Core-periphery structure of a medicinal botanical system in Uruguay

Abstract Background: Human evolution has granted upon individual’s cognitive mechanisms necessary for remembering experiences, vital for both survival and reproduction. These experiences manifest into cultural traits, influencing human culture, particularly in healthcare and maintenance. Studies regarding medicinal plants and treatments are integral to the study of the medical botanical system. Pharmacopeias highlight the prevalence of specific species widely used, aligning with the “consensus within diversity theory” in evolutionary ethnobiology. Methods: This study applies network analysis on the botanical system of “Parque Regional Quebradas del Norte”, Rivera, Uruguay. Results: Study results demonstrate a core-periphery structure, with a tightly interconnected core resistant to fragmentation, ensuring structural stability. This study showed the existence of peripheral nodes in the entire system, improving resilience against disturbances and increasing population's health. Conclusion: The core species, renowned for their versatility and multiple medicinal uses, treating less severe ailments effectively. Additionally, core plants serve as prototypes for innovations. Their extinction poses a threat to the system's resilience. Conversely, peripheral plants, though vulnerable, offer possibilities for therapeutic innovations. In the face of environmental change, conservation efforts should prioritize species that are vulnerable to extinction, particularly within the core. Simultaneously, preserving knowledge associated with peripheral plants presents a bicultural conservation strategy, ensuring the botanical system's robustness amongst evolving ecological conditions.