Plants, people and their shared heritage: A comparative medicinal and wild food ethnobotany of Albanians, Greeks and Aromanians living in the Gjirokaster area, southern Albania

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Abstract
Societal Impact Statement: Traditional knowledge about wild plants connects people to nature and sustains both cultural identity and biodiversity. This study explores how cultural exchange among Albanians, Greeks and Aromanians in southern Albania shapes the use and naming of medicinal and food plants. By revealing how linguistic and social interactions influence local ecological knowledge, the research highlights the adaptability of human–plant relationships in changing cultural landscapes. These insights support efforts to document and protect ethnobotanical heritage, promote culturally sensitive conservation and guide policies that strengthen biocultural resilience and sustainable use of natural resources in the Balkans and beyond. Summary: This study explores how ecological and cultural factors shape local ecological knowledge (LEK) in the Balkans, a recognized biocultural hotspot and long‐standing reservoir of wild medicinal plants. Focusing on Albanian, Greek and Aromanian communities in the Gjirokastër region of southern Albania, it investigates cross‐cultural ethnobotanical dynamics, linguistic adaptation and processes of knowledge transmission. Data were collected through 84 semistructured interviews complemented by participant observation. Quantitative ethnobotanical indices were calculated and overlaps in plant reports and uses among the three cultural groups were analysed to assess shared and idiosyncratic knowledge patterns. Albanians contributed the largest proportion of recorded folk plant names, and medicinal applications primarily targeted gastrointestinal and dermatological conditions. The presence of Albanian folk names cited by other groups suggests linguistic borrowing, likely reinforced during the communist period. While idiosyncratic ethnobotanical knowledge was largely maintained among Greek and Albanian participants, it was considerably less preserved among Aromanians, indicating substantial cultural adaptation. The findings highlight the vitality and adaptability of shared LEK in southern Albania and point to long‐standing historical and cultural exchange in the region. The study emphasizes the importance of documenting ethnobotanical heritage to support biocultural stewardship, revitalize the regional herbal trade and promote culturally sensitive bioconservation strategies and community‐led initiatives that strengthen intergenerational knowledge transmission and socio‐ecological resilience across the Balkans.
Funding Information
  • HORIZON EUROPE Widening participation and spreading excellence (HORIZON‐WIDERA‐2023‐ACCESS‐02‐01)

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