Indigenous knowledge and traditional culture for sustainable use of native plants in Juenang cultural region of Rangtang county, Aba Zang and Qiang Prefecture of Sichuan province, have been characterized in this paper followed the principles and methods of ethnobotany. The results indicate that 38 species from 27 families(including 6 species of fungi) are ethnobotanically used commonly in this area. Of 38 species of the native plants, 13 species from 12 families are collected for eatables and vegetables, 12 families and 16 species of indigenous plants for medicinal and edible use, 4 species from 4 families for decoration, 4 species from 4 families used for building materials or firewood, and 1 species from 1 families used for religious folklore. Under the influence of Juenang culture and Tibetan culture, indigenous knowledge such as instinctive reverence and gratitude for nature, protection ecological environment and habitats, and moderate use of natural resources(especially wild bioresource), have been gotten passed on from generation to generation in Juenang culture region of Rangtang county, which is of great significance to the protection of local bioresources and environment, including ethnic medicinal plants, and also to provide practical guidance for biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration in those alpine ecological vulnerable areas.
Biodiversity ; China ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Ethnobotany ; Fungi/classification* ; Humans ; Knowledge ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal/classification*

The health impact of airborne particulate matter (PM) has long been a concern to clinicians, biologists, and the general public. With many epidemiological studies confirming the association of PM with allergic respiratory diseases, an increasing number of follow-up empirical studies are being conducted to investigate the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of PM on asthma and allergic rhinitis. In this review, we have briefly introduced the characteristics of PM and discussed its effects on public health. Subsequently, we have focused on recent studies to elucidate the association between PM and the allergic symptoms of human respiratory diseases. Specifically, we have discussed the mechanism of action of PM in allergic respiratory diseases according to different subtypes: coarse PM (PM2.5-10), fine PM (PM2.5), and ultrafine PM.

The health impact of airborne particulate matter (PM) has long been a concern to clinicians, biologists, and the general public. With many epidemiological studies confirming the association of PM with allergic respiratory diseases, an increasing number of follow-up empirical studies are being conducted to investigate the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of PM on asthma and allergic rhinitis. In this review, we have briefly introduced the characteristics of PM and discussed its effects on public health. Subsequently, we have focused on recent studies to elucidate the association between PM and the allergic symptoms of human respiratory diseases. Specifically, we have discussed the mechanism of action of PM in allergic respiratory diseases according to different subtypes: coarse PM (PM2.5-10), fine PM (PM2.5), and ultrafine PM.