Local food plant diversity and cultural significance in the Atlantic Forest: a comprehensive ethnobiological synthesis for a humanly disturbed but mega-diverse region

Abstract

Current food systems face critical challenges, including biodiversity loss, environmental degradation, and failure to meet global nutritional needs. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are vital in addressing these issues through their local ecological knowledge and diverse use of local food plants. Ethnobotanical research provides insights into sustainable biodiversity management and resilient food systems. The Atlantic Forest (AF), a South American biodiversity hotspot with over 20,000 plant species (40% endemic), exemplifies the importance of preserving biocultural diversity. This review synthesizes data from 89 studies, documenting 6654 use-reports (UR) of 731 plant species used across 10 cultural groups and ecoregions. These include native (e.g., Eugenia uniflora, Psidium guajava, Manihot esculenta) and introduced species (e.g., Citrus spp., Carica papaya, Zea mays). Cultivated plants dominate food use; however, native wild plants are essential, especially in rural areas, for their contributions to dietary diversity, ecological functions, and cultural heritage. Among the many significant families, Myrtaceae, with 71 species (63 native), is notable for its diversity, ecological importance, and cultural integration. Nearly half of the species are unique to specific communities and ecoregions, highlighting the need for further documentation in less-explored areas. The findings underscore the value of traditional ecological knowledge in biodiversity conservation worldwide and call for integrating IPLC knowledge into sustainable management strategies to address the environmental and social challenges threatening the AF’s biocultural diversity.