Research on students ’ traditional knowledge about medicinal plants : Case study of high schools in Izmir , Turkey

Documentation of the traditional knowledge is important for the conservation and utilization of biological resources and should be carried out before such rich heritages are lost due to various anthropogenic and other natural causes. In this reason, the aim of this study is to determine students’ current knowledge level and their conceptualisation of medicinal plants used in their surrounding social environment. The research was carried out in two stages. First, semistructured-tape-recorded interviews were administered to 156 students to gather their information about medicinal plants used in Izmir. Second, students’ traditional knowledge about medicinal plants were evaluated conceptually, by asking them the sources and their ideas about the usefulness of such knowledge. According to data obtained from high school students in Izmir, 23 taxa of medicinal plants are used for phytotherapies by the community. However, it was seen that the knowledge and conceptual understanding about medicinal plants is not sufficient for continuity of traditional knowledge.