Duaa Alghada(1) , Basima Alcheikh(2) and Zuheir Shater(2)
(1). Roads Department, Technical Services Directorate, Lattakia, Syria
(2). Forestry and Ecology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tishreen University, Lattakia, Syria.
(*Corresponding author: Duaa alghada, E-Mail: duahgd7@gmail.com).
Received: 16/03/2023 Accepted: 31/05/2023
Abstract:
The study was carried out in 2021-2022. It aimed to identify non-timber forest products (NTFPs), their uses by local communities, and the most important species for these communities in the Lattakia region. Data were collected through direct interviews with the local population (300 people). Non-wood products were divided into plant products, animal products, honey and its products, extractive products, carvings, handicrafts and other services.The number of plant species mentioned by the local population was 113 species, of which edible plants represented 44.25%, medicinal plants 48.67%, while species with other uses represented 7.8%. Cichorium intybus and Eryngium creticum were the most widely used edible plant species, according to the RFC index (0.75), while Origanium syriacum was the most used medicinal plant, RFC (0.7). Turdus sp was the most hunting RFC (0.5), and among mammals Sus scrofa lybics and Lepus capensis syriaca RFC (0.22). The study showed that beekeeping and honey production are important resources for the local population. Extractive products are of interest to the people of the region, especially women. The goals of collection varied from obtaining food, medicine, energy, and income to benefiting from cultural services. The study indicated that the local population had significant traditional Ecological knowledge (TEK) about these products and their uses acquired from various sources, especially parents and grandparents.
Full paper in Arabic: pdf