ABSTRACT
This opinion piece, written by ethnobiologists from different parts of the world, emphasizes the importance of ethnobiology research in advancing contemporary biology, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and, especially, contributing to the ecological transition and more just and inclusive world. To achieve these goals, it is essential to develop research and collaborate with social groups that live in close relationship with nature in research activities, such as Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), as well as Afro-descendants and other Marginalized, Minority or Minoritized Communities (AMMC). Ethnobiology can identify and provide locally appropriate solutions to local problems, enabling sustainable resource management at the landscape level. The text explores important aspects that need to be considered to guide the future of ethnobiology in the next 20 years, aiming to integrate and amplify previous discussions held in the discipline and identify points that demand ongoing attention. This paper highlights reflections from diverse researchers, emphasizing how ethnobiology can embrace different perspectives and employ rigorous analysis of complex phenomena toward effective policies and practices. This approach holds the potential to address the challenges the planet is currently facing in the coming decades.
Subject(s)
Biodiversity , Conservation of Natural Resources , Humans , Indigenous Peoples , Sustainable Development , Natural ResourcesABSTRACT
Hydropeaking leads to major anthropogenic disturbance of river networks worldwide. Flow variations imposed by hydropeaking may significantly affect macroinvertebrate assemblages within the river network. As such, the responses of macroinvertebrate assemblages to hydropeaking are expected to be complex and vary across spatial and temporal scales as well as ecological organization levels. To unpack this complexity, we assessed the interplay of geomorphic and hydrological variables as drivers of the responses of macroinvertebrate assemblages to hydropeaking. Specifically, we studied different levels of ecological organization of macroinvertebrate assemblages in two functional process zones (FPZs; Sub-Andean and Central Valley Gravel Dominated) subjected to different flow management in two Chilean Andean river networks. Hydropeaking caused significant reduction of macroinvertebrate abundances in both FPZs and at all ecological organization levels with the exception of one feeding guild (scrapers). Furthermore, the response of macroinvertebrate assemblage variance was stronger in the Central Valley Gravel Dominated FPZ. Both geomorphic and hydrological variables influenced macroinvertebrate assemblage responses. However, the effects of the principal geomorphic variables operated at valley (meso) spatial scale and the main hydrological variables operated at the sub-daily (micro) temporal scale. Therefore, to minimise the effects of hydropeaking on macroinvertebrate assemblages, flow management should consider reduction of sub-daily variability. Furthermore, placement of new barriers should take into account not only their position within the river network but also their effects downstream that strongly depend on characteristics of river valley.
Subject(s)
Hydrology , Invertebrates , Animals , Chile , Ecosystem , RiversABSTRACT
Movement is a fundamental aspect of fish ecology, and it therefore represents an important trait to monitor for the management and conservation of fish populations. This is especially true for small benthic fish, as they often inhabit part of the catchment where their movement may be restricted by alterations to river connectivity due to human activity. Still, the movement of these small benthic fish remains poorly understood, partly because of their small size and their cryptic nature. This applies to Percilia irwini, an endangered small darter native to the south-central region of Chile. Its habitat has been affected by the presence of large hydroelectric dams and is currently threatened by the construction of several others. In this study, the authors investigated movement patterns of P. irwini from populations inhabiting different parts of the Biobío catchment, with different levels of connectivity due to natural and/or human-induced features. The authors combined chronological clustering with random forest classification to reconstruct lifelong movements from multi-elemental otolith microchemistry transects. The majority of the movements detected occurred in an undisturbed part of the catchment. These were directional upstream movements occurring between capture sites from the lower and the middle reaches of the river, representing a distance of nearly 30 km, a distance much larger than previously thought. Nonetheless, in the part of the catchment where connectivity was affected by human activity, no such movements were identified. This study shows that connectivity alteration could impede naturally occurring movement and further threaten the resilience of populations of P. irwini. Furthermore, the results presented are used to discuss advantages and disadvantages of microchemistry analysis for studying movement of small benthic fish.
Subject(s)
Animal Migration/physiology , Endangered Species , Perciformes/physiology , Rivers , Animals , Chile , Ecosystem , Otolithic Membrane/chemistryABSTRACT
Fundamento: la carrera universitaria Gestión Sociocultural para el Desarrollo ha acumulado una experiencia en la prevención, mediante proyectos desarrollados por los estudiantes para enriquecer su práctica laboral. Objetivo: exponer la efectividad de un proyecto de promoción de salud para disminuir el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas en una población de adolescentes del municipio Caibarién, aplicada por estudiantes de tercer año de la carrera de Gestión Sociocultural para el Desarrollo. Métodos: se realizó una investigación de acción participativa, de septiembre 2015 a julio 2016, en la Universidad Central "Marta Abreu" de las Villas. Se utilizaron métodos teóricos: análisis-síntesis e inducción-deducción; y empíricos: encuesta y técnicas grupales para el diagnóstico de necesidades y los resultados de la aplicación del proyecto. Resultados: se constató que la mayoría de los adolescentes del grupo estudiado pueden considerarse como bebedores sociales y tienen pocos conocimientos y percepción de riesgo sobre el alcoholismo, por lo que se diseñó y aplicó un proyecto de promoción de salud para disminuir el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas; una vez aplicado se lograron modificar los criterios anteriores y se percibieron manifestaciones de sensibilización y concientización frente al dañino hábito. Para los estudiantes universitarios involucrados en el proyecto, significó una experiencia profesional diferente y fortalecieron su orientación profesional. Conclusiones: el proyecto aplicado para disminuir el consumo de bebidas alcohólicas, desde la gestión sociocultural resultó una experiencia exitosa para los adolescentes involucrados, y para los estudiantes de Gestión Sociocultural para el Desarrollo como sus ejecutores.
Background: the university career Socio-cultural Management for Development has accumulated an experience in prevention, through projects developed by students to enrich their work practice. Objective: to show the effectiveness of a health promotion project to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages in a population of adolescents at Caibarién municipality, applied by third year students of the Socio-cultural Management for Development. Methods: a participatory action research was carried out, from September 2015 to July 2016, in "Marta Abreu" Central University of Las Villas. Theoretical methods were used: analysis-synthesis and induction-deduction; and empirical ones: survey and group techniques for the diagnosis of needs and the results of implementation of the project. Results: it was found that the majority of the adolescents in the study group can be considered as social drinkers and have little knowledge and risk perception on alcoholism, so a health promotion project was designed and implemented to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages; once applied, the above criteria were modified and sensitization and awareness-raising manifestations were perceived facing up the harmful habit. For the university students involved in the project, it meant a different professional experience and strengthened their professional orientation. Conclusions: the project implemented to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages, from the socio-cultural management was a successful experience for the adolescents involved as well as for the students of Socio-cultural Management for Development as their performers.
Subject(s)
Risk Management , Adolescent , Alcoholism , Health PromotionABSTRACT
La etnobiología estudia las interrelaciones entre el hombre y su ambiente en un contexto dinámico; se destacan los estudios etnomédicos ya que la medicina tradicional aún cuenta con vigencia entre las poblaciones rurales. La etnomedicina de las zonas rurales de Córdoba se encuentra dominada por el uso de plantas y en ello se han centrado históricamente los estudios, sin embargo existen algunos datos sobre el uso de animales o partes de ellos. Mediante 40 encuestas semiestructuradas a pobladores de la zona de Laguna Mar Chiquita, se indaga sobre el uso medicinal de animales y plantas. Se relevó el uso de 68 especies vegetales y 10 animales. Los vegetales se consumen primordialmente en infusiones y su principal uso es para afecciones digestivas; en cambio en los animales se utilizan principalmente las grasas, para realizar fricciones en lesiones osteoartromusculares. Se incluyen listados de las especies utilizadas, trastornos tratados, consideraciones sobre el uso y análisis comparativos entre ambos grupos biológicos.
Ethnobiology examines the interrelationship between man and his environment in a dynamic context; ethnomedical studies stand out because traditional medicine still survives among rural populations. Ethnomedicine of rural areas of Cordoba is dominated by the use of plants and it was historically the focus of studies, but there are few data about the use of animals or parts of them. Through 40 semi-structured surveys to inhabitants of population near Laguna Mar Chiquita, the use of animals and plants as medicine was investigate. We show the use of 68 plant species and 10 animals, with significant differences: the plants are consumed as tea and its main use is for digestive disorders, animal fats are mainly used to perform friction on osteoartromusculares injuries. Lists the species used, treated disorders, considerations on the use and comparative analysis between the uses of animals and plants are included.
Subject(s)
Humans , Pharmacopoeia , Asteraceae , Lamiaceae , Fabaceae , Argentina , Plants, Medicinal , Ethnobotany , Medicine, TraditionalABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The possibility to better understand the relationships within the men, the nature and their culture has extreme importance because allows the characterisation of social systems through their particular environmental perception, and provides useful tools for the development of conservation policies. METHODS: The present study was planned to disentangle environmental and cultural factors that are influencing the perception, knowledge and uses of edible and medicinal plants in rural communities of Cordoba (Argentina). Interviews an participant observation were conducted in nine rural communities located in three different biogeographical areas. Data about knowledge of medicinal and edible plants and sociocultural variables were obtained. Data were analysed by Principal Components Analysis (PCA). RESULTS: The analysis of data confirmed that medicinal species are widely used whereas the knowledge on edible plants is eroding. The PCA showed four groups of communities, defined by several particular combinations of sociocultural and/or natural variables. CONCLUSION: This comprehensive approach suggests that in general terms the cultural environment has a stronger influence than the natural environment on the use of medicinal and edible plants in rural communities of Cordoba (Argentina).
