Medicinal plants diversity and their conservation status in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Abstract

This paper was an attempt to assimilate the medicinal plant status of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by analyzing their diversity and conservation status against the knowledge management practices of traditional medicine practitioners. Information was gathered through extensive literature survey, field trips and semi structured questionnaire. A total of 132 plants (nearly 20% of total species) were found to possess medicinal properties in the UAE traditionally, a rich density considering the hyper-arid conditions that prevail in the region. These plant species belongs to 115 genera and 49 families. Asteraceae and Fabaceae families have the maximum number of species. The medicinal plants were categorized into various life forms such as chamaephyte (41%), therophyte (36%), phanerophyte (11%), hemicryptophytes (4%), geophytes (4%) and lianas (4%). Maximum number of medicinal plant species were recorded from mountains and wadi habitat (44.7%). This study revealed the diversity in plant parts used in the treatment of different ailments. The traditional knowledge gathered here can be considered a good starting point for effective in situ conservation, which requires accurate and up-to date information on the status of medicinal plant populations, extent and nature of plant use by local communities.   Key words: Medicinal plants, diversity, conservation status, traditional uses.