Reassessing and expanding the Forage Value Index: native plants and pastoral communities of the Chaco Serrano

Abstract

Background: The use of ecological indices in ecology is a widely expanded strategy to synthesize and compare complex natural systems by using quantitative variables such as species abundance, diversity, composition, and ecosystem structure. This study proposes a reassessment of the Forage Value Index (FVI) by integrating ethnobotanical criteria to better capture the functional and cultural importance of native forage plants in the Chaco Serrano (northwestern Argentina).

Methods: An enriched Forage Value Index (eFVI) was developed by incorporating locally defined variables, including palatability, abundance, accessibility, seasonal availability, livestock specificity, and plant parts consumed. Data were collected through ethnobotanical fieldwork conducted with rural pastoral communities quantitatively analyzed by relativizing index values to improve comparability across species.

Results: The eFVI integrates ethnobotanical variables to more accurately reflect local forage selection practices in pastoral systems. A total of 129 forage species were documented, among which 26 were identified as key species. The results indicate that forage preference is primarily determined by livestock type, forage quality–palatability, and annual availability. These findings underscore the value of local knowledge in ecosystem management as a foundation for promoting sustainable and autonomous livestock production.

Conclusions: The eFVI constitutes a robust, dynamic, and context-sensitive tool that effectively integrates ecological data with local knowledge. Native species with high index values should be prioritized in the design of management and conservation strategies. Ethnobotanical approaches deepen the understanding of plant and local communities’ relationships, thereby supporting biodiversity conservation, autonomous livestock production, and food security in pastoral systems across arid and semi-arid regions.

Keywords: Ethnobotany; Forage plants; Livestock; Rural communities; Catamarca; Argentina