Final answer:
The exact number of plant species used by East African pastoralists as medicines is not provided, but thousands of plant species are known to be used medicinally by indigenous communities worldwide. These practices highlight the importance of plant biodiversity and the preservation of traditional ethnobotanical knowledge for future medicinal discoveries.
Step-by-step explanation:
The specific number of plant species used as medicines by East African pastoralists is not stated in the provided information. However, it is known that traditional, indigenous communities worldwide use thousands of plant species for medicinal purposes. This ethnobotanical knowledge, including the medicinal uses of plants, is vital because many modern medications, such as aspirin and codeine, have been derived from plant compounds. Moreover, the nurturing of plant biodiversity is crucial for maintaining these medicinal resources. For example, the Kayapó identify and cultivate hundreds of plants for medicinal purposes, treating ailments such as diarrhea, which they categorize into 50 types and treat each with a specific plant medicine. This indicates the depth and variety of medicinal plant use among indigenous communities. It is also important to note that with the erosion of traditional knowledge and the threat of extinction to many plant species, conservation and scientific research are essential to preserve both the plants and the valuable ethnobotanical knowledge for future generations.