Comparison of Species Richness and Availability of Wild Food Plants and Fungi Sold in Two Open-Air Markets in Stung Treng Province, Cambodia

Wild food plants play a vital role in food sources in many rural communities. This study examines the diversity, species richness, and seasonal availability of wild food plants and edible fungi sold in two markets in Cambodia. The Stung Treng market is located in the provincial center, whereas the Siem Pang market is situated near protected areas. Fieldwork was conducted from March to December 2024, and from January to March 2025. Species richness and asymptotic richness analyses were used to compare market composition and sampling completeness. A total of 100 wild food plants were recorded. Species richness was significantly higher in the Stung Treng market than in the Siem Pang market. This demonstrates that proximity to protected areas does not necessarily result in higher wild food plant diversity in local markets. Instead, markets located farther away—particularly those in central provincial capitals—can exhibit greater species richness. Seasonal patterns were evident, although several species remained available year-round. These seasonal fluctuations suggest that local markets help buffer food systems by maintaining access to diverse wild foods. Species accumulation analyses indicated that additional survey days may reveal a few rare species; however, this study likely captured the majority of the commonly traded species.