Worldwide mountain regions are recognized as hotspots of ethnopharmacologically relevant species diversity. In South Tyrol (Southern Alps, Italy), and due to the region’s high plant diversity and isolated population, a unique traditional botanical knowledge of medicinal plants has flourished, which traces its history back to prehistoric times. However, changes in rural life and culture may threaten this unique biodiversity and cultural heritage. Our study aims to collect and analyze information on native plants used in traditional folk medicine, focusing on the preservation of botanical and cultural diversity. Data were collected through a review of published material that documents traditionally used medicinal plants of South Tyrol in order to capture the total diversity of plants and their usage. We evaluated different parameters, comprising the ethnobotanicity index (EI), ethnophytonomic index (EPI), relative frequency of citation (RFC), red list status, and regional legislation with regard to the plant species. A total of 276 species, including 3 mushrooms and 3 lichens, were identified. These belonged to 72 families, most frequently to the Asteraceae, Rosaceae, and Lamiaceae. The most frequently cited species were Hypericum perforatum L., Urtica dioica L., and Plantago lanceolata L. According to 12 ICPC-2 disease categories, the most frequently treated human health symptoms were from the digestive and respiratory systems as well as the skin. A total of 27 species were listed as endangered, of which 16 are not protected and two are now already extinct. Among the 59 predominantly alpine species, 11 species are restricted to the high altitudes of the Alps and may be threatened by global warming. Our research revealed that the ethnobotanical richness of South Tyrol is among the highest in Italy and throughout the Alps. Nevertheless, it is evident that biodiversity and traditional knowledge have been heavily eroded. Furthermore, we point out particularly sensitive species that should be reconsidered for stronger protections in legal regulations.

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南蒂罗尔州（意大利北部，阿尔卑斯山南部）的传统药用植物：生物多样性和利用

世界各地的山区被认为是民族药理学相关物种多样性的热点。在南蒂罗尔州（意大利南阿尔卑斯山），由于该地区植物多样性高，人口众多，因此对药用植物的独特传统植物学知识得到了发展，其历史可追溯到史前时期。但是，农村生活和文化的变化可能会威胁到这种独特的生物多样性和文化遗产。我们的研究旨在收集和分析有关传统民间医学中使用的本地植物的信息，重点是保护植物和文化多样性。通过回顾已出版的材料收集数据，这些材料记录了南蒂罗尔州传统上使用的药用植物，以便捕获植物的总体多样性及其用途。我们评估了不同的参数，包括民族植物志指数（EI），民族植物学指数（EPI），相对引用频率（RFC），红色清单状态和有关植物物种的区域法规。总共鉴定出276种，包括3个蘑菇和3个地衣。这些属于72科，最常见的是菊科，蔷薇科和唇形科。引用最频繁的物种是贯叶连翘，荨麻叶和车前草。根据12种ICPC-2疾病类别，人类最常治疗的症状来自消化系统和呼吸系统以及皮肤。总共列出了27种濒临灭绝的物种，其中16种没有受到保护，现在有2种已经灭绝。在59种主要的高山物种中，11种物种仅限于阿尔卑斯山的高海拔地区，并可能受到全球变暖的威胁。我们的研究表明，南蒂罗尔的人种植物丰富度在意大利和整个阿尔卑斯山中是最高的。然而，显然生物多样性和传统知识已受到严重侵蚀。此外，我们指出了应该重新考虑的特别敏感物种，以便在法律法规中加强保护。