Tracing gender variation in traditional knowledge: participatory tools to promote conservation in a Quilombola community in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Based on participatory research tools and analysis with a gender focus, we aim to identify the knowledge associated with native plants of the Atlantic Forest in one Quilombola community whose territory is juxtaposed with a protected area, in South Brazil. METHODS: Through the perception of the residents of the Quilombola community of São Roque, we classified the availability, harvesting intensity, abundance, and importance of fourteen plants native to the Atlantic Forest found in their territory. These fourteen plants were selected after initial interviews with a free listing of plants done with all adults (44 people), followed by plant collection and identification. A participatory workshop was built with the community to collect data through three activities: four-cell tool, environment matrix, and importance matrix. To identify the gender nuances in the knowledge within this community, all activities were separated into two groups based on the gender of the 22 participants (9 women and 13 men) and the researchers. RESULTS: The species Pau-pra-tudo (Picrasma crenata), Quina (Coutarea hexandra), and Cipó-milome (Aristolochia triangularis) were similarly classified as important by both groups, which indicates the cultural and environmental relevance associated with them regardless of gender. The perceptions of other species were expressed differently between the groups, showing the variance of the ecological knowledge and the relationship between the sociocultural contexts of gender and the knowledge manifested. The final part of the workshop was a lecture given by two community experts about herbal medicines based on forest species found in the territory. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the multiple forms of results recorded in the workshop, we discuss the demand for inclusion of the traditional community in land management plans of environmental agencies, highlighting how individual characteristics, such as gender, can fill gaps in data about local biodiversity.

Can family structure and contact with natural resources influence young people's knowledge about medicinal plants? An approach in the Northeast of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Individuals develop crucial survival knowledge in the juvenile phase, including understanding medicinal plants. The family context or contact with resources can influence this dynamic knowledge. By investigating the influence of these factors on young people's understanding of medicinal plants, we aimed to enhance our understanding of the knowledge-building process. METHODS: The study was conducted in three communities in the State of Alagoas, Brazil: Lagoa do Junco, Serrote do Amparo, and Brivaldo de Medeiros. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young people aged between 11 and 19 to assess their knowledge of medicinal plants. We used a generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with the number of therapeutic targets and known medicinal species (knowledge proxy) as response variables. As predictors, we included the number of individuals per family unit and the gender distribution within the famimunícpily (family context proxy), as well as dependence on the use (contact proxy). Location (city) was added as a fixed effect to the model. We investigated how knowledge of medicinal plants correlates with the practice of collecting these species. RESULTS: We did not identify a relationship between the number of individuals per household, gender distribution within the family, and the frequency of medicinal plant use with knowledge about these species. However, we observed a positive, albeit weak, correlation between knowledge of medicinal species and the number of species collected. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of investigating how young people acquire knowledge about medicinal plants, emphasizing the complex interactions between humans and nature, and providing a basis for future research.

Knowledge of the Stress-Health Link as a Source of Resilience Among Mexicans in the Arizona Borderlands.

Mexicans who migrate to the United States endure significant stressors related to the migration process and social and environmental conditions of life in the United States. Given that chronic stress exposure has been linked to the onset of health conditions, these ecological factors may expose them to increased risk for poor health. However, Mexicans have many positive health outcomes compared to those monitored nationally, making it crucial to understand possible sources of resilience in this population. Here, we investigate Mexicans' lay health knowledge in response to stress as a possible source of health-related resilience. Health knowledge is considered a central facet of practical and traditional knowledge as well as adaptive modes of intelligence and has a tangible impact on health. Using an ethnographically grounded community-based participatory research design informed by the theory of embodiment, our hybrid team of bilingual university and community-based researchers interviewed Mexican-origin residents (N = 30) living in rural southwestern Arizona about how they experienced and responded to stress and incorporated it into their etiological frameworks. Thematic analysis revealed that participants paid close attention to how stress presented itself in their bodies, which informed their understanding of its potentially harmful health impacts and motivated them to employ multiple stress reduction strategies. Our results highlight the breadth of Mexicans' lay health knowledge, thereby challenging dominant narratives about low rates of health literacy in this population. Findings can be harnessed to optimize potential health protective effects in home and community settings as well as to inform preventive and clinical interventions.

Medicinal plants and their importance for the conservation of biocultural knowledge in primary school students of the Paniquita Indigenous Community (Rivera, Huila, Colombia) / Plantas medicinales y su importancia para la conservación del conocimiento biocultural en estudiantes de primaria de la Comunidad Indígena Paniquita (Rivera, Huila, Colombia)

Ethnobotany approached through ethnoeducation allows for the preservation of the cultural heritage of indigenous communities. In this way, the ethnobotanical knowledge of primary school students from the Paniquita Indigenous Community was recognized, regarding the cultural knowledge of medicinal plants and their significance in the conservation of the biocultural heritage. This research had a qualitative, ethnographic approach. The sample consisted of ten students who were part of a focus group, ethnobotanical walks, and participatory workshops with drawings since they stimulate students' creative and dynamic thinking and strengthen interculturality. Twenty-one plants were reported, which are used to relieve sore throats, headaches, and stomach aches, as well as to treat diarrhea and fever, to prevent flu, and as a purgative. All the medicinal plants mentioned grow in the community and are either cultivated or wild, which also shows the students' knowledge of the ir territory. These findings reflect the importance of ethno-education and ethnobotany at school and how historical reconstruction processes are generated from these settings, where indigenous ancestral knowledge is made visible.

La etnobotánica abordada desde la etnoeducación permite mantener el legado cultural de los pueblos originarios. De esta manera, se reconoció el conocimiento etnobotáni co de los estudiantes de primaria de la Comunidad Indígena Paniquita, sobre el conocimiento cultural de las plantas medicinales y su importancia para la conservación del patrimonio biocultural. La investigación tuvo un enfoque cualitativo y etnográfico. La muestra estuvo conformada por diez estudiantes que formaron parte de un grupo focal, caminatas etnobotánicas y talleres participativos con dibujos, ya que estimulan el pensamiento creativo y dinámico de los estudiantes y fortalecen la interculturalidad. Se reportaron 21 plantas que se utilizan para aliviar dolores de garganta, cabeza y estómago, así como para tratar la diarrea y la fiebre, para prevenir la gripe y como purgante. Todas las plantas medicinales mencionadas crecen en la comunidad y son cultivadas o silvestres, lo que también demuestra el conocimiento que los estudiantes tienen de su territorio. Estos hallazgos reflejan la importancia de la etnoeducación y la etnobotánica en la escuela y cómo se generan procesos de reconstrucción histórica desde estos escenarios, donde se visibiliza el conocimiento ancestral indígena.

Biocultural heritage of the Caatinga: a systematic review of Myrtaceae and its multiple uses.

The Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, stands as a reservoir of remarkable biodiversity. Its significance transcends ecological dimensions, given the direct reliance of the local population on its resources for sustenance and healthcare. While Myrtaceae, a pivotal botanical family within the Brazilian flora, has been extensively explored for its medicinal and nutritional attributes, scant attention has been directed towards its contextual relevance within the Caatinga's local communities. Consequently, this inaugural systematic review addresses the ethnobotanical roles of Myrtaceae within the Caatinga, meticulously anchored in the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched Scopus, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scielo, and LILIACS. No date-range filter was applied. An initial pool of 203 articles was carefully scrutinized, ultimately yielding 31 pertinent ethnobotanical studies elucidating the utility of Myrtaceae amongst the Caatinga's indigenous populations. Collectively, they revealed seven distinct utilization categories spanning ~54 species and 11 genera. Psidium and Eugenia were the genera with the most applications. The most cited categories of use were food (27 species) and medicinal (22 species). The importance of accurate species identification was highlighted, as many studies did not provide enough information for reliable identification. Additionally, the potential contribution of Myrtaceae fruits to food security and human health was explored. The diversity of uses demonstrates how this family is a valuable resource for local communities, providing sources of food, medicine, energy, and construction materials. This systematic review also highlights the need for more ethnobotanical studies to understand fully the relevance of Myrtaceae species in the Caatinga, promoting biodiversity conservation, as well as support for local populations.

Variation in traditional knowledge of culturally important macromycete species among three indigenous communities of Oaxaca, Mexico.

BACKGROUND: For centuries, wild mushrooms have been a forest resource of significant cultural value in several ethnic groups worldwide. In Mexico, extensive traditional knowledge on the use of fungal resources has been developed and deeply rooted. Mexico is the second country in the world in which the most species of wild mushroom are consumed, and it is considered a pioneer in ethnomycology. Nonetheless, there are still many indigenous groups in this country that have not been studied from an ethnomycological approach. The present study aimed to record the traditional knowledge on wild mushrooms in three indigenous groups of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, and assess the variation in this knowledge within and across the studied groups. METHODS: The data were recorded from April to October 2022 within three communities belonging to the indigenous groups Chatino, Chontal, and Chinanteco. Through 84 interviews, information related to their knowledge of wild mushrooms was obtained. The cultural significance index of wild edible mushrooms was calculated for each community. Regression analyses, analysis of variance and covariance, t test, and non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis were performed to assess the distribution of traditional knowledge in the communities. RESULTS: A total of 32 culturally important mushroom species were recorded for the three indigenous groups (30 edible, 2 medicinal); 23 used by Chatinos, 16 by Chontales, and 6 by Chinantecos. Only Chatinos and Chinantecos use wild mushrooms in medicine. The cultural significance of wild edible mushrooms differed among groups. Traditional knowledge about wild mushrooms declines when the level of schooling increases and age decreases, especially in the Chatino group. This knowledge distributes more homogeneously in the Chontal and Chinanteco groups. Their age determines the difference in knowledge between men and women. CONCLUSION: Documenting how traditional knowledge differs among ethnic groups is relevant for preserving cultural and biological diversity. Factors such as level of schooling and age can affect traditional knowledge of wild mushrooms, but the effects of these factors vary within and across communities. Conducting studies encompassing a broader range of variables is of interest for a better understanding of the human-mushroom relationship.

Etnobotánica de los barrios antiguos de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México: el uso de plantas medicinales / Ethnobotany of the old neighborhoods from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico: the use of medicinal plants

Medicinal plants have been used by various cultures since pre - Hispanic times in Mexico. In this study, the use of medicinal plants in the old neighborhoods of Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is described. 137 species, 130 genera and 68 families were recorded. 34% of the species belong to Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae and Fabaceae families. The neighborhoods of Mexicaltzingo and San Juan de Dios are the most related to the knowledge and use of medicinal plants, while El Santuario is the least similar to the rest. The diversity of uses of medicinal plants according to the Shannon index is high (between 3.0 and 4.92). The Use Value Index showed that Matricaria chamomilla L. was the species that obtained the highest valu e (0.28), followed by Gnaphalium americanum Mill. (0.23). The age group between 51 and 85 years old has greater knowledge about medicinal plants and their uses.

Las plantas medicinales han sido utilizadas por diversas culturas desde tiempos prehispánicos en México. En este estudio, se describe el uso de plantas medicinales en los barrios antiguos de Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. Se registraron 137 especies, 130 géneros y 68 familias. El 34% de las especies pertenece a las familias Asteraceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae y Fabaceae. Los barrios de Mexicaltzingo y San Juan de Dios son los más parecidos en cuanto al conocimiento y uso de pl antas medicinales, mientras que El Santuario es el menos afín al resto. La diversidad de usos de las plantas medicinales de acuerdo con el índice de Shannon es alta (entre 3.0 y 4.92). El Índice de Valor de Uso mostró que Matricaria chamomilla L. fue la es pecie que obtuvo el máximo valor (0.28), seguida de Gnaphalium americanum Mill. (0.23). El grupo de entre 51 - 85 de edad posee mayor conocimiento sobre las plantas medicinales y sus usos.

Chemical prospection and antioxidant activity of Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. AND Hymenaea courbaril L.

The objective of this study was to conduct chemical analyses of bioactive compounds found in the bark and leaves of Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. and Hymenaea courbaril L. Chemical screening was performed to detect the presence of secondary metabolites. Quantification of the concentrations of phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidants was performed by ultraviolet spectrophotometry through recommended methodologies. Extracts of the leaves of Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. were found to have high concentrations of flobabénic tannins. Tannins, flavonoids, flavonols, flavonones, flavanonols, xanthones, steroids, and saponins were also found in bark extracts of the same species. The plant species Humiria balsamifera (Aubl.) A. St. Hil. and Hymenaea courbaril L. showed potential for antioxidant activity and for use in the pharmacological and food industries.

Plantas medicinais da caatinga: uma revisão integrativa dos saberes etnobotânicos no semiárido nordestino / Medicinal plants from the caatinga: an integrative review of ethnobotanical knowledge in the northeastern semi- arid region / Plantas medicinales de la caatinga: una revisión integradora del conocimiento etnobotánico en la región semiárida nororiental

A vegetação da Caatinga é rica em uma diversidade de espécies vegetais utilizadas para satisfazer as necessidades humana. Muitas dessas espécies são utilizadas para fins terapêuticos por populações. As formas de uso dessas espécies podem ser registradas e resgatadas através de estudos etnobotânicos, os quais contribuem no levantamento das potencialidades dos recursos vegetais, bem como em planos de recuperação e conservação da vegetação. Assim, com base em uma revisão integrativa, o presente trabalho buscou copilar informações sobre como os trabalhos de etnobotânica das plantas medicinais estão sendo desenvolvidos, assim como a respeito das principais espécies e famílias botânicas de potencial medicinal descritas, em levantamentos realizados em áreas caatinga localizadas na região semiárida do Nordeste. Para isso, foram selecionados artigos publicados entre os anos de 2010 e 2022, que abordassem a temática relacionada. Foram considerados trabalhos publicados no formato de artigos originais, disponíveis de forma online, gratuito e completo, em língua portuguesa e inglesa. Esses artigos foram consultados em diferentes bases de dados. A análise integrativa evidenciou as características das publicações, como a concentração de estudos direcionados aos estados da Bahia, Paraíba e Pernambuco, bem como demonstrou uma rica diversidade de plantas medicinais que são utilizadas pela população no semiárido nordestino, destacando-se, principalmente, os saberes tradicionais sobre as suas formas de uso e propriedades terapêuticas.

The Caatinga vegetation is rich in a diversity of plant species used to satisfy human needs. Many of these species are used for therapeutic purposes by populations. The forms of use of these species can be registered and rescued through ethnobotanical studies, which contribute to the survey of the potential of plant resources, as well as plans for the recovery and conservation of vegetation. Thus, based on an integrative review, the present work sought to compile information on how ethnobotany works on medicinal plants are being developed, as well as on the main species and botanical families with medicinal potential described, in surveys carried out in caatinga areas located in the semi-arid region of the Northeast. For this, articles published between the years 2010 and 2022 that addressed the related theme were selected. Works published in the format of original articles, available online, free and complete, in Portuguese and English, were considered. These articles were consulted in different databases. The integrative analysis showed the characteristics of the publications, such as the concentration of studies directed to the states of Bahia, Paraíba and Pernambuco, as well as demonstrating a rich diversity of medicinal plants that are used by the population in the northeastern semi-arid region, highlighting, mainly, the knowledge traditional practices about their forms of use and therapeutic properties.

La vegetación de la Caatinga es rica en una diversidad de especies vegetales utilizadas para satisfacer las necesidades humanas. Muchas de estas especies son utilizadas con fines terapéuticos por las poblaciones. Las formas de uso de estas especies pueden ser registradas y rescatadas a través de estudios etnobotánicos, que contribuyen al levantamiento del potencial de los recursos vegetales, así como a los planes de recuperación y conservación de la vegetación. Así, a partir de una revisión integradora, el presente trabajo buscó recopilar información sobre cómo se están desarrollando los trabajos etnobotánicos sobre plantas medicinales, así como sobre las principales especies y familias botánicas con potencial medicinal descritas, en relevamientos realizados en áreas de caatinga ubicadas en la región semiárida del Nordeste. Para ello, se seleccionaron artículos publicados entre los años 2010 y 2022 que abordaran la temática relacionada. Se consideraron trabajos publicados en formato de artículos originales, disponibles en línea, gratuitos y completos, en portugués e inglés. Estos artículos fueron consultados en diferentes bases de datos. El análisis integrador mostró las características de las publicaciones, como la concentración de estudios dirigidos a los estados de Bahía, Paraíba y Pernambuco, además de demostrar una rica diversidad de plantas medicinales que son utilizadas por la población de la región semiárida del nordeste, destacándose, principalmente, los conocimientos tradicionales sobre sus formas de uso y propiedades terapéuticas.

Ethnoprimatology of the Shipibo of the upper Ucayali River, Perú.

In the Anthropocene, primate conservation can only take place when considering human culture, perspectives, and needs. Such approaches are increasingly important under the growing impact of anthropogenic activities and increasing number of threatened primates. The Amazon rainforest, rich in cultural and biological diversity, where indigenous people play a crucial role in primate conservation, provides ample opportunity to study human-primate interactions and the sociocultural context in which they occur. Human activities threaten the Amazon's fragile ecosystems and its primates, which play a key role in its maintenance and regeneration. This study focuses on one of the largest indigenous groups in the Peruvian Amazon: the Shipibo. Interviews and participant observation were used to investigate local perceptions of animal presence and depletion, food preferences, and how primates are incorporated into daily life and culture. Since time immemorial and still today, primates remain important in Shipibo culture, mythology, and subsistence. Local Shipibo participants consistently identified the presence of 13 species of primate. Primates were among the preferred species for consumption, pet keeping, and held a fundamental role in mythology, traditional knowledge, and storytelling. Large-bodied primates were often mentioned as being locally extinct, with reports and observations suggesting increasing consumption of smaller-bodied primates. Commonly perceived reasons for primate depletion include noise disturbance, hunting, and population growth, often in parallel. This study sheds light on the cultural context of an area rich in biodiversity, where primates, essential for ecological balance and integral to Shipibo lives and identity, are being depleted. We highlight the need for an inclusive ethnoprimatological approach to conserving primates and preserving indigenous heritage while improving local livelihoods.

Medicinal plants used in rural communities from the municipality of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico / Plantas medicinales utilizadas en comunidades rurales del municipio de Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, México

This study recorded the use of medicinal plants in the rural communities from the municipality of Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Mexico. Data were obtained through open semi-structured interviews with local respondents (n=181), and medicinal plants were recorded and identified in herbariums. The Relative importance (RI) and Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) were calculated to analyze the survey data. In total, 68 plant species belonging to 33 families were reported. Asteraceae had the highest number of species, representing 14. The highest RI was accounted by Chamaemelum nobile (RI=2.0), followed by Thymus vulgaris (RI=1.83),and Moringa oleifera (RI= 1.60). The highest ICF was reported by diseases associated with the respiratory (ICF=0.80), digestive (ICF=0.75), and musculoskeletal systems including connective tissues (ICF= 0.71). Respondents have knowledge about medicinal plant use for primary health care and other chronic diseases. The information obtained here could be extrapolated to different rural areas in Mexico.

Este estudio registró el uso de plantas medicinales en las comunidades rurales del municipio de Dolores Hidalgo, Guanajuato, México. Los datos se obtuvieron a través de entrevistas abiertas semiestructuradas con encuestados locales (n=181), y las plantas medicinales se registraron e identificaron en los herbarios. La importancia relativa (RI) y el factor de consenso del informante (ICF) se calcularon para analizar los datos de la encuesta. En total, se reportaron 68 especies de plantas pertenecientes a 33 familias. Asteraceae tuvo el mayor número de especies, representando 14. El RI más alto fue contabilizado por Chamaemelum nobile (RI = 2.0), seguido por Thymus vulgaris (RI = 1.83) y Moringa oleifera (RI = 1.60). La ICF más alta se informó por enfermedades asociadas con los sistemas respiratorio (ICF = 0,80), digestivo (ICF = 0,75) y musculoesquelético, incluidos los tejidos conectivos (ICF = 0,71). Los encuestados tienen conocimientos sobre el uso de plantas medicinales para la atención primaria de salud y otras enfermedades crónicas. La información aquí obtenida podría extrapolarse a diferentes zonas rurales de México.

Ethnobotanical survey of medicine species used in Taboco Village, Maracaju mountains, Brazil, and healing activity of the specie with higher value of use (Maytenus ilicifolia) / Estudio etnobotánico de especies medicinales utilizadas en Villa do Taboco, Serra de Maracaju, Brasil y la actividad curativa de la especie de mayor valor de uso (Maytenus ilicifolia)

The objective of this work was to identify and classify the plants species designated as medicinal by the population of Taboco in different categories of use and investigate the specie with higher value of use with medicinal potential in experimental models. The field research took place between June and November 2018, with periodic visits to the Taboco Village, Brazil. The community makes use of a diversity of native, cultivated and domesticated species, corresponding to 89 plant species, belonging to 44 families, for cure or prevention over 60 types of health problems. The species Maytenus ilicifolia, with the highest use value was evaluated in experimental models. In this treatment a higher keratin production, reconstitution of the epithelium and the structured dermis was observed, with thick collagen fibers rich in fibroblasts, which favored the healing of exposed wounds.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar y clasificar las especies de plantas designadas como medicinales por la población de Taboco en diferentes categorías de uso e investigar la especie con mayor valor de uso con potencial medicinal en modelos experimentales. La investigación de campo se llevó a cabo entre junio y noviembre de 2018, con visitas periódicas a Villa de Taboco, Brasil. La comunidad hace uso de una diversidad de especies nativas, cultivadas y domesticadas, correspondientes a 89 especies vegetales, pertenecientes a 44 familias, para la curación o prevención de más de 60 tipos de problemas de salud. La especie Maytenus ilicifolia, con mayor valor de uso, fue evaluada en modelos experimentales. En este tratamiento se observó una mayor producción de queratina, reconstitución del epitelio y de la dermis estructurada, con espesas fibras de colágenoricas en fibroblastos, lo que favoreció la cicatrización de las heridas expuestas.

Lessons from the history of Agave: ecological and cultural context for valuation of CAM.

BACKGROUND AND SCOPE: Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is an intriguing physiological adaptation in plants that are widespread throughout many ecosystems. Despite the relatively recent mechanistic understanding of CAM in plant physiology, evidence from historical records suggests that ancient cultures in the Americas also recognized the value of CAM plants. Agave species, in particular, have a rich cultural legacy that provides a foundation for commercially valued products. Here, we review that legacy and potential relationships between ancient values and the needs of modern-day climate adaptation strategies. CONCLUSIONS: There are many products that can be produced from Agave species, including food, sugar, fibre and medicines. Traditional knowledge about agricultural management and preparation of plant products can be combined with new ecophysiological knowledge and agronomic techniques to develop these resources in the borderland region of the southwestern USA and Mexico. Historical records of pre-Columbian practices in the Sonoran desert and remnants of centuries-old agriculture in Baja California and Sonora demonstrate the climate resilience of Agave agriculture. Commercial growth of both tequila and bacanora indicates the potential for large-scale production today, but also underscores the importance of adopting regenerative agricultural practices to accomplish environmentally sustainable production. Recent international recognition of the Appellation of Origin for several Agave species produced for spirits in Mexico might provide opportunities for agricultural diversification. In contrast, fibre is currently produced from several Agave species on many continents. Projections of growth with future climate change suggest that Agave spp. will be viable alternatives for commodity crops that suffer declines during drought and increased temperatures. Historical cultivation of Agave affirms that these CAM plants can supply sugar, soft and hard fibres, medicines and food supplements.

Ethnobotanical inventory of medicinal plants used by Cashinahua (Huni Kuin) herbalists in Purus Province, Peruvian Amazon.

This study aims to document the diversity of medicinal plants used by the Cashinahua people (also known as Huni Kuin) of the Curanja River, as well as describe and compare their uses with pharmacological and phytochemical records from previously published studies. The ethnic has been studied to a limited extent from an ethnobotanical perspective. The study area is located in the Ucayali region, eastern Central Amazon, where ancestral knowledge is preserved due to the limited accessibility of the region. Between November 2010 and June 2015, a total of 11 months were spent on the survey, which included a short-term visit to complete voucher specimen collection and taxonomic identification. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 10 Cashinahua traditional healers and 10 midwives. Vernacular names, ethnomedicinal uses, plant parts used and forms of preparation and administration were recorded. Ethnopharmacological, pharmacological and phytochemical uses were checked through survey of the previously published papers indexed on Web of Science databases between 2018 and 2022. We obtained data on 467 plant taxa, among which we highlighted 79 species unreported or rarely cited for medicinal use or phytochemical analysis. These species were spread over 60 genera and 42 botanical families, with Acanthaceae being the most represented. Leaves were used the most frequently (93.56%). Among the 79 species, the most reported therapeutic activities involved pregnancy and birth disorders (13.84%), followed by poisonings, infections and infestations. The predominant application form was external (87%). Our study indicates that there are locally valuable species that have not yet been studied for their medical potential.

Use of wildlife by peasant communities in Plato, Magdalena, Colombian Caribbean region / Uso de fauna silvestre por comunidades campesinas en plato, magdalena, región caribe colombiana

RESUMEN La fauna silvestre es de crucial importancia en la construcción social, económica y cultural de las comunidades campesinas; aunque su uso puede generar amenazas para la estabilidad de las poblaciones silvestres más explotadas. Este artículo determinó desde un punto de vista etnozoológico los usos que recibe la fauna silvestre en una localidad rural de Plato Magdalena. Se realizaron 70 entrevistas estructuradas, empleando fichas ilustradas de especies de anfibios, reptiles, aves y mamíferos con distribución para esta región. Se reconocieron 103 especies (11 anfibios, 29 reptiles, 32 aves y 31 mamíferos), donde el 65% soportan diferentes categorías de uso: alimento, comercio, mascota, artesanía y medicina, usos que incluyen a 12 reptiles, 28 aves y 27 mamíferos. Las especies con mayor uso como alimento son Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasiprocta punctata, Hydrochoerus h. isthmius, Mazama sanctaemartae, Pecari tajacu, Sylvilagus floridanus, Trachemys callirostris, Iguana iguana, Ortalisgarrula, Dendrocygna autumnalis. El uso comercial recae sobre Caiman crocodilus fuscus, I. iguana, T. callirostris y Chelonoidis carbonarius; y como mascotas Ara araruana, A. macao, Eupsittula pertinax, Brotogeris jugularis, Amazona ochrocephala, Thraupis episcopus, Sicalis flaveola, Cebus versicolor, Notosciurus granatensis y C. carbonarius. Las pieles de Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor, Panthera onca, C. crocodilus fuscus, Boa constrictor, y caparazones de C. carbonarius son usados en artesanías. Diferentes especies de aves, mamíferos y reptiles son recursos importantes para la sobrevivencia de la comunidad campesina, cuyo valor utilitario está estrechamente relacionados con aspectos socioculturales y el conocimiento tradicional, lo cual es importante tener en cuenta en el diseño de programas de conservación.

ABSTRACT Wild fauna is of crucial importance in the social, economic and cultural construction of peasant communities, although its use can generate threats to the stability of the most exploited wild populations. This article determined from an ethnozoological point of view the uses received by wildlife in a rural town of Plato Magdalena. 70 structured interviews were carried out, using illustrated files of amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal species with distribution for this region. 103 species were recognized (11 amphibians, 29 reptiles, 32 birds and 31 mammals), where 65% support different categories of use: food, trade, pet, handicrafts and medicine, uses that include 12 reptiles, 28 birds and 27 mammals. The species with the greatest use as food are Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasiprocta punctata, Hydrochoerus h. isthmius, Mazama sanctaemartae, Pecari tajacu, Sylvilagus floridanus, Trachemys callirostris, Iguana iguana, Ortalis garrula, Dendrocygna autumnalis. Commercial use falls on Caiman crocodilus fuscus, I. iguana, T. callirostris and Chelonoidis carbonarius; and as pets Ara araruana, A. macao, Eupsittula pertinax, Brotogeris jugularis, Amazona ochrocephala, Thraupis episcopus, Sicalis flaveola, Cebus versicolor, Notosciurus granatensis and C. carbonarius. The skins of Leopardus pardalis, Puma concolor, Panthera onca, C. crocodilus fuscus, Boa constrictor, and shells of C. carbonarius are used in crafts. Different species of birds, mammals and reptiles are important resources for the survival of the peasant community, whose utilitarian value is closely related to sociocultural aspects and traditional knowledge, which is important to take into account in the design of conservation programs.

Ethnobotanical survey of wild plants used in Gümüshane province (Turkey) / Estudio etnobotánico de plantas silvestres utilizadas en la provincia de Gümüshane (Turquía)

This study aimed to document the traditional uses of plants in Gümüshane province. Ethnobotanical data on 74 taxa from 135 informants were collected between March 2018 and September 2019. Data were analyzed using quantitative indices of use-value (UV), information consent factor (ICF), and fidelity level (FL). The plants were used for different purposes, mainly for medicinal, food, and equipment. Malva neglecta, was the most used taxa for medicinal purposes. Polygonum aviculare was the most used taxon for food. Quercus petraea subsp. iberica and Pinus sylvestris were the most preferred species for equipment. Salvia verticillata, Rhamnus cathartica, Bilacunaria microcarpa, Taraxacum bessarabicum, Silene vulgaris, Carduus nutans, Helichrysum plicatum, Euphorbia esula subsp. tommasiniana, Thymus pubescens, and Phlomis herba-venti subsp. pungens are reported for the first time in the present study for various purposes.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo documentar los usos tradicionales de las plantas en la provincia de Gümüshane. Se recopilaron datos etnobotánicos sobre 74 taxones de 135 informantes entre marzo de 2018 y septiembre de 2019. Los datos se analizaron utilizando índices cuantitativos de valor de uso (UV), factor de consentimiento de información (ICF) y nivel de fidelidad (FL). Las plantas se utilizaron para diferentes propósitos, principalmente para uso medicinal, alimenticio y de equipamiento. Malva neglecta, fue el taxón más utilizado con fines medicinales. Polygonum aviculare fue el taxón más utilizado como alimento. Quercus petraea subesp. iberica y Pinus sylvestris fueron las especies preferidas para el equipamiento. Salvia verticillata, Rhamnus cathartica, Bilacunaria microcarpa, Taraxacum bessarabicum, Silene vulgaris, Carduus nutans, Helichrysum plicatum, Euphorbia esula subsp. tommasiniana, Thymus pubescens y Phlomis herba-venti subsp. pungens se reportan por primera vez en el presente estudio para varios propósitos.

Medicinal plants used by rural communities in the arid zone of Viesca and Parras Coahuila in northeast Mexico.

This study is the first record of medicinal plants in the southwest of the Coahuila state, an arid zone where extreme dry conditions prevail. One hundred twenty-two residents (in sixteen communities) were interviewed. The residents were questioned with a questionnaire-guided ethnomedical survey protocol about the various plants used. Seventy-seven species of medicinal plants belonging to 36 botanical families were cited. The highest use-value (UV) was calculated for Lippia graveolens Kunth (0.30); Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f. (0.20); Eucalyptus abdita Brooker & Hopper, Chamaemelum nobile (L.) All. (0.16); Mentha spicata L. (0.15) and Salvia officinalis L. (0.10). Informant consensus factor (ICF) about usages of medicinal plants ranges from 0.41 to 0.80; the highest level of agreement was determined between the informants and Respiratory System Diseases (0.80). The highest fidelity level (FL) values (100%) were identified in Flourensia cernua DC., Artisia ludoviciana Nutt., and Parthenium incanum Kunth to Gastro-intestinal System Diseases; Eucalyptus abdita Brooker & Hopper, Bougainvillea berberidifolia Heimerl, and Lippia graveolens Kunth to Respiratory System Diseases (RSD) and Cyclolepis genistoides D.Don and Ephedra antisyphilitica Berland. ex C.A.Mey. to Obstetrics, Gynecology and Urinary tract Diseases. These last two medicinal plant species ("palo azul" and "pitoreal") used by the rural communities in Viesca in the treatment of urinary tract infections and kidney stones have not been reported previously. These findings can provide new research directions for further phytochemical studies. The present study revealed that the residents are rich in ethno-medicinal knowledge and actively use medicinal plants to treat various diseases. New phytochemical and pharmacological research are needed to confirm the therapeutic potential and safety of the identified plants.

Stingless bees: uses and management by meliponiculturist women in the Chaco region of Bolivia.

BACKGROUND: Stingless bees have a great value as main pollinators of wild flowering and cultivated plants, thus playing a fundamental role in the maintenance of biodiversity and food security in Latin America. Despite their importance, stingless bees face numerous threats causing alarming population declines. Moreover, stingless bees have a great cultural and traditional value, since most products from the hive are used for a wide variety of purposes. A growing number of initiatives are encouraging the breeding of these bees, through training courses and modern management techniques. This study documents the knowledge on stingless bees and their products that meliponiculturists from the Chaco region of Bolivia have, as well as the influence that meliponiculture initiatives have on the management and general knowledge of the bees. METHODS: Local richness and diversity of stingless bees was calculated using Hill numbers. Structured interviews were conducted with 59 meliponiculturists in order to characterize traditional and formal knowledge on stingless bees and meliponiculture. Generalized linear models were applied to assess the influence of training courses on the management of the bees. Also, a relative cultural importance index was calculated for each species. RESULTS: Twelve Meliponini species were identified, and 15 local names were reported with morphological, defensiveness behavior, and nest description. There was no significant difference in the knowledge between different ethnical backgrounds or ages. A significant difference was observed in the use of supplementary feeding and assisted division, but none in the success in racking hives or in pest management, regarding the number or courses taken. The relative cultural importance index recorded 30 specific uses for bee products grouped in four categories, from which 29 were attributed (but not exclusively) to Tetragonisca angustula, making it the most versatile species. CONCLUSIONS: The products of the hive, especially honey, are used for a wide variety of purposes, mostly in medicine. These uses are mostly attributed to just one species, T. angustula, in coincidence with what was taught in meliponiculture training courses by NGOs. The influence of formal knowledge is mostly positive, but it is recommended that other meliponini species are taken into account as well.

Questão ambiental e o uso dos conhecimentos das populações tradicionais: a arena de disputa entre os interesses do mercado e da proteção da natureza / Environmental Issues and the use of knowledge of traditional populations: the dispute between market interests and nature protection

O presente artigo apresenta resultados de uma pesquisa bibliográfica que teve como objetivo realizar uma reflexão crítica sobre a relação entre a questão ambiental e a discussão internacional sobre sustentabilidade, evidenciando, a partir de acordos multilaterais da globalização econômica, a geopolítica internacional de interesses contraditórios defendidos no âmbito da Convenção sobre a Diversidade Biológica (CDB) e o Acordo sobre Aspectos Comerciais Relativos aos Direitos de Propriedade Intelectual (Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ­ TRIPS), estabelecido pela Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC). Entre os principais resultados, aponta-se que os princípios de proteção da natureza e dos conhecimentos das populações tradicionais estabelecidos na CDB estão em confronto com os interesses do sistema internacional de propriedade intelectual na arena de disputa pelo acesso aos recursos da natureza e ao conhecimento das populações tradicionais pela indústria mundial de biotecnologia

This article presents the results of a bibliographical research, which aimed tocarry out a critical reflection on the relationship between the environ-mental issue and the international discussion on sustainability, highlighting, from multilateral agreements on economic globalization, the international geopolitics of contradictory interests defended within the scope of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the intellectual property agreement (TRIPS) established by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Among the main results, it is pointed out that the principles of protecting nature and the knowledge of traditional populations established in the CBD are in conflict with the interests of the international intellectual property system, through the dispute for access to natural resources and knowledge of traditional populations by the global biotechnology industry

Existing evidence of conceptual differences in research on climate change perceptions among smallholders? A systematic map.

BACKGROUND: Climate change is having adverse effects on the livelihoods of small-scale populations, particularly in relation to their subsistence practices. Scientific literature widely acknowledges that smallholders must first perceive climate changes to take necessary precautions and adapt to the new conditions. However, variations exist in the terminology used across the literature, and in how it conceptualizes these perceptions. This variation complicates understanding of the literature and hinders empirical evidence comparisons. Therefore, in this review, we systematically mapped the literature considering variations in the concept's usage across different thematic areas. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of the literature on smallholder climate change perceptions. METHODS: In our systematic map, we adhered to the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence guidelines. We searched the literature adopting English terms and using five electronic databases of scientific publications (Web of Science Core Collection, Scopus, BASE-Bielefeld Academic Search Engine, PubMed, and Science Direct Elsevier). We then screened the retrieved articles' titles, abstracts, and full texts according to predefined eligibility criteria. Articles meeting the eligibility criteria were chosen for full reading, data extraction, and coding, utilizing a prepared codebook. No validity appraisal occurred in this selection. A database containing coded metadata for all studies is accessible for reference. REVIEW FINDINGS: After screening 5358 articles (titles and abstracts), we identified and thoroughly reviewed 361 eligible articles at full text to map the usage of the climate change perception concept. Among these, 73 articles provided explicit definitions of perception, falling into seven categories: risk perception, perception based on psychological constructs and sensory stimuli, awareness, prior experience, observation of climate variables, beliefs, and uncertainties or threats. Implicit definitions of perception with various constructs were found, including those rooted in Cognitive Psychology, awareness, risk perception, traditional knowledge, beliefs, concerns about climate change, experiences of exposure to its effects, attitudes, worldviews, and scientific knowledge. Articles usually address multiple topics. Notably, 88% of the articles did not present any theory throughout their content. Geographically, Africa and Asia were the most frequently studied continents, with more focus on non-indigenous small-scale populations than indigenous ones. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the perception concept exhibits an interdisciplinary nature. Therefore, fostering continuous dialogue among diverse disciplines is imperative to establishing an interdisciplinary definition of the term. An in-depth understanding of the perception concept is essential, as its absence can result in erroneous conclusions, limited adaptation strategies, and a lack of awareness among small-scale populations regarding climate change impacts. Misconceptions about this concept can lead to ineffective policies, further endangering vulnerable populations. Defining the concept and its constructs facilitates article comparisons. Without this definition, meaningful comparisons become unfeasible. Moreover, the absence of proper perception definitions poses challenges for small-scale populations, researchers, and stakeholders in developing effective, efficient, and flexible adaptations over time. Perception is the first step in incorporating adaptation strategies and must be translated into policies to address climate change impacts efficiently.