Fishermen do more than fish: local ecological knowledge of raftsmen about the arboreal species used to construct rafts (Bahia, Brazil).

BACKGROUND: Traditional raft (jangada), piúba wood raft (jangada de pau de piúba), six-log raft (jangada de seis paus), and wooden raft (jangada de pau) are some of the names given to the traditional Brazilian watercrafts created from the buoyancy of bound logs. The traditional raft is a watercraft used and built by artisan fishermen who have, throughout generations, kept and improved knowledge related to this practice and the use of the plant species they need as raw materials. Active groups of these fishermen and their watercrafts are distributed along 200 km of the coast of the state of Bahia. The fishermen interviewed in this study are at the southern limit of distribution for the use of this type of vessel. METHODS: This study aimed to characterize the use of the arboreal species applied in the construction of the traditional raft in the municipalities of Uruçuca, Ilhéus, and Canavieiras in the southern State of Bahia, Brazil. For this purpose, structured and semi-structured interviews were individually conducted with 36 fishermen, and walking tours were conducted with specialists in the construction of the watercraft. RESULTS: We observed that the raftsmen use 21 species to construct the traditional raft. The features of the wood, such as density, flexibility, and availability, are the main criteria applied to choose the arboreal species. Some species are preferred, such as pau de jangada (Apeiba tibourbou) and biriba (Eschweilera ovata), which are the most frequently employed in watercraft manufacturing. CONCLUSIONS: The southern Bahia population is familiar with the different tree species that are linked to their fishing activities. The main link between the fishermen and the useful species is present in the practice of raft construction. Currently, the restricted access to raw materials limits this practice, which consequently results in the cultural erosion of this community.

Plantas medicinales de Panamá 1: etnobotánica de la reserva forestal el montuoso / Medicinal plants of Panamá: ethnobotanics of the montuoso forestal reserve

Se investigó el uso de las plantas medicinales de las comunidades de la Reserva Forestal El Montuoso (RFM), en el Distrito de Las Minas Panamá, se incluyeron los asentamientos humanos de mayor densidad: Chepo, Caras Pintadas, Tres Puntas, La Loma del Montuoso y La Peña. Se identificaron 142 especies. De estas especies el 52 por ciento provienen de los bosques de esta reserva y 47 por ciento de los huertos familiares, no se ha observado por parte de la población, intenciones de domesticación de las plantas, provenientes del bosque para posteriormente sembrarlas en sus huertos familiares. La parte más usada de las plantas medicinales es la hoja que se consumen generalmente en infusiones; en tanto que las raíces y la corteza se cocinan por 5 a 20 minutos (decocción y reducción). El principal uso de las plantas medicinales en la RFM es para combatir problemas gastrointestinales, enfermedades asociados al resfriado común, dolores en el cuerpo, presión arterial alta y enfermedades dermatológicas. Entre las especies silvestres más usadas tenemos: hierba de pasmo (Siparuna guianensis Aubl, Siparuna pauciflora Perkins, Siparuna tonduziana Perkins) y la hierba de montaña (Piper darienense C.DC.). The cultivated species most used are: mastranto (Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E.Br.), lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) y aloe (Aloe vera L.). Estas plantas medicinales representan un gran recurso para esta región de difícil acceso a los servicios de salud.

The use of medicinal plants in the communities of The Montuoso Forest Reserve (MFR), in the district of Las Minas Panama is investigated. Human settlements of higher density were also included: Chepo, Caras PIntadas, Tres Puntas, the Loma del Montuoso and La Peña. 142 species were identified. Of these species, 52 percent are coming from the forests of the reserve and 47 percent of home gardens. It has not been observed by the population, intentions of domestication of plants from the forest, then sow in their home gardens. The most widely used medicinal plants of the MFR are usually consumed in teas; while the roots and bark are cooked for 5-20 minutes (decoction and reduction). The main use of medicinal plants in the MFR is to treat gastrointestinal disorders, diseases associated with the common cold, body aches, high blood pressure and skin diseases. Among the wild species used are: Hierba de Pasmo (Siparuna guianensis Aubl, Siparuna pauciflora Perkins, Siparuna tonduziana Perkins) and mountain herb (Piper darienense C.DC.). The Most used cultivated species are: Mastranto (Lippia alba (Mill) N.E.Br.), Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf.) and Aloe (Aloe vera L). These medicinal plants are a great resource for this region of difficult access to health services.