Diversity of use and socio-environmental aspects of urban home gardens in Abaetetuba, Pará, Brazil

Abstract

Urban home gardens in Amazonia aggregate knowledge about natural resources and help support families. The objective of this study was to identify the uses and socio-environmental and cultural knowledge related to the way residents with home gardens live in the neighborhood of Mutirão, Abaetetuba, Pará. The study was conducted in 189 home gardens that were selected by probability sampling. The data obtained was based on semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation. The informant diversity value (IDs) and equitability value (IEs) were calculated to measure the uses and distribution of home gardens among residents. The home gardens had structural elements (48.9%), plant species (28.4%) and animals (22.7%). Maintaining the gardens involves traditional cleaning techniques using brooms, hoes and rakes. Eighteen types of use were identified, with IDs of 153.4 and IEs of 1, demonstrating similar amounts of use among the informants. Home gardens are dynamic and heterogeneous spaces that maintain knowledge and conservation practices of biodiversity and local culture.