Contributions of ethnobiology to the conservation of tropical rivers and streams

Abstract

ABSTRACT1. This study aimed to link basic ethnobiological research on local ecological knowledge (LEK) to the conservation of Brazilian streams, based on two case studies: original data on LEK of fishermen about freshwater fish in the Negro River, Amazon, and previously published data about LEK of farmers on the ecological relationship between forest and streams in the Macabuzinho catchment, Atlantic Forest.2. Information was obtained from fishermen through interviews using standard questionnaires containing open-ended questions. Informants for interview were selected either following some defined criteria or applying the 'snowball' method.3. Fishermen's LEK about the diets and habitats of 14 fish species in the Negro River provided new biological information on plant species that are eaten by fish, in addition to confirming some ecological patterns from the biological literature, such as dependence of fish on forests as food sources.4. In the Atlantic Forest, a comparison between farmers' LEK and a rapid stream assessment in the farmers' properties indicated that farmers tended to overestimate the ecological integrity of their streams. Farmers recognized at least 11 forest attributes that correspond to the scientific concept of ecosystem services. Such information may be useful to promote or enhance dialogue among farmers, scientists and managers.5. These results may contribute to the devising of ecosystem management measures in the Negro River, aimed to conserve both rivers and their associated floodplain forests, involving local fishermen. In the Atlantic Forest, we proposed some initiatives, such as to allow direct economic use of their forests to conciliate conflicting perceptions of farmers about ecological benefits versus economic losses from reforestation. Despite their cultural, environmental and geographical differences, the two study cases are complementary and cost-effective and promising approaches to including LEK in the design of ecological research.

Comida de gente: preferências e tabus alimentares entre os ribeirinhos do Médio Rio Negro (Amazonas, Brasil)

“…lenticulata), carauaçu (Astronotus crassipinnis) e cará-bicudo (Satanoperca lilith) foram citadas como pouco apreciadas para consumo por ter a "carne mole" e "sem gosto". Por outro lado, os peixes de dieta onívora com tendência à herbivoria (por exemplo, frutos, flores e artrópodes), como os pacus e aracus (Silvano et al, 2007), são apreciados e considerados de qualidade superior pelo sabor mais suave da carne, sendo citados como preferidos por mais de 60% dos entrevistados. Os grandes pimelodídeos, como a pirarara (Phractocephalus hemioliopterus) e o surubim (Pseudoplatystoma fasciatum), são apreciados pelo sabor acentuado da carne e pela elevada quantidade de gordura.…”

Assessing and mapping cultural ecosystem services at community level in the Colombian Amazon

“…The aim of this step was to determine the most common indicators driving the community members in search of a location providing a service. This information gives insight into community preferences and can be useful for more effective sustainable and environmental management and conservation (Silvano et al 2008;Figueiredo et al 2013;Bottazzi et al 2014;Plieninger et al 2015).…”

“…described in Plieninger et al (2013); reaching similar conclusions through the application of different methods has the benefit of enabling validation in addition to providing a different perspective on the data recorded (Creswell 2013); (vi) the spatial analysis is key to visualizing and achieving a better understanding of SPUs as it allows communities to effectively target the sustainable use of ES in the region (Silvano et al 2008;Campbell et al 2012;Figueiredo et al 2013;Bagstad et al 2017;Ramírez-Gómez et al 2017). The benefits of using participatory approaches to enable communities located in marginalized regions, design and develop better practices to manage the ES on which they depend have been corroborated by other studies (Ramírez-Gómez et al 2013;Bottazzi et al 2014;Ives et al 2017).…”

“…In the case of the Amazon, various studies have sought to develop methods aiming to incorporate the traditional knowledge, which is an integral part of the communities populating the region, enabling a better understanding of the territory and the cultural values that are an integral part of the community's behaviour (Silvano et al 2008;Macía et al 2011;Briggs et al 2013;Figueiredo et al 2013;Bottazzi et al 2014;Cámara-Leret et al 2014;Celentano et al 2014). Studies incorporating community stakeholders' knowledge have also been conducted in Africa (Chalmers and Fabricius 2007;Fagerholm and Käyhkö 2009;Sileshi et al 2009;Fagerholm et al 2012;Schnegg et al 2014) All the aforementioned studies demonstrate that traditional knowledge should be a key component of decision-making.…”

Towards deeper collaboration: stories of Indigenous interests, aspirations, partnerships and leadership in aquatic research and management

“…The diversity in knowledge systems provided by combining SK and IEK also provides complementary sources of information that can be highly beneficial for researchers, natural resource managers and policy makers (Healy 1993;Berkes 2000;Christie 2006;Nakata 2007;Noble et al 2016). The value of IEK in this context is evident in the growing number of studies applying it to a range of natural resource management issues (e.g., Silvano and Begossi 2002;Silvano et al 2008;Stephenson and Moller 2009;Bohensky and Maru 2011;Berkes 2012;Jackson et al 2014). Importantly, inclusion of Indigenous people and IEK in natural resource management and research also has a wide range of cultural, social, political and economic co-benefits for Indigenous people and communities (Campbell et al 2011;Barber 2015).…”