Publications and Media
Publications
1.
Coe, M. A., & Gaoue, O.G. (2025).Toward a road map for sustainable ayahuasca production using integral projection models. In McKenna, D. et al. (eds.) The Ethnopharmacological Search for Psychoactive Drugs: 55 Years of Research. Synergetic Press.
Ayahuasca sustainability is of pivotal importance, however sadly, it is under threat. This article shares a methodology for the protection and sustainable harvest of Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex. Griseb) C.V. Morton.
2.
Albuquerque, U. P., Cantalice, A. S., Magalhães, A. R., Coe, M. A., Gusmão, R. A. F., (2024). Embracing Methodological Issues in Ethnobiology and Overcoming Challenges. Acta Botanica Brasilica.
This paper examines the evolving landscape of ethnobiology, particularly the integration of quantitative approaches and the hypothetical-deductive method. We acknowledge the challenges associated with adopting quantitative tools, such as the potential for oversimplification and the necessity for critical reflection on the underlying principles. Furthermore, we explore ecological diversity indices, cultural significance indices, sample sufficiency, replication in studies, and the importance of spatial-temporal context in ethnobiological research. To enhance research validity, reliability, and generalizability, we provide practical recommendations.
3.
Coe, M. A., & Gaoue, O.G. (2023). Increased clonal growth in heavily harvested ecosystems failed to rescue ayahuasca lianas from decline in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. Journal of Applied Ecology.
This study investigates how harvesting ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce ex Griseb.) C.V. Morton) affects the survival and long-term health of its populations in the Peruvian Amazon. While harvest did not alter growth or reproduction rates, it significantly reduced the survival of larger vines, which play a key role in population stability. Short-term projections showed steep population declines under both low and high harvest pressure, though lightly harvested populations may recover and grow over time. The findings highlight the importance of protecting large vines and clonal individuals to ensure sustainable harvest and conservation of this culturally and ecologically important plant.
4.
Coe, M. A., & Gaoue, O. G. (2021). Phylogeny explains why less therapeutically redundant species are not necessarily facing greater use-pressure. People and Nature.
This study explores why plant species with fewer therapeutic substitutes aren't always under heavier harvesting pressure. The authors show that evolutionary relationships—phylogeny—help explain patterns of how local communities use medicinal plants. Their findings caution against assuming scarcity automatically increases pressure, highlighting instead how cultural and ecological contexts shape plant use.
5.
Gaoue, O. G., Moutouama, J. K., Coe, M. A., Bond, M. O., et al. (2021). Methodological advances for hypothesis-driven ethnobotany. Biological Reviews.
This paper outlines modern statistical tools vital for advancing hypothesis-driven research in ethnobiology. It recommends techniques like mixed-effects models, structural equation modeling, phylogenetic regression, social network analysis, and species distribution modeling, all paired with practical examples and R code. The authors emphasize that blending these quantitative approaches with qualitative insights strengthens both rigor and relevance in the field.
6.
Coe, M. A., & Gaoue, O. G. (2020). Cultural keystone species revisited: Are we asking the right questions? Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
This review critically examines how “cultural keystone species” have been identified in ethnobiology. It reveals that few studies offer measurable or reproducible criteria for classifying such species, with most relying on subjective judgment. The authors call for more systematic, testable approaches to assessing cultural keystone status and its relevance for biocultural conservation.
7.
Coe, M. A., & Gaoue, O. G. (2020). Most cultural importance indices do not predict species cultural keystone status. Human Ecology.
Investigating the predictive power of standard cultural importance indices, this study finds that most fail to accurately identify true cultural keystone species. The researchers show that many commonly used indices are redundant and that controlling for evolutionary relatedness improves model reliability. Their work highlights the need for more robust, context-aware metrics when linking human cultural value to plant conservation.
8.
Gaoue, O. G., Coe, M. A., Bond, M., Hart, G., Seyler, B., & McMillen, H. (2017). Theories and Major Hypotheses in Ethnobotany. Economic Botany.
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the major theories and testable hypotheses that guide research in ethnobotany. The authors organize decades of work into clear thematic frameworks, covering topics such as plant domestication, medicinal plant selection, knowledge transmission, and the impacts of harvest on plant populations. By synthesizing these ideas, the article helps researchers design more rigorous, hypothesis-driven studies that bridge cultural and ecological understanding.
9.
Coe, M. A., & McKenna, D. J. (2017). Therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca. In Evidence-based Herbal and Nutritional Treatments for Anxiety Disorders. Springer.
This chapter examines the potential therapeutic benefits of ayahuasca in treating anxiety-related conditions. Drawing on ethnomedical insights and emerging clinical research, the authors contextualize ayahuasca within broader traditions of plant medicine while considering its applications and implications in therapeutic settings. The analysis highlights both its cultural significance and its promising role in evidence-based mental health interventions.
