","first-page":"1443","volume":"40","author":"ZK Shinwari","year":"2008","unstructured":"Shinwari ZK, Nasim S. Ethnobotany and plant resources of Pakistan. Pak J Bot. 2008;40:1443\u201354.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"issue":"SI","key":"850_CR64","first-page":"1","volume":"43","author":"ZK Shinwari","year":"2011","unstructured":"Shinwari ZK, Qaiser M. Biodiversity of Pakistan. Pak J Bot. 2011;43(SI):1\u201310.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"key":"850_CR65","volume-title":"An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of West Pakistan and Kashmir","author":"RR Stewart","year":"1972","unstructured":"Stewart RR. An annotated catalogue of the vascular plants of West Pakistan and Kashmir. Karachi: Fakhri; 1972."},{"key":"850_CR66","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2761","DOI":"10.13057\/biodiv\/d230613","volume":"23","author":"AB Suwardi","year":"2022","unstructured":"Suwardi AB, Navia ZI, Harmawan T, Seprianto S, Syamsuardi S, Mukhtar E. Wild edible plants and food resilience. Biodiversitas. 2022;23:2761\u201370. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.13057\/biodiv\/d230613.","journal-title":"Biodiversitas"},{"key":"850_CR67","first-page":"32","volume":"85","author":"BK Tiwari","year":"2012","unstructured":"Tiwari BK, Singh RP, Shukla AK. Conservation of wild edible plants. J Appl Bot Food Qual. 2012;85:32\u201341.","journal-title":"J Appl Bot Food Qual"},{"key":"850_CR68","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"220","DOI":"10.1007\/s12231-012-9209-0","volume":"66","author":"I Vandebroek","year":"2012","unstructured":"Vandebroek I, Balick MJ. Globalization and loss of ethnobotanical knowledge. Econ Bot. 2012;66:220\u201338. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s12231-012-9209-0.","journal-title":"Econ Bot"},{"key":"850_CR69","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"7","DOI":"10.1663\/0013-0001(2007)61[7:AWROTP]2.0.CO;2","volume":"61","author":"RA Voeks","year":"2007","unstructured":"Voeks RA. Are women reservoirs of traditional plant knowledge? Econ Bot. 2007;61:7\u201320. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1663\/0013-0001(2007)61[7:AWROTP]2.0.CO;2.","journal-title":"Econ Bot"},{"key":"850_CR70","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/foods12151890","volume":"12","author":"A Waheed","year":"2023","unstructured":"Waheed A, Khan SM, Ahmad H, Ullah Z, Shah GM. Weed-based food systems in Pakistan. Foods. 2023;12:1890. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/foods12151890.","journal-title":"Foods"},{"key":"850_CR71","volume-title":"Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease","author":"World Health Organization","year":"2010","unstructured":"World Health Organization. Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease. Geneva: WHO; 2010."},{"issue":"5","key":"850_CR72","first-page":"1579","volume":"45","author":"A Zeb","year":"2013","unstructured":"Zeb A, Khan SM, Ahmad H, Shah GM. Indigenous knowledge of wild plants in swat. Pak J Bot. 2013;45(5):1579\u201385.","journal-title":"Pak J Bot"},{"issue":"4","key":"850_CR73","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"251","DOI":"10.1080\/03670244.1990.9991144","volume":"24","author":"LM Zinyama","year":"1990","unstructured":"Zinyama LM, Matiza T, Campbell DJ. The use of wild foods during periods of food shortage in rural Zimbabwe. Ecol Food Nutr. 1990;24(4):251\u201365. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/03670244.1990.9991144.","journal-title":"Ecol Food Nutr"},{"key":"850_CR74","first-page":"1","volume":"30","author":"SH Ali Shah","year":"2025","unstructured":"Ali Shah SH, Shah GM, Rehman S, Ali N, Alam J, Waheed F, et al. Ethnobotanical study of wild edible plants traditionally used by the inhabitants of Lalku Valley, district Swat, Pakistan. Ethnobot Res Appl. 2025;30:1\u201322.","journal-title":"Ethnobot Res Appl"},{"key":"850_CR75","first-page":"1","volume":"22","author":"L Ahmad","year":"2021","unstructured":"Ahmad L, Riaz M, Ahmad Jan H, Semotiuk AJ, Ahmad I, Khan I, et al. An ethnobotanical survey of wild food plants used by the local communities of Kumrat Valley in district upper Dir, Pakistan. Ethnobot Res Appl. 2021;22:1\u201313.","journal-title":"Ethnobot Res Appl"},{"key":"850_CR76","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-023-00577-5","volume":"19","author":"M Amin","year":"2023","unstructured":"Amin M, Aziz MA, Pieroni A, Nazir A, Al-Ghamdi AA, Kangal A, et al. Edible wild plant species used by different linguistic groups of Kohistan Upper Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2023;19:6. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13002-023-00577-5.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"key":"850_CR77","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.32859\/era.28.13.1-20","volume":"28","author":"S Rehman","year":"2024","unstructured":"Rehman S, Iqbal Z, Qureshi R, Mujtaba Shah G, Afzal A, Rahman KU, et al. Quantitative ethnomedicinal survey of wild edible fruits used by the indigenous community in North Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Ethnobot Res Appl. 2024;28:1\u201320. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.32859\/era.28.13.1-20.","journal-title":"Ethnobot Res Appl"},{"key":"850_CR78","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"5258","DOI":"10.3390\/su13095258","volume":"13","author":"A Abdullah","year":"2021","unstructured":"Abdullah A, Khan SM, Pieroni A, Haq A, Haq ZU, Ahmad Z, Sakhi S, Hashem A, Al-Arjani ABF, Alqarawi AA, Abd Allah EF. A comprehensive appraisal of the wild food plants and food system of tribal cultures in the Hindu Kush mountain range; a way forward for balancing human nutrition and food security. Sustainability. 2021;13:5258. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/su13095258.","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"850_CR79","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"537","DOI":"10.3390\/biology10060537","volume":"10","author":"S Khan","year":"2021","unstructured":"Khan S, Hussain W, Sulaiman, Shah S, Hussain H, Altyar AE, Ashour ML, Pieroni A. Overcoming tribal boundaries: the biocultural heritage of foraging and cooking wild vegetables among four Pathan groups in the Gadoon Valley, NW Pakistan. Biology. 2021;10:537. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/biology10060537.","journal-title":"Biology"},{"key":"850_CR80","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13002-024-00738-0","volume":"20","author":"A Malik","year":"2024","unstructured":"Malik A, Adnan M, ben Hasher FF, Pieroni A, S\u00f5ukand R. Wild food plant knowledge in multicultural peri-urban area of North-Western Punjab, Pakistan. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2024;20:99. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13002-024-00738-0.","journal-title":"J Ethnobiol Ethnomed"},{"key":"850_CR81","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3390\/foods10030594","volume":"10","author":"M Majeed","year":"2021","unstructured":"Majeed M, Bhatti KH, Pieroni A, S\u00f5ukand R, Bussmann RW, Khan AM, et al. Gathered wild food plants among diverse religious groups in Jhelum District, Punjab, Pakistan. Foods. 2021;10:594. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/foods10030594.","journal-title":"Foods"},{"key":"850_CR82","first-page":"1","volume":"31","author":"S Kousar","year":"2025","unstructured":"Kousar S, Khan N, Abbas Z, Harun N, Ishaq K, Khan T, et al. Promising alternative wild phytofoods to mitigate the environmental aridity and food insecurity in Balochistan Province, NW pakistan: a cross-cultural approach. Ethnobot Res Appl. 2025;31:1\u201325.","journal-title":"Ethnobot Res Appl"},{"key":"850_CR83","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"26","DOI":"10.13057\/asianjethnobiol\/y060104","volume":"6","author":"M Ayoub","year":"2023","unstructured":"Ayoub M, Saeed S, Ahmed A, Ahmed M. Ethnobotanical survey and utilization of medicinal and food plants of Panjgur, Balochistan, Pakistan. Asian J Ethnobiol. 2023;6:26\u201335. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.13057\/asianjethnobiol\/y060104.","journal-title":"Asian J Ethnobiol"},{"key":"850_CR84","first-page":"387","volume":"3","author":"T Bibi","year":"2025","unstructured":"Bibi T, Channa FN, Sajjad N, Gul S, Mengal S. Wild vegetables, the future food crops: use of wild plants as food and medicine by tribal mountainous communities of the Northern Balochistan, Pakistan. Dialogue Social Sci Rev (DSSR). 2025;3:387\u2013419.","journal-title":"Dialogue Social Sci Rev (DSSR)"}],"container-title":["Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1186\/s13002-026-00850-3","content-type":"text\/html","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s13002-026-00850-3.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/content\/pdf\/10.1186\/s13002-026-00850-3.pdf","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,5]],"date-time":"2026-02-05T11:00:01Z","timestamp":1770289201000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/10.1186\/s13002-026-00850-3"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,4]]},"references-count":84,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,12]]}},"alternative-id":["850"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13002-026-00850-3","relation":{},"ISSN":["1746-4269"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1746-4269","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,4]]},"assertion":[{"value":"14 November 2025","order":1,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"8 January 2026","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"value":"4 February 2026","order":3,"name":"first_online","label":"First Online","group":{"name":"ArticleHistory","label":"Article History"}},{"order":1,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Declarations"}},{"value":"Ethical approval for conducting ethnobotanical field surveys was obtained from the relevant local authorities in Swat\/Kalam. All participants were informed about the purpose of the study, and verbal consent was obtained prior to interviews in accordance with community norms. Participation was entirely voluntary. The consent of all participants of study was taken before any sort of questioning. The respondents were thoroughly guided on the importance of data and its contribution towards research and betterment of society.","order":2,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Ethics approval and consent to participate"}},{"value":"The consent of all authors was taken. All authors agreed for submission of article for publication.","order":3,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Consent for publication"}},{"value":"The authors declare no competing interests.","order":4,"name":"Ethics","group":{"name":"EthicsHeading","label":"Competing interests"}}],"article-number":"9"}}