Articles by Andrea Pieroni
heritage have traditionally played a crucial role in the resilience of local communities, and the... more heritage have traditionally played a crucial role in the resilience of local communities, and their potentially significant role in addressing future challenges posed by the turbulent changes affecting food systems worldwide . Across millennia, coastal Mediterranean and Near Eastern landscapes have evolved as complex socio-ecological systems, shaped by traditional agroforestry, grazing, and small-scale polyculture, which not only support biodiversity but also facilitate the intergenerational transmission of place-based knowledge . However, the erosion of TEK has become a critical issue as the region faces a phenomenon known as the "Hysteresis Effect", the idea that, once knowledge systems are lost, they may be difficult or impossible to recover, even when conditions for their re-establishment return . The contemporary Mediterranean, however, is undergoing profound transformations. Since the mid-20th
In the context of human displacement, it is essential to study how local knowledge is reshaped, e... more In the context of human displacement, it is essential to study how local knowledge is reshaped, eroded, or transformed. This study sheds light on how wild plant reports are articulated after migration, retained, and kept; the research explores specifically the ethnobotanical knowledge linked to wild food plants of five ethnic communities, namely the Bettani, Ormur, Mehsud, and Miani populations living in the Gomal area of NW Pakistan, of which three are displaced communities. The study aims to record the knowledge of wild food plants and their use among generations in these communities. To better determine the impact of displacement, we have analysed the data along two trajectories: (a) cross-geographically comparing the recorded wild food plant reports with the available published literature in NW Pakistan and (b) conducting a cross-cultural comparison of the local plant knowledge among the considered groups (displaced ones: Mehsud, Ormur, and Powanda; autochthonous: Bettani and Miani) residing in the Gomal area. Via semi-structured interviews with a hundred study participants (twenty for each ethic group), the study revealed the use of 69 wild food taxa, showing a remarkable diversity of food uses, with Ormur and Powanda exhibiting several idiosyncratic reports. The research highlights that displacement may have disrupted potential pathways of knowledge transmission among the Mehsud, Ormur, and Powanda; however, local plant knowledge about their past environment remains part of the collective memory of these communities. Moreover, post-migration exposure to a new ecological system has become a challenge for the newcomers, necessitating adaptation to rearticulate their relationship with nature and plants. The broken paths have a profound impact on plant knowledge transmission to youngsters, as social structures and gatherings have been significantly altered or disrupted; these were the primary means of interaction between youngsters and their elders. The exposure to urbanisation compounds the issue of displacement, and the erosion of knowledge systems has come at the expense of hands-on experiences among the selected groups. Notably, the local plant nomenclature of Ormur is also highly threatened. We advocate incorporating local plant knowledge into local educational curricula, which may be crucial for the sustainability of natural knowledge and have profound impacts on mitigating the effects of socioecological change.
Herbal medicine is vital for the medical care of millions of people around the globe. The area be... more Herbal medicine is vital for the medical care of millions of people around the globe. The area between Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean is an ancient and rich region with folk medicinal knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. However, there is a gap in studies documenting this knowledge. The study focuses on documenting the diversity of medicinal plant species used as an infusion tea. We aim to identify the medicinal plant species used for herbal tea preparation and examine the relationship between medicinal and recreational uses of herbal teas in the study area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 91 informants between February 2018 and May 2020 in 32 villages in the coastal region of Syria. We documented 56 medicinal plant species used as tea. We received 477 use reports, which were categorised into ten ailment categories. Digestive and respiratory system disorders were the main ailments treated with herbal teas. Recreational use was significantly intersected with the medicinal uses for digestive disorders. The study highlights the most culturally salient species, which may have promising economic and medicinal values (e.g., Micromeria myrtifolia and Teucrium procerum). Future laboratory studies are needed to examine the biological activity of the little-known species in our inventory.
Background Mauritania has the most detailed and diverse knowledge on traditional plant remedies o... more Background Mauritania has the most detailed and diverse knowledge on traditional plant remedies of medicinal plant use, despite its comparatively limited native flora due to its low population density and severe desert climate. However, the country is at the crossroads of Sub-Saharan African and Arabo-Berber cultures. Despite this, the country's ethnobotanical expertise is severely under documented. The study was conducted through an extensive review of ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological studies, scientific reports, and historical records related to the traditional use of medicinal plants in Mauritania. Data were collected from scientific databases includingGoogle Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Medline, as well as from dissertations, theses, ethnobotanical books, and local folklore records. The search targeted studies published between January 1950 and January 2025, using specific keywords and Boolean operators to ensure comprehensive coverage of the topic. Additional references were identified by examining the bibliographies of selected articles. The first attempt to compile a traditional herbal pharmacopoeia for Mauritania is presented.According to the sources, a total of 133 medicinal and aromatic plants; these plants are used to treat 17 categories of diseases, with the majority addressing digestive group.These plants are used to treat 17 categories of diseases, with the majority addressing digestive disorders (55 plant species) and dermatological disorders (20 species). Notably, the study emphasises apparentcultural differences: the Moors have the best medical knowledge, while the Pulaar, Wolof, and Soninke have distinct ethnobotanical practices that haven't been widely studied. This review aims to document, in a single work, the medical ethnobotanical traditions of Mauritania, underscoring the country's medicinal flora and its potential for future pharmacological studies. Targeted field investigations are needed to properly capture the diversity and practical usefulness of traditional plant knowledge. The study underlines also significant gaps in the field ethnobotanical documentation, particularly among certain ethnic groups.
Studying cross-cultural and cross-border plant use in fragile mountain areas is essential to unde... more Studying cross-cultural and cross-border plant use in fragile mountain areas is essential to understanding the factors that influence Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). This study focuses on the Muslim Bulgarian-speaking Pomaks minority living along the Central Greek-Bulgarian border in the Rhodope Mountains. Fieldwork conducted in the summer of 2023 involved 62 semi-structured interviews documenting the traditional uses of wild foods, edible mushrooms, and medicinal plants. A total of 81 wild and cultivated taxa were recorded. The results revealed notable differences between the two countries: Pomak communities in Bulgaria reported significantly higher species diversity and a more even distribution of foraging knowledge across taxa compared to those in Greece (χ 2 = 6.33, df = 2, p = 0.042). This disparity is linked to the ongoing engagement with natural landscapes in Bulgaria, while Greek Pomaks have faced marginalization, poverty, and outmigration, which disrupted traditional land-based practices such as shepherding and small-scale farming. These shifts have contributed to the erosion of TEK in Greek communities. The study highlights the importance of sustained interaction with the environment in preserving biocultural knowledge and points to the need for targeted efforts to support the revitalization of sustainable foraging practices, particularly in communities facing socioeconomic and cultural pressures that threaten the continuity of traditional plant knowledge.
Wild plant foraging has experienced a resurgence in Slovenia, with foraging educators-namely indi... more Wild plant foraging has experienced a resurgence in Slovenia, with foraging educators-namely individuals who organize workshops, courses, or similar activities about foragingplaying a crucial role in knowledge transfer and community building. This study explores how foraging knowledge is obtained, shared, and shaped by foraging educators. We conducted semistructured interviews via Zoom with 31 Slovenian foraging educators between June and August 2024. Our findings indicate that Slovenian foraging knowledge is increasingly transmitted among people of the same or different generations not belonging to the same family, rather than through traditional intergenerational methods. There is great diversity in the activities offered by the foraging educators, with an increasing number of online activities. Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, play a vital role in the promotion of foragers and their events, though educators remain skeptical of their reliability as a source of botanical knowledge. Emerging events such as the Festival of Foraging and FesDivjal have an important impact on the evolving foraging community, providing the foragers a sense of belonging and promoting important messages related to conservation. This study highlights the evolving nature of foraging in Slovenia, stressing the role of digital platforms in shaping knowledge exchange. It underscores the importance of conservation-oriented education in combating plant blindness and fostering environmental stewardship.
This study investigates climate change perceptions of inhabitants of four distinct physiographic ... more This study investigates climate change perceptions of inhabitants of four distinct physiographic regions of Southern Europe, including Alpine cattle pastoralists of Carinthia (Western Austria), Venice Lagoon farmers, Southern Sicilian Coast fisherfolk, and Langhe winemakers in Italy. Through semi-structured interviews with 92 households conducted between autumn 2022 and autumn 2023, distributed across the four case studies, nuanced variations in perceptions of climate change impacts and responses were analysed. The results illustrate significant associations between climate change perception and various factors including adaptation strategies, precipitation change, and social network influence. Notably, the perceived impacts relate to a decrease in precipitation which affects agricultural production, vegetation shift, and adaptation strategies. Analyses conducted using mixed-effect logistic regression models uncovered varied regional contexts that influence both climate change awareness and adaptive actions. Additionally, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to explore underlying structures and identify key variables contributing to regional variations in climate perception. This r analysis offered insights into the factors that shape perceptions and strategies in each region and underscored the importance of context-specific approaches to climate resilience and adaptation planning, considering the socio-economic, environmental, and cultural factors. Tailored adaptation strategies, informed by robust data and stakeholder engagement, are essential for building resilience and sustainability in local communities facing ongoing environmental challenges.
Background This study investigates how migration affects the culinary practices of Syrian, Afghan... more Background This study investigates how migration affects the culinary practices of Syrian, Afghan, and Egyptian Coptic communities living in Northwest Italy, specifically focusing on how these groups preserve, adapt, or abandon traditional foodways in a new socio-cultural environment. The objective is to understand the role of food in maintaining cultural identity and navigating integration in the host country. Methods Using a multidisciplinary approach, the research combines semi-structured interviews with 64 participants. Data were analyzed using SAS 9.4 and R 4.4.2. Descriptive and frequency analyses summarized demographic and food-related patterns, while Fisher's exact tests and logistic regression assessed differences and predictors of traditional food maintenance. Qualitative data from interviews were thematically analyzed using an inductive approach, highlighting key themes such as adaptation, resilience, and cultural continuity. The findings reveal distinct culinary patterns shaped by each group's cultural and ecological heritage, Syrian horticultural traditions, Afghan pastoral legacies, and the Coptic plant-based diet. While culinary resilience, adaptation, and loss occur across all groups, the extent varies. Influencing factors include ingredient availability, economic constraints, and levels of social integration. Age, gender, religion, and migration history further shape food behavior. Conclusions This research underscores the dynamic relationship between migration and food, highlighting how culinary practices serve as a site of both cultural preservation and adaptation in diaspora contexts.
Truffle hunting in the Piedmontese landscapes of Northern Italy is not merely a foraging practice... more Truffle hunting in the Piedmontese landscapes of Northern Italy is not merely a foraging practice but a deeply embodied and multispecies relationship grounded in intergenerational knowledge, sensory attunement, and emotional connection to forest ecologies. This study draws on qualitative interviews with local truffle hunters (Trifulau) to examine how socio-ecological transformations driven by land privatization, vineyard expansion, monocultural hazelnut plantations, and tourism disrupt these traditional practices. Thematic analysis reveals five dimensions of transformation: ecological estrangement, dispossession and exclusion, erosion of knowledge transmission, commodification and spectacularizing, emotional and ontological loss. Hunters describe a loss of sensory orientation, access to ancestral commons, and a breakdown of the human-dog forest relational web, accompanied by feelings of grief, alienation, and identity erosion. We argue that these changes undermine ecological sustainability and threaten emotional, cultural, and epistemological sustainability. The findings call for a broadened understanding of sustainability, one that recognizes affective, multispecies, and place-based knowledge systems as vital to sustaining cultural landscapes. This study contributes to debates on rural transformation, non-material heritage, and the invisible costs of commodifying traditional ecological practices in globalizing economies.
Albania's rich biodiversity and diverse climatic conditions make it an ideal country for the coll... more Albania's rich biodiversity and diverse climatic conditions make it an ideal country for the collection and cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). With over 400 indigenous MAP species, this sector plays a significant role in the country's economy, generating more than 50 million Euros annually and accounting for about 25 % of total agricultural exports. Moreover, the sector provides employment and income for thousands of rural households. This study examines the MAPs sector trends and patterns in Albania, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities. Despite the global rise in demand for MAP products, driven by technological advancements and changing consumer attitudes, the Albanian MAPs sector faces challenges related to standards, processing capabilities and market access. Through a combination of qualitative interviews with key stakeholders and analysis, this study offers a comprehensive overview of the sector's current development, identifies critical issues, and provides recommendations for economic and political actors aimed at strengthening the value chain and market competitiveness of Albanian MAPs.
The accelerating erosion of traditional and local ecological and medical knowledge (LEK) systems ... more The accelerating erosion of traditional and local ecological and medical knowledge (LEK) systems is increasingly evident in the Global North and across many less marginalised regions of the Global South. This decline is primarily driven by overarching forces, i.e. globalisation, internalised coloniality created worldwide and over decades by nonrural leading classes, and, most remarkably, by a profound detachment from continuous, embodied interactions with nature. At the same time, sustainability-driven agendas and the expanding role of AI in science and daily life intertwine challenges, opportunities, and a few risks for ethnobiology and ethnomedicine in the coming decade. This editorial proposes four plausible scenarios for the evolution of these disciplines, navigating the intricate cobwebs of LEK loss, resilience, adaptation, and, most importantly, trying to open new horizons in the current problematic times. These scenarios are intended to inspire further theoretical and primarily further empirical engagement in the field, alongside a call to urgently foster commoning practices and innovative educational platforms for (re) experiencing LEK.
Background Ethnobiological and gastronomic knowledge of wild foods has long-shaped rural traditio... more Background Ethnobiological and gastronomic knowledge of wild foods has long-shaped rural traditions in Italy. In Valdera, Central Tuscany, foraging has been especially important among older generations. This study explores shifts in wild food knowledge and practices over two decades, comparing data collected in 2024 with findings from a 2004 study. The study was conducted in Valdera, Central Tuscany, through structured interviews with local residents. Using the same methodological framework as a 2004 survey, participants were asked about wild food plants, mushrooms, and wild animals they recognized, used, and how they incorporated them into traditional dishes. This approach enabled a diachronic comparison of taxa diversity, plant families, and culinary applications. Special attention was given to how social and ecological dynamics, such as aging populations, urbanization, and changing educational backgrounds, influenced the retention or erosion of local traditional knowledge over the past two decades. Results A total of 86 folk taxa of wild plants were documented. The findings reveal a decline in the number of recorded taxa, from 59 folk taxa and 28 botanical families in 2004 to 57 folk taxa and 26 families in 2024. Despite the samples including a similar number of informants, the decrease in used folk taxa is significant, with several species absent in 2024, including notable wild greens taxa such as Capsella, Coleostephus, Clematis, Daucus, Epilobium, Helosciadium, Lactuca, Muscari, Rubus, Scabiosa, Potentilla, and Viola spp., as well as a few wild seasoning plants such as Allium roseum, Ammi, Juniperus, and Thymus spp. and wild snack species (Gladiolus, Sulla, Oxalis, Lamium spp.). Shifts in plant family diversity and culinary applications were observed, with a decline in the use of wild leafy plants, wild seasoning plants, and wild plant snacks, possibly associated with a reduced role of women in foraging wild greens and less exposure to nature, i.e., fewer activities done into natural environments such as shepherding and/or collection of wild snacks by children and teenagers. A similar trend was observed in mushroom and animal foraging and hunting, where the interviewees could recall details about 24 taxa of food mushrooms and 62 taxa of wild animals, as well as their culinary transformations, which were often related to the past and their younger lives. The analysis revealed that the age group affects knowledge about local wild plants, mushrooms, and animals. While higher education was linked to better systematization of botanical knowledge, individuals with an agricultural background showed significantly greater practical familiarity with plant uses.
Food communicates significance, sentiments, and personal as well as shared memories, which, withi... more Food communicates significance, sentiments, and personal as well as shared memories, which, within evolving circumstances, can be preserved, forgotten or restructured . This is especially true in the context of migrations. When people move, they also take a whole set of food and cultural practices, along with tools, techniques, ingredients, values, preferences, and prescriptions [2, 3]. A growing body of works has explored the role of food and foodways in migrants' lives and identity , showing how the adjustment and revaluation of food social customs
Human migration has driven transformative shifts in agricultural systems by reshaping how communi... more Human migration has driven transformative shifts in agricultural systems by reshaping how communities relate biologically and culturally to the land. Migration demands the reconfiguration of preexisting human-environment relationships, a process central to agricultural history. Understanding adaptation strategies is essential for land studies as it highlights the impact of cultural persistence on agricultural practices and the potential challenges in integrating migrant rural knowledge with local ecological systems. In the late 19th century, a significant migration wave occurred from the Veneto region in northeastern Italy to southern Brazil, significantly impacting Brazilian agri-food production. This study investigates the biocultural adaptation strategies employed by the first Veneto communities in their new Brazilian environment. Data for this research were derived from the letters sent by Veneto migrants from Brazil in the initial wave of Italian migration (1877-1894). Utilising Critical Discourse Analysis and Sentiment Analysis of migrants' letters, we explored the Veneto settlers' perceptions of the Brazilian landscape, agri-food production practices, and culinary traditions. Our findings show that the Brazilian environment was perceived as predominantly negative, particularly in the wilderness areas. The initial Venetian migrant settlement exhibited no genuine biocultural adaptation strategies. Instead, they deliberately resisted Brazilian influences, striving to reproduce Veneto's agricultural model verbatim in their new surroundings. The study also opens a new trajectory in historical ethnobiology, thus suggesting new potential applications of the analysis of migrants' letters.
This study focuses on the interplay between ecological, demographic, and developmental factors wh... more This study focuses on the interplay between ecological, demographic, and developmental factors while examining the changes in wild greens (WGs) uses in Corfu from 1970 to 2024. A comparative analysis of historical and contemporary datasets reveals a decline in WG species from 58 (belonging to 47 genera and 18 families) in 1971 to 42 species (37 genera, 16 families) in 2024. The reduction in cropland and, therefore, the herbaceous vegetation has significantly contributed to this loss, alongside urbanisation, demographic shifts, and the rise of tourism-driven economies. Changes in climatic factors, like a 1.5 • C increase in temperature and reduced rainfall, further affect plant biodiversity. Shifts in the occupations of local populations (from farming to touristic services), the declining role of women-centred foraging, and the pervasive influence of formal botanical education may have altered the cultural landscape of WG use. This study underlines the urgent need to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into conservation strategies to mitigate biodiversity loss and sustain cultural heritage.
This study investigates desert truffle hunting practices across Iraq (including the Kurdistan Reg... more This study investigates desert truffle hunting practices across Iraq (including the Kurdistan Region), Eastern Turkey, Syria, and Sardinia (Italy) based on data collected with semi-structured interviews from 58 hunters in 21 locations distributed across the four countries. Employing both Principal Component Analysis and qualitative analysis, the research focuses on ecological, cultural, and economic dimensions of traditional desert truffle hunting/foraging in the Mediterranean and the Near East. The study demonstrates diverse ecological contexts and cultural practices, revealing the reliance on natural indicators for truffle detection and the cultural significance of this practice. Additionally, novel findings highlight the various perceived threats faced by desert truffle ecosystems, including soil erosion, land use patterns, market dynamics, climate change, and threats associated with desert truffle hunting across conflict zones. The study emphasizes the economic contributions of truffle harvesting to local communities, shedding light on its significance for rural livelihoods. Truffles are a traditional medicine for vision disorders, as well as cooking and snack food. By providing comprehensive insights into these multifaceted aspects, this study enhances our understanding of desert truffle hunting's ecological, cultural, and economic importance and informs actionable steps for biocultural conservation, as well as sustainable development initiatives in truffle-rich regions globally.
Informal food markets, particularly those managed by (elderly) women in post-communist Eastern Eu... more Informal food markets, particularly those managed by (elderly) women in post-communist Eastern Europe, represent a biocultural phenomenon of profound significance since globalisation and increasingly strict legal frameworks often threaten these reservoirs of biocultural food heritage. In the fall of 2022 and 2023, a preliminary field study was conducted by visiting the informal markets of six Moldovan centres: Chișinău, Orhei, Bălți, Călărași, Comrat, and Taraclia, and conversing with approximately 40 mid-aged and elderly sellers. We argue that these markets are crucial in sustaining small-scale farming, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining a connection between urban communities and rural communities and, ultimately, between these rural citizens and their nature, keeping small-scale family farming and domestic traditional gastronomic activities alive. By trading fresh, homegrown, and homemade food and goods (including handicrafts), these mid-aged and elderly vendors support local economies, promote environmental sustainability, and safeguard traditional ecological knowledge and cultural heritage. This paper explores how grannies' markets contribute to biocultural diversity and sustainable food practices, especially amid the country's recent turbulent political, socioeconomic, and demographic challenges. The analysis advocates for the survival rights of these ecological, economic, and cultural (2-x-eco-cultural) refugia and invites ethnobiologists, food studies and cultural heritage scholars, rural sociologists, and agricultural economists to defend the biocultural diversity of informal food markets, moving them from an "out of necessity" status to a solid pillar of a possible future, new, family farming and small-scale ecological and gastronomic (conscientious) tourism. Policymakers should protect and enhance these informal spaces, especially the socioecological farming systems behind them, as essential socioeconomic and environmental assets. They should emphasise their importance as hubs for biological diversity, cultural preservation, community cohesion, and ecological sustainability. • Informal food markets are bio-cultural spaces fostering ecological practices and community bonds • Benefits of such markets and exchange extend far beyond the economic realm • Markets continue to thrive nowadays, mainly due to the dedication of their elderly participants
This study investigates the phylogenetic and geographical distribution of wild food plants (WFPs)... more This study investigates the phylogenetic and geographical distribution of wild food plants (WFPs) across 30 Mediterranean and North African (MENA) regions, focusing on the intersection of evolutionary lineage, ecological adaptation, and cultural utilization. A phylogenetic analysis of 111 genera of WFPs used in traditional diets reveals clusters reflecting shared ancestry, functional adaptations, and ecological resilience. Key regions such as Lebanon and Ikaria stand out as potential centers for the diversity of wild food plant use, suggesting that the Eastern Mediterranean may be a primary origin area, especially for species adapted to semi-arid climates. Major plant families including Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae form distinct clusters that underscore their common ancestry and adaptability, making them foundational to traditional diets and medicinal applications across various environments. Geographical analysis indicates historical connections, such as those between Malta and Egypt, supporting the hypothesis that ancient trade routes influenced the spread and cultural exchange of wild food plant use across the Mediterranean. The study emphasizes the integration of phylogenetic and ethnobotanical perspectives, shedding light on how biodiversity, ecological adaptation, and cultural practices intersect in these regions. This research demonstrates that WFPs serve as both ecological and cultural assets, crucial for preserving traditional diets and supporting biodiversity conservation amid environmental changes. Integrating evolutionary and cultural knowledge can enrich ecological understanding and contribute to the sustainable use of plant resources in the MENA regions.