Local ecological knowledge and its relationship with biodiversity conservation among two Quilombola groups living in the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil

Information on the knowledge, uses, and abundance of natural resources in local communities can provide insight on conservation status and conservation strategies in these locations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the uses, knowledge and conservation status of plants in two Quilombolas (descendants of slaves of African origin) communities in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil, Sao Sebastiao da Boa Vista (SSBV) and Sao Bento (SB). We used a combination of ethnobotanical and ecological survey methods to ask: 1) What ethnobotanical knowledge do the communities hold? 2) What native species are most valuable to them? 3) What is the conservation status of the native species used? Thirteen local experts described the names and uses of 212 species in SSBV (105 native species) and 221 in SB (96 native species). Shannon Wiener diversity and Pielou's Equitability indices of ethnobotanical knowledge of species were very high (5.27/0.96 and 5.28/0.96, respectively). Species with the highest cultural significance and use-value indexes in SSBV were Dalbergia hortensis (26/2.14), Eremanthus erythropappus (6.88/1), and Tibouchina granulosa (6.02/1); while Piptadenia gonoacantha (3.32/1), Sparattosperma leucanthum (3.32/1) and Cecropia glaziovii (3.32/0.67) were the highest in SB. Thirty-three native species ranked in the highest conservation priority category at SSBV and 31 at SB. D. hortensis was noteworthy because of its extremely high cultural importance at SSBV, and its categorization as a conservation priority in both communities. This information can be used towards generating sustainable use and conservation plans that are appropriate for the local communities.Programa de Pos-Graduacao em Ecologia of Universidade Federal de Juiz de ForaCoordenacao de Aperfeicoamento Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)University of Hawaii at ManoaUniv Fed Juiz de Fora, Dept Bot, Juiz De Fora, MG, BrazilUniv Hawaii Manoa, Dept Bot, Honolulu, HI 96822 USACtr Ensino Super Juiz de Fora, Dept Ciencias Biol, Juiz De Fora, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Fluminense, Dept Quim Organ, Niteroi, RJ, BrazilUniv Fed Juiz de Fora, Dept Geog, Juiz De Fora, MG, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Diadema, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Diadema, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Gender, age, and number of local specialists with knowledge of different plant use categories in São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB).

<p>Gender, age, and number of local specialists with knowledge of different plant use categories in São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB).</p

Local ecological knowledge and its relationship with biodiversity conservation among two <i>Quilombola</i> groups living in the Atlantic Rainforest, Brazil

<div><p>Information on the knowledge, uses, and abundance of natural resources in local communities can provide insight on conservation status and conservation strategies in these locations. The aim of this research was to evaluate the uses, knowledge and conservation status of plants in two Quilombolas (descendants of slaves of African origin) communities in the Atlantic rainforest of Brazil, São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB). We used a combination of ethnobotanical and ecological survey methods to ask: 1) What ethnobotanical knowledge do the communities hold? 2) What native species are most valuable to them? 3) What is the conservation status of the native species used? Thirteen local experts described the names and uses of 212 species in SSBV (105 native species) and 221 in SB (96 native species). Shannon Wiener diversity and Pielou’s Equitability indices of ethnobotanical knowledge of species were very high (5.27/0.96 and 5.28/0.96, respectively). Species with the highest cultural significance and use-value indexes in SSBV were <i>Dalbergia hortensis</i> (26/2.14), <i>Eremanthus erythropappus</i> (6.88/1), and <i>Tibouchina granulosa</i> (6.02/1); while <i>Piptadenia gonoacantha</i> (3.32/1), <i>Sparattosperma leucanthum</i> (3.32/1) and <i>Cecropia glaziovii</i> (3.32/0.67) were the highest in SB. Thirty-three native species ranked in the highest conservation priority category at SSBV and 31 at SB. <i>D</i>. <i>hortensis</i> was noteworthy because of its extremely high cultural importance at SSBV, and its categorization as a conservation priority in both communities. This information can be used towards generating sustainable use and conservation plans that are appropriate for the local communities.</p></div

Successional stages of native forest trees in São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB).

<p>Results are expressed in percentage (%).</p

Aerial overview of the communities.

<p>A: São Sebastião da Boa Vista; B: São Bento.</p

Two hundred and one native species cited as useful by the São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB) communities, in alphabetical order of botanical families, followed by vernacular name, species habit (Hab), use categories (Categ), plant part used, and voucher number.

<p>Two hundred and one native species cited as useful by the São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB) communities, in alphabetical order of botanical families, followed by vernacular name, species habit (Hab), use categories (Categ), plant part used, and voucher number.</p

Localization of the communities studied, São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB).

<p>Santos Dumont city, Minas Gerais state/Brazil.</p

Plant uses by <i>Quilombolas</i> of São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB)–listing by categories adapted from Galeano [23].

<p>Plant uses by <i>Quilombolas</i> of São Sebastião da Boa Vista (SSBV) and São Bento (SB)–listing by categories adapted from Galeano [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0187599#pone.0187599.ref023" target="_blank">23</a>].</p

Comparison of ethnobotanical diversity indices compiled from studies of traditional communities in Brazil.

<p>Comparison of ethnobotanical diversity indices compiled from studies of traditional communities in Brazil.</p

São Bento community.

<p>A: View of the community; B: Church of São Bento; C and D: Common style house in the community.</p