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Rearing of coleopteran larvae on palm tree stems as a food source is extended among Amerindian groups is as a food source as coleopteran larvae are reared on their stems. Guarani groups settled in the province of Misiones, in northeastern Argentina, consume three species of Dryophthoridae larvae (Metamasius hemipterus, Rhynchophorus palmarum and Rhinostomus barbirostris) which are rear in the stipes of Syagrus romanzoffiana palm. This work deals with the management of the different stages of growth of this palm to promote the development of the three edible larvae species. Field observation suggests a great knowledge of these insects ecology and of the differential characteristics of the palm tree wood anatomical structure throughout its ontogenic development. This constitutes the first record of the use of Metamasius hemipterus as food for the Mbya Guarani people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many urban areas located at the forest edge maintain a high connection to the forest, either because forests provide resources and services that act as safety nets for the poor or because they represent a cultural link to traditional lifestyles. However, in conflict areas, this link to the forest may have been disrupted, either because conflict exacerbates forest degradation, or because people are alienated from their lands by the conflict and have therefore less access to forest resources, or because the frequent movement of people from towns to rural areas and backwards is limited by insecurity and poor transportation means. In this study, we assessed the nutritional status of teenagers living in Quibdó, a forest town that lies at the centre of Colombia's long history of political conflicts, and analysed the role that wild animals (wild fish and wildmeat) still play on their food security. While our analysis clearly showed that wild animals significantly contribute to dietary diversity, food and nutrition insecurity prevailed among teenagers, especially among the poorest families. Our results suggested that postconflict policies should explicitly promote integrated approaches to reduce food insecurity and value biodiversity for its role in reducing malnutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO, "Bioma Pampa-Quebradas del Norte", Rivera Department is an important reservoir of biocultural diversity of Uruguay. With the objective of contributing to its recognition and valuation, we describe the diversity of medicinal plants used by local communities in rural or urban settlements at the Reserve, from a quali-quantitative ethnobotanical approach. We estimated and compared species richness of alien and native medicinal plants mentioned by the 13 urban and 31 rural people in semi-structured interviews selected by snowball sampling. We found that the diversity of medicinal plants comparing urban and rural areas did not present significant differences. However, rural areas report more native species as consequence of a higher environmental offer of medicinal plants and the prevalence of cultural elements of native peoples; in contrast, the construction of homegardens within a pluricultural context in urban areas promotes the incorporation of alien species in the local herbalist. Finally, we emphasize the possibility of integrating the official medicinal system with the traditional medicinal systems based in plants, contributing to the programs of conservation of biocultural heritage and primary health care as posed by the World Health Organization in its Traditional Medicine Strategy 2014-2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have reported that gender influences the variation of knowledge of local medical systems. However, most of the ethnobiological studies that analyze the variation of knowledge have focused on analyzing only the richness of known resources. Therefore, in this review we discuss the importance of analyzing the variation of knowledge between genders with a multifactorial and nonunidirectional perspective. It also presents proposals for future studies that analyze the influence of gender on local medical systems, considering the dynamics of socialecological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of bushmeat as source of food and medicine for forest peoples calls for an appropriate benefit/risk analysis in terms of human health. In this systematic review, we compiled information on the linkages between bushmeat and health, with a particular focus on the nutritional content, the zoo-therapeutic uses and the zoonotic pool of bushmeat species in tropical and sub-tropical forest regions. Despite the scarcity of data on the nutritional content of most common bushmeat species, the available studies demonstrate that bushmeat is an important source of fats, micro and macro-nutrients and has a diversity of medicinal uses. However, bushmeat may have detrimental health impacts where hunting, transportation, handling and cooking practices do not follow food safety practices. There is evidence that some bushmeat carcasses may be contaminated by toxic metals or by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Moreover, several pathogens carried by bushmeat are found to be zoonotic and potentially transmissible to humans through consumption or through exposure to body fluids and feces. We stress the need for more in-depth studies on the complex links between bushmeat and human health. The development of innovative handling, conservation and cooking practices, adapted to each socio-cultural context, should help reduce the negative impacts of bushmeat consumption on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Xem-Xem Forest State Park (Parque Estadual da Mata do Xém-Xém) is a 1 82-ha Atlantic forest remnant located in the metropolitan region of João Pessoa, Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. Since its legal creation in 2000, it has been facing several management problems and social conflicts that jointly has reduced its effectiveness. In this study we examined the environmental perception of residents surrounding the Park and the staff of the Paraíba state environmental agency (SUDEMA) in order to clearly identify those problems and conflicts and provide possible solutions. Semi structured interviews with both residents (n = 29) and staff members (n = 4) revealed that the Park is clearly valuable as a repository of biodiversity and a place for leisure and recreation, highlighting its great socioecological function. These benefits, however, were impaired or hindered mainly by fear of violence, lack of infrastructure, extremely limited staff and virtual absence of administrative structure. Furthermore, the protective measures of the Park were considered incipient and did not match the expectations and needs of local communities. We urgently recommend (1) the creation of the Park's management council, (2) the development of its management plan, (3) the implementation of public policies surrounding the area to ameliorate conditions for public use and improve biodiversity protection and (4) the continuity of ethnographic researches focusing on the relationship between local communities and the Park. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ouémé catchment experiences increasing degradation of its natural resources due to anthropogenic pressure. Consequently, most of the agroforestry species as well as the cultural and Indigenous knowledge related to them are facing a very high risk of extinction. The present research aimed to assess the biodiversity of the useful woody species in this area and their cultural importance and then prioritize these woody species for conservation purpose. An ethnobotanical survey was carried out among 411 randomly selected households followed by an ecological survey conducted in 69 random plots of 0.15 ha. Ecological and ethnobotanical parameters were calculated and then analyzed. To determine the local priorities species for conservation, a local conservation priority index (LCPI) was computed for each species. The high value of LCPI for a given species indicates the need for a greater level of attention for conservation and management. Fortyfive useful woody species belonging to 21 families dominated by Leguminosae (24.44%) and Anacardiaceae (8.88%) were reported. The fortyfive species were categorized into six use categories by the informants: food, medicinal, construction, fuel, veterinary and technology. The most useful species were Elaeis guineensis (UV=0.24), followed by Parkia biglobosa (UV=0.19) and Vitellaria paradoxa (UV=0.18). The prioritization method yielded top ten ranked species: Parkia biglobosa, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Adansonia digitata, Milicia excelsa, Irvingia gabonensis, Vitex doniana, Prosopis africana, Diospyros mespiliformis, Afzelia africana and Vitellaria paradoxa. With the aim of establishing the sustainable management in the catchment, we suggest that more attention be paid to the aforementioned species as part of rehabilitation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild meat is a major protein supply for numerous traditional communities worldwide, but impacts ecological processes and consequently challenges the relevance and suitability of adequate monitoring of the sustainability of harvests. In this study we discuss the classic models of theoretical "maximum sustainable offtake" and propose new considerations on sustainable harvest thresholds. The study focuses on French Guiana, northern Amazonia, on four sites harvested by three communities (Amerindian, Creole, and Hmong), mainly for subsistence purposes. We explored how factors related to the number of hunters, the harvested areas, and the surface area hunted, and measured how fauna abundance generates uncertainties on models and increases the errors on sustainable thresholds. Biased or incomplete ethnologic surveys, as well as local and temporal variations in game species density could lead to considerable underestimation of harvests. We proposed a set of corrections that, once applied to the input variables of the offtake model, could limit the risk of erroneous assessment of sustainability thresholds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This contribution presents 82 species of medicinal plants whose products are sold and consumed as cholesterol lowering in the Buenos Aires-La Plata conurbation, Argentina. The hypocholesterolemic effect is relevant because the high level of blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, leading causes of death and disability almost worldwide. The species were selected from their locally assigned use, obtained from interviews with informants, data labels, prospectus and leaflets of products, and information diffused in the media, specially the Internet. Furthermore, a bibliographic review on scientific studies that validate the biological activity and effects of each species was accomplished. The theoretical framework of this research argues that urban botanical knowledge comprising some knowledge linked to traditions of various immigrants segments (invisible to most of the local population), and other non-traditional knowledge (visible). The assessment of these kinds of knowledge is approached from the plant products circulation in the restricted circuits of immigrants (Bolivian and Chinese for this contribution) and the general commercial circuit, so that products that pass from the first circuit to the second gain visibility. The circulation of plant products that acquire visibility also expressed the botanical knowledge transmission from one context to another, a transmission enhanced and accelerated by the media. In this framework, the visibility levels of plant products considered hypocholesterolemic in the study area are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current contribution of wild animal proteins has been poorly quantified, particularly in the rapidly growing urban centers of tropical forests. Lack of such evidence impairs food security strategies to include the diversity of food supply inherent to traditional food systems. In this study we focus on wild sources of animal protein: wild fish and bushmeat, which have traditionally been important in people's diets in the Amazon. We compare the consumption of wild and non-wild (domestic, processed) sources of animal proteins in a rural to urban gradient in the Colombian Amazon. In rural areas, most people are indigenous from the Ticuna ethnical group, while in urban areas, the population is a result of a mixture of different indigenous groups, mestizos and colonos. Our results show that, despite its geographical position, the region is increasingly dependent on domestic and industrialized sources of animal protein. The frequency of wild fish and bushmeat consumption decreases from rural to urban areas to the advantage of domestic and processed meat/fish. Patterns of animal protein consumption for indigenous children indicate that indigenous families adopt non-indigenous consumption patterns when they move to town. Bushmeat consumption in urban areas is more frequent in wealthier families and could be considered as a luxury product. In urban areas, chicken is the protein of the poor and beef replaces chicken for the families that can afford it. In rural settings, chicken replaces wild sources of animal protein as people increase their income and move away from forest/ agriculture dependent livelihoods. Despite, the low importance of bushmeat and wild fish in urban areas measured in terms of consumption frequencies, we show that these foods continue to play an important role in terms of dietary diversity, which is fundamental to eradicate energy and micronutrient deficiencies. The increased consumption of industrial chicken in rural communities poses important food security issues because it provides less nutritional balance than wild foods and access to this protein is dependent on the availability of cash in rural communities. While the harvest of wild proteins poses a sustainability problem, industrial foods also carry a heavy ecological footprint. In conclusion our results call for a better attention to the changes observed in diets in the Amazon, given their potential food security and ecological consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on a study of collaborative governance (Spanish cogobierno, literally co-government) in Makuira National Park overlapping with an Indigenous collective territory of the Wayúu people recognised by the Government of Colombia, we analyse how Indigenous rights and conservation interests are negotiated between the national parks authority and local Indigenous governing authorities. Recognised common interests provide a basis for collaboration in protected area governance even where conflicting interests exist. The arrangements arrived at by negotiation incorporate Indigenous governance and parks conservation objectives, enabling territorial use planning which allows for both conflict management and protected area management. Ongoing collaborative governance based on common interests, brings both benefits and trade-offs. The Wayúu give up part of their self-determination rights and the Park gives up part of the ideals of ecosystem conservation based on biological criteria. The strategic alliance works because it is based on the recognition of the legitimacy of Indigenous governing authority, the Parks' role in protecting Wayúu territory, and the complementary strengths of the two parties. The core message of the case is that designing an inclusive and broad practice of conservation requires an approach involving processes that acknowledge common interests and trade-offs for both parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil has a long tradition in the study of medicinal plants. When the Portuguese arrived to the new colony, Pero Vaz de Caminha, the scriber of the fleet, left the first impressions of the local and the inhabitants. He clearly mentions how the Indians use natural dye as tincture to paint their bodies. This article reviews the phytochemical and pharmacological characteristics of these colorants and other medicinal plants recently identified mentioned in this letter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hunting is responsible for the decline of more than half of all mammal species from Brazil; however, very few studies relating to hunting exist for the Eastern region of the Amazon. Medium and large-sized mammals are valued for their protein and are thus more affected by hunting activity. Four published studies on hunting in the region (in Pará, Mato Grosso, Amapá and Maranhão, respectively) were quantitatively analyzed and used to determine the biomass and extraction rates of species and groups of species, considering the characteristics of each group, as well as the differences and similarities in composition in each type of game in the locality. These four published studies, two were in communities indigenous (Pará and Maranhão) and others two in rural communities (Mato Grosso and Amapá) A total of 32 species from eight orders and 17 families were hunted, totaling 32,726,990 kilograms of game meat with a positive correlation between biomass, the number of animals slaughtered and the number of species. Ungulates were the most hunted group, from which the most biomass was obtained. Concerning food preferences, frugivorous represented the highest number of species hunted and also the highest biomass, and a positive correlation existed between the extraction rate and ungulate biomass. There was no significant difference between the diversity of mammals of different indigenous and rural localities; however, from a multidimensional analysis of the localities, A'Ukre (Pará) and Alto Turiaçu (Maranhão) were more similar to each other, and were more distant from the other groups. Knowledge concerning which species and groups and how many animals are hunted in each locality is necessary to direct conservation management plans and increase their efficiency within localities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]