Ethnobotanical research for increased knowledge on biodiversity at the Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Ethnobotany, University of Gent : its situation at the beginning of a new era

Ethnobotanical research at the Laboratory of Tropical and Subtropical Agriculture and Ethnobotany started in 1991 with a first project in Namibia, southern Africa. Other research initiatives in Africa were subsequently initiated in Senegal, Togo, Morocco (Quercus suber), Egypt (with an extension into Israel; both Mediterranean area; Pistacia spp.), Kenya (multipurpose trees for use in agroforestry) and of late in Tanzania. Since 1994, the Laboratory is also operational in Latin America A first ethnobotanical project focused on local fruit species in southern Ecuador, with a small excursion into sangre de drago (Croton spp.). Subsequently, research was started in Bolivia (Cochabamba-based but with research activities both in the altiplano and Amazon forest areas), and since 2000 in Cuba. In Asia, the laboratory is supporting and monitoring ethnobotanical research and new crop development in Guizhou and Hunan Provinces (China) as part of an IFAD-funded development programme. The Laboratory's research approach is presented and detailed examples are given from the above projects.