This is a major update repositioning the package from a quantitative indices calculator to a comprehensive framework for integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into conservation and development decision-making.
New vignettes: -
vignette("honest_ethnobotany") - Critical assessment of
quantitative ethnobotany indices: what they can tell you, what they
cannot tell you, when they’re useful, and when they mislead. A
no-holds-barred examination of both limitations and responsible use. -
vignette("decision_framing_guide") - Comprehensive
framework for structured decision-framing in community-based
conservation. Covers decision theory, participatory ethics,
epistemological foundations, multiple contrasting cases (successes and
failures), and principles for defensible practice. -
vignette("benin_case_study") - Critical case study of a
fonio value-chain workshop in Benin. Shows what the workshop achieved,
what it doesn’t tell us, what follow-up is needed, and how to avoid
treating a single successful event as a replicable methodology. -
vignette("ethnobotanyr_decision_framing_practical") -
Practical guide with worked code examples for using ethnobotanyR
functions in participatory decision-framing workshops. Shows how to
calculate indices responsibly and use them as prompts for dialogue
rather than decision-drivers.
Reframed README: - Now emphasizes three user
pathways (describe knowledge, model decisions, run participatory
exercises) rather than indices as the primary product - Explicitly
states what the package does NOT do (make decisions, offer robust proof
via indices, replace engagement) - Directs users to
vignette("honest_ethnobotany") before using indices -
Repositions indices as descriptive tools within larger frameworks
Emphasis shift: - Moved from “indices as the main product” to “decision-framing and Bayesian modeling as primary methods” - Indices now positioned as one tool for communication and exploration, not as foundational to conservation/development decisions - Elevated Bayesian network modeling and structured decision-framing as the robust, defensible approaches
Users should now: 1. Start with the framework vignettes if planning participatory work (decision-framing guide, Benin case study) 2. Read the honest critique before using indices (honest_ethnobotany vignette) 3. Use indices for disaggregation and communication, not prediction (practical guide with examples) 4. Model uncertainty when making high-stakes decisions (TEK modeling with Bayesian networks)
The package now acknowledges both the utility and the substantial limitations of quantitative ethnobotany indices, and provides a path toward scientifically defensible, ethically grounded decision-making that integrates TEK.
This version 0.1.9.1 of ethnobotanyR is a working version (thus the redundant trailing ‘.1’):
Adding new vignettes for species names and for modeling Starting the process of dismantling the quantitative indices stuff in favor of some modeling - adding more modeling and removing - or at least scaling back argumentation about - the quantitative indices
This version 0.1.9 of ethnobotanyR is a patch (Whitney 2022):
Updated for R 4.2.0 “Vigorous Calisthenics”:
ethno_alluvial() and
radial_Plot()Modeling with ethnobotanyR (split
the existing into one about indices and one about modeling and expanded
on both)ggplot2 (…)ethno_boot()This version 0.1.8 of ethnobotanyR (Whitney 2021) is a patch:
Fixed bugs in functions from Myanmar work and China work/ removed more old functions updated for new methods in the tidyverse
This version 0.1.7 of ethnobotanyR (Whitney 2020c) is a patch: Added new functions from Myanmar work and China work/ removed old functions
This version 0.1.6 of ethnobotanyR (Whitney 2020b) is a patch: Fixed some bugs / added some more model options and figure options
This version 0.1.5 of ethnobotanyR (Whitney 2020a) is a patch: Removed some bugs / added some more model options and figure options
This version 0.1.4 of ethnobotanyR is a patch: Removed some bugs and added some new methods/models and figures
This version 0.1.3 of ethnobotanyR (Whitney 2019b) is a patch: Fixed some bugs and added some new indices and figures
This version 0.1.2 of ethnobotanyR is a patch: Removed some bugs / added some new methods
This version 0.1.1 of ethnobotanyR (Whitney 2019a) is a patch: Fixed some bugs and added some new indices
This version 0.1.0 of ethnobotanyR is a new release The package ethnobotanyR ‘Calculate Quantitative Ethnobotany Indices’ following some common standard indices used in ethnobotany.
Whitney, C. 2022, ethnobotanyR v0.1.9, Figshare. 10.6084/m9.figshare.21780890 Whitney, C. 2021, ethnobotanyR v0.1.8, Figshare. 10.6084/m9.figshare.13554029.v2 Whitney, C. 2020c, ethnobotanyR v0.1.7, Figshare. 10.6084/m9.figshare.11791830.v3 Whitney, C. 2020b, ethnobotanyR v0.1.6, Figshare. 10.6084/m9.figshare.9948620.v2 Whitney, C. 2020a, ethnobotanyR v0.1.5, Figshare. 10.6084/m9.figshare.9956345.v3 Whitney, C. 2019b, ethnobotanyR v0.1.3, Figshare. 10.6084/m9.figshare.9956336.v1 Whitney, C. 2019a, ethnobotanyR v0.1.1, Figshare. 10.6084/m9.figshare.8050529.v3