Ethnobiological knowledge, quantitative assessment, and socio-cultural valorization of <i>Juniperus turbinata</i> among local communities across Morocco

Abstract

Abstract. El Annaoui A, Ait Bella Y, Haddioui A, Ezzine A, Dani S, Abd-Dada H, Bouda S. 2026. Ethnobiological knowledge, quantitative assessment, and socio-cultural valorization of Juniperus turbinata among local communities across Morocco. Asian J Ethnobiol 9 (1): y090109. https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjethnobiol/y090109. Red juniper (Juniperus turbinata) is an endemic Mediterranean species with longstanding medicinal, veterinary, cultural, and economic uses in Morocco, yet no comprehensive, species-focused, nationwide ethnobiological assessment has been conducted. This study documents and analyzes traditional knowledge and practices related to the species across its Moroccan distribution. A total of 518 informants, including 60 herbalists, were surveyed between 2023 and 2024 through semi-structured interviews. Several ethnobotanical indices were applied, including the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC), Fidelity Level (FL), Cultural Importance Index (CI), and Use Value (UV), supported by a comparative literature review. Results show that red juniper is widely known and used for medicinal purposes. The medicinal RFC is 0.895, the UV is 4.34, and the medicinal CI reaches 3.86, confirming its major role in traditional pharmacopoeias. Aerial parts are predominantly used. Therapeutic applications mainly target respiratory, digestive, dermatological, and metabolic disorders, mostly through infusions and decoctions. Knowledge and Use Popularity Index (KUPI) analysis reveals high knowledge and perceived importance but only moderate actual use, particularly among younger and more educated informants. Chi-square tests show that sex, occupation, and education significantly influence perceived medicinal importance, while therapeutic preferences are strongly associated with age, education level, occupation, geographical area, and duration of residence. The veterinary dimension represents 35.5% of citations, with veterinary RFC=0.355 and veterinary CI=0.772, mainly for ruminants. Economically, professionalization indicates a market largely driven by experienced herbalists. Despite its nationwide scope, the study relies on self-reported knowledge, which may introduce recall or reporting biases and should be taken into account. Overall, the findings highlight the biocultural significance of J. turbinata and support the integration of local knowledge into community-based management, conservation planning, and sustainable valorization strategies.