Provisioning Ecosystem Services of Wild Plants Collected From Seminatural Habitats: A Basis for Sustainable Livelihood and Multifunctional Landscape Conservation

Wild plants from seminatural habitats (meadows, pastures, shrubland, etc) provide numerous ecosystem services (ESs). However, because of land abandonment and reforestation processes, these the ESs provided by them are declining. The aim this study was to identify how local people benefit collecting wild habitats, in order link identified with conservation practices. research based on a survey 85 inhabitants Pieniny Mountains (Poland). results showed that 89% respondents regularly collected for different reasons. most common gained activity were natural medicine, direct consumption, food. Furthermore, particular species have crucial meaning some ESs, such as food, cosmetic purposes. For others, decoration, ritual purposes, or forage, only specific parts types plants, flowers, herbs, grasses, desirable, regardless species. In terms households, 38% used an additional source livelihood. Promoting engagement activities more adapted current economic situation (eg ecotourism selling processed plant products) may be good solution using profitably (serving basis livelihood), combined grassland conservation.