Market integration does not affect traditional ecological knowledge but contributes additional pressure on plant resources

Abstract

Market integration can aff ect the manner in which individuals learn about and use natural resources. Th e present study explores the infl uence of market integration on the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and use of natural resources in handicraft production among the Fulni-ô indigenous people of Northeast Brazil. We collect data from 67 artisans about their traditional and non-traditional handicrafts, which are mainly produced for external trade demand (our proxy for market integration). Data regarding the distribution of knowledge among diff erent segments of the population, according to socioeconomic variables, and the comparison of plant biomass used for traditional and non-traditional handicrafts, reveals that integration does not aff ect the distribution of TEK but leads to a higher consumption of native plant resources, which can negatively aff ect the populations of the species used. Th e present fi ndings indicate a future scenario of the replacement of TEK with knowledge that yields higher economic returns. Th e most experienced artisans have greater traditional ecological knowledge of traditional handicrafts and can play a fundamental role in maintaining traditional knowledge in the context of market integration. Finally, temporal evaluation studies in particular are needed to better understand changes in knowledge derived from market integration.

Use of firewood for artisanal ceramic production in a context of forest scarcity in Northeastern Brazil

“…Insertion of artisanal ceramic products in the market could represent a strategy to promote income generation and biocultural conservation, as has occurred with other artisanal products (Martnez and Manzano Carga 2019). However, adoption of this strategy in the context of the Muquém quilombo would likely lead to an increased demand for firewood (Silva et al 2019). Therefore, it would be necessary to establish mechanisms to increase the supply of firewood, such as restoration of forest areas for common use.…”

“…In artisanal ceramic production, firewood is an essential material for the sintering process. This energy source is typically harvested from forest areas located close to production sites (Reis 2015;Silva et al 2019). In Northeastern Brazil, extraction areas are commonly fragments of once continuous native forests that have been gradually replaced for agricultural or urbanization purposes (Silva et al 2014;Joly et al 2014).…”

“…In some studies, resource availability is described as one of the main criteria for firewood selection, especially in contexts of scarcity Kituyi et al 2001). Other studies identified wood quality as the most important factor in firewood extraction, a property determined by factors such as calorific value, ash content, and moisture content, among other attributes (Ramos et al 2008;Silva et al 2019). Socioeconomic characteristics, such as age and gender, have also been identified as predictors of firewood use patterns (Ramos et al 2008a).…”

“…It should be noted that most studies investigated firewood consumption for cooking purposes. However, it is known that artisanal ceramic production, when integrated into the market, can be responsible for a high demand of firewood materials (Silva et al 2019). Thus, it is necessary to improve our understanding of firewood use patterns for ceramic production in the context of forest scarcity.…”

Conocimiento y manejo tradicional de Agave karwinskii en el sur de México

“…Esta situación está impactando en la sustentabilidad de los procesos de apropiación de la naturaleza y sus elementos, así como en el mantenimiento de la diversidad biológica en sitios silvestres, pero también de diversos agroecosistemas (Arnaiz-Schmitz et al 2018, Drew & Henne 2006, Moreno-Calles et al 2016, Saynes-Vásquez et al 2016, Tang & Gavin 2016. Específicamente, el cambio de una dinámica de autoabasto a una regida por la demanda del mercado, ha marcado pautas en el manejo con resultados ambivalentes (Shackleton et al 2015), con una tendencia a tener saldos negativos en términos de viabilidad de los recursos y la dinámica social que se ha generado (Lima-da Silva et al 2019).…”