Knowledge of farmers associated with the use of Anacardiaceae native trees in Pampa Biome

Abstract

One of the most important strategies in the process of nature´s appropriation by social groups is the identification of native trees species and the recognition of their potential for different purposes. Much of this vast traditional knowledge associated with arboreal biodiversity has been lost over time. Together with this loss of such knowledge there is an alarming erosion of biological diversity. In order to rescue the knowledge of farmers about the use of Anacardiacea native trees in Pampa Biome, semi-structured interviews with farmers in Pelotas / RS were performed. Traditional methods of species identification and uses assigned to them were reported. The data obtained showed that there is popular knowledge associated with Anacardiacea native tree species in Pampa Biome. For these species are assigned different uses, such as medicinal, timber, ornamental, honey produce and agroforestry production systems.