Phylogeny explains why less therapeutically redundant plant species are not necessarily facing greater use pressure

Understanding which factors influence medicinal plant species selection and harvest or use pressure can provide valuable insights for sustainable management of natural resources conservation efforts. The utilitarian redundancy model, a theoretical framework in ethnobotany, suggests that are therapeutically redundant fulfil similar therapeutic functions within traditional ethnomedicine less likely to be under greater pressure. However, species' evolutionary relatedness the preference certain over others treat given illness directly affect how is diffused across several groups species. These may alter strength redundancy–use relationship. Medicinal same experience despite their level because they preferred, where most people select these preferably other equally available treatment. Furthermore, closely related evolutionarily more harvested not unique but share traits such as secondary chemistry with medicinally important make them prone being harvested. We investigate effects redundancy, value, on Shipibo-Konibo community Paoyhan Peruvian Amazon region. used phylogenetic generalized least squares models identify significant predictors 62 cited by 30 participants fulfilling 31 ethnomedicine. Our model controlling shared history indicated plants experienced levels increased, effect became positive. Contrary predictions, local alone did predict when we control history, was dependent redundancy. study illustrates importance between studying plant–human interactions complexity involved employing inform A free plain language summary found Supporting Information this article.