Description

A plant resource can be defined as a plant or a part of plant that is of actual or potential value to people. There are many types of values, utilitarian and otherwise. It is possible to regard all plant species and all plant genetic diversity as resources. Plants are universally recognized as a vital part of the world's biological diversity and an essential resource for the planet. In addition to the small number of crop plants used for basic food and fibres, many thousands of wild plants have great economic and cultural importance and potential, providing food, medicine, fuel, clothing and shelter for vast numbers of people throughout the world. Plants play a key role in maintaining the planet's basic environmental balance and ecosystem stability and provide an important component of the habitats for the world's animal life. The purpose of the project was to build capacity in applied ethnobotany for the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of plant resources and documentation of traditional knowledge of plants.