Local and scientific knowledge for assessing the use of fallows and mature forest by large mammals in SE Brazil: identifying singularities in folkecology

Background Local ecological knowledge (LEK) has been discussed in terms of its similarities to and its potential to complement normative scientific knowledge. In this study, we compared the knowledge of a Brazilian quilombola population regarding the habitat use and life habits of large mammals with in situ recordings of the species. We also tested the hypothesis that quilombola LEK has a special focus on the anthropogenic portion of the landscape. Methods The habitats investigated were anthropogenic secondary forests and mature forests in the southeastern Atlantic coast of Brazil. We conducted the faunal survey using the camera-trap method. The sampling effort consisted of deploying 1,217 cameras/day in the mature forests and 1,189 cameras/day in the secondary forests. Statistical comparisons regarding the habitat use of the species were based on the randomization procedure. We interviewed 36 men who were more than 40 years old in the three communities studied. Informal, semi-structured and structured interviews were used. Two variables were considered in the LEK analyses: level of internal agreement and level of convergence with the scientific data. Results The camera trap sampling resulted in a total of 981 records. Animals such as opossums, tayras, armadillos and deer showed a non-selective pattern in the use of habitats. In contrast, the coati was more common in mature forests. We found that nearly 40% of the interviewees’ responses converged with the scientific data on the use of habitats. However, the LEK on the species’ life habits was highly convergent with the scientific data. The hypothesis that secondary forests would have a greater relevance for local knowledge was validated for four of the five analyzed species. Conclusions We suggest two principal considerations of ecological and ethnoecological interest: (1) In the Atlantic Forest of the Ribeira Valley, the secondary forests resulting from shifting cultivation were as attractive to the species as the mature forests; (2) The LEK has a special focus on the more anthropogenic portion of the landscape studied. Finally, we argue that this environmental focus in LEK is part of what makes it different from scientific knowledge and unique in its approach toward local environments

Complementary Viewpoints: Scientific and Local Knowledge of Ungulates in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

This article compares the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of quilombolas in the Atlantic Forest (Brazil) to scientific knowledge about the diet of four ungulate taxa (Tapirus terrestris L., Mazama spp., Pecari tajacu L., Tayassu pecari Link). LEK was gathered through interviews conducted with the freelisting method and through closed questionnaires. Ecological studies were compiled via a systematic review of the specialized academic literature. The research detected points of convergence and divergence between these knowledge systems. Local knowledge of the food classes in the ungulate diet indicated a wider range of items than that observed in 65 scientific studies of the foraging habits of these species. Certain characteristics of the LEK, such as its principal focus on environments that are not commonly investigated by ecological studies, form the basis of these divergences and reveal the complementary potential of LEK relative to scientific data in this field.Este artigo compara o conhecimento ecológico local (CEL) de agricultores quilombolas com o conhecimento científico sobre a dieta de quatro táxons de ungulados neotropicais (Tapirus terrestris L., Mazama spp., Pecari tajacu L., Tayassu pecari Link). O CEL sobre o tema foi registrado por meio de entrevistas orientadas pela técnica de listagem livre e também por meio de questionários fechados. Os estudos ecológicos foram reunidos a partir de uma revisão sistemática da literatura acadêmica especializada. Pontos concordantes e divergentes foram detectados entre os dois sistemas de conhecimento. Em termos de classes de alimentos presentes na dieta dos ungulados, o conhecimento local se mostrou mais extenso do que aquele reportado nos 65 registros científicos sobre o forrageio das espécies. Características do CEL analisado, como o seu foco principal em ambientes não comumente investigados por estudos estritamente ecológicos, devem estar na origem de suas diferenças e do seu potencial complementar em relação aos dados científicos neste campo de pesquisa.Cet article compare la connaissance écologique locale (CEL) des agriculteurs de quilombolas et la connaissancescientifique du régime alimentaire de quatre taxons de ongulés néotropicaux (Tapirus terrestris L., Mazama spp., Pecari tajacu L., Tayassu pecari Link). La CEL du thème a été enregistré au moyen d’entretiens directifs,\ud par la technique de la liste libre et aussi au moyen de questionnaires fermés. Les études écologiques ont été réunies à partir d’une révision systématique de la littérature académique spécialisée. Des points concordants et divergents ont été détectés entre les deux systèmes de connaissance. En terme de classes d’aliments présents dans\ud le régime alimentaire des ongulés, la connaissance locale s’est montrée plus étendue que celle rapportée par les 65 registres scientifiques sur la recherche de nourriture de ces espèces. Les caractéristiques de la CEL analysée, avec par exemple son objet d’étude principal centré sur des milieux généralement peu étudiés par les recherches\ud strictement écologiques, sont probablement à l’origine de ses différences et de son potentiel complémentaire avec les données scientifiques dans ce champ de recherche.FAPESP 2008/50951-3FAPESP 2009/52539-