Ethnobotanical Studies in Three Ecosystems of Ecuador (Phase 2)

The project 'Ethnobotanical Studies in three Ecuadorian ecosystems Phase II' addresses the constant loss of ancestral knowledge due to limited generational transmission and Western cultural influence. The research team, led by Dr. Paco Noriega, conducted information surveys in the El Perdiz trail, Cuicocha lagoon, and Ingaru forest, integrating the knowledge of local elders with the scientific rigor of the Master's in Natural Pharmaceutical Products. The methodology combined fieldwork, botanical sample collection, and photographic analysis to correlate traditional uses with social representations. Preliminary extractions of essential oils and extracts were performed, evaluating promising species for industrial and medicinal applications. As a result, the project generated ethnobotanical catalogs, a book published by AbyaYala, and scientific articles indexed in Scopus and Scielo. The impact extends to the preservation of biodiversity, the strengthening of cultural identity, and the creation of foundations for the development of sustainable natural products, directly benefiting local communities and academia.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>Execute ethnobotanical surveys in three Ecuadorian ecosystems to rescue ancestral knowledge and catalog plant species of industrial and medicinal interest. The project aims to document traditional uses and promote the preservation of local biodiversity.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Ethnobiology