Kazancı, CerenOruç, SonerMosulishvili, Marine2021-06-152021-06-152021Kazancı, C., Oruç, S., Mosulishvili, M. (2021). Ethnoveterinary and fodder plants used among transhumant communities around Georgia-Turkey border, in the western lesser caucasus, Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 21, 1-26.https://hdl.handle.net/11494/3220Background: Livestock are an integral part of the transhumant life in the Caucasus. Maintaining the health and wellbeing of the animals has been a critical responsibility for pastoral communities. This study presents the wild plant species used for ethnoveterinary and fodder purposes by transhumant people on the both sides of Georgia- Turkey border. Methods: During two summers (2017–2018), 119 participants were interviewed (74 in Turkey and 45 in Georgia) with semi-structured questionnaires. Cultural importance index (CI) and Relative frequency of citation (RFC) were used to evaluate the relative importance of species among communities. Results: In total 113 citations of 38 wild plant species for ethnoveterinary purposes, and 186 citations of 61 wild plant species as fodder were obtained in the study area. The most important species in ethnoveterinary were Veratrum album and Achillea millefolium in Georgia, and Veratrum album and Picea orientalis in Turkey. Aerial parts of the plants were the most frequently used part in Georgia while the root was in Turkey. Gastrointestinal problems were the most commonly mentioned diseases in Georgia while dermatological and parasitic diseases in Turkey. The majority of the plant species were mentioned to treat the ailments of cattle (37 species). Fabaceae, Polygonaceae and Asteraceae were the most mentioned families used as fodder in both countries. There were also several plants used as bedding for livestock and against evil eye in the study area. Conclusions: Pastoral way of life in the Western Lesser Caucasus still reflects living evidence of plant-based traditional ethnoveterinary knowledge and practices to support the health of livestock. The results of this study could be a base for future ethnoveterinary and animal feed research and contribute to organic animal husbandry in the region.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCross-cultural studyEthnoveterinaryFodder plantsGeorgiaThe CaucasusTraditional knowledgeTranshumant peopleTurkeyArticle2112610.32859/era.28.19.1-26Q1