Ethnobotanical Investigation of Central and Rural Villages (Neighborhoods) in the Ergani District of Diyarbakır, Turkey

Ethnobotanical Investigation of Central and Rural Villages (Neighborhoods) in the Ergani District of Diyarbakır, Turkey | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Ethnobotanical Investigation of Central and Rural Villages (Neighborhoods) in the Ergani District of Diyarbakır, Turkey Mustafa ASLAN This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7292403/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 07 Nov, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine → Version 1 posted 9 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background Ethnobotanical knowledge constitutes a vital component of cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation, particularly in regions undergoing rapid socio-cultural transitions. Southeastern Anatolia, despite its high floristic richness and biocultural diversity, remains underexplored in terms of non-medicinal plant uses. Methods This study documents the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of wild plant species used for non-medicinal and medicinal purposes in the Ergani district of Diyarbakır, Turkey. Data were collected between 2023 and 2024 through structured and semi-structured interviews (n = 112), guided fieldwalks, and participant observation across Ergani and 12 surrounding villages. Demographic variables and plant use data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Cultural Importance Index (CI) to assess the relative significance of each taxon. Results A total of 56 plant species belonging to 26 families were identified, used across five categories: medicinal (67.8%), nutritional (53.6%), fuel, decorative, and symbolic (e.g., protection against the evil eye). Multifunctionality was a recurring theme, with several species (e.g., Vitis vinifera , Vitex agnus-castus ) employed in more than two categories. The most represented families were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Brassicaceae. Wild plants played a central role in local subsistence and cultural practices, with vernacular names and preparation methods varying across gender and age groups. Ritual use, particularly of Peganum harmala , remained prevalent among older participants. Conclusion The study reveals a complex, integrative system of plant use in Ergani that reflects a holistic ethnoecological worldview. Findings underscore the urgent need for the documentation and preservation of local ecological knowledge amid ongoing socio-economic transformations. Sustaining this intangible heritage is critical for biodiversity conservation, local food security, and cultural resilience. Ethnobotany traditional knowledge Ergani Upper Mesopotamia medicinal plants biocultural heritage cultural erosion Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 07 Nov, 2025 Read the published version in Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 28 Sep, 2025 Reviews received at journal 06 Sep, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 29 Aug, 2025 Reviews received at journal 27 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 27 Aug, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 27 Aug, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 26 Aug, 2025 First submitted to journal 25 Aug, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7292403","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":507293540,"identity":"27a61d0e-b10c-4d4e-a979-1c454d2ca93f","order_by":0,"name":"Mustafa ASLAN","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABDUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYNACGyBmB+KPDTARNrzqGRsY0oAUM5A1E1kLDzFamHmJ0aI7I/35gx8JdvLyzczPHtvusMs3bz97gOFD2WEGe+kDWLWY3cgxbOxJSDbccJjN3Dj3TLLlnDN5CYwzzh1m4OFLwKWFsYH3BzPjBmYGM+ncNmYDCYYcA2beNqAWHC4zu5H+sPFPQr39/Gb2b9KWbfUGEvxvDJj/4tWSYNjMk3A4seEwj5k0Y9thAwkJoC2M+LSceWM4WybhePKGwzxlkr1tx4Fa3hgc7DmXzsNzBoeW4+kPPr5JqLad396+TeJnWzXQYTmGD36UWcux92DXgh0cYMAbk6NgFIyCUTAKCAEAUAFYQDCVS0QAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"","institution":"","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mustafa","middleName":"","lastName":"ASLAN","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-08-04 14:53:10","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7292403/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7292403/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[{"content":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00824-x","type":"published","date":"2025-11-07T15:57:41+00:00"}],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":95564673,"identity":"931a641a-ab05-4dfc-8daf-4819942cb375","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-11-10 16:10:12","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":730390,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Revise1MANUSCRUPT.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7292403/v1_covered_5a10c62e-5b2b-43ab-ae51-adf19965e37d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Ethnobotanical Investigation of Central and Rural Villages (Neighborhoods) in the Ergani District of Diyarbakır, Turkey","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-ethnobiology-and-ethnomedicine","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jeet","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine](http://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"13002","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/13002/3","title":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","twitterHandle":"@ethnobiomed","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Ethnobotany, traditional knowledge, Ergani, Upper Mesopotamia, medicinal plants, biocultural heritage, cultural erosion","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7292403/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7292403/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEthnobotanical knowledge constitutes a vital component of cultural heritage and biodiversity conservation, particularly in regions undergoing rapid socio-cultural transitions. Southeastern Anatolia, despite its high floristic richness and biocultural diversity, remains underexplored in terms of non-medicinal plant uses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMethods\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study documents the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge of wild plant species used for non-medicinal and medicinal purposes in the Ergani district of Diyarbakır, Turkey. Data were collected between 2023 and 2024 through structured and semi-structured interviews (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;112), guided fieldwalks, and participant observation across Ergani and 12 surrounding villages. Demographic variables and plant use data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Cultural Importance Index (CI) to assess the relative significance of each taxon.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResults\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA total of 56 plant species belonging to 26 families were identified, used across five categories: medicinal (67.8%), nutritional (53.6%), fuel, decorative, and symbolic (e.g., protection against the evil eye). Multifunctionality was a recurring theme, with several species (e.g., \u003cem\u003eVitis vinifera\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eVitex agnus-castus\u003c/em\u003e) employed in more than two categories. The most represented families were Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, and Brassicaceae. Wild plants played a central role in local subsistence and cultural practices, with vernacular names and preparation methods varying across gender and age groups. Ritual use, particularly of \u003cem\u003ePeganum harmala\u003c/em\u003e, remained prevalent among older participants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study reveals a complex, integrative system of plant use in Ergani that reflects a holistic ethnoecological worldview. Findings underscore the urgent need for the documentation and preservation of local ecological knowledge amid ongoing socio-economic transformations. Sustaining this intangible heritage is critical for biodiversity conservation, local food security, and cultural resilience.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Ethnobotanical Investigation of Central and Rural Villages (Neighborhoods) in the Ergani District of Diyarbakır, Turkey","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-03 19:54:05","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7292403/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"decision","content":"Revision requested","date":"2025-09-28T17:21:51+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-09-06T08:01:48+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"145376319378937862263178211100037153564","date":"2025-08-29T07:10:50+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"editorInvitedReview","content":"","date":"2025-08-28T02:26:30+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"194963472239302946531052764356200158281","date":"2025-08-27T13:28:31+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewerAgreed","content":"97068295135522034517920520152389501711","date":"2025-08-27T09:17:52+00:00","index":"hide","fulltext":""},{"type":"reviewersInvited","content":"","date":"2025-08-27T04:55:31+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2025-08-27T01:28:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","date":"2025-08-25T12:08:34+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"journal-of-ethnobiology-and-ethnomedicine","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"jeet","sideBox":"Learn more about [Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine](http://ethnobiomed.biomedcentral.com/)","snPcode":"13002","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/13002/3","title":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine","twitterHandle":"@ethnobiomed","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"44ed87be-6265-4b80-9729-888c8e18a52b","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 3rd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"published-in-journal","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-11-10T16:08:27+00:00","versionOfRecord":{"articleIdentity":"rs-7292403","link":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00824-x","journal":{"identity":"journal-of-ethnobiology-and-ethnomedicine","isVorOnly":false,"title":"Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine"},"publishedOn":"2025-11-07 15:57:41","publishedOnDateReadable":"November 7th, 2025"},"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-03 19:54:05","video":"","vorDoi":"10.1186/s13002-025-00824-x","vorDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-025-00824-x","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7292403","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7292403","identity":"rs-7292403","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}