Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal Plants Used by Communities Bordering Plateau State Forest Reserves

Medicinal plant use among communities bordering forest reserves in Plateau State, within Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, represents both a cultural heritage and a potential driver of overexploitation of plant resources within protected areas. This study documents the medicinal plants harvested from forest reserves in Jos North and Bassa Local Government Areas, examining species identity, harvesting methods, and the sustainability of offtake levels. A total of 60 key informants, including traditional healers, herbalists, and elderly community members, were interviewed using semi-structured ethnobotanical questionnaires. Voucher specimens were collected and identified at the University of Jos herbarium. A total of 78 plant species across 42 families were recorded as being used for medicinal purposes, with the highest frequency of citation for conditions including malaria, respiratory infections, and diabetes. Ten species were identified as potentially threatened by current harvesting intensities based on population density assessments in the field. The study finds that no formal harvesting regulations exist for medicinal plant extraction from these reserves, and that park staff awareness of plant trade activities is minimal. The study recommends the integration of non-timber forest product management into reserve governance plans, community cultivation programs for high-demand species, and recognition of traditional ecological knowledge in conservation planning frameworks. These findings are relevant to conservation managers and state forestry authorities. Keywords: ethnobotany, medicinal plants, Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, forest reserves