Wild Edible Plant Diversity, Ethnobotanical Knowledge, and Socio-Ecological Significance in the Bhimashankar Landscape of the Northern Western Ghats (Maharashtra), India

Abstract

The Bhimashankar landscape in the Northern Western Ghats, India, is a biodiversity-rich region that supports extensive traditional knowledge related to wild edible plants. This study assesses plant diversity, ethnobotanical knowledge, and socio-ecological significance of wild edible species used by local communities. A total of 62 species belonging to 53 genera and 35 families were recorded. Life-form analysis indicated that herbs dominated the flora (43.55%), followed by trees (18 species), climbers (10), shrubs (5), and grasses (2), reflecting a structurally diverse vegetation profile. Diversity analysis revealed a moderate level of heterogeneity among plant life forms, with a Shannon-Wiener index (H′) of 1.33 and high evenness (J′ = 0.83), indicating a relatively balanced distribution of species. Simpson's index (1 – D = 0.69) suggested low dominance across life forms, despite the numerical prevalence of herbs. Species richness indices were notably high, with Margalef's index (14.78) and Menhinick's index (7.88), highlighting the ecological importance of the region as a reservoir of wild edible biodiversity. Ethnobotanical usage patterns demonstrated a strong reliance on cooked plant consumption (43 species), followed by raw consumption (15 species) and medicinal applications (4 species). Use-category diversity was comparatively lower (H′ = 0.77) with moderate evenness (J′ = 0.70), reflecting selective utilization practices shaped by cultural preferences and traditional knowledge systems. The study underscores the critical role of wild edible plants in supporting food security, nutrition, and healthcare, while also emphasizing the need for conservation of both biological resources and indigenous knowledge. These findings contribute to the understanding of human–environment interactions and support sustainable management strategies in the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.