The use of medicinal flora and ancestral knowledge in the context of climate change in the Salcca Valley-Cusco Peru: perception of the local population

Olivares-Torres L.; Rodríguez-álvarez M.; Eguía-Alarcón M.A.; Bell M.G. · Caldasia (2024) · DOI: 10.15446/caldasia.v46n2.103926

Resumen

Climate change is affecting high mountain ecosystems, causing alterations in the distribution and range of plant species, with severe impacts in tropical mountains. In the Peruvian Andes, changing patterns of temperature and precipitation, among other factors, are also impacting medicinal plant species used by rural populations. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the medicinal flora and the ancestral knowledge associated with its use and management in the context of climate change, in the communities of the Salcca Valley (Cusco, Peru). It was carried out in 2018-2019, during the rainy and dry periods, in thirteen study areas in three altitudinal levels. The botanical collection and the population’s perception of climate change was carried out with interview methods, with the techniques of “partic-ipatory path” methodology, semi-structured questionnaire, and field notes. Results show 183 species of medicinal plants grouped into 141 genera and 63 families. The families with the most species used were the Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Species were grouped into 14 categories of ailments according to their use. The most frequent were to relieve illnesses of the digestive system, the genitourinary system, and the respiratory system as well as to treat traumatic injury. leaves in a fresh state and the form of an infusion. Climate change, according to the perception of the inhabitants, is altering the properties, growth, behavior, and distribution of the medicinal plants of the Salcca Valley.

Instituciones: Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú; Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco