Plant Biodiversity Knowledge Varies by Gender in Sustainable Amazonian Agricultural Systems Called Chacras

Abstract

Chacras, which are Amazonian agricultural systems, are examples of traditional agricultural management that are sustainable. They are also characteristic of the identities of different ethnographic groups in tropical America. However, information regarding the botanical characterization of chacras is scant. In tropical rural communities, there is a gender bias hypothesis that makes women potential reservoirs of traditional chacras plant knowledge. We present an experimental study in order to demonstrate if this knowledge difference really exists and to plan accordingly. We performed workshops in an isolated Kichwa community from Amazonian Ecuador. We calculated the cultural signififcance index (CSI) for 97 local flora plants. Our results revealed statistically significant differences. They were coherent with the Kichwa worldview and the structure of their society. We concluded that gender perspective must be taken into account in biodiversity conservation programs, such as, for example, those to implement the resilient agricultural practices of tropical contexts promoted by The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SGD2).

Teaching Down to Earth—Service-Learning Methodology for Science Education and Sustainability at the University Level: A Practical Approach

“…These practices were never registered and could offer significant progress in various medical fields [81]. Conservation of this traditional knowledge must be taken into account [82] and is a priority according to several international agreements [83]. Perhaps the first milestone is given by the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007), [84] (p. 10) in which the UN included the following text:…”

The Integration of Conservation, Biodiversity, and Sustainability

“…Also, in this issue Luzuriaga-Quichimbo et al studied traditional plant knowledge in Chacras, which are traditionally managed Amazonian agricultural systems. They found that this plant biodiversity knowledge varies by gender concluding that gender perspective must be taken into account in biodiversity conservation programs [38].…”

“…Currently, approximately 40% of Earth's surface is under use for food and fiber production and this is anticipated to continue to rise. This trend will have grave consequences for the environment and biodiversity unless traditional agroecosystems like the Amazonian Chacras described in this issue are preserved [38,42,43]. In addition, regenerative sustainable agriculture techniques must be promoted, but in a way that avoids external or government enforcement.…”

Food Identities, Biocultural Knowledge and Gender Differences in the Protected Area “Sierra Grande de Hornachos” (Extremadura, Spain)

“…We will also take into account the familiarities of men and women, as previous studies show that this is a differentiating factor in terms of the identity traits of a place [15] because, traditionally, the roles of each of the genres have been different. Women have always been associated with the field of home and childcare and parenting, while men spent less time in the house and used to perform jobs associated with agriculture and livestock maintaining a more direct relationship with the natural environment.…”