The importance of deepening our understanding of small-scale farming and its intersections with ethnobiology and ethnoecology cannot be overstated. These fields illuminate not only traditional agricultural practices that have sustained communities for generations, but also contemporary locally adapted sustainable practices. Together, they underscore the vital role of local knowledge in preserving biodiversity and shaping cultural landscapes.

Recent research has highlighted the intricate relationships between local communities and their territories and ecosystems, showing how both traditional and locally adapted innovative farming methods can enhance biodiversity and promote ecological balance. These insights are essential for informing sustainable land management and ecosystem resilience.

Looking ahead, continued exploration in this area holds the potential to yield transformative insights. Integrating traditional knowledge with organic and agroecological practices—which may be ancient, innovative, or retro-innovative—can lead to more sustainable and resilient food and agriculture systems. This research is not only key to preserving cultural heritage but also to addressing urgent global challenges related to food security and environmental sustainability.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

Local Knowledge & Sustainability

• Local Knowledge Systems in Agriculture

• Traditional Agricultural Practices and Sustainability

• Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Resilience

Biodiversity & Conservation

• Biodiversity Conservation in Small-Scale Farming

• Ethnobiological Approaches to Conservation

• Ethnoecological Perspectives on Land Use

Agroecology, Organic Farming & Cultural Landscapes

• Agroecological & Organic Practices and Transitions

• Innovation and Local Knowledge in Agroecological and Organic Systems

• Cultural Landscapes and Food Sovereignty.

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 2, Zero hunger, SDG 12, Responsible consumption and production, and SDG 15, Life on land.

All submissions in this collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process. Similarly, all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) will be handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.

This collection examines how ethnobiological and ethnomedical knowledge can be preserved, analyzed, and expanded through modern digital and computational tools. Inspired by the ETHCSTWIN initiative, it highlights interdisciplinary research that connects traditional medicinal knowledge with big data, AI, and collaborative open-science frameworks.

The collection welcomes contributions on:

• Digital preservation and documentation of ethnobiomedical heritage, including manuscripts, folklore, and ethnobotanical records.
• Computational and AI‑based methods—such as machine learning, data mining, NLP, and systems biology—for analyzing large ethnobiomedical datasets and generating therapeutic insights.
• Development of digital infrastructures, including relational databases, knowledge graphs, and integrated platforms for data curation and reuse.
• Interdisciplinary methodologies that bridge ethnobiomedical research with data science, bioinformatics, and cheminformatics.
• Capacity building and collaborative models that strengthen cross‑regional research ecosystems, particularly those linking the Balkans, Mediterranean, and Central Europe.
• Future applications, including translational potential for phytotherapy, drug discovery, and community‑driven knowledge exchange.

All submissions in this Collection undergo the journal’s standard peer review process, and all manuscripts authored by a Guest Editor(s) are handled by the Editor-in-Chief. As an open access publication, this journal levies an article processing fee (details here). We recognize that many key stakeholders may not have access to such resources and are committed to supporting participation in this issue wherever resources are a barrier. For more information about what support may be available, please visit OA funding and support, or email OAfundingpolicy@springernature.com or the Editor-in-Chief.