Local botanical knowledge of native food plants in the semiarid region of Brazil

Lopes

et al. 2019

Environ Dev Sustain

The rearing of wild birds as pets is directly related to cultural and socioeconomic issues, as well as to population declines for the species involved. This study aimed to inventory wild birds that are reared as pets and analyze aspects of their commercialization and the sociocultural context of this activity in the semiarid region of Paraíba, Brazil. The data were obtained through interviews and semistructured questionnaires comprised of questions regarding wild birds kept in captivity. Thirty men with a mean age of 45 years were interviewed. The birds were identified through direct observation of the species. The Use Value Index, which is a quantitative index that lists species by importance based on usage citations, was calculated for each species in three different ways: UVgeneral, UVcurrent, and UVpotential. Thirty-six wild bird species distributed among 10 families and 26 genera were recorded. The birds were raised because of beautiful plumage and birdsong, ability to mimic sounds, and fighting potential. Trade on wild birds is a widespread activity. Twentyone (70%) interviewees had obtained their animals from illegal trade, which encompassed all recorded species. Nine respondents were authorized to legally raise and breed these species in captivity. Bird trade is a widespread activity throughout the study region, where

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 79%

Rearing and trade of wild birds in a semiarid region of Brazil

Lopes

et al. 2019

Environ Dev Sustain

“…The results presented here show the importance of adopting the UV current in the analysis of ethnobiological data since this UV explains the effective use of natural resources and is significantly different from the UV general of the species, based on the Cluster test and one-wayANOVA. No studies had statistically measured this difference, until now, although some authors have pointed out the need to assess the applicability of this index [92, 107, 113–115]. Therefore, the data from this research suggest a new standard for data analysis using the UV current as a strategic tool for the conservation of the most important species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 92%

“…Some studies [90, 107, 113–115] have shown that the application of differentiated UV results in more precise diagnoses regarding the cultural importance of the species used. Thereby, aiming at strategies for the conservation of these animals, further studies are needed to evaluate if the local decrease in the population of some species, from the informants’ point of view, is directly related to their use and/or to other factors, such as population fluctuation and changes in their habitat, among others.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of mammals in a semi-arid region of Brazil: an approach to the use value and data analysis for conservation

Santos

Lucena

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

et al. 2019

Background This study aimed to survey the knowledge and use of mammals by the residents of the rural community of Capivara in the municipality of Solânea (Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil) and to propose a new method of using the use value as a tool for data analysis in ethnozoological surveys. Methods The uses attributed to mammals were recorded through semi-structured interviews conducted with the breadwinners (men and women) living in the community. The species were identified through guided tours, by descriptions made by the interviewees, and using specimens donated by them, as well as by comparison with the pertinent scientific literature (morphological and ecological). Through the use value differentiated analysis, it was possible to distinguish the current use value of the species (effective use) from their potential use value (knowledge, but no effective use) to determine their real importance related to the uses cited by the studied group. Results Nineteen species were cited; however, only 17 of them were identified and then distributed in 13 families. The other species were identified at the genus level Leopardus sp. and order Rodentia. The species were classified into 6 categories of use: food, captive breeding, zootherapeutic, artisanal, magic/religious, and veterinary purposes. Conclusions This article discusses possible conservation solutions, given the irregular exploitation of some species, warning about the biodiversity, and traditional knowledge conservation.

“…However, it does not distinguish between current use (effective) and potential use; therefore, the application of the UV g becomes unreliable for allocating a high number of potential uses in the analysis. This distinction between knowledge and effective use needs to be addressed in future studies for the development of conservation and management initiatives based on accurate information, for species that are actually under pressure [ 20 , 34 , 35 , 44 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local knowledge, use, and conservation of wild birds in the semi-arid region of Paraíba state, northeastern Brazil

J Ethnobiology Ethnomedicine

Santos

et al. 2018

BackgroundThe use of wild birds, for several purposes, is directly associated with cultural, ecological, and conservation issues. This study aimed to inventory the wild birds known and used in three communities in Paraíba state, northeast Brazil, and to investigate the sociocultural context in which these activities occur.MethodsA total of 179 people (98 women and 81 men) were interviewed. Data were collected through free interviews, using semi-structured forms, and posing questions about the use of local wild birds. The species were identified by direct observation of the birds, analysis of photographic records, and the use of a scientific guide.ResultsEach species’ use value (UV) was calculated in three different ways: UVgeneral, UVcurrent, and UVpotential. These UVs ranged from 0.01 to 1.15 for UVg, 0 to 0.21 for UVc, and 0.01 to 1.02 for UVp. A total of 99 species, 81 genera, and 40 families were recorded and classified into the use categories of food, breeding, and medicinal. Thraupidae (12 species), Columbidae, Accipitridae, and Icteridae (8 species each) were the most diverse families.ConclusionsThe use of wild birds is a widespread activity in the studied areas, where many species are used. This demonstrates the need to conduct studies to assess the pressure suffered by these bird species, as well as the need to create public policies that intervene in the use and conservation of wild birds.