Ethnobotanical Studies in Three Ecosystems of Ecuador

This project addresses the constant loss of ancestral ethnobiological knowledge in Ecuador, caused by a lack of generational transmission and external cultural influence. The study focuses on three representative ecosystems: the montane dry scrub in the El Perdiz trail, the paramo in the Cuicocha lagoon, and the foothill evergreen forest in Ingaru. The methodological approach combines fieldwork with local informants, the collection of botanical samples for herbaria, and detailed photographic documentation. The goal is to catalog species with nutritional, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical potential, as well as to perform elementary extractions of oils and extracts from promising plants. Expected results include the creation of informative brochures for beneficiary communities, the publication of scientific articles, and the preservation of traditional knowledge. The project's impact extends to cultural revaluation, the promotion of scientific research, and the creation of foundations for future natural product industries, contributing directly to health, well-being, and the sustainability of local ecosystems.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>Execute ethnobotanical surveys in three different ecosystems in Ecuador to catalog plant species of interest and rescue ancestral knowledge. The project aims to document traditional uses and perform preliminary extractions of promising species.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Ethnobiology