S.N. PATIL, B.P. SHINDE AND M.B. WAMAN
Abstract
Wild edible plants (WEPs) are an important but underestimated component of global food and nutrition systems. This review encompasses data on the nutritional, ecological, social, and cultural importance of WEPs; explores the threats to their decline; and evaluates solutions for their long-term consumption and preservation. WEPs contain essential micronutrients, fiber, and bioactive compounds that are often absent in staple-centric diets, while also increasing resilience to climatic stress due to their adaptability to marginal settings. Their documentation and assessments contribute to biodiversity conservation and the preservation of indigenous knowledge. However, excessive extraction, habitat deterioration, changes in land use, and a loss of indigenous ecological expertise all pose threats to their survival. Future potential includes strategic domestication, market development, supportive policy structures aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and collaborative approaches such as citizen science. Finally, we identify critical research gaps in safety and toxicity data, cultivation, domestication, and value-chain development that must be addressed to fully realize the potential of WEPs.