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.

We are pleased to announce a call for papers for a new article Collection in JEET, focusing on the multifaceted topic of "Food heritage and food ethnobiology". This Collection aims to explore the rich and diverse intersections of food, culture, and biology, and we invite contributions that delve into the following thematic areas:

- Folk-Food Medicines: Investigations into traditional food-based remedies and their roles in cultural practices, health, and community well-being. We welcome studies that document, analyze, and interpret the use of food as medicine across different cultures and historical periods.

- Food Heritagisation Process: Analyses of how certain foods and culinary practices become recognized and preserved as cultural heritage. Papers may explore the mechanisms, policies, and social dynamics involved in the heritagisation process, including the roles of institutions, communities, and individuals.

- Educational Ethnobiology/Ethnoecology: Research on the educational aspects of ethnobiology and ethnoecology, particularly how knowledge about food and ecological relationships is transmitted across generations. Contributions may address formal and informal educational practices, curriculum development, and the impact of education on food heritage preservation.

We encourage submissions from a wide range of disciplines, including but not limited to anthropology, ecology, biology, history, and education. Interdisciplinary approaches that bridge these fields are particularly welcome.

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.