Comparison of Ayvalik (Balikesir/Turkey) and lesbos island (Greece) in terms of ethnobotanical culture

The study aims to identify the plants used by the people of Ayvalık and Lesbos Island for various purposes and compare their usage based on similarities and differences. Field trips conducted between 2018 and 2024 gathered data through semi-structured interviews with 246 informants and surveys completed by 555 students. A total of 297 taxa belonging to 81 families with ethnobotanical uses were identified in the study. In Ayvalık, 291 taxa from 80 families were recorded with the following uses: 166 as food, 167 as medicinal, 56 for animal diseases, 41 as animal feed, 36 as ornamental, 30 for dye, 27 in handicrafts, 21 as bee plants, 18 as fuel, 10 as toys, and 33 with other ethnobotanical uses. On Lesvos Island, 86 taxa from 39 families were recorded with the following uses: 49 as food, 27 as medicinal, 16 as ornamental, 11 as animal feed, 9 as bee plants, 4 in handicrafts, 3 for dye, 2 as toys, 1 for animal diseases, 1 as fuel, and 14 with other ethnobotanical uses. The most utilized families were Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, and Fabaceae, with the most prominent taxa being Olea europaea and Hypericum perforatum. Additionally, 90 local names for 65 taxa were recorded for the first time. Data analysis used methods like UV, FIC, CI, PPV, and JI. The taxa with the highest UV values are Olea europaea (0.97), Hypericum perforatum (0.84), and Origanum onites (0.73), respectively. The highest FIC value (0.73) was found in digestive system diseases. Food taxa similarity (JI) was 23%, and medicinal taxa similarity was 12%. This study provides the first comparative ethnobotanical inventory of Ayvalık and Lesbos, creating a detailed database from Turkish and Greek studies.