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Improving our ability to monitor fragmented tropical ecosystems is a critical step in supporting the stewardship of these complex landscapes. We investigated the structural characteristics of vegetation classes in Ucayali, Peru, employing a co-production approach. The vegetation classes included three agricultural classes (mature oil palm, monocrop cacao, and agroforestry cacao plantations) and three forest regeneration classes (mature lowland forest, secondary lowland forest, and young lowland vegetation regrowth). We combined local knowledge with spaceborne lidar from NASA's Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation mission to classify vegetation and characterize the horizontal and vertical structure of each vegetation class. Mature lowland forest had consistently higher mean canopy height and lower canopy height variance than secondary lowland forest (µ = 29.40 m, sd = 6.89 m vs. µ = 20.82 m, sd = 9.15 m, respectively). The lower variance of mature forest could be attributed to the range of forest development ages in the secondary forest patches. However, secondary forests exhibited a similar vertical profile to mature forests, with each cumulative energy percentile increasing at similar rates. We also observed similar mean and standard deviations in relative height ratios (RH50/RH95) for mature forest, secondary forest, and oil palm even when removing the negative values from the relative height ratios and interpolating from above-ground returns only (mean RH50/RH95 of 0.58, 0.54, and 0.53 for mature forest, secondary forest, and oil palm, respectively) (p < .0001). This pattern differed from our original expectations based on local knowledge and existing tropical forest succession studies, pointing to opportunities for future work. Our findings suggest that lidar-based relative height metrics can complement local information and other remote sensing approaches that rely on optical imagery, which are limited by extensive cloud cover in the tropics. We show that characterizing ecosystem structure with a co-production approach can support addressing both the technical and social challenges of monitoring and managing fragmented tropical landscapes.
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Introduction: Integrating genetic data into conservation management decisions is a challenging task that requires strong partnerships between researchers and managers. Conservation in Latin America is of crucial relevance worldwide given the high biodiversity levels and the presence of hotspots in this region. Methods: We conducted a survey across Latin America to identify gaps and opportunities between genetic researchers and conservation managers. We aimed to better understand conservation managers' points of view and how genetic research could help conservation practitioners to achieve their goals, by implementing genetic assessments that could effectively inform conservation practices. We distributed an online survey via four regional collaborating organizations and 32 focal points based in 20 Latin American countries. The target respondents were conservation managers of species or areas in Latin America. Results: We collected a total of 468 answered questionnaires from 21 Latin American countries. Most respondents (44%) were from an academic or research institution while non-academics were mainly from non-governmental institutions (30%) and government agencies (25%). Most respondents (65%) have performed or used genetic assessments in their managed area or species, either alone, in partnership, contracting someone else or using published results. For the majority of this group, the genetic results were relevant to their conservation management goals, helping to inform management decisions. Respondents that had not performed genetic assessments (35%) were mainly from the non-academic group, and their main barriers were limited access to funds, genetic lab facilities, and trained personnel to design studies and conduct lab work. Discussion: From the findings, we describe the current situation and provide a general diagnosis of the conservation-genetics gap in Latin America. We describe the gender gap, academic-practitioner co-development of conservation questions and projects, and the nationality and residency of Latin American conservation managers in relation to the countries where they work. We discuss opportunities to co-create research questions and co-develop studies based on conservation practitioners' needs. We offer recommendations for overcoming barriers to integrate genetic information into conservation actions, and advance agendas that fit the needs and realities of the highly heterogeneous, biodiverse and challenging Latin American region.
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The use and knowledge of native and naturalized medicinal plants were evaluated in four communities of Villa Corzo, Chiapas, Mexico. The information was obtained through semi - structured surveys conducted with 1 18 people of different age and gender categories. To determine the most important plant species, indexes of value and frequency of use were generated. Seventy - nine species of 49 families were recorded, as well as their use in the treatment of various disea ses according to local knowledge. The species with the highest value of use were Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f., Verbena officinalis L. (verbena), Ocimum basilicum L. (basil) and Psidium guajava L. (guava). (guava). The most important families by number of specie s used were, in order of importance: Asteraceae and Rutaceae with five species Lamiaceae, Fabaceae and Rosaceae with four species each.
Se evaluaron el uso y conocimiento de las plantas medicinales nativas y naturalizadas en cuatro comunidades de Villa Corzo, Chiapas, México. La información se obtuvo a través de encuestas semiestructuradas realizadas a 118 personas de distintas categorías de edad y género. Para determinar las especies de plantas más importantes se generaron índices de valor y frecuencia de uso. Se registraron 79 especies de 49 familias, así como su uso en el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades de acuerdo al conocimiento local. Las especies con mayor valor de uso fueron Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. (sábila), Verbena officinalis L. (verbena), Ocimum basilicum L. (albahaca) y Psidium guajava L. (guayaba). Las familias más importantes por el número de especies utilizadas fueron, en orden de importancia: Asteraceae y Rutaceae con cinco especies, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae y Rosaceae con cuatro especies cada una.
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Humanos , Plantas Medicinais , Etnobotânica , População Rural , Inquéritos e Questionários , Etnofarmacologia , MéxicoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The collection of Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl. (castanha-da-Amazônia; Brazil nuts) seeds make up part of the everyday activities of the traditional populations that have inhabited all of the Amazon basin since remote times. Nonetheless, knowledge about these harvesting activities in native forest areas has not been well documented. The present study was designed to better understand the significance of this harvesting activity as well as the traditional ecological knowledge of the harvesters. METHODS: Utilizamos entrevistas semiestruturadas para a coleta de dados com extrativistas de castanha, moradores de Caroebe, Roraima (n = 18) durante o período de março de 2021 a março de 2022. The data analysis was based on the frequency of responses to socio-economic questions and their knowledge about that plant species as well as why those interviewees chose that line of work. We also adopted the Spearman and Mann-Whitney non-parametric tests to correlate variables identified in the study, and selected sections of their depositions to highlight the traditional knowledge of the interviewees and their experiences as harvesters. RESULTS: Constatamos que as razões para a escolha do trabalho com o extrativismo para todos os entrevistados é a necessidade de renda complementar, tradição familiar (55%), the sense of well-being provided by contact with the natural environment (25%), and a favorable disposition toward that type of work (11%). Harvesting involves collective work, and many of the interviewees had engaged in those efforts to help their families since their childhood or adolescence. The older harvesters cited more animal species that consumed the Brazil nuts (ρ = 0.60; p = 0.009) and perceived more and greater changes in the environment that were prejudicial to the Brazil nut trees (U = 9.50; p = 0.022). The interviewees who reported lower incomes cited more significant cultural changes and more suggestions concerning conservation activities. According to their statements, deforestation, and the burning and illegal cutting of native trees, including Brazil nut trees, have contributed to environmental change in the region and raised significant concerns about the future of harvesting activities. CONCLUSION: The activities of the "nut-crackers" represent to them more than just a simple source of income, as harvesting provides them with a connection to nature that promotes their well-being and cultural heritage. The nut harvesters have gained specific knowledge concerning both environmental and cultural changes. Those changes have mainly come about through the expansion of agricultural activities and the felling of native forests-which are the main threats to the future of Brazil nut extraction. Attributing value to the folk knowledge of those harvesters would strengthen the local economy, promote forest conservation, and help to better understand the impacts of anthropic activities on the forest and the harvesting of natural products.
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Bertholletia , Humanos , Adolescente , Criança , Nozes , População Rural , Florestas , Árvores , BrasilRESUMO
Despite significant advances in the epistemological frameworks that guide teacher education in Colombia and elsewhere, it continues to be governed mostly by traditional Eurocentric paradigms. Decolonizing teacher education requires epistemological moves to resignify the plurality of local knowledges and praxis. This article aims at reporting a qualitative research project carried out with three student teachers of a teacher education program with emphasis on English, at a public university in the northeast of Colombia. The main objective was to explore and reflect on how EFL pre-service teachers incorporated knowledge of local communities as resources for language teaching and learning during the practicum. Data were gathered over a three-semester period through pre-service teachers' lesson plans, materials, a final academic report, and a semi-structured interview. Data were analyzed based on the principles of thematic data analysis. Findings revealed that student teachers approached knowledge from an ecological perspective coming from different ways of knowing, seeing, being and living in the world. At the same time, the ecology of knowledges helped them to overcome the challenges they faced during the project.
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Capacitação de Professores , Humanos , Idioma , Aprendizagem , Docentes , ColômbiaRESUMO
Introduced species generate worldwide concern due to in many cases manifest their potential as invasive as invasives. However, little is known about its sociocultural importance and biocultural interaction. Through open and semi-structured interviews, guided walks and participant observation, the main uses and cultural valuations of biogeographically introduced plants in localities of the Dry Chaco (Catamarca and Córdoba) were investigated. A total of 53 species were documented, 18 with medicinal use and 40 for food. The most recurrent treatments correspond to digestive disorders and respiratory conditions; in food, those for direct consumption stand out. Most taxa with local therapeutic applications coincide with theoretical studies on active principles and their curative effects. Finally, it is concluded that the biogeographic origin of the species is independent of the cultural valuations as long as they are potentially usable, in addition to recognizing that ethnobotanical knowledge based on experience supports the uses found from the academy.
Las especies introducidas generan preocupación mundial debido a que en muchos casos manifiestan su potencialidad como invasoras. Sin embargo, poco se conoce su importancia sociocultural e interacción biocultural. Por medio de entrevistas abiertas y semiestructuradas, caminatas guiadas y observación participante se indagó sobre los principales usos y las valoraciones culturales de las plantas biogeográficamente introducidas en localidades del Chaco Seco (Catamarca y Córdoba). Se documentaron un total de 53 especies, 18 con uso medicinal y 40 alimenticias. Los tratamientos más recurrentes corresponden a trastornos digestivos y afecciones respiratorias; en las alimenticias se destacan aquellas de consumo directo. La mayoría de taxones con aplicaciones terapéuticas locales, coinciden con estudios teóricos sobre principios activos y sus efectos curativos. Finalmente, se concluye que, el origen biogeográfico de las especies es independiente de las valoraciones culturales mientras sean potencialmente aprovechables, además de reconocer que los conocimientos etnobotánicos basados en la experiencia fundamentan los usos encontrados desde la academia.
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Plantas Medicinais , Espécies Introduzidas , Medicina Tradicional , Argentina , Inquéritos e Questionários , EtnobotânicaRESUMO
In this paper, we developed an innovative and plural methodology for a socio-cultural assessment of ecosystem services (ES). This methodology was performed using diverse and interdependent tools applied within the framework of ethnoecology and post-normal science, with the aim of identifying ES from the perspective of local communities that inhabit different socio-ecosystems, highlighting the relevance of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK). As examples of how this methodology works, we analyzed a multiple case study performed in three peasant communities of the Dry Chaco eco-region, Argentina. We identified ES in all the categories and their fundamental contributions to the particular way of life in this area. The method is flexible enough to be used in other socio-ecosystems with different environmental and social features.
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Ecossistema , Conhecimento , Argentina , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais/métodosRESUMO
Even though the ethnic groups Mochó and Kakchikel of the Sierra Mariscal, Chiapas, Mexico, have formal medical services, they still preserve and use medicinal plants. This research had the aim to identify their conservation practices, by using ethnographic and ethnobotanical methods with direct interviews, participatory observation and a questionnaire; furthermore, a Jaccard Ìs similarity index for plant species was estimated. Both groups (97% each) use medicinal plants for various reasons and obtain them mainly from their agroecosystems. Within the Kakchikel territory, 53% are native plants, 43% introduced, while 4% does not have a report; within the Mochó territory 56% are native plants and 44% introduced ones. The similarity index showed 0.33 of shared taxonomic species within both territories (33 out of 131 of total). The Kakchikel use more conservation practices than the Mochó ethnic group, to have their medicinal plants ready available, mainly from their agroecosystems.
Aun teniendo servicios médicos oficiales, integrantes de las etnias Mochó y Kakchikel de la Sierra Mariscal, Chiapas, México, usan y conservan plantas por sus propiedades medicinales. Para identificar esas actividades se utilizó la metodología etnográfica y etnobotánica, aplicando entrevistas dirigidas, observación participante, un cuestionario y se determinó la similitud taxonómica de Jaccard. En ambos grupos étnicos el 97% recurren a las plantas medicinales y las obtienen mayormente de sus agroecosistemas. Existen en el territorio Kakchikel un 53% de plantas nativas, 43% introducidas y el 4% no tiene reporte; mientras que en el territorio Mochó, se encontró un 56% de plantas nativas y 44% introducidas. Se encontró una similitud de especies taxonómicas del 0.33 entre ambos territorios, 33 de un total de 131. La etnia Kakchikel prioriza más que los Mochó la atención a las plantas medicinales para conservarlas y tenerlas a la mano principalmente de sus agroecosistemas.
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Plantas Medicinais , Povos Indígenas , Medicina Tradicional , Inquéritos e Questionários , Ecossistema , MéxicoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Since its introduction to the Anglophone Caribbean in 1793, breadfruit has had a diverse history in the region, and there is a considerable repository of traditional knowledge about the crop, that is undocumented. Consequently, it remains underutilized as a food source, despite recognition of its potential to contribute to food and nutrition security. Understanding the folk taxonomy and traditional knowledge associated with its diversity and uses is a prerequisite to develop programs for its commercial production and utilization. METHOD: This study was conducted among 170 respondents who were selected across four Anglophone Caribbean countries and provided information on the ethnobotany and traditional knowledge associated with breadfruit biodiversity, including systems of naming, identification and classification of breadfruit cultivars or types. RESULTS: Breadfruit has socio-cultural and economic value and is produced for both home use and sale by most respondents (68%). The genetic diversity of breadfruit managed by the respondents is also important, as a total of 51 vernacular names were identified, with nine of those names recorded for the first time in this study. Breadfruit types were identified by morphological and agronomical characteristics, with other important traits relating to use and cooking quality. Classification of breadfruit cultivars or types was based on eating-quality, most suitable methods of preparation and ease of cooking. CONCLUSION: The ethnobotanical and traditional knowledge obtained from this study may be useful in assessing the genetic diversity of breadfruit and guiding future community-based conservation and classification studies of this important crop resource in the Caribbean. This is crucial to support the commercialization of breadfruit to improve its contribution to food and nutrition security.
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Artocarpus , Fabaceae , Doença de Parkinson , Humanos , Artocarpus/genética , Etnobotânica , Conhecimento , BiodiversidadeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Traditional fishing communities are strongholds of ethnobiological knowledge but establishing to what degree they harbor cultural consensus about different aspects of this knowledge has been a challenge in many ethnobiological studies. METHODS: We conducted an ethnobiological study in an artisanal fishing community in northeast Brazil, where we interviewed 91 community members (49 men and 42 women) with different type of activities (fishers and non-fishers), in order to obtain free lists and salience indices of the fish they know. To establish whether there is cultural consensus in their traditional knowledge on fish, we engaged a smaller subset of 45 participants in triad tasks where they chose the most different fish out of 30 triads. We used the similarity matrices generated from the task results to detect if there is cultural consensus in the way fish were classified by them. RESULTS: The findings show how large is the community's knowledge of fish, with 197 ethnospecies registered, of which 33 species were detected as salient or important to the community. In general, men cited more fish than women. We also found that there was no cultural consensus in the ways fish were classified. CONCLUSIONS: Both free-listing and triad task methods revealed little cultural consensus in the way knowledge is structured and how fish were classified by community members. Our results suggest that it is prudent not to make assumptions that a given local community has a single cultural consensus model in classifying the organisms in their environment.