Abstract
BackgroundStudies on the inter-relations between people and animals have been considered essential to better understand the dynamics of socio-ecological systems. This study aimed to register the animal species known by the communities adjacent to National Forest of Araripe, their uses and if the close relationship affects the knowledge of useful species.MethodsData collection was conducted through a semi-structured inquiry form, free listings and guided tour. The study included 246 people from two community groups: group 1 (n = 113; <2 km from FLONA) and group 2 (n = 133; ≥ 2 km).ResultsAccording to the free listing, group 1 communities know more animal species (11.50 ± 5.81) than group 2 (9.41 ± 3.70), with a significant difference in knowledge between the groups. Men and women showed no significant difference in knowledge about animal species. The men from group 1 know, significantly, more species than men from group 2; but this difference was not observed in women from both groups. In the analysis of the Use Value (UV), Mazama gouazoubira showed a higher UV, both in group 1 (1.15) and group 2 (1.49). The guided tour identified the presence of 11 species, common in the vegetation of Forested Savannah (Cerradão) and in the transition Rainforest/Savannah (Cerrado).ConclusionThe results indicate M. gouazoubira as the most known and used species in this Protected Area, showing that species of interest to the local communities are worthy of conservation attention.
Highlights
Studies on the inter-relations between people and animals have been considered essential to better understand the dynamics of socio-ecological systems
In ethnozoology, the fauna inventory has been used to provide information on the repertoire of animal species most used for varied purposes [1, 2] such as feeding [3] medicinal [4], pets [5], and magic-religious [6], bringing attention to conservation aspects related to these uses
In the Brazilian Amazon, a study of mammal hunting in indigenous and rural groups found that the lack of knowledge of local people about the importance of some animal species to the environment contributed to this decline [14]
Summary
Studies on the inter-relations between people and animals have been considered essential to better understand the dynamics of socio-ecological systems. In the Brazilian Amazon, a study of mammal hunting in indigenous and rural groups found that the lack of knowledge of local people about the importance of some animal species to the environment contributed to this decline [14]. One of the difficulties faced by managers of protected areas in handling biological species is the lack of information about their composition and environments they use [15]. The National Forest (FLONA, VI IUCN category) of Araripe, highlighted as an area of extreme biological importance for the conservation of the fauna of the Caatinga biome [16], lacks further studies on its fauna, limiting management and conservation actions. There are no published data that addresses the richness of the fauna of this protected area, integrated with local knowledge and ecological analysis
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