Medicinal plants of Thulamela municipality are experiencing challenges due to human activities, resulting in some of the medicinal plants becoming difficult to find, declining, endangered or even extinct. Unsustainable harvesting is threatening the survival of certain medicinal plant species used as a source of primary healthcare in the area. This study investigates aspects related to traditional healers' perceptions with regard to collection, ethnobotanical importance and conservation status of indigenous medicinal plants used by traditional healers around Thulamela municipality. Information on medicinal plants was gathered by means of semi-structured interviews, field walks, personal observation and a literature review. A total of 90 medicinal plant species, which belong to 47 families, from a total of 82 genera commonly used by traditional healers to treat different ailments, were recorded. About 87% of traditional healers indicated that some medicinal plants are difficult to find; only 13% of healers did not experience difficulties in finding some medicinal plants. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Ornamental Horticulture)

Thesis (MSc)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The majority of South Africans still depend on the use of traditional remedies, as these are sometimes the only types of health care systems available, especially within rural communities. South Africa comprises approximately 400 000 traditional healers and an estimated 60 to 80% of individuals consulting such traditional healers. As a result, the over-harvesting of many traditional medicinal plants has become a threat to the country’s species diversity and has resulted in the scarcity of certain medicinal plant species. The non-sustainable use of traditional medicinal plants stems from their intense harvesting from the wild to supply the high demands from urban and rural markets. As a result of the escalating population growth rate; high rural unemployment; and fundamental value attached to traditional medicinal plants (socio-economic factors), the national and regional trade of traditional medicines is currently higher than it has ever been. Another reason for the increased threat to traditional medicinal plants is the degradation and weakening of customary laws that have previously regulated such resources. This study focuses on the use of traditional medicinal plants by the Setswana-speaking community for self-medication and as a form of primary health care. Research was conducted in Kimberley, Northern Cape of South Africa and focuses on the issue of the sustainability of medicinal plant use in the area, specifically on use and users as well as the acquisition of material sold by a single trader and harvesting techniques. This is to determine whether harvesting of medicinal plants is a potential threat to plant communities in the area. To address the shortcomings of medicinal anthropology the study also investigates the impacts of relocation and resettlement of various communities in the area, on plant use, methods of collection, the sustainability of the natural resource, as well as the transmission of Setswana indigenous knowledge inter-generationally. most abundant under high disturbances. Certain species reacted positively to disturbance and were most abundant in disturbed habitats. These included Elephantorrhiza elephantina and a Helichrysum sp. To minimise destructive harvesting in the Kimberley area and to ensure the sustainable harvesting of plant material, it is important that local harvesters are educated on proper harvesting techniques and that local gatherers are educated on sustainability issues as well as other ecologically fundamental issues. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meeste Suid-Afrikaners is steeds afhanklik van tradisionele geneesmiddels aangesien dit soms, veral in landelike gemeenskappe, die enigste beskikbare gesondheidsorg is. Suid-Afrika het sowat 400 000 tradisionele geneeshere wat deur ’n geraamde 60% tot 80% van individue geraadpleeg word. As gevolg hiervan hou die oorontginning van talle tradisionele medisinale-planthulpbronne ’n bedreiging vir die land se spesiediversiteit in en het dit reeds tot ’n skaarste aan sekere medisinale plante gelei. Tradisionele medisinale plante word tans nievolhoubaar aangewend aangesien dit op groot skaal in die veld geoes word om in die groot vraag van stedelike en landelike markte te voorsien. As gevolg van die stygende bevolkingsgroeikoers, hoë landelike werkloosheidsyfer en die grondliggende waarde wat aan tradisionele medisinale plante geheg word (sosio-ekonomiese faktore), is die nasionale en streekhandel in tradisionele geneesmiddels tans groter as ooit tevore. Nog ’n rede vir die toenemende bedreiging van tradisionele medisinale plante is die verslapping en versagting van gewoonteregwetgewing wat voorheen sodanige hulpbronne gereguleer het. Hierdie studie fokus op die gebruik van tradisionele medisinale plante deur die Setswanagemeenskap vir selfbehandeling en as ’n vorm van primêre gesondheidsorg. Die navorsing vir die studie is in Kimberley in die Noord-Kaapprovinsie van Suid-Afrika gedoen en fokus op die kwessie van volhoubare medisinale-plantgebruik in die gebied, met bepaalde klem op gebruik en gebruikers, die verkryging van middels wat deur ’n enkele handelaar verkoop word, en oestegnieke. Die doel van die navorsing was om te bepaal of die oes van medisinale plante ’n moontlike bedreiging vir plantgemeenskappe in die gebied inhou. Om die tekortkominge van medisinale antropologie aan te pak, ondersoek die studie ook die uitwerking van die verskuiwing en hervestiging van verskeie gemeenskappe in die gebied op plantgebruik, oesmetodes, die volhoubaarheid van die natuurlike hulpbronne, asook die oordrag van inheemse Setswana-kennis oor geslagte heen. Selfbehandeling en die gebruik van tradisionele medisinale plante speel steeds ’n groot rol in Kimberley, aangesien die meeste van die individue wat aan die navorsing deelgeneem het steeds tradisionele geneesmiddels as deel van hulle kultuur en tradisie gebruik. Daar word in ’n uiteenlopende verskeidenheid plantmateriaal handel gedryf. Hoewel sommige van die middels plaaslik ingesamel word, word die meeste van ander dele van die land, en in party gevalle van buurlande soos Lesotho en Swaziland, ingevoer. Hoewel die meeste van die materiaal dus nie plaaslik ingesamel word en dus nie bepaald op hierdie studie betrekking het nie, is dit steeds aanduidend van oes- en volhoubaarheidskwessies in ander dele van die land. Die kruiekenner dryf in sewentig tradisionele medisinale-plantsoorte handel, waarvan party beskermd en erg bedreig is, waaronder Prunus africana en Warburgia salutaris wat slegs in beskermde gebiede in die land voorkom. Prunus africana is ’n gelyste spesie in CITES, aanhangsel 2. Ander bedreigde spesies sluit Ocotea bullata, Bersama lucens, Curtisia dentata en ’n Eugenia-spesie in. Die meeste van die plante wat (in Kimberley) geoes word, is in die vorm van ondergrondse bergingsorgane (uitlopers en bolle). Hoewel hierdie plante van stingelskade en die skade aan ondergrondse bergingsorgane kan herstel, vat hulle swak pos indien hulle oorgebruik en oorontgin word, en kan hulle dus mettertyd al hoe minder voorkom. In hierdie studie word die mettertydse afname in plantbevolkings deur die toename in reisafstande na insamelingspunte aangetoon. Hierdie tendens is egter nie in die handelsprys en -materiaalhoeveelhede oor die afgelope eeu weerspieël nie. Die meeste van die studiedeelnemers het bevestig dat die prys en hoeveelheid van die handelsmateriaal deurentyd betreklik stabiel gebly het. Van die teikenspesies wat vir kwesbaarheid of sensitiwiteit vir ontwrigting ondersoek is, het Withania somnifera, Boophane disticha, Dicoma anomala en Bulbine natalensis die laagste oorlewingspotensiaal en die hoogste ontwrigtingsensitiwiteit getoon. Die meeste van hierdie spesies het in baie klein hoeveelhede op die gekose terreine voorgekom. In die geval van Withania somnifera kon die negatiewe resultate egter met die laereënvalseisoen gedurende daardie betrokke jaar in verband gebring word. Hierdie spesie word oor die algemeen as ’n onkruid in ontwrigte gebiede geklassifiseer en kom meestal onder erg ontwrigte toestande voor. Sekere spesies, soos Elephantorrhiza elephantina en ’n Helichrysum-spesie, het positief op ontwrigting gereageer en het volop in ontwrigte habitatte voorgekom. Om vernietigende oestery in die Kimberley-omgewing te minimaliseer en die volhoubare ontginning van planthulpbronne te verseker, is dit belangrik dat plaaslike plukkers in gepaste oestegnieke, en plaaslike insamelaars oor volhoubaarheidskwessies en ander ekologies belangrike sake opgelei word.

Au Canada, nous remarquons une prédominance du diabète de type 2 au sein des communautés autochtones. Une approche ethnobotanique est utilisée en collaboration avec la Nation Crie de Eeyou Istchee afin de déterminer quels traitements à base de plantes peuvent être utilisés pour contrer les différentes conditions qui, collectivement, forment le diabète. Les pharmacopées de deux communautés cries, soit celles de Waskaganish et de Nemaska, ont été établies puis comparées à celles de étudiées antérieurement : communautés Whapmagoostui et Mistissini. Malgré les différences géographiques de ces groupes, leurs utilisations sont majoritairement semblables, avec pour seule exception le contraste entre les communautés de Nemaska et de Whapmagoostui. De plus, nous avons complété l’évaluation du taux cytoprotecteur des aiguilles, de l’écorce et des cônes de l’épinette noire (Picea mariana). Les extraits provenant de tous les organes des plantes démontrent une protection qui dépend de la concentration. La réponse spécifique d’organes peut varier selon l’habitat; ainsi, les plantes poussant dans les tourbières ou dans les forêts, sur le littoral ou à des terres l’intérieur démontrent des différences quant à leur efficacité. Bref, l’écorce démontre une relation dose-effet plus forte dans la forêt littorale, tandis que les aiguilles n’indiquent pas de changements significatifs selon leur environnement de croissance. La bioactivité observée démontre une corrélation avec le contenu phénolique et non avec l’activité de l’agent antioxydant. Ces résultats contribuent à péciser les activités antidiabétiques des plantes de la forêt boréale canadienne, telles qu’identifiées au niveau cellulaire par les guérisseurs Cries. / In Canada there is an overwhelming prevalence of type II diabetes in First Nations communities. Here an ethnobotanical approach has been used in cooperation with the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee to focus on finding plant based treatments for the conditions which collectively make up the symptoms of diabetes. The pharmacopoeias of two Cree communities (Waskaganish and Nemaska) are elucidated then compared with previously studied populations (Whapmagoostui and Mistissini). Despite differences in north-south east-west geography, plant ranking and use matrices were similar with the exception of Nemaska/Whapmagoostui. We have also completed the evaluation of Black spruce (Picea mariana) needle, bark and cone cytoprotectivity. Extracts from all organs exhibited concentration-dependent protection. Organ-specific response was habitat and growth environment dependent with plants grown either in bog or forest habitats in coastal or inland environments exhibiting differences in efficacy. Observed bioactivity correlated with total phenolic content but not with antioxidant activity. Together, these results contributed to the understanding of antidiabetic activity of Canadian boreal forest plants identified by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee healers at the cellular level.

Au cours des dernières décennies, la popularité des plantes médicinales s’est accrue auprès des civilisations occidentales de sorte que la quantité de plantes récoltées, la plupart provenant de populations sauvages, a grandement augmenté. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif principal de mon mémoire est d’évaluer l’impact de la récolte de deux plantes médicinales (Sarracenia purpurea et Rhododendron groenlandicum) utilisées par la Nation Crie du Nord du Québec. Pour y parvenir, des parcelles expérimentales, simulant différentes intensités de récolte (S. purpurea) et différentes méthodes de récolte (R. groenlandicum), ont été mises en place, puis des suivis annuels de la reprise ont été réalisés. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que les techniques de récolte chez R. groenlandicum devraient exclure les nouvelles pousses, leur exploitation causant une forte mortalité. Par ailleurs, chez S. purpurea, la récolte de 20 % des individus semble peu dommageable, mais critique lorsque plus de 50 % des plants sont récoltés. Un modèle démographique pour S. purpurea a aussi été construit à partir des observations de terrain. Ce modèle a permis de réaliser des projections temporelles en variant les taux de récoltes ainsi que les intervalles entre les récoltes. Les résultats indiquent qu’une récolte de 20 % des individus est acceptable une fois tous les 20 ans. Pour une récolte plus régulière, 5 % tous les trois ans serait soutenable. Mon projet permettra d’assurer une exploitation soutenable de deux plantes médicinales ayant un grand potentiel pour le traitement du diabète de type II. / Over the past few decades, the popularity and use of medicinal plants have increased in Western civilisation. Consequently, harvesting plants from wild populations has increased. Using this perspective, the principal goal of my thesis is to assess the impact of harvest on two medicinal plants (Sarracenia purpurea and Rhododendron groenlandicum) used by the Cree Nation of Northern Québec. To achieve my goal, the simulation of four harvesting intensities (S. purpurea) and of two harvesting methods (R. groenlandicum) were setup in experimental plots and an annual follow up were conducted on establishment and growth. Results show that harvesting methods used on R. groenlandicum should exclude new shoots, since their exploitation results in high mortality rates. For S. purpurea, harvesting of individuals does not seem harmful under 20% of harvest, but is critical when 50% or more are collected. Furthermore, a matrix population model of S. purpurea demography was built from field observations. This model was used to simulate population projection in time under different levels of harvest when varying the number of years between harvests. These results demonstrate that collecting 20% of individuals should be done only once every 20 years to remain sustainable. A more efficient and regular harvest of 5% every three years would be sustainable. My project allowed defining acceptable levels of harvest in order to insure sustainable exploitation of two Cree medicinal plants bearing interesting potential for treating type II diabetes related symptoms.

Les habitats uniques de l'écotone forêt boréale-subarctique dans le nord du Canada subissent les contrecoups du changement climatique. Combinés aux effets de la mondialisation, les changements environnementaux touchent les Inuits de cette région et imposent des contraintes importantes sur leur mode de vie traditionnel, ce qui a des répercussions sur leur langue et les savoirs qui l'accompagnent. Cette étude compare deux aspects de l’ethnobiologie inuite : a) les noms et les utilisations des plantes par les Inuits de Nain, Nunatsiavut, suivis par une comparaison des utilisations avec la communauté inuite de Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, et b) une analyse des types de lieux ou d’habitats que les Inuits reconnaissent et nomment. Des interviews semi-dirigés ont été menés à Nain, Nunatsiavut et à Kangiqsualujjuaq, au Nunavik. Les plantes mentionnées sont utilisées comme aliment, thé, médecine, combustible, construction, nettoyage, et autres utilisations. Les deux communautés ont utilisé un nombre égal de plantes, avec des proportions équivalentes de taxons vasculaires/invasculaires, de formes de croissance (habitus), et d’espèces par catégorie d'utilisation. Les éléments du paysage les plus fréquemment rapportés sont d’ordre topographique, hydrologique ou écologique. L’intégration des concepts inuits, quant aux plantes et au paysage, à ceux de la science occidentale peut améliorer notre compréhension de l'écologie subarctique, aider à impliquer les acteurs locaux dans les décisions sur le développement de leur territoire et, conséquemment, modifier l'aménagement du territoire ainsi que les initiatives de conservation de la biodiversité. Ces concepts ont également des répercussions sur les stratégies d'adaptation face aux changements climatiques. / Unique habitats of the boreal-subarctic ecotone in northeastern Canada are being impacted by climate change. Combined with effects of globalization, changing environmental conditions are causing Inuit of this region to see significant strains on their traditional lifestyle and on the language and knowledge that go with it. This study compared two aspects of Inuit ethnobiology: we compared plant names and uses from two Inuit communities and examined what kinds of places or habitats Inuit recognize and name. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Nain, Nunatsiavut and Kangiqsualujjuaq, Nunavik, by showing interviewees (mostly Elders) plant specimens or photos of the region. Plants were used for food, tea, medicine, fuel, construction, cleaning, and other uses. Both communities used equal numbers of plants, with equivalent proportions of vascular/non-vascular taxa, growth forms, and species per use category. Forty-three species were reported in each community, for a total of 78 species from 39 families. Despite high overlap in species distributions, only half of all species were shared, reflecting community-specific bodies of traditional knowledge, or perhaps an overall decline in ethnobotanical knowledge use. The most frequently reported landscape features were topographical, hydrological, and ecological (i.e. plant associations and animal habitats). Some Inuit categories reflected their significance to traditional Inuit lifestyle (e.g. ‘berry-patch’, ‘seal-place’), aiding navigation and resource finding. Integrating Inuit conceptions of plants and landscape with those of contemporary science can improve our understanding of subarctic ecology, help involve local stakeholders in sustainable development discussions, and inform land-use planning, biodiversity conservation initiatives, and climate change adaptation strategies.

Depuis les recommandations de l'OMS de la fin des années 1970, de nombreux pays enAfrique ont mis en place des dynamiques de reconnaissance de la médecinetraditionnelle et de ses praticiens. Cette thèse s'intéresse au projet de développement dela « médecine intégrative » à Madagascar, consistant en son intégration au sein dusystème de soins officiel et conventionnel. Ce projet a pour objectif l'amélioration de lasanté des populations et passe par une double évaluation : au niveau social avecl'encadrement des activités des tradipraticiens et au niveau thérapeutique avec larecherche sur les plantes médicinales et le développement de remèdes traditionnelsaméliorés. Cette recherche est le fruit d'une démarche méthodologique qui s'appuie surdes enquêtes multi-situées, avec un terrain de recherche dans la capitale malgache et sesenvirons et avec l'ethnographie d'une localité rurale de la région Analanjirofo (côte estde Madagascar). Cette approche s'intéresse d'un côté aux tentatives d'applications desdécisions politiques en matière d'encadrement de la médecine traditionnelle et de l'autreà la pratique concrète des soins traditionnels ainsi qu'aux comportements individuels etcommunautaires face à la gestion des maux, des malheurs et de la maladie avec desétudes de cas approfondies. Cette thèse s'inscrit dans le champ de l'anthropologie de lasanté avec une orientation sur les dynamiques politiques et de développement. Unintérêt particulier est porté à la nature de la cohabitation entre praticiens (médecins,guérisseurs) se déclinant d'un simple référencement de patients à une plus rarecollaboration. Cette étude met en exergue le décalage pouvant exister entre desdécisions gouvernementales et leurs applications locales ainsi que les enjeux sociaux,politiques et économiques qui en résultent. / Following the WHO recommendations made in the late 1970s, many countries in Africahave implemented dynamics of recognition of traditional medicine and traditionalhealers. This dissertation focuses on the development of « integrative medicine » inMadagascar, consisting in its integration into the formal and conventional health caresystem. This development project, focusing on improving population's public health,requires a double evaluation: a social evaluation with the supervision of traditionalhealers' practices and a therapeutic evaluation with research on medicinal plants anddevelopment of improved traditional remedies. This research is the result of amethodological approach based on multi-located fieldworks conducted in the Malagasycapital and its surroundings and an ethnography of a rural town in the Analanjiroforegion (east coast of Madagascar). On one side, this approach focuses on the attempts ofapplication of political decisions regarding the supervision of traditional medicine andon the other side, on the real practice of traditional care as well as on individual andcommunal behaviours when facing disease, sickness, illness and misfortunes withextended case studies. This thesis contributes to the anthropology of health with a focuson political and developmental dynamics. A special emphasis is placed on the nature ofcohabitation existing between practitioners (doctors and traditional healers) going froma simple referencing of patients to a rare collaboration. This study tends to highlight thepossible gap between government decisions and local applications as well as theresulting social, political and economic issues.

A juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) é uma palmeira importante ecologicamente e considerada fonte de produtos valiosos culturalmente e economicamente. Há mais de duas décadas tem sido considerada ameaçada de extinção pelo corte de palmito, e atualmente surge uma nova oportunidade para reduzir sua vulnerabilidade por meio da valorização de seus frutos. Nesta pesquisa investigamos se o manejo de juçara para produção de polpa de frutos pode funcionar como catalisador da conservação da biodiversidade e da melhoria dos meios de vida das populações humanas locais. Algumas questões foram elaboradas e organizadas em quatro eixos convergentes a questão central: (I) Quais os principais aspectos socioeconômicos e práticas de manejo de E. edulis para produção de polpa nas áreas de estudo? Qual o potencial da atividade para o fortalecimento local e conservação da espécie? (II) Como varia a composição e a estrutura florestal ao longo de gradientes de manejo e altitude? Quais as espécies vegetais nativas mais valorizadas por estas comunidades locais? (III) Como a produção e a colheita de frutos variam através de diferentes sistemas de manejo ao longo dos anos? Quais os principais fatores que explicam essa variação? (IV) De que maneira o manejo de frutos de juçara afeta sua dinâmica populacional? Qual a taxa máxima sustentável de remoção de frutos? Quais as estratégias de manejo sustentável recomendada para diferentes condições? Para isso, foi realizado o monitoramento de populações de E. edulis em áreas manejadas por quatro populações humanas que habitam o entorno e interior do Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar (PESM), Núcleos Santa Virgínia e Picinguaba, nos municípios de Natividade da Serra e Ubatuba, SP. Também amostramos populações de E. edulis em áreas de proteção integral no interior do PESM, entrevistamos os moradores de cada comunidade local, assim como usamos dados de fontes secundárias sobre a vegetação do PESM e sobre a atividade de manejo da juçara nos últimos anos. Verificamos que existe uma nova possibilidade de trabalho e renda nas comunidades, inclusive para mulheres e jovens, possibilitando diversificação da economia local. As práticas não destrutivas de colheita dos frutos e as características do sistema reprodutivo da espécie não implicam em severas consequências ecológicas adversas, permitindo considerar o potencial de conservação circa situm, principalmente diante as mudanças climáticas e pressão do mercado de palmito. A diversidade arbórea reduziu localmente com o aumento da intensidade de manejo agroflorestal, mas permite a manutenção de espécies arbóreas de interesse para a conservação, além de proporcionar sustento às famílias dos produtores. As práticas de manejo realizadas nos sistemas agroflorestais tradicionais podem favorecer a manutenção do conhecimento ecológico local, além de aumenta a produtividade de frutos e reduzir a variação interanual da frutificação. A colheita de frutos de juçara em si não representa prejuízos em termos populacionais. Sendo o novo manejo de juçara uma das estratégias recomendadas para manter a viabilidade das populações em longo prazo, desde que o corte de palmito seja controlado e a regeneração seja promovida. / Juçara (Euterpe edulis Mart.) is a palm source of various culturally and economically valued products. It has been considered threatened of extinction for more than two decades. The simple opposition between strategies to obtain its different products arises a new opportunity to reduce its vulnerability. In this research we investigated if the management for fruit production could act as a catalyst to biodiversity conservation and local livelihood improvement. Some questions were elaborated and organized into four axes convergent to the central question: (I) How do the management systems of E. edulis for fruit production are characterized at the study area? Which is the activity potential to improve local livelihoods? (II) How does the forest structure and composition vary along management and altitude gradients? What native plant species are most valued by these communities? (III) How do fruit production and harvest vary through different management systems along different years? What are the main factors explaining such variation? (IV) How do juçara management for fruit production affect its population dynamics? What is the maximum sustainable rate of fruit removal? Which sustainable management strategies are recommended for different conditions? We built empirical evidences through monitoring E. edulis populations managed by four local human populations living around and inside Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar (PESM), Nuclei Santa Virgínia and Picinguaba. We also sampled E. edulis populations in strictly protected areas inside PESM, as well as used secondary data about juçara management activities in the last years. The opportunity for work and income, inclusive for women and young people, the stimulus for social organization, production diversification, among other aspects recorded in this study promote community resilience in the face of political and economic change. Juçara fruit harvest allows frugivorous foraging and indicates the potential for in situ and circa situm conservation approach, mainly in the face of climate change and market pressure for palm heart. Arboreal diversity reduced locally with increasing agroforesty management intensity, which in turn raised diversity at the landscape level. Management practices, performed at the traditional agroforestry systems, could strengthen local cognitive systems, enhance fruit productivity and reduce fruiting inter annual variation. Juçara fruit harvest benefits recruitment and could even induce population increase at the long term. Neverheless, other factors affected negatively affected the population negatively. The protection of adult palms for fruit harvest is one of the recommended strategies to keep population viability in the long term and could function as in situ and circa situm conservation strategies.

Au cours des dernières décennies, la popularité des plantes médicinales s’est accrue auprès des civilisations occidentales de sorte que la quantité de plantes récoltées, la plupart provenant de populations sauvages, a grandement augmenté. Dans ce contexte, l’objectif principal de mon mémoire est d’évaluer l’impact de la récolte de deux plantes médicinales (Sarracenia purpurea et Rhododendron groenlandicum) utilisées par la Nation Crie du Nord du Québec. Pour y parvenir, des parcelles expérimentales, simulant différentes intensités de récolte (S. purpurea) et différentes méthodes de récolte (R. groenlandicum), ont été mises en place, puis des suivis annuels de la reprise ont été réalisés. Les résultats obtenus suggèrent que les techniques de récolte chez R. groenlandicum devraient exclure les nouvelles pousses, leur exploitation causant une forte mortalité. Par ailleurs, chez S. purpurea, la récolte de 20 % des individus semble peu dommageable, mais critique lorsque plus de 50 % des plants sont récoltés. Un modèle démographique pour S. purpurea a aussi été construit à partir des observations de terrain. Ce modèle a permis de réaliser des projections temporelles en variant les taux de récoltes ainsi que les intervalles entre les récoltes. Les résultats indiquent qu’une récolte de 20 % des individus est acceptable une fois tous les 20 ans. Pour une récolte plus régulière, 5 % tous les trois ans serait soutenable. Mon projet permettra d’assurer une exploitation soutenable de deux plantes médicinales ayant un grand potentiel pour le traitement du diabète de type II. / Over the past few decades, the popularity and use of medicinal plants have increased in Western civilisation. Consequently, harvesting plants from wild populations has increased. Using this perspective, the principal goal of my thesis is to assess the impact of harvest on two medicinal plants (Sarracenia purpurea and Rhododendron groenlandicum) used by the Cree Nation of Northern Québec. To achieve my goal, the simulation of four harvesting intensities (S. purpurea) and of two harvesting methods (R. groenlandicum) were setup in experimental plots and an annual follow up were conducted on establishment and growth. Results show that harvesting methods used on R. groenlandicum should exclude new shoots, since their exploitation results in high mortality rates. For S. purpurea, harvesting of individuals does not seem harmful under 20% of harvest, but is critical when 50% or more are collected. Furthermore, a matrix population model of S. purpurea demography was built from field observations. This model was used to simulate population projection in time under different levels of harvest when varying the number of years between harvests. These results demonstrate that collecting 20% of individuals should be done only once every 20 years to remain sustainable. A more efficient and regular harvest of 5% every three years would be sustainable. My project allowed defining acceptable levels of harvest in order to insure sustainable exploitation of two Cree medicinal plants bearing interesting potential for treating type II diabetes related symptoms.

Au Canada, nous remarquons une prédominance du diabète de type 2 au sein des communautés autochtones. Une approche ethnobotanique est utilisée en collaboration avec la Nation Crie de Eeyou Istchee afin de déterminer quels traitements à base de plantes peuvent être utilisés pour contrer les différentes conditions qui, collectivement, forment le diabète. Les pharmacopées de deux communautés cries, soit celles de Waskaganish et de Nemaska, ont été établies puis comparées à celles de étudiées antérieurement : communautés Whapmagoostui et Mistissini. Malgré les différences géographiques de ces groupes, leurs utilisations sont majoritairement semblables, avec pour seule exception le contraste entre les communautés de Nemaska et de Whapmagoostui. De plus, nous avons complété l’évaluation du taux cytoprotecteur des aiguilles, de l’écorce et des cônes de l’épinette noire (Picea mariana). Les extraits provenant de tous les organes des plantes démontrent une protection qui dépend de la concentration. La réponse spécifique d’organes peut varier selon l’habitat; ainsi, les plantes poussant dans les tourbières ou dans les forêts, sur le littoral ou à des terres l’intérieur démontrent des différences quant à leur efficacité. Bref, l’écorce démontre une relation dose-effet plus forte dans la forêt littorale, tandis que les aiguilles n’indiquent pas de changements significatifs selon leur environnement de croissance. La bioactivité observée démontre une corrélation avec le contenu phénolique et non avec l’activité de l’agent antioxydant. Ces résultats contribuent à péciser les activités antidiabétiques des plantes de la forêt boréale canadienne, telles qu’identifiées au niveau cellulaire par les guérisseurs Cries. / In Canada there is an overwhelming prevalence of type II diabetes in First Nations communities. Here an ethnobotanical approach has been used in cooperation with the Cree Nation of Eeyou Istchee to focus on finding plant based treatments for the conditions which collectively make up the symptoms of diabetes. The pharmacopoeias of two Cree communities (Waskaganish and Nemaska) are elucidated then compared with previously studied populations (Whapmagoostui and Mistissini). Despite differences in north-south east-west geography, plant ranking and use matrices were similar with the exception of Nemaska/Whapmagoostui. We have also completed the evaluation of Black spruce (Picea mariana) needle, bark and cone cytoprotectivity. Extracts from all organs exhibited concentration-dependent protection. Organ-specific response was habitat and growth environment dependent with plants grown either in bog or forest habitats in coastal or inland environments exhibiting differences in efficacy. Observed bioactivity correlated with total phenolic content but not with antioxidant activity. Together, these results contributed to the understanding of antidiabetic activity of Canadian boreal forest plants identified by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee healers at the cellular level.

The Nuu-chah-nulth and other First Nations of coastal British Columbia used to maintain gardens of indigenous plants with edible roots on their estuarine tidal flats. Tasty and nutritious, these roots were carefully tended and nurtured to enhance their productivity and quality. Within the last century, the Nuu-chah-nulth diet has changed significantly, and these indigenous root vegetables are not as well known. This community-based action research project (The λ’aayaʕas Project) was suggested by members of the Nuu-chah-nulth communities of Clayoquot Sound, as a way of maintaining and strengthening traditional knowledge, cultural identity and ultimately, community health and well-being through renewal of awareness of these and other traditional foods. The λ’aayaʕas project engaged students and community members of all ages in a diverse range of activities aimed at revitalizing the knowledge, skills and cultural practices involved in caring for traditional root gardens. These activities have included: hosting community steam-pit cooking events; learning from knowledgeable community members; re-creating a root garden in the community of Ahousaht; and implementing and observing the results of traditional management techniques on a root garden plot at the Atleo River estuary. This thesis documents the development of this community action research project and examines the role of ecocultural restoration projects in providing opportunities to strengthen and facilitate the connection of youth to their land and culture through experiential learning. Discussions incorporate a summary of feedback and reflections on the project, and of the revitalization of traditional iv knowledge and practices locally, globally and in the future. In closing, I draw together thoughts and ideas from local community members and others who recognize and hope to revitalize the inextricable relationships between cultural and ecological health and diversity.