Medicinal plants in protected areas: a strategy to preserve the environment and biodiversity
2023
D’Oronzio, Assunta M. | Sica, Carmela
Agricultural innovations during the 60s led to a significant increase in crop production, primarily driven by advances in technology, crop breeding, and agricultural practices. While they had many positive outcomes, it’s important to acknowledge the negative consequences, more notably environmental damage. The increasing awareness of the need to combat environmental degradation, coupled with a heightened focus on making healthier dietary choices, has prompted a resurgence in the exploration of the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants. This includes spontaneous varieties, which have historically been used in pharmacopoeia, food and cosmetics. Farmers are progressively embracing the cultivation of medicinal plants, often without the necessity for substantial investments; moreover, they don’t come at an environmental cost, because synthetic products such as fertilizers and pesticides aren’t used. A shift away from this reliance reflects a more sustainable approach from both a landscape and environmental perspective. This study investigates the cultivation of various medicinal plants in a protected area in Basilicata, with the main focus on assessing the potential presence of agricultural plastic waste streams and their corresponding management practices. Initial findings confirm the scarcity of such waste, highlighting the sustainability of the medicinal plant supply chains.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
Publisher University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade, Serbia
This bibliographic record has been provided by Matica Srpska Library