Bioresources in Himalayan mountain ecosystem: knowledge gaps and pathways to sustainable livelihoods

Plants and fungi are integral to the livelihoods of mountain communities and underpin a rich body of traditional knowledge related to their use and conservation. Using the Economic Botany Data Collection Standard, we curated data on useful plants and fungi from 2283 publications spanning 146 districts of the Indian Himalaya. In total, 5409 species were documented, including 5041 medicinal species, 2655 used as human food, 1974 used as materials, 1526 with environmental applications, and 962 used as fuels. Further, 2088 useful species were documented specifically for 70 indigenous communities representing diverse geographic regions. This biocultural diversity represents a substantial resource for healthcare innovation and bioprospecting. Despite a marked increase in recent research, with nearly 3000 species documented across ∼200 studies, significant spatial disparities persist in traditional knowledge documentation. Large data gaps remain in several districts of the eastern Himalaya, whereas the western Himalaya shows comparatively comprehensive coverage, largely reflecting a higher concentration of research and academic institutions. We highlight that systematic and regionally balanced documentation of traditional knowledge, particularly for data-deficient species, landscapes, and communities, is essential to achieve sustainable livelihood by equitable access and benefit-sharing and to strengthen conservation outcomes.