A biocultural and intercultural response to firewood scarcity in rural communities inhabiting arid environments in Patagonia (Argentina)

Abstract

From an ecological perspective the use of firewood species implies chronic pressure on wood vegetation, but from a biocultural point of view the implications are more systemic and complex. The objective of this work was to make a comprehensive analysis of the biocultural characteristics of firewood plants used by two rural communities in arid Patagonia, considering their cultural attributes, value as fuel and ecological persistence traits against continuous extraction. The study was carried out with 33 participants, and ethnobotanical information was collected on the use, preferences and attributes of species used, together with ecological information obtained from a bibliographical review. Of the 28 firewood species registered, 12 stood out as being preferred for firewood use. Native plants (66.6%) were generally preferred to exotic species (33.3%). Several ecological features of the preferred plants were noted, such as vegetative regeneration (43%), high geographical distribution (36%) and nitrogen fixation (18%). Most of these species also present a high level of utilitarian versatility, and are therefore multipurpose resources. These characteristics, of both ecological and cultural importance, should be key criteria for the selection of species for forestry programmes related to the development of firewood plantations.

Firewood Resource Management in Different Landscapes in NW Patagonia

“…Even so, it must be mentioned that the firewood plants, as well as providing energy, are a source of animal fodder, are used in making shelters for the animals and in construction, as also found by Cardoso et al (2012) and Morales et al (2017). These authors highlight the fact that the introduction of rapidly growing exotic firewood plants in peri-domestic areas increases the richness of uses of the flora, revealing mechanisms that improve inhabitants' self-sufficiency.…”

“…Schinus johnstonii is the most frequently gathered resource in this landscape. The cultural importance of this species over time has been documented in archaeobotanical studies and in recent work in the region, highlighting this species' characteristics of high calorific value and long-lasting embers (Ancibor and Pérez de Micou, 1995;Cardoso et al, 2013;Morales et al, 2017).…”

“…Together with the preferential use of species adapted to the disturbances typical of these environments (e.g., fires, overgrazing) (Morales et al, 2017), this suggests an articulated, dynamic system in which processes of climate and sociopolitical change (decrease in precipitation, mineral extractivism, etc. ), flora and populations all coevolve.…”

“…), flora and populations all coevolve. Thus, complementary use of the landscape, selection of species that grow quickly after harvesting and innovation in supply strategies (purchase), understood as local responses to the problem of change (Ladio, 2017), promote faster recuperation of the landscape and woody species, decreasing uncertainty and increasing biocultural resilience (Ladio, 2017;Morales et al, 2017). For example, some informants revealed that since many people have started buying firewood, regeneration of native plants such as Retanilla patagonica has been observed.…”

“…This involves in-depth study of the knowledge and practices associated with use of the environment, which are related to the maintenance of ecological cycles, and therefore ensure sustainability, thus making possible the coexistence and even the evolution of inhabitants along with their natural resources (Berkes et al, 2000;Shaanker et al, 2003;Berkes, 2004;Tiwari et al, 2010). Despite the progress made in this subject with regard to the use of firewood (Cardoso et al, 2012(Cardoso et al, , 2015Arre et al, 2015;Morales et al, 2017), the processes associated with domestication of the arid cultural landscape leading to the promotion and supply of these scarce resources are still unknown. The studies refer mainly to firewood extraction as a destructive practice that shows little care for the environment or resource renewal (Tabuti, 2007).…”