Threatened and Near Threatened Underutilized Edible Fruit Species of Southern India for Food Security and Diversifying Agroecology

Southern India (SI) is bestowed with several threatened and near threatened (TNT) underutilized edible fruit species (UEFS) that contributes to food and nutritional security, particularly to the indigenous people. Unfortunately, information related to these natural products is fragmentary and least researched. The PRISMA Protocol was used to conduct a systematic review of the TNT-UEFS of the SI. The study confirmed that, of the total of 69 species of TNT-UEFS recorded, most of the species were reported to have medicinal, economical, and many other values, which need instant sustainable initiatives for conservation, consumption and cultivation.Among these species, 10 (14.5 %) were near threatened (NT), and 59 (85.5 %) were threatened.According to the IUCN Red List, the threatened species were further divided into three categories: Vulnerable (31 species), Endangered (20 species), and Critically Endangered (8 species). The provision of various ecosystem services is aided by integrating native and naturalised TNT-UEFS in various ecosystem restoration efforts through afforestation and reforestation. Consecutively, it helps India meet its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and neutralise land degradation by 2030. Hence, the study will provide baseline information for future research and be useful for policymakers to develop region-specific, scientific, and sustainable policies for SI.