Hunting in French Guiana Across Time, Space and Livelihoods

Abstract

Hunting sustainability in Amazonian ecosystems is a key challenge for modern stakeholders. Predictive models have evolved from first mostly biological data-based to more recent modeling including human behavior. We analyze here the hunting data collected in French Guiana through a panel of indices aiming at drawing the puzzle of parameters influencing hunting activity and impact in various socio ecological conditions across the country. Data were collected from five different study sites differing in cultural origins and remoteness from market economy, and over a 10 years period. Most indices show an impact on wildlife populations, and using a full set of indicators allowed us to better understand some underlying mechanisms that lead to a community's hunting profile. The results showed that there are noticeable differences between the study sites in the practices and the ways hunters face the changes in environment and resources availability.

Resurgence risk for malaria, and the characterization of a recent outbreak in an Amazonian border area between French Guiana and Brazil

“…These communities were described in a recent study to be particularly at risk for malaria infection and participated in factors driving this epidemic [5]. Remote Amerindian communities have specific behaviors, precarious living conditions, poor access to health care, higher mobility, as well as commercial, cultural or family links among populations from both sides of the border [5,15]. This may explain the cross-border epidemic dynamic, and these communities represent a key population for malaria control.…”

“…This border region consists of a vast remote territory covered by the Amazonian rainforest associated with highly variable population densities. There is also a great diversity of populations, including Amerindians (mainly Wayãpi, Teko, Palikur, Karipuna, Galibi-Marworno and Galibi tribes), Creoles, Saramaka and migrants from other Brazilian states who migrate to the area to work in the gold mining sector (mainly illegal gold mining or border supply zones) [15]. Therefore, daily transborder exchanges exist among these populations [15].…”

“…There is also a great diversity of populations, including Amerindians (mainly Wayãpi, Teko, Palikur, Karipuna, Galibi-Marworno and Galibi tribes), Creoles, Saramaka and migrants from other Brazilian states who migrate to the area to work in the gold mining sector (mainly illegal gold mining or border supply zones) [15]. Therefore, daily transborder exchanges exist among these populations [15]. The climate is equatorial, with four alternating seasons: a long rainy season from April to June, a dry season from July to December, a short, rainy season from January to February and a short dry season in March.…”

Resurgence risk for malaria, and the characterization of a recent outbreak in an Amazonian border area between French Guiana and Brazil

“…This border region consists of a vast, remote territory of Amazonian rainforest, associated with highly variable population densities. There is a great diversity of populations, including Indigenous South Americans (mainly Wayãpi, Teko, Palikur, Karipuna, Galibi-Marworno and Galibi peoples), Creoles, Saramaka, and migrants from other Brazilian states who migrated to the area to work in the gold mining sector (mainly in illicit gold mining or border supply zones) [13]. Daily transborder exchanges exist among these populations [13].…”

“…There is a great diversity of populations, including Indigenous South Americans (mainly Wayãpi, Teko, Palikur, Karipuna, Galibi-Marworno and Galibi peoples), Creoles, Saramaka, and migrants from other Brazilian states who migrated to the area to work in the gold mining sector (mainly in illicit gold mining or border supply zones) [13]. Daily transborder exchanges exist among these populations [13]. The climate is equatorial, with four alternating seasons: a long rainy season from April to June, a dry season from July to December, a short, rainy season from January to February and a short, dry season in March.…”