Search

Studies related to the intrinsic biocultural variation of medicinal plant use in urban contexts are necessary for public health purposes. In this work we ask: What types of supply site offer medicinal plants in the pluricultural city of San Salvador de Jujuy? What are the most important medicinal plants commercialized in the city? How do species composition and their cultural importance vary between biocultural suppliers? The research followed an ethnobotanical approach and techniques, particularly participant observation, semi-structured and structured interviews with salespersons, and prior informed consent. We also identified plant material, considering the 10 plants most cited by the participants as having most commercial importance. Three types of medicinal plant supply site were identified: pharmacies, herbal stores and traditional informal sales stalls (informal vendors). Eighty-two medicinal species and two algal species were the most sold in this city. Total species richness differed between different types of biocultural supply site, herbal stores selling the highest richness (54 species), followed by informal vendors (43 species) and finally, pharmacies (36 species). The similarity index for the three sites revealed that herbal stores and informal vendors shared the highest number of species (46%). Through a GLM (generalized lineal model) we found that the supply sites most likely to sell native plants were the informal vendors. Despite the influence of global patterns of use, the supply sites varied in their intrinsic characteristics and offered different resources. Traditional informal vendors are fundamental to the Jujuy population for the supply of unique native species. This phenomenon has marked consequences for public health, highlighting the essential biocultural role played by this supply point in maintaining the traditional Andean health system.

Animals play a significant role in many cultures around the world. The southern river otter Lontra provocax (known locally as the “huillin”) is endemic to southern Argentina and Chile, and is currently in danger of extinction. Mapuche communities have always lived closely alongside their animal resources, generating unique bonds with them. The objective of this work is to obtain an overview of the importance given to this species in the literature of the region with regard to the nature-culture connection. A systematic bibliographical review was carried out using reference libraries and web browsers. From all the sources analysed, 110 were selected which held biocultural information. The main approach used was ecological; however, the ethnohistorical texts provided the richest information on the bond between this otter and humans. The Mapuche name “huillin” appears in all the publications analysed, showing its continuity over time. Of all the zootoponyms found, 87.5% were Chilean and 12.5% were Argentine. The Argentine case is found in Nahuel Huapi lake, and is worthy of note as its name could involve the huillin. The results of this work increase our knowledge of the biocultural heritage of our region, and enable us to reflect on the associated historical and political processes.

Management practices are very sensitive to socio-environmental change and the influence of market society. This case study was carried out in the Cuyin Manzano rural community, situated in a protected area within the North Patagonian UNESCO biosphere reserve. We investigate the differential practices applied by the community with regard to management of native and introduced species with edible fruits using semi-structured and free interviews in 11 homes (80%). A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) was also performed to validate the field results. The data was analyzed quali-quantitatively, in the latter case with Generalized Linear Models. A total richness of 27 species was found, of which 11 were native and 17 introduced. Native plants were mainly managed by gathering and tolerance, while exotic species were not only harvested, but also protected, sown and transplanted, and plants inherited from forebears were cared for. Management intensity varied according to origin, being greater for the introduced species. In addition, the species of greater cultural importance were also those which experienced a higher number of management practices, with possible processes of incipient domestication being particularly notable for two native plants. Exotic plants have a higher probability of being managed, and with greater intensity, than native ones, even though the latter have had a much longer history of use. Our results show patterns of diversification of edible fruit species through different management practices. For inhabitants, these practices represent significant situations of contact with nature, which enable traditions based on local knowledge to be maintained.

Ethnobiology, like many fields, was shaped by early Western imperial efforts to colonize people and lands around the world and extract natural resources. Those legacies and practices persist today and continue to influence the institutions ethnobiologists are a part of, how they carry out research, and their personal beliefs and actions. Various authors have previously outlined five overlapping "phases" of ethnobiology. Here, we argue that ethnobiology should move toward a sixth phase in which scholars and practitioners must actively challenge colonialism, racism, and oppressive structures embedded within their institutions, projects, and themselves. As an international group of ethnobiologists and scholars from allied fields, we identified key topics and priorities at three levels: at the institutional scale, we argue for repatriation/rematriation of biocultural heritage, accessibility of published work, and realignment of priorities to support community-driven research. At the level of projects, we emphasize the need for mutual dialogue, reciprocity, community research self-sufficiency, and research questions that support sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities over lands and waters. Finally, for individual scholars, we support self-reflection on language use, co-authorship, and implicit bias. We advocate for concrete actions at each of these levels to move the field further toward social justice, antiracism, and decolonization., La etnobiología, como muchos otros campos, ha sido moldeada por los esfuerzos imperialistas occidentales para colonizar gente y tierras alrededor del mundo y extraer sus recursos naturales. Estos legados y prácticas aún persisten hoy en día y continúan influyendo en las instituciones donde los etnobiólogos son parte, las formas en cómo desarrollan la investigación, sus creencias personales y acciones. Varios autores han resaltado anteriormente cinco fases superpuestas de la etnobiología. En este documento, nosotros argumentamos que la etnobiología debe moverse hacia una sexta fase en la que los académicos y practicantes deben activamente confrontar el colonialismo, el racismo y las estructuras opresivas que están embebidas dentro de sus instituciones, proyectos y de ellos mismos. Como un grupo internacional de etnobiólogos y académicos de campos aliados, identificamos temas centrales y prioridades en 3 niveles: a nivel institucional, nosotros abogamos por la repatriación/rematriación del patrimonio biocultural, la accesibilidad a los trabajos publicados, y la realineación de prioridades para apoyar la investigación liderada por las comunidades. A nivel de proyectos, nosotros enfatizamos la necesidad de un diálogo mutuo, de reciprocidad, que las comunidades sean autosuficientes en cuanto a investigación. Además, que las preguntas de investigación apoyen la soberanía de los Pueblos Indígenas y las Comunidades Locales sobre sus tierras y aguas. Finalmente, en el caso de los académicos, apoyamos los procesos de reflexión interna acerca del uso del lenguaje, las coautorías y los sesgos implícitos. Nosotros abogamos por acciones concretas en cada uno de estos niveles para movilizar a la etnobiología para que sea socialmente justa, anti-racista y descolonizada.

The aim of this paper is to present recent advances in the microbotanical analyses of an organic residue on a potsherd from a late Holocene hunter-gatherer site in Argentine Patagonia, which is the first evidence of this kind for the processing of starchy food. Standard methods were carried out for starch grain recovery and morphometric analysis, care being taken in the prevention of cross-contamination and evaluation of post-depositional factors. Diagnostic features of the ancient starch grains recovered were compared against those from a list, available in the bibliography, of plants potentially processed in pottery, but no match was found. An anatomical and starch grain reference collection was established with three of the most frequently consumed traditional wild underground storage organs (USOs) of Patagonia, Alstroemeria aurea Graham, Tropaeolum porifolium Cav. and Diposis patagonica Skottsb., in order to compare these against the archaeobotanical record. We suggest that T. aff. porifolium (and probably also A. aff. aurea) were processed in the pot from which the sherd came, and discuss these results in terms of a better understanding of the role of wild USOs in subsistence and the possible cooking methods used in hunter-gatherer societies in Argentine Patagonia., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

Silvopastoral systems (SPS) are sustainable production systems, characterized by a great biodiversity and multifunctionality compared with other livestock production systems. Northern Argentine-Chilean Andean Patagonia is a complex socio-ecological system where the provision and perception of ecosystem services (ES) vary depending on multiple contexts. We aim to characterize multiple ES and the associated benefits from SPS under different contexts and key factors. We propose a conceptual model of the socio-ecosystem that considers socio-historical contexts, forest ecosystems, cultural contexts, relational values, and anthropogenic aspects. We provide a deep review of published information on these factors and how these are related to the provision and perception of ES. We also consider natural and anthropogenic drivers to assist government and institutions. Finally, we discuss the main knowledge gaps that need to be addressed to attain a sustainable management. There is a need for a multidisciplinary and regional approach that can serve as a new interpretive framework for managers and decision-makers. In particular, the inclusion of relational values with nature and the visibility of anthropocentric factors can be useful tools for local development.

El ecofeminismo ha cobrado importancia entre las lideresas campesinas aborígenes y no aborígenes de América Latina. Este enfoque plantea que la dominación extractivista que propone la lógica de mercado sobre la Naturaleza, es la misma que se imprime en los cuerpos de las mujeres desde hace siglos de colonización. Ambos, son territorios-cuerpos sujetos a relaciones de desigualdad y sometimiento. Los estudios rurales muestran que, bajo esa lógica neoliberal-patriarcal, solo se pondera el trabajo productivo que genera dinero realizado por hombres, dejando invisible el trabajo doméstico o el informal de las mujeres. Asimismo, permanece oculto su rol en la trasmisión de saberes y prácticas agropecuarias. En este artículo, deseo reflexionar sobre el papel de los trabajos etnobiológicos en visibilizar cuestiones de género. Propongo que la etnobiología ha tenido perspectivas compartidas con la aproximación ecofeminista. En sus evidencias empíricas y desarrollos teóricos ha desarmado supremacías propias de la lógica patriarcal, visibilizando el rol de las mujeres en la vida rural, especialmente cuando: 1- ha estudiado las distintas formas de conocimiento entre hombres y mujeres, 2- se ha centrado en el patrimonio material e inmaterial y los procesos de trasmisión cultural, 3- ha resaltado visiones locales de una Naturaleza no subordinada a la Cultura (por ende, al patriarcado), 4- ha visibilizado vínculos emocionales. Sin embargo, muchas veces los trabajos etnobiológicos no han sido suficientemente explícitos en desentrañar los sesgos patriarcales, por ende, se proponen seis ideas para desarticularlos, tanto de índole metodológico como conceptual. El carácter híbrido de la etnobiología provee de herramientas clave para dar cuenta del lugar multifacético de las mujeres en la conservación de la Naturaleza. Eco-feminism has gained importance among indigenous and non-indigenous women farmers' leaders in Latin America. They argue that the extractive domination proposed by the logic of the market over Nature is the same that has been imprinted on women's bodies for centuries of colonization. Both are territories-bodies subject to relations of inequality and submission. Rural studies show that under this neoliberal-patriarchal logic, only productive work that generates money is considered, carried out by men, leaving women's domestic or informal work invisible. Moreover, their role in the transmission of agricultural knowledge and practices remains hidden. In this article, I wish to reflect on the role of ethnobiological work in gender studies. I propose that ethnobiology has shared perspectives with the ecofeminist approach. Empirical evidence and theoretical developments of ethnobiology have disarmed supremacy proper to patriarchal logic, making visible the role of women in rural life, specially when: 1) has studied the different forms of knowledge between men and women, 2) has focused on the material and immaterial heritage and processes of cultural transmission, 3) has highlighted local visions of a Nature not subordinated to Culture (therefore, to patriarchy), 4) has made visible emotional links. However, in many times the ethnobiology has not been sufficiently explicit in unraveling the patriarchal biases, therefore, six ideas are proposed to disarticulate them, both of methodological as conceptual nature. The hybrid character of ethnobiology provides key tools to account for the multifaceted place of women in nature conservation. Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

This article will develop a series of ideas for ethnobiologists to consider in their professional field fromnow on. One of the things we have most learned about indigenous communities is the importance ofbeing committed to maintaining the networks of life and the protection of diversity. Considering thewarnings given by indigenous groups regarding past and future imbalances of Nature, what will happento ethnobiological work in the future, and is what we do really necessary? What lines of action, conflict,alliances and controversies lie ahead of us? The so-called new normality urges us to make changes inour discipline, and therefore we should be able to count on a new box of tools. In a metaphorical sense,I will call these tools a set of premises that should never be lacking in the future; we must be alertto the signs of change, the omens and the previous experiences of local communities. These pandemictimes have prioritized the voices of ?experts?, who impose hegemonic scientific systems as if they werethe only option. The critical role of indigenous peoples as guardians of the world?s lands and forestsshould be most recognized. Indigenous peoples are neither heard nor valued, even though they are someof the worst affected by this pandemic, being subject to large-scale ethnocide at this moment. Ourchallenge as ethnobiologists should be to build bridges and be agents of change, so that multiculturalityand interculturality can be made visible and promoted. Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

A geographically diverse group of 29 ethnobiologists addresses three common themes in response to the COVID-19 global health crisis: impact on local communities, future interactions between researchers and communities, and new (or renewed) conceptual and/or applied research priorities for ethnobiology., La lista completa de autores puede verse en el archivo asociado., Laboratorio de Etnobotánica y Botánica Aplicada

Background: Traditionally part of the human diet, plants with edible fleshy fruits (PEFF) contain bioactive components that may exert physiological effects beyond nutrition, promoting human health and well-being. Focusing on their food-medicine functionality, different ways of using PEFF were studied in a cross-sectional way using two approaches: a bibliographical survey and an ethnobotanical case study in a rural community of Patagonia, Argentina. Methods: A total of 42 studies were selected for the bibliographical review. The case study was carried out with 80% of the families inhabiting the rural community of Cuyín Manzano, using free listing, interviews, and participant observation. In both cases we analyzed species richness and use patterns through the edible consensus and functional consensus indices. Local foods, ailments, medicines and drug plants were also registered. Results: The review identified 73 PEFF, the majority of which (78%) were native species, some with the highest use consensus. PEFF were used in 162 different local foods, but mainly as fresh fruit. Of the total, 42% were used in a functional way, in 54 different medicines. The principal functional native species identified in the review were Aristotelia chilensis and Berberis microphylla. In the case study 20 PEFF were in current use (50% were native), and consensus values were similar for native and exotic species. These were used in 44 different local foods, mainly as fresh fruit. Only 30% were recognized for their functional value by inhabitants (mainly as gastrointestinal and respiratory treatments). The species with the highest functional consensus were the exotic Sambucus nigra and Rosa rubiginosa, followed by the native A. chilensis, Ribes magellanicum and B. microphylla. Infusions also constituted important local functional foods. Conclusions: This survey highlights the importance of studying the different local functional foods to depict the biocultural diversity of a human society. The preparation of different beverages and herbal medicines was relevant, and would be a promising subject to investigate in the future. The living heritage of PEFF appears to have undergone hybridization processes, such that exotic species play an increasingly significant role. Fil: Chamorro, Melina Fernanda. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Dado que a conservação ambiental dependerá das gerações jovens, considerar seus conhecimentos e formas de se conectar com a natureza é substancial. Uma abordagem inicial é analisar as situações naturais significativas (SNS) que geram conexões “humano-natureza”. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram investigar o conhecimento que as crianças de uma comunidade mapuche têm sobre a coleta de Pewen, analisar seu papel como uma experiência natural significativa (SNS) e verificar se promove conexões “humano-natureza”. Utilizando o referencial do método ACHUNAS, e com base na análise de desenhos e entrevistas de 8 meninos e 11 meninas, foram identificadas 9 qualidades que tornam a coleta de pinhões um SNS e 7 habilidades das crianças que indicam sua conexão com a natureza. Foram detectadas práticas que favorecem a regeneração de Pewen, que estariam caindo em desuso. Esses resultados, somados ao estado crítico de conservação de Pewen e sua importância cultural para as comunidades mapuches, mostram a necessidade de trabalhar com crianças, promovendo práticas sustentáveis de coleta. No futuro, será útil incluir o conhecimento de mais crianças para cobrir todas as qualidades associadas ao SNS e as habilidades que manifestam sua conexão com a natureza, para desenvolver atividades significativas de educação ambiental para esses jovens.

Background: Ethnopharmacological research aims at gathering information on local and traditional uses of plants and other natural substances. However, the approaches used and the methods employed vary, and while such a variability is desirable in terms of scientific diversity, research must adhere to well defined quality standards and reproducible methods. Objectives: With ConSEFS (the Consensus Statement on Ethnopharmacological Field Studies) we want to define best-practice in developing, conducting and reporting field studies focusing on local and traditional uses of medicinal and food plants, including studies using a historical approach. Methods: After first developing an initial draft the core group invited community-wide feedback from researchers both through a web-based consultation and a series of workshops at conferences during 2017. Outcomes:The consultation resulted in a large number of responses. Feedback was received via a weblink on the Journal of Ethnopharmacology´s website (ca. 100 responses), other oral and written responses (ca. 50) and discussions with stakeholders at four conferences. The main outcome is a checklist, covering best practice for designing, implementing and recording ethnopharmacological field studies and historical studies. Conclusions: Prior to starting ethnopharmacological field research, it is essential that the authors are fully aware of the best practice in the field. For the first time in the field of ethnopharmacology a community-wide document defines guidelines for best practice on how to conduct and report such studies. It will need to be updated and further developed. While the feedback has been based on responses by many experienced researchers, there is a need to test it in practice by using it both in implementing and reporting field studies (or historical studies), and peer-review. Fil: Heinrich, Michael. University of London; Reino Unido Fil: Lardos, Andreas. No especifíca; Fil: Leonti, Marco. Università Degli Studi Di Cagliari.; Italia Fil: Weckerle, Caroline. Universitat Zurich; Suiza Fil: Willcox, Merlin. University of Southampton; Reino Unido Fil: Applequist, Wendy. Missouri Botanical Garden; Estados Unidos Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Lin Long, Chun. Minzu University Of China; China Fil: Mukherjee, Pulok. Jadavpur University; India Fil: Stafford, Gary. Stellenbosch University; Sudáfrica

En la medida en que un obituario representa un recorrido sobre el significado de la vida de alguien que fallecio recientemente, el de Eduardo H. Rapoport (“Eddy”) deberia ser una especie de espiral ascendente o un calidoscopio colorido. Su legado nunca sera recordado por convenciones rigidas o lineales. Evocar a Eddy es pensar en su genialidad y en sus asombros de nino. En su gran sentido del humor y en su libretita (siempre en el bolsillo) en donde anotaba datos peculiares y “tarzanismos” (mezcla de dos o mas expresiones populares tales como “no por mucho madrugar, Dios lo ayuda”). Recordarlo es rememorar su estilo trasgresor; Eddy se negaba a pensar la ciencia en una forma convencional, y eso lo convirtio en un ser trascendente. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25260/EA.17.27.3.0.691

From an ecological perspective the use of firewood species implies chronic pressure on wood vegetation, but from a biocultural point of view the implications are more systemic and complex. The objective of this work was to make a comprehensive analysis of the biocultural characteristics of firewood plants used by two rural communities in arid Patagonia, considering their cultural attributes, value as fuel and ecological persistence traits against continuous extraction. The study was carried out with 33 participants, and ethnobotanical information was collected on the use, preferences and attributes of species used, together with ecological information obtained from a bibliographical review. Of the 28 firewood species registered, 12 stood out as being preferred for firewood use. Native plants (66.6%) were generally preferred to exotic species (33.3%). Several ecological features of the preferred plants were noted, such as vegetative regeneration (43%), high geographical distribution (36%) and nitrogen fixation (18%). Most of these species also present a high level of utilitarian versatility, and are therefore multipurpose resources. These characteristics, of both ecological and cultural importance, should be key criteria for the selection of species for forestry programmes related to the development of firewood plantations. Fil: Morales, Daniela Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Molares, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Several reports have shown that communities of small farmers are the most vulnerable to global environmental change (GEC). Others have revealed that societies which can count on a rich body of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) are more resilient in facing this challenge, since their behaviour is already adaptive in character. Within this scenario, the IPCC establishes the need for “cross fertilisation” between TEK and scientific knowledge (SK). But how can we arrive at interpretative agreements when these two knowledge systems are so different? In this review I analyse the substantial role ethnobiology can play in providing empirical evidence on this subject in Latin America. The characteristics of our discipline offer differential advantages: 1) because we are actually there, our interpretation of vulnerability and adaptation arise from experiences shared with people who have a long term interconnection with their environment, and not from abstract indices created in offices; 2) because we work on a community scale, at a local level, and the most appropriate approach in search of solutions should be bottom-up and not top-down; 3) because we are academically trained as interlocutors, and 4) because our approach is rooted in a vision of the landscape as a cultural construction. Ethnobiologists must come to operational agreements on how to deal with GEC, and set down guidelines for a reconciliatory dialogue between SK and TEK, a process which should not be considered something easy or quick, but a long-term process which is just in its infancy. Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

This work focuses on the study of signs given to humans by domestic and wild vertebrates. These signs are interpreted culturally by settlers who live on the Central Patagonian Plateau and are taken into account in making decisions relating to their lives as subsistence livestock farmers. Open and in-depth interviews were carried out with 20 livestock farmers from 20 rural establishments of Sierra Rosada, Sierra Ventana and El Escorial. We found that locals? body of knowledge is pervaded by dynamic events in a dialectical, bidirectional process that sustains their traditional way of life. In local discourses, we have distinguished two types of signs: biophysical (e.g. variations in vegetation and climate) and sociocultural (changes in family conformation or in the community, announcement of visit, etc.). We describe 30 signs given by 18 animal ethno-indicators (15 wild and 3 domestic animals, 9 belonging to the class Mammalia and 9 to the class Aves). These signs are used to interpret the natural surroundings and predict both short- and long-term environmental and social processes of change. Amongst the main results, it was found that domestic animals are important principally as ethno-indicators of long-term biophysical changes, whereas wild animals are mainly important in marking short-term biophysical changes and as sociocultural indicators. Finally, the importance of traditional ecological knowledge is discussed with regard to perception, through signs given by domestic animals, of desertification processes such as drought and lack of food on the land. Fil: Castillo, Lucía Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Understanding how human beings perceive and interact with the local herpetofauna is fundamental for its conservation. In this chapter, we propose looking forward to the local ecological knowledge (LEK) of the Patagonian lizards, especially the “matuasto”. The preliminary analysis of ethnohistorical sources points out the relevant role of “matuastos” in the cosmologies of the original people from Patagonia, often considered as immortal, selfish and harmful beings. Field reports agree on the warning not to disturb these territorial lizards; otherwise, they would react aggressively with bites. The recorded stories account for frequent biting events on sheep. The local perception on “matuastos” as harmful beings would provoke an attitude of caution and rejection towards them. This work provides a first overview on the relationship of lizards and the people from Patagonia while constituting an initial step for future research.

Vital for human consumption, water is a scarce resource, particularly in the arid environments of Patagonia. In this study we analysed local perspectives and the use of different water sources, based on two case studies in rural communities of Mapuche and Creole ancestry inhabiting extra-Andean Patagonia in Chubut, Argentina. Water quality was evaluated using an ethnolimnological, interdisciplinary approach, taking into account local perspectives and scientific contributions. In addition, we analysed appropriation strategies, management and local organoleptic characteristics. The work was based on semi-structured interviews, tours guided by informants, and physicochemical and microbiological analysis of water sources. It was found that 92% of local inhabitants mainly used superficial and subterranean sources of water for consumption, among which stood out: river, streams, springs, wells, and boreholes. Differences were observed between local and scientific perspectives in terms of water quality (chemical and microbiological). Most water sources used by inhabitants presented water of deficient quality for human consumption (61%), whereas locals considered the water to be fresh, delicious, and transparent. Nevertheless, some points of agreement were found in terms of organoleptic characteristics (e.g., odour, colour) and physicochemical parameters in certain water sources. In general, locals do not recognise the deterioration of their water supply, but the importance of organoleptic characteristics in local perception should be highlighted. These aspects speak of a need to promote opportunities for dialogue, and implement effective health measures, taking local perspectives into account. Fil: Morales, Daniela Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Molares, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Epele, Luis Beltran. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Manzo, Pedro. Provincia de Chubut. Dirección Provincial de Área Programática Esquel. Departamento Zonal de Salud Ambiental; Argentina Fil: Alday, Germán Luis. Provincia de Chubut. Dirección Provincial de Área Programática Esquel. Departamento Zonal de Salud Ambiental; Argentina

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Patagonia is the southernmost part of the South American continent including Chile and Argentina. Berries and wild fruits have been gathered by the native Patagonians as food and medicine for over 14,000 years. The economic potential of the native berries as health promoting and relevant sources of bioactive substances has become apparent with several studies in the last decades. Aim of study: This work aims to provide an insight into the ethnohistorical records of wild edible fruits from Patagonia starting with the archeobotanical studies to the contemporary use of the resources. The chemical and bioactivity studies on the native fruits are presented and discussed. Methodology: A search of electronic databases including Scopus, Scielo, Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect and SciFinder, as well as hand-search was carried out to perform an integrative review on the native Patagonian berries. Results: The use of native berries as food and medicine by the ancient hunter-gatherer societies can be traced back to the early occupation of Patagonia. The same species used in prehistoric times are still used as food by the contemporary population in this area. Chemical and bioactivity studies have reported remarkable activities in several of the native berries, including calafate (Berberis spp.), native strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), currants (Ribes spp.), Patagonian raspberries (Rubus spp.) and maqui (Aristotelia chilensis) fruits. The increasing demand for maqui and calafate led to the selection of varieties for commercial production. The fruit constituents show strong antioxidant and inhibitory effect towards enzymes associated with metabolic syndrome, including α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase. Some berry constituents exert anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. The phytochemicals identified include a wide array of phenolics of different structural skeletons. Changes in composition and bioactivity after simulated gastric and intestinal digestion, as well as colonic fermentation, have been reported in some Patagonian species. Conclusions: Patagonian berries are a relevant source of bioactive compounds with several health promoting properties. The long tradition of use and the interest of the population for their consumption has led to the development of some of this fruits as new potential crops. The ethnobotanical evidence shows a shared knowledge among the different indigenous communities on plant uses according to the local resources, and an integration of the ancient knowledge into the contemporary society. Other species are being investigated to get a more complete picture of the food and medicinal plants from Patagonia. Fil: Schmeda Hirschmann, Guillermo. Universidad de Talca; Chile Fil: Jiménez Aspee, Felipe. Universidad de Talca; Chile Fil: Theoduloz, Cristina. Universidad de Talca; Chile Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina

Valeriana clarionifolia stands out as one of the principal elements in the indigenous pharmacopoeias of Patagonia, and its roots and rhizomes have been used since ancient times. According to diagnostic anatomical data provided by H. G. Bach et al., V. carnosa showed a primary pentarch aktinostele root, pith in the secondary structure and a rhizome with anomalous structure. With regard to the identification and collection of Valeriana carnosa and V. carnosa by Patagonian inhabitants, studies reveal levels of organoleptic differentiation between the two species, which are of great cultural and ethnopharmacological value. The name of the genus stems from the latin valere, “to be healthy”, a reference to the medicinal uses of its plants, particularly those associated with treating nervous conditions and hysteria. Research carried out on V. carnosa reveals the presence of active ingredients similar to those of V. officinalis, which is present in many pharmacopoeias for oral consumption as a sedative and sleep inducer for humans. Fil: Molares, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Nagahama, Nicolas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional.patagonia Sur. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Chubut; Argentina

This chapter provides an overview of the 10 native species of Patagonian berries which hold the most cultural significance, identifying local practices and their history. The INIBIOMA Ethnobiology group has been studying the use of wild and cultivated plants in the Patagonian region for many years, conducting field work in different enclaves there, and also drawing up bibliographical databases of sources relating to different social and biological disciplines. Preliminary studies carried out in rural communities of Chubut province show that rural dwellers are selective in the gathering process used for B. microphylla, they prefer certain individual plants to others, and prefer to pick the larger, darker berries. Ethnobotanical studies carried out in Mapuche communities reveal a marked overlap between edible and medicinal species. Ethnographic information examined and the interest shown by ethnopharmacological research in certain species, highlight the resources which display the most potential.

The aim of this chapter is to foster enthusiasm and provide basic knowledge and guidelines for making theuse of audio and especially video recording techniques an integral part of ethnobiological research. Fil: de Hek, Simone. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Patagonia Norte; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

This work investigates the therapeutic value of animals to rural farmers who live on the central plateau of Chubut, Argentina. Open and indepth interviews were carried out with 35 rural farmers from Sierra Rosada, Sierra Ventana, El Escorial and Telsen. A total of 16 biological species (12 wild and 4 domestic animals) were involved in treatment (34 registered up to the present) of different ailments, empacho being one of the main therapeutic targets. Of the domestic species, the hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) was the most versatile in its usefulness, and the choique (Darwin's Rhea) (Rhea pennata) was the most versatile wild animal. Farmers used 15 different parts of the animals, fat being the substance which was obtained from most species. These zootreatments imply the transfer of aptitudes (the acquisition of a certain attribute of a species through ingestion or contact with specific parts of the animal), which transforms the health and lives of the people. Our results shed light on the symbolic and symbiotic relationships woven into rural life, with their implications for the conservation and management of wild fauna. Fil: Castillo, Lucía Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico de Ciencias Sociales y Humanas; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

The use of biomass as an energy resource is key to the subsistence and development of diverse rural populations throughout the world. Particularly, the study of seasonal variation in firewood consumption contributes knowledge that can be used in detailed community management of this resource. In a rural community of the Patagonian steppe, seasonal variation in domestic consumption of fuel plants was studied. Possible socioeconomic conditioning factors (i.e., size of family unit, infrastructure of dwellings, number of combustion appliances used) were analysed, and seasonal variation in the richness of plant species used was determined. Average biomass consumption was found to be 12000 kg/year/home and 1479kg/year/per capita, with significantly higher values during winter (63 kg/day/home), than in summer (18.5 kg/day/home). The richness of fuel species used varied significantly during the year, and in line with biomass estimates, the highest use consensus for species was recorded during winter and autumn, with exotic species predominating. The maximum difference in species was registered in autumn, due to an increase in the stockpiling of wood bought for winter, when the preference is for high caloric value and accessible commercial price. During the year the main species used were Salix spp. and Nothofagus antarctica (G. Forst.) Oerst. The differential needs as seen from a local perspective, and their use strategies, require an integrated, multifaceted proposal, such as the progressive incorporation of high efficiency stoves and the implementation of local wooded areas for firewood. Fil: Morales, Daniela Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Molares, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Araucaria forest is a sub-tropical component of the Atlantic Forest Biome, occurring between 18 and 30° S latitude, and 500-1,800 m altitude in Southern and Southwestern Brazil and Northwestern Argentina. In recent history (Twentieth century), this forest has undergone non-sustainable exploitation and reduction in area dedicated to agricultural and forestry use. However, smallholders continue using several resources from this forest, even adapting management systems. The main system is geared toward the production of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) under araucaria trees (Araucaria angustifolia), which holds economic, cultural, and social relevance for thousands of farmers. Seeking evidence of domestication and conservation of the resources managed in this system, we compared different landscapes on the Northern Plateau of Santa Catarina in Southern Brazil. Focusing on three species-yerba mate, araucaria and caraguatá (Bromelia antiacantha)-we characterized management practices (interviews and guided tours), demographic structure (permanent plots in farming zones and in a protected area), and genetic diversity in populations from the same places. Demographic structure and genetic diversity from different landscapes were compared to evaluate the system potential for conservation. The results indicated that the three species are intentionally promoted with practices of protection, transplanting and/or selection, in different ways and with different functions (caraguatá hedges, yerba mate harvesting, and collection of pinhões-seed like nuts-of araucaria). Landscapes are managed for yerba mate harvesting and cattle raising, for both economic and cultural reasons, with a consequent reduction in the density of most other plant species. In all cases the genetic diversity of the species was high for most of the sampled properties, and the set of farmers' populations did not differ from the protected area. The set of populations of each species operates as a metapopulation and local management practices contribute to conservation. Thus, the farmers' management systems and practices maintain the landscape with productive forest fragments, favoring the conservation-by-use of these species. The system requires these management practices, which bring about changes in various species and are motivated by cultural and economic factors, in order to maintain the landscapes domesticated. Fil: Sedrez Dos Reis, Maurício. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Montagna, Tiago. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Mattos, Andréa G.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Filippon, Samantha. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: da Cunha Marques, Anésio. Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade; Brasil Fil: Zechini, Alex A.. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Peroni, Nivaldo. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Mantovani, Adelar. Universidade Do Estado de Santa Catarina

Local food production has recently been encouraged and strengthened in order to lessen the adverse effects of global food crises. In the present study we evaluated the current situation with respect to horticultural and gathering practices in a rural, isolated population of Northwest Patagonia, located in an extremely harsh environment, and explored its implications for food security. Cultivation patterns, seed origin, plant use and species diversity were analyzed by means of semi-structured interviews. Inhabitants of this community cultivate vegetable-gardens and a high proportion of dwellers collect seeds from previous harvests, mostly of non-perennial plants. This practice contributes to the preservation of local germplasm, mainly used for food production. Plant richness analysis showed that inhabitants of this population cultivate and gather a total of 166 species. Most cultivated species are of exotic origin, whereas a high proportion of gathered species are native plants mainly used for medicinal purposes. These findings suggest that in isolated populations with low access to markets, such as Pilquiniyeu del Limay in Northwest Patagonia, cultivation and production in vegetable gardens not only contributes to their food supply but also favors plasticity and resilience. The experience of these local dwellers could provide inspiration for coping with global environmental changes and for promotion of the emergence of resilient horticultural processes, which might be beneficial for society as a whole.

Valeriana carnosa Sm. stands out as one of the key elements of the indigenouspharmacopoeia used in the extreme south of the American Continent. Itsrhizomes and roots have been used since ancestral times in hepatic, respiratory,circulatory, urinary, digestive and anti-inflammatory remedies. They have also beenused as painkillers, sedatives and for the treatment of cultural syndromes particularto Latin-American medicine such as the "susto" and the "evil eye". The breadth ofits reputed uses has led to its being known as "the plant that cures the sevenillnesses". The crude drug is prepared from the roots and rhizomes, principally as a decoction. Several studies indicate that the principal active ingredients are valepotriates,lignans, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic acids and essential oils. Research carried outon V. carnosa reveals the presence of active ingredients similar to those of V. officinalis,a species found in many pharmacopoeias which is used as a sedative and sleepinducer. However, little conclusive evidence of efficacy can be provided for theremaining local uses. The key problem of various studies has been their emphasison very few compounds, rather than traditional preparations. Much more research isrequired to evaluate the actual efficacy of preparations Fil: Molares, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Oxalis adenophylla Gillies ex Hook. & Arn., is a native herb of the Subantartic Forest and Stepps of Patagonia. O. adenophylla has multiple uses and a high cultural value for many local populations of Patagonia. The leaves are used to treat fever, their roots are edible, and the plant is employed as ornamental. Despite their local cultural importance as medicine, there is little understanding of the phytochemistry and bioactivity of its property to treat fever, and the nutritional characteristics of its edible root. Similarly, its ornamental potential and growing marketing have not been investigated in the region. The ecological knowledge of local populations, that have historically used and currently use this species, seems to be essential to promote the sustainable management and conservation of O. adenophylla in Patagonia.

Up to now, the processes of domestication of urban landscapes have been little studied. The public green spaces in the city of Bariloche, an enclave with growing urbanization which lies within the Andino Norpatagonica Biosphere Reserve, offer an opportunity to evaluate cultural molding of the environment. We analyzed different management methods of woody species, both in situ and ex situ, in parks located in sectors with different environmental, socioeconomic, size, age and administration characteristics. Our hypotheses were: (1) Species richness will be higher for exotic plants, in accordance with global patterns of ornamental species selection. (2) Species richness and type of management practice will vary according to the kind of environment, the socioeconomic profile of the neighborhood, the age and size of the park, and type of administration (bottom-up or top-down). (3) Bottom-up park administration will lead to a different landscape than top-down administration. Thirty randomly selected parks of both local council and neighborhood administration and varying environmental and socioeconomic conditions were examined and the composition of their woody species identified. In addition, semi-structured and free interviews were carried out with those responsible for park management, both in situ (tolerance, enhancement, protection) and ex situ (sowing, use of cuttings or transplanting). In accordance with our hypothesis, the processes of domestication of the urban landscape show a tendency toward an anthropized diversity of 130 species, mainly exotic in origin (72%), and principally from the Holarctic region (67%). However, multinomial logistic analysis revealed that in parks under neighborhood administration tolerance of native species is higher (13 times) than in parks administrated by the local council. Species richness increases along an environmental and socioeconomic gradient, and with the age of parks, but does not vary with size. We conclude that urban parks are constructed cultural niches which, as in an agroforestry system, are scenarios which reveal processes of incipient domestication that reflect different cosmovisions and drivers typical of multicultural contexts. Fil: Betancurt Ruggirello, Romina Florencia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Rovere, Adriana. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

In this work, the concepts of niche breadth and redundancy were used to analyse the use of fuelwood species in rural populations in Patagonia, Argentina. We conducted semi-structured interviews to estimate the fuel niche breadth (FNB). For this, the variables used were as follows: use consensus of native species, use consensus of preferred species and use consensus of pruning species. Moreover, two indices were created to compare socio-environmental fuel redundancy and economic dependence between populations. The most isolated population presented the highest values for FNB, considering principally the use consensus of native species and high environmental redundancy, while the community with most access to urban centres showed the highest FNB value for use consensus of pruning species. The third community presented intermediate values for FNB and low levels of redundancy, showing notable vulnerability. The FNB measured through fuelwood use contributes to the description of socio-ecological factors. Evaluation of redundancy in terms of a resource and its different functional varieties, while not focusing in particular on the functionality of the species, allows the evaluation of the current situation of the resource under study. The indices created in this work can also be used for other variables related to subsistence lifestyles. Fil: Cardoso, María Betina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Lozada, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

In the arid Patagonia, sheep and goat breeding provides the main source of income for many traditional families of Mapuche-Tehuelche ancestry (locally named as “crianceros”). Using an ethnobotanical quali-quantitative approach, traditional veterinarian knowledge (TVK) was studied in 20 rural establishments on the Central Chubut plateau (Argentina). During the study 17 diseases were registered, which are treated with 28 remedies involving 14 native plants and other resources of mineral origin. Healing practices include symbolic and religious elements, inherited as part of the biocultural memory of the region's original inhabitants and from European Hippocratic medicine. Environmental processes play a substantial role as aetiological agents, given that the environment is considered by inhabitants in an integral way, composed of both natural and supernatural elements. Plant species are versatile in their healing uses, and treatment is performed by both women and men in a similar manner. This TVK forms part of the unique criancero identity which is characterized by a constant, multidimensional dialogue with the different elements of nature. This article promotes reflection on the complex processes involved in construction of the dynamic, specialized medical-veterinary system in arid communities, and the importance of local veterinary solutions for herders living in limited and changing conditions. Fil: Castillo, Lucía Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto Patagónico para el Estudio de los Ecosistemas Continentales; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Ecosystems, their components, processes and functions are all subject to management by human populations, with the purpose of adapting the environments to make them more habitable and ensuring the availability and continuity of subsistence resources. Although a lot of work has been carried out on resources of alimentary or medicinal interest, little has been done on associating processes of domestication with firewood extraction, a practice considered to be destructive of the environment. In the arid steppe of NW Patagonia, inhabited and managed for different purposes for a long time by Mapuche-Tehuelche communities, the gathering of combustible plant species has up to the present time played a crucial role in cooking and heating, and work is required to achieve sustainability of this resource. In this study we evaluate whether environments with less landscape domestication are more intensively used for firewood gathering. Using an ethnobiological approach, information was obtained through participant observation, interviews and free listing. The data were examined using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Twenty-eight firewood species are gathered, both native (75%) and exotic (25%). The supply of firewood mainly depends on gathering from the domesticated (10 species), semi-domesticated (17 species) and low human intervention landscapes (17 species). In contrast to our hypothesis, average use intensity is similar in all these landscapes despite their different levels of domestication. That is, the different areas are taken advantage of in a complementary manner in order to satisfy the domestic demand for firewood. Neither do biogeographic origin or utilitarian versatility of collected plants vary significantly between the different landscape levels of domestication. Our results show that human landscape domestication for the provision of firewood seems to be a socio-cultural resilient practice, and shed new light on the role of culture in resource management. This approach may offer new tools for the development of firewood and cultural landscape management, and conservation planning. Fil: Morales, Daniela Vanesa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Molares, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagóica. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia "San Juan Bosco". Facultad de Ciencias Naturales - Sede Esquel. Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

The Argentinean Patagonia berries Berberis microphylla, Berberis darwinii, and Fragaria chiloensis ssp. chiloensis f. patagonica were investigated for their polyphenol content and composition by means of liquid chromatography coupled to diode array detection and electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. The in vitro antioxidant activity and inhibition of metabolic syndrome-associated enzymes (&alpha, glucosidase, &alpha, amylase, and lipase) of the fruit extracts was assessed. The most complex polyphenol profile was found in the Berberis samples, with 10 anthocyanins, 27 hydroxycinnamic acids, 3 proanthocyanidins, 2 flavan-3-ol, and 22 flavonols. Fragaria presented four anthocyanins, nine ellagitannins, two proanthocyanidin dimers, one flavan-3-ol, and five flavonols. The Berberis samples showed the best antioxidant capacity, while Fragaria displayed better activity against &alpha, glucosidase and lipase. The phenolic content and composition of the Argentinean Patagonia berries was similar to that reported for Chilean samples but with some chemical differences between Eastern (Argentina) and Western (Chile) Patagonia. The data obtained supports the consumption of these berries as sources of beneficial polyphenols.

En este trabajo analizamos dos estudios de caso patagónicos que muestran la percepción de pobladores rurales acerca de los cambios ambientales y las soluciones locales, la flexibilidad de conocimientos y las prácticas en el uso de vegetales sustanciales para la vida cotidiana: las plantas leñateras y las medicinales. Se realizaron entrevistas semi-estructuradas y libres en comunidades pequeñas de ascendencia criolla y Mapuche- Tehuelche en la meseta de la provincia de Chubut (Lagunita Salada y El Escorial) y de Río Negro (Pilquiniyeu del Limay). Se evaluó la percepción de los cambios ambientales en en relación al uso de plantas combustibles y medicinales. Se relevó la utilización actual de 45 especies medicinales (46% exóticas) y 27 especies combustibles (18% exóticas). Los resultados sugieren que los pobladores, dentro del abanico de posibilidades, aplican sus saberes tradicionales con innovaciones tales como las forestaciones peridomésticas o los invernaderos, en donde se observa la utilización de especies útiles de origen exótico que generan indirectamente una menor presión sobre los recursos nativos. Estas soluciones locales indican procesos de resiliencia, desarrollados en un corto período de tiempo, articulando el conocimiento ecológico tradicional con las nuevas circunstancias socio-ambientales. In this paper we analyzed two case studies of Patagonia showing perception of rural people about environmental changes and local solutions that reflect flexibility of traditional knowledge and practices regarding the use of plants that are substantial to their daily life, like firewood and medicinal plants. We studied, through randomly semi-structured and free interviews, the perception of environmental changes in the use of firewood and medicinal plants in descent Mapuche-Tehuelche and creole's small communities of the highlands of the province of Chubut (Lagunita Salada and El Escorial) and Río Negro (Pilquiniyeu of Limay). The current use of 45 medicinal species (46% exotic) species and 27 firewood species (18% exotic) was recorded. Results show that people, as far as possible, apply their traditional knowledge and innovations such as peri-domestic afforestation, greenhouses and utilization of useful species of exotic origin that indirectly reduced pressure on native resources. These solutions indicate local resilience and self-processes that have been developed in a short period of time, articulating traditional ecological knowledge with new socio-environmental circumstances.

A comparative ethnobotanical study was carried out in two rural communities in northwest Patagonia. The methodology involved semi structured interviews and free listing, through which richness and use patterns of fuel species were registered, as well as socioeconomic factors and alternative fuel sources such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and animal dung. Firewood was found to be a subsistence resource, complemented with the purchase of other firewood resources and the use of alternative fuels. A total of 21 species were registered, of which 18 were native species and 3 exotic; 12 fuel species were used by both communities. The species with highest use consensus were Berberis microphylla (michay), Lycium sp. (montenegro) and Senecio subulatus (romerillo) in the Laguna Blanca community, and Salix sp. (sauce) and S. subulatus in Comallo. Collection is mainly carried out on foot. Whereas the inhabitants of Laguna Blanca cover large distances in order to collect native woods, in Comallo this is made easier by the use of prunings from urban tree planting, obtained closer to dwellings. This is an interesting result since the recycling of biological products to supplement firewood, together with forestation practices, could contribute to the resilience processes of inhabitants of these arid, hostile environments. We propose that the use of multiple fuel resources could be an indicator of ecological–social resilience processes.

Horticultural and gathering practices were studied in Comallo and Pilcaniyeu, two semi-rural communities which share a common Mapuche ancestry and occupy similar arid environments in Northwest Patagonia, Argentina. We analyzed cultivation and wild plant gathering using semi-structured interviews. We hypothesized that these activities will be conditioned by access to market economy. Results showed differences in horticultural and gathering patterns in both populations: the community with less access to market economy presented greater richness of cultivated and gathered species and collected more seeds from their own harvests, thus promoting germplasm conservation and higher levels of seed exchange than the community that had more contact with urban centers. In these populations the integration of ancestral and novel knowledge seems to favor flexibility and autonomy, which might help locals deal with change. This could foster greater individual and collective wellbeing, as well as socioecological diversity. Fil: Eyssartier, Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Lozada, Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina

The objectives of this study were to characterise the body of knowledge of wild edible plants possessed by teachersworking in rural and urban areas of arid Patagonia. We also evaluated whether the different age classes of teachers have different likelihoods of citing plants in relation to different aspects of their ecological and socio-cultural attributes. Study subjects were 85 female and 14 male 21 to 66 year-old teachers from Dolavon, Gaiman, Trelew, Rawson and Puerto Madryn, who were interviewed using written free listing questionnaires. A multinomial logistic regression model including different age classes of teachers as a dependent variable, and as independent categorical variables: informant gender, plant life form, ubiquity, presence of medicinal use and global socio-economic importance of the cited plant species, yielded results which were both significant and predictive. A total of 96 native and exotic species were cited, including plants growing in the immediate surroundings (39 spp.), those from more distant forest environments (9 spp.) and cultivated plants (48 spp.). Most cited species are cosmopolitan herbs which have edible aerial parts, play a significant role in the past and present global economy, have additional medicinal uses, and are associated with the nearest landscapes. The importance of the complementary medicinal use of the edible plants cited, their significance in the global market, and their local ubiquity did not seemto vary between age categories of teachers. The traditional ecological knowledge possessed by Patagonian teachers seems to consist of a body of knowledge constructed on a foundation of accumulated experience of the local environment and the cultural values that have prevailed since the initiation of formal education. This work shows the importance of logistic models as a tool in the study of traditional knowledge, given that they reflect, in a predictive way, the variation existing in different subgroups in relation to a complex network of multiple factors. In addition, in this work we emphasise the importance of considering the cultural capital of the teachers themselves as a highly significant dimension, which can have a direct influence on the schools in terms of education and learning about Nature. © Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Molares, Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación En Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Efforts have been made to understand the processes that lead to the introduction of exotic species into local pharmacopoeias. Among those efforts, the diversification hypothesis predicts that exotic plants are introduced in local medical systems to amplify the repertoire of knowledge related to the treatment of diseases, filling blanks that were not occupied by native species. Based on such hypothesis, this study aimed to contribute to this discussion using the context of local Brazilian populations. We performed a systematic review of Brazilian studies up to 2011 involving medicinal plants, excluding those studies that presented a high risk of bias (because of sampling or plant identification problems). An analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) was conducted in different scales to test for differences in the repertoire of therapeutic indications treated using native and exotic species. We have found that although there is some overlap between native and exotic plants regarding their therapeutic indications and the body systems (BSs) that they treat, there are clear gaps present, that is, there are therapeutic indications and BSs treated that are exclusive to exotic species. This scenario enables the postulation of two alternative unfoldings of the diversification hypothesis, namely, (1) exotic species are initially introduced to fill gaps and undergo subsequent expansion of their use for medical purposes already addressed using native species and (2) exotic species are initially introduced to address problems already addressed using native species to diversify the repertoire of medicinal plants and to increase the resilience of medical systems. The reasons why exotic species may have a competitive advantage over the native ones, the implications of the introduction of exotic species for the resilience of medical systems, and the contexts in which autochthonous plants can gain strength to remain in pharmacopoeias are also discussed. Fil: Muniz de Medeiros, Patrícia. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; Brasil Fil: Ferreira Junior, Washington Soares. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: Ramos, Marcelo Alves. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: Da Silva, Taline Cristina. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; Brasil Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Albuquerque, Ulysses Paulino. Universidade Federal de Pernambuco; Brasil

Background: Understanding how people interpret environmental change and develop practices in response to such change is essential to comprehend human resource use. In the cosmology of the American indigenous peoples, as among the Mapuche people, freshwater systems are considered a living entity, where animals have an enormous role to play in the universe of meaning. However, human adaptive responses to freshwater system dynamics are scarcely examined. In this work a survey is carried out in three Mapuche communities of Argentine Patagonia to assess their traditional knowledge of the fishes and other non-human living beings that inhabit lakes and rivers. Both material and symbolic aspects are included, as are the differences in knowledge and use of the fishes between past and present times. Methods: Our methods were based on a quali-quantitative fieldwork approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 36 individuals from three rural Mapuche populations in Neuquén province (Patagonia, Argentina). Free listing was used for inquiring about fish knowledge and use. Fishes were identified scientifically and ethnotaxonomically. In-depth analysis of the discourses was conducted, documenting the recognition, perception, and cultural significance of fluvial environments and their inhabitants. Quantitative survey results were analyzed with categorical statistical methods. Results: The body of knowledge of the communities studied reflects the socio-environmental changes experienced by Patagonian freshwater bodies. According to local perception, non-human beings live in these water bodies, guarding the environment, and they should not be disturbed. At present, five different fish species are identified, three of which are exotic, having been introduced at the beginning of the 20th century by the white man. These exotic trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss and Salvelinus fontinalis) are considered ill omens, indicators of the white man's presence, and therefore their appearance presages negative events for the families. In addition, we found that Mapuche people differentiate fish species mainly by morphological, organoleptic and ecological attributes. Current consumption of fish by Mapuche communities is sporadic, in accordance with bibliography and ancient tales. Several fishing tools are used, including modern elements. Conclusions: Our data enable us to characterise dynamic traditional knowledge in these communities, which is flexible in nature and adaptable to new situations, demonstrated by the incorporation not only of new species but also new fishing tools. It also seems that new significances become absorbed in synchrony with the advance or arrival of exotic and invasive species. For the Mapuche, the presence of the white man heralded by exotic trouts speaks of how a recent event, such as the introduction of the salmonids, is already incorporated into Mapuche symbolism. Mapuche traditional knowledge and cosmovision on the use of fish and waters, a vision which promotes respect and the avoidance of actions that could disturb the beings (animals and sacred or mythological characters) that inhabit and take care of them should be fostered as part of management plans of regional natural resources. This paper contributes to the broader literature on freshwater resource management by providing empirical evidence of the critical role of local perceptions in promoting the sustainable management of natural resources. Fil: Aigo, Juana del Carmen. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Centro Nacional Patagónico. Instituto de Diversidad y Evolución Austral; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

Introduction: What are the drivers of health seeking behaviors in a culturally diverse scenario? A context of medical and cultural pluralism with native and migrant people in NE Brazil was chosen to study the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and official medicine (OM) products and their drivers. Methods: A one-year therapeutic recall was used to obtain information on individual health problems, products to treat their problems and access to health services. A generalized linear model (GLM (binomial errors) was employed to indicate the variables that better explained therapeutic choices. Results: Most people use both CAM and OM products and most illnesses are treated by both systems. The GLM indicated that women, migrants and people that turns to primary health-care services (PHCs) in a lower extent are more likely to exclusively chose CAM products and are also more likely to prioritize them. Frequentation of the local health center also leads to a proportionally higher use of CAM products than the frequentation of other PHCs from the surroundings. Conclusions: Women, migrants and people that do not frequent PHCs are the main supporters of CAM products. In the case of migrant people, their high adhesion to CAM products (especially medicinal plants) can turn them into new depositors of local (traditional) knowledge, although this knowledge will not be dissoluble from other types of medicinal plant knowledge. Fil: Muniz de Medeiros, Patrícia. Universidade Federal de Alagoas; Brasil Fil: Albuquerque, Ulysses Paulino. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: de Oliveira Abreu, Diego Batista. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: da Silva, Taline Cristina. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: Soares Ferreria Júnior, Washington. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: Ramos, Marcelo Alves. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; Brasil Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universidad Bariloche. Instituto de Investigaciones en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina

La estepa patagónica constituye un paisaje cultural que es recreado permanentemente por la acción humana.En este estudio de caso, se analizó la forestación peri-domiciliaria con especies arbóreas en una pequeña comunidadincluyendo la riqueza de plantas que son utilizadas y las motivaciones asociadas a su uso. En la población Mapuche dePilkiniyeu del Limay (“Cañadón de las ardillas”) en la provincia de Río Negro, se realizaron entrevistas semi-estructurasy libres a 28 informantes. Los datos fueron analizados con métodos uni y multivariados. Los principales resultadosindican que se utilizan nueve especies de origen exótico. Dichas forestaciones constituyen un espacio vital de alto caráctersocial dado que es un lugar de reuniones y de esparcimiento. Las principales motivaciones para la forestación entre loshabitantes es la de tener materiales para la construcción de cercos (96%), el reparo del viento y el frío (86%), el uso leñatero(43%) y el forraje para el ganado (11%). Asimismo, el MSD mostró un sistema compartido de valoraciones acerca de laforestación. El conocimiento ecológico tradicional que utilizan los pobladores a la hora de usar y seleccionar especiescombustibles no parece influir en las motivaciones para forestar en sus casas. Este hecho podría ser interpretado como quela forestación es una práctica generalista que está fuertemente arraigada e influenciada por la transmisión oblicua llevada acabo por técnicos externos de promoción agropecuaria que visitan y asisten a esta comunidad.

In a Mapuche community situated in the sub-antarctic forest of the northwest of Argentine Patagonia, analysis was carried out on forest environmental perception and its relation to the resilience of the body of traditional botanical knowledge regarding medicinal plants. Data was obtained on the ethno-classification and differential use of the forest gathering environment with respect to its practical and cultural value. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 30 randomly chosen inhabitants, and the data were analysed using qualitative methods and non-parametric statistics. Most citations (64.5%) were of species gathered in Nothofagus antarctica forest, 26.2% were of species from N. pumilio forest, and 20.3% referred to species from a mixed forest, with N. dombeyi. The forests studied have low values for similarity in terms of medicinal species richness, indicating a unique offer of therapeutic resources in each one. The use of the different forest types seems to be associated with the search for therapeutic resources for specific ailments. However, the redundancy of functions of species in each forest type can offer alternative remedies, which provides plant conservation, security and the possibility of reorganisation of their traditional medicinal knowledge. This case study showed the importance of considering folk systems and the role that this knowledge has played in plant resource management and forest protection. Different forests are used and valued differentially, not only with regard to usefulness but also in symbolic-religious terms, and together they fulfil a cushioning function, protecting holistically traditional botanical knowledge, people’s health and forests. It is of great importance, therefore, that conservation policies favouring environmental heterogeneity are implemented, and that local inhabitants participate in the development of management plans.

We investigated traditional horticultural knowledge related to plant species cultivated in homegardens in an arid rural population of North-western Patagonia, Argentina. By means of semi-structured interviews and field visits to the cultivated areas we analyzed floristic composition and structure of: vegetable-gardens, greenhouses and gardens. We evaluated species richness, cover and biogeographical origin in each cultivated area and analyzed the influence of socio-cultural factors, such as age and gender, on informants’ cultivation practice. A total of 124 species was found: 75 species in vegetable-gardens, 63 in greenhouses and 68 in gardens. In all cultivated areas, most plant species (91%) were exotic and mainly used for edible purposes. Plant richness in homegardens increased with informants’ age and both men and women play a relevant role in the maintenance of cultivated areas. Traditional knowledge in this community has been suffering an erosion process, which is in part influenced by the intervention of extension agents. However, their presence creates the possibility of integrating new and ancestral practices, favoring development of knowledge of a hybrid, syncretic nature. Alongside these changes, Pilcaniyeu inhabitants still maintain traditional homegardens cultivation, through which we can appreciate the intricate relationship between people and their physical, historical, cultural and spiritual contexts.

In this study, we looked for insights on how human populations inhabiting the Monte, interact with arid environments and how they use ecological knowledge on wild plants for their subsistence. Rural communities living in the Monte region have been undergoing extreme changes in both social and ecological scenarios. Most of them are agro-pastoral societies living under precarious conditions, and whose land shows marked signs of degradation. Wild plants represent an important part of their dietary components; i.e. these resources probably act as a sustenance buffer in periods of seasonal scarcity. In the present study, we analyzed some ethno-ecological strategies undertaken by these rural communities. The ethnobotanical knowledge of greatest cultural and nutritional significance includes the use of many wild plants such as Prosopis spp., Schinus spp., Ephedra spp., Condalia and Larrea spp., among others. Since ancestral times, these xeric species have been utilized as edible, medicinal, tinctorial, fodder and fuel resources. Many rural populations not only maintain wild plant use, but they also practice cattle transhumance, a tradition which tends to reduce over-grazing, allowing for the recovery of most palatable plants. Cattle transhumance, also an ancient practice, is based on landscape patchiness use. Both practices appear to be associated with an adaptive and resilient natural resource management. We refer to resilience as the capacity to cope with disturbances and changes, prevalent features in populations inhabiting this arid region. We also explore, through a study case in Patagonia, the present use of wild edible plants, its relationship with summer-cattle-transhumance, and the most salient socio-cultural factors affecting these practices. Summer-transhumance contributes to the utilization of a greater richness and quantity of wild edible plants. This activity, which used to be a family tradition, seems to be changing given that nowadays it is mainly carried out by single family members. Wild plant gathering and summer-transhumance traditions tend to be diminishing at present, probably caused by acculturation processes and socio-economic pressures. Consequently, by abandoning these ancestral customs, a negative impact on the resilience capacity of these rural communities might be occurring. This erosion process leads to a decrease in their long-term wellbeing as well as an increase in their socio-ecological vulnerability.

The Mapuche people have a deeply rooted tradition of wild plant use for their subsistence. In this study we evaluated whether plant selection by the Mapuche is influenced by environmental constraints. Selection patterns of wild plant richness were compared in two Mapuche communities sharing the same traditions and beliefs but inhabiting different environments. Similarities and differences in the use patterns of wild medicinal and edible plants were quantitatively analyzed by using concepts derived from ecological theory. The Cayulef community is settled in the NW Patagonian (herbaceous) steppe while the Curruhuinca community is established near the Andean temperate forest, 100 km away from each other. Free-listing and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 families in Cayulef and 39 in Curruhuinca corresponding to 80% and 40% of each population, respectively. Data were analyzed by means of the Jaccard similarity index and statistical tests. The main results of this study showed that the home environment is a determinant factor that influences which plant species are utilized, as is the anthropic environment (with its high exotic species richness) in each community. However, similar patterns were found with respect to plant families, ways of utilization, plant parts and life forms utilized irrespective of where the communities are settled. In addition, in both populations, wild plant richness was significantly higher for medicinal than for edible species. Our results showed that the use of wild plants is primarily based on the utilization of species belonging to the nearest ecological environments that have both therapeutic and dietary functions.

Traditional knowledge of fuel species was evaluated, associating species preferences with the physical properties of wood and its combustibility. The physical characteristics of 21 popular firewood species were analyzed in three rural communities in the northwest of Patagonia. Semi-structured interviews were carried out in 91 homes, as well as free listing and walks; samples of the woody species were collected in each of the homes visited. We have hypothesized that the experience of gathering and using fuelwood species, as cognitive know-how, over generations will have enabled local people to know species have best fuel attributes, such as hot coals, low spark and low smoke emission. Thus, for each sample, calorific value, density, moisture content and ash content were measured as predictive variables of combustibility. The fuel attributes of the different woods represent physical properties for which were analyzed by means of the classification for Fuel Value Index (FVI) priority species in the area. Results indicate that the species with the highest FVI values are those mostly preferred by local people such as Berberis microphylla, Prosopis denudans, Schinus johnstonii, Lycium spp., Senecio subulatus and Schinus marchandii. This work recommends the cultivation of energy crops of the preferred native species with high combustibility, to be used as bioenergy and multipurpose species. Fil: Cardoso, María Betina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Ladio, Ana Haydee. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina Fil: Dutrus, S. M.. Comision Nacional de Energia Atomica. Gerencia de Area de Aplicaciones de la Tecnologia Nuclear. Gerencia Ciclo del Combustible Nuclear; Argentina Fil: Lozada, Mariana. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Centro Regional Universitario Bariloche. Laboratorio de Ecotono; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; Argentina