Abstract
ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate knowledge about and the usage and importance of aquatic vascular plants (AVPs) in the production of handicrafts by communities on the north coast of the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. The snowball technique was employed to locate people who use and have knowledge regarding the use of AVPs for handicrafts. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and guided tours with 35 interviewees who were involved in artisanal activity at the time of the study. The data were analyzed using the importance value (IV) index and the consensus value for the forms of use (CMU). The Spearman correlation test (rs) was employed to determine the correlations of each social variable with the knowledge variables, and Mann-Whitney U tests to verify whether men and women exhibited differences in knowledge. The interviewees cited 16 AVPs that were employed in 17 types of handicrafts, among which the four main species were Schoenoplectus californicus, Typha domingensis, T. latifolia and Androtrichum giganteum. Interviewee age, residence time on site and time working with handicrafts were the main social parameters that described the level of knowledge and use of AVPs. These AVPs reflect cultural knowledge and complement family incomes.
Highlights
Crafting is an important source of income and employment for local populations and provides a manner through which culture can reaffirm itself (Marcus 2000; Alexiades & Shanley 2004)
Emic classification was chosen for those analysis reflecting local knowledge (Arruda 1999), revealing a diversity distinct from the diversity obtained through scientific classification; for example, the plant referred to as “taboa” was identified as both Typha domingensis and T. latifolia, but the analysis considered these as one plant because interviewees did not differentiate them
Among the 16 species, four were the most important to the community, with Schoenoplectus californicus exhibiting the highest importance according to its importance value (IV) (IV=0.66), followed by Typha domingensis and T. latifolia and Androtrichum giganteum (IV=0.17)
Summary
Crafting is an important source of income and employment for local populations and provides a manner through which culture can reaffirm itself (Marcus 2000; Alexiades & Shanley 2004). In this context, aquatic vascular plants (AVPs) can represent a fundamental resource for the livelihoods of many communities in different locations worldwide, especially because of their use in the production of handicrafts (Heiser 1978; Macía & Balslev 2000; Rondón et al 2003; Vidaurre et al 2006; Dogan et al 2008). Knowledge of the versatility of a resource is essential to determine the degree of susceptibility to over-exploitation (Jain et al 2005; Kotze & Traynor 2011)
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