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

Aerial overview of the communities.

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

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

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

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

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

<i>Dalbergia hortensis</i> Heringer & al.

<p>(A) = Apical region with inflorescences, (B and E) = Detailed inflorescences, (C) = Detailed Stalk, (D) = detailed leaves.</p

Scoring criteria used to determine conservation priority species.

<p>Adapted from [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0187599#pone.0187599.ref018" target="_blank">18</a>].</p