The perception of fungi among Karajá indigenous children and adolescents from Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Environmental perception involves the interpretation and interaction of individuals with their surroundings, influenced by cultural, social, and individual factors. Analyzing the environmental perception of children and adolescents contributes to fostering awareness and ethical behavior toward the environment. Indigenous communities, such as the Karajá from Brazil, possess significant environmental knowledge due to their connection with nature, providing distinctive insights into biodiversity and natural interconnections. In this study, the perception of fungi among Karajá indigenous children and adolescents was investigated. METHODS: The study involved 229 elementary school students from the Macaúba, Fontoura and Santa Isabel do Morro communities, located on Bananal Island, Brazil. Students were encouraged to draw what they knew about fungi and answer where they learned about fungi and what name they give to these organisms. The drawings were analyzed considering seven categories. RESULTS: The term most used to refer to fungi was hedoro(u) (56%), followed by fungus (21%) and mushroom (11%). Most students said they had learned about fungi in nature (38%) and at school (36%). The most represented organisms were in fact fungi (93%), mainly being portrayed in nature (94%). Most participants did not attribute any ecological function to fungi (83%), although 16% of them recognized fungi as decomposers and 1% as phytopathogenic agents. Negative aspects, particularly food contamination, were more frequently represented (13%) than positive aspects (4%). The drawings identified two morphological types: mushrooms (87%) and mold (13%). Among these mushrooms, 68% possibly represent the Amanita muscaria species. CONCLUSIONS: Although the children and adolescents showed that they noticed the fungi around them, the group's concept and understanding were limited to the figure of the mushroom and the negative aspects related to food contamination. Strong association of the fungi with the A. muscaria is noteworthy, since it does not occur in the environment in which the participants live, suggesting that external stimuli, such as TV or the internet, can influence their perception more than the nature they are exposed to.

Comunidade rural do Nordeste brasileiro: um cenário de reflexão para a formulação de políticas de desenvolvimento local e empreendedorismo sustentável / Comunidad rural del Noreste brasileño: un escenario de reflexión para la formulación de políticas de desarrollo local y emprendimiento sostenible / The rural community in Northeast Brazil: a scenario of reflection to formulate local development and sustainable entrepreneurship policies

Resumo Este artigo pretende analisar experiências de empreendedorismo sustentável na comunidade rural José Gomes, Nordeste do Brasil, e promover uma reflexão sobre a relevância das políticas de desenvolvimento local na construção de projetos coletivos regionais. Este estudo caracteriza-se como exploratório e descritivo na abordagem qualitativa. Para tanto, foram utilizados técnicas rapport, entrevistas semiestruturadas (82 moradores), observação direta e diário de campo, além de pesquisas bibliográficas. A pesquisa abordou as políticas de desenvolvimento local como mecanismos de avanço e melhoria na qualidade de vida, na organização econômica e na conservação do meio ambiente, que devem ser incorporadas ao planejamento municipal e às ações do poder público. Os resultados apontaram potencialidades socioprodutivas e limitações estruturais e infraestruturais que esgotam as possibilidades de difusão do empreendedorismo sustentável e a consolidação do desenvolvimento local.

Resumen Este artículo pretende analizar experiencias de emprendimiento sostenible en la comunidad rural José Gomes, Nordeste de Brasil, y promover una reflexión sobre la relevancia de las políticas de desarrollo local en la construcción de proyectos colectivos regionales. Se utilizaron técnicas de rapport, entrevistas semiestructuradas (82 residentes), observación directa y diario de campo, además de la investigación bibliográfica. Las políticas de desarrollo local se entendieron como mecanismos para el avance y mejoramiento de la calidad de vida, la organización económica y la conservación del medio ambiente que deben incorporarse a la planificación municipal y a las acciones del poder público. Los resultados apuntaron potencialidades socioproductivas y limitaciones estructurales e infraestructurales que agotan las posibilidades de difundir el emprendimiento sostenible y consolidar el desarrollo local.

Abstract This article analyzes experiences of sustainable entrepreneurship in the José Gomes rural community in Northeast Brazil, reflecting on the relevance of local development policies in the construction of local collective projects. This qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive study adopted rapport techniques, semi-structured interviews (82 dwellers), direct observation, field diary, and bibliographic research. Local development policies were understood as mechanisms for advances and improvements in the quality of life, economic organization, and environmental conservation, which must be incorporated into municipal planning and governmental actions. The results pointed to socio-productive potentials and structural and infrastructural limitations, which hamper the possibilities of spreading sustainable entrepreneurship and consolidating local development.

Bioprospection for new larvicides against Aedes aegypti based on ethnoknowledge from the Amazonian São Sebastião de Marinaú riverside community.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Vector-borne diseases represent a huge global burden impacting health systems. Aedes aegypti is the main vector of arboviral diseases including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and urban yellow fever in both tropical and subtropical areas. Ethnopharmacological investigations provide potential avenues for developing new vector control strategies. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this study is to document the São Sebastião de Marinaú riverside community's ethnoknowledge of local plants used to control mosquitoes and perform bioguided fractionation to isolate the compounds active against the arboviral disease vector Ae. aegypti. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents of the Marinaú community located in the Caxiuanã National Forest, in the Amazon biome, Pará, Brazil. The plants used to control mosquitoes were subjected to phytochemical studies guided by Ae. aegypti assays. Extracts were obtained from seven species using distinct organic solvents. Active extracts and fractions were separated by chromatographic techniques. Isolated compounds were characterized by NMR, LC/MS and GC/MS. Sample activity against Ae. aegypti larvae and pupae was evaluated after 24, 48 and 72 h exposure. The extracts were also investigated against adult female mosquitoes. The LC50 values were determined by diluting each sample to obtain different concentrations in the respective activity range. RESULTS: The Marinaú community uses more than ten plants as a repellent, most of which are trees native to the region. The primary applications of these plants to protect against insect bites were: burning plants (fumigation), application of body oils and bathing in macerated plants. Carapa guianensis is the predominant species used as a repellent. Extracts from Diospyros guianensis fruits, Carapa guianensis seed shells and Aspidosperma nitidum wood demonstrated Ae. aegypti larvicidal activity. The C. guianensis seed shell extract demonstrated a residual larvicidal effect. Plumbagin, stigmasterol, ß-sitosterol, betulinic, ursolic and oleanolic acids, and betulin were identified in the D. guianensis extract. The plumbagin, ursolic and oleanolic acids displayed larvicidal activity. Oleanolic, ursolic and betulinic acids, and betulin were considered pupicidal. Aricine, the major alkaloid isolated from A. nitidum wood, also presented larvicidal activity. CONCLUSIONS: Ten plant species traditionally used by the Marinaú community to afford protection against mosquitoes were reported. C. guianensis, D. guianensis and A. nitidum extracts were considered larvicidal against Ae. aegypti. Four triterpenes stood out as very active compounds against pupae. Aricine, an indole alkaloid, displayed larvicidal activity. Therefore, traditional knowledge of Amazonian plants combined with bioguided fractionation constitutes a strategy for the development of eco-friendly insecticides to control Ae. aegypti, an arbovirus vector.

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used by a traditional community in Brazil's northeastern / Estudo etnobotânico e etnofarmacológico de plantas medicinais utilizadas por uma comunidade tradicional do nordeste brasileiro

The aim of this research is to make a survey of the socio-environmental characteristics and the ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in a traditional community in the Brazilian Northeast, Alagoas. The study was made based on visits with the application of a questionnaire with questions related to the socio-economic element and on the diversity of plants used in herbal medicine. The research was made from March/2019 to February/2020, where families and interviewed plant exhibitors were interviewed for botanical identification. The studied community, which were 24 interviewees, was compiled by residents of the Quilombola community from Pau D'arco in Arapiraca city - Alagoas. Residents interviewed, 15 (62.5%) attended between 56 to 80 years, 11 interviewees about 46% were born in the community and 13 (54%) had a fundamentally incomplete nature. At the end, there were mentioned 30 plant species used for phytotherapeutic purposes, from which presents bigger usage as plants against arterial hypertension (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), pain and inflammation (Alternanthera tenella Colla), present the biggest number of species in the community. The species cited are related to numerous medicinal uses, among which there will be predominant associations associated with cardiovascular and inflammatory processes. The tea is the main way of preparing plants. It is perceived that medicinal plants are only widely used by this Quilombola community of and growth of the crops in the backyard are considered a tradition.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das características socioambientais e estudo etnobotânico de plantas medicinais utilizadas por uma comunidade tradicional do nordeste brasileiro, Alagoas, Brasil. O estudo se deu por meio de visitas com aplicação de um questionário contendo perguntas relacionadas aos fatores socio-econômicos e sobre a diversidade das plantas utilizadas como medicinais. O trabalho foi realizado no período de março/2019 a fevereiro/2020, onde foram entrevistadas famílias e catalogadas amostras de plantas para identificação botânica. A população estudada, com 24 entrevistados, foi composta por moradores da comunidade Quilombola Pau D’arco da cidade de Arapiraca - Alagoas. Dos moradores entrevistados, 15 (62,5%) apresentavam idade entre 56 e 80 anos, 11 dos entrevistados cerca de 46%, são naturais da comunidade e 13 (54%) possuíam ensino fundamental incompleto. Ao todo, foram citadas 30 espécies de plantas utilizadas para fins terapêuticos, das quais apresentam maior utilização as plantas contra a hipertensão arterial (Salviaros marinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), dor e inflamação (Alternanthera tenella Colla). As espécies citadas estão relacionadas a inúmeras utilizações medicinais, entre os quais predominaram as doenças associadas ao aparelho cardiovascular e processos inflamatórios. O chá é principal forma de preparo das plantas. Percebe-se que as plantas medicinais são amplamente utilizadas por essa comunidade quilombola e o cultivo no quintal é considerado uma tradição.

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used by a traditional community in Brazils northeastern

Abstract The aim of this research is to make a survey of the socio-environmental characteristics and the ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in a traditional community in the Brazilian Northeast, Alagoas. The study was made based on visits with the application of a questionnaire with questions related to the socio-economic element and on the diversity of plants used in herbal medicine. The research was made from March/2019 to February/2020, where families and interviewed plant exhibitors were interviewed for botanical identification. The studied community, which were 24 interviewees, was compiled by residents of the Quilombola community from Pau Darco in Arapiraca city - Alagoas. Residents interviewed, 15 (62.5%) attended between 56 to 80 years, 11 interviewees about 46% were born in the community and 13 (54%) had a fundamentally incomplete nature. At the end, there were mentioned 30 plant species used for phytotherapeutic purposes, from which presents bigger usage as plants against arterial hypertension (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), pain and inflammation (Alternanthera tenella Colla), present the biggest number of species in the community. The species cited are related to numerous medicinal uses, among which there will be predominant associations associated with cardiovascular and inflammatory processes. The tea is the main way of preparing plants. It is perceived that medicinal plants are only widely used by this Quilombola community of and growth of the crops in the backyard are considered a tradition.

Resumo Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das características socioambientais e estudo etnobotânico de plantas medicinais utilizadas por uma comunidade tradicional do nordeste brasileiro, Alagoas, Brasil. O estudo se deu por meio de visitas com aplicação de um questionário contendo perguntas relacionadas aos fatores socio-econômicos e sobre a diversidade das plantas utilizadas como medicinais. O trabalho foi realizado no período de março/2019 a fevereiro/2020, onde foram entrevistadas famílias e catalogadas amostras de plantas para identificação botânica. A população estudada, com 24 entrevistados, foi composta por moradores da comunidade Quilombola Pau Darco da cidade de Arapiraca - Alagoas. Dos moradores entrevistados, 15 (62,5%) apresentavam idade entre 56 e 80 anos, 11 dos entrevistados cerca de 46%, são naturais da comunidade e 13 (54%) possuíam ensino fundamental incompleto. Ao todo, foram citadas 30 espécies de plantas utilizadas para fins terapêuticos, das quais apresentam maior utilização as plantas contra a hipertensão arterial (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), dor e inflamação (Alternanthera tenella Colla). As espécies citadas estão relacionadas a inúmeras utilizações medicinais, entre os quais predominaram as doenças associadas ao aparelho cardiovascular e processos inflamatórios. O chá é principal forma de preparo das plantas. Percebe-se que as plantas medicinais são amplamente utilizadas por essa comunidade quilombola e o cultivo no quintal é considerado uma tradição.

Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used by a traditional community in Brazil's northeastern / Estudo etnobotânico e etnofarmacológico de plantas medicinais utilizadas por uma comunidade tradicional do nordeste brasileiro

The aim of this research is to make a survey of the socio-environmental characteristics and the ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used in a traditional community in the Brazilian Northeast, Alagoas. The study was made based on visits with the application of a questionnaire with questions related to the socio-economic element and on the diversity of plants used in herbal medicine. The research was made from March/2019 to February/2020, where families and interviewed plant exhibitors were interviewed for botanical identification. The studied community, which were 24 interviewees, was compiled by residents of the Quilombola community from Pau D'arco in Arapiraca city - Alagoas. Residents interviewed, 15 (62.5%) attended between 56 to 80 years, 11 interviewees about 46% were born in the community and 13 (54%) had a fundamentally incomplete nature. At the end, there were mentioned 30 plant species used for phytotherapeutic purposes, from which presents bigger usage as plants against arterial hypertension (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), pain and inflammation (Alternanthera tenella Colla), present the biggest number of species in the community. The species cited are related to numerous medicinal uses, among which there will be predominant associations associated with cardiovascular and inflammatory processes. The tea is the main way of preparing plants. It is perceived that medicinal plants are only widely used by this Quilombola community of and growth of the crops in the backyard are considered a tradition.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo realizar um levantamento das características socioambientais e estudo etnobotânico de plantas medicinais utilizadas por uma comunidade tradicional do nordeste brasileiro, Alagoas, Brasil. O estudo se deu por meio de visitas com aplicação de um questionário contendo perguntas relacionadas aos fatores socio-econômicos e sobre a diversidade das plantas utilizadas como medicinais. O trabalho foi realizado no período de março/2019 a fevereiro/2020, onde foram entrevistadas famílias e catalogadas amostras de plantas para identificação botânica. A população estudada, com 24 entrevistados, foi composta por moradores da comunidade Quilombola Pau D'arco da cidade de Arapiraca - Alagoas. Dos moradores entrevistados, 15 (62,5%) apresentavam idade entre 56 e 80 anos, 11 dos entrevistados cerca de 46%, são naturais da comunidade e 13 (54%) possuíam ensino fundamental incompleto. Ao todo, foram citadas 30 espécies de plantas utilizadas para fins terapêuticos, das quais apresentam maior utilização as plantas contra a hipertensão arterial (Salvia rosmarinus Schleid), diabetes Mellitos (Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth), dor e inflamação (Alternanthera tenella Colla). As espécies citadas estão relacionadas a inúmeras utilizações medicinais, entre os quais predominaram as doenças associadas ao aparelho cardiovascular e processos inflamatórios. O chá é principal forma de preparo das plantas. Percebe-se que as plantas medicinais são amplamente utilizadas por essa comunidade quilombola e o cultivo no quintal é considerado uma tradição.

Caesalpinia ferrea C. Mart. (Fabaceae) Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, and Bioactivities: A Review.

Caesalpinia ferrea C. Mart., popularly known as "Jucá" or "Pau-ferro", belongs to the Fabaceae family, and is classified as a native and endemic species in Brazil. Numerous studies that portray its ethnobotany, chemical composition, and biological activities exist in the literature. The present study aimed to systematically review publications addressing the botanical aspects, uses in popular medicine, phytochemical composition, and bioactivities of C. ferrea. The searches focused on publications from 2015 to March 2020 using the Scopus, Periódicos Capes, PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases. The leaves, fruits, seeds, and bark from C. ferrea are used in popular medicine to treat disorders affecting several systems, including the circulatory, immune, cardiovascular, digestive, respiratory, genitourinary, musculoskeletal, and conjunctive systems. The most commonly found chemical classes in phytochemical studies are flavonoids, polyphenols, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, and other phenolic compounds. The biological properties of the extracts and isolated compounds of C. ferrea most cited in the literature were antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and healing potential. However, further studies are still needed to clarify a link between its traditional uses, the active compounds, and the reported pharmacological activities, as well as detailed research to determine the toxicological profile of C. ferrea.

Control of bacterial and fungal biofilms by natural products of Ziziphus joazeiro Mart. (Rhamnaceae).

The aim of this study is to verify the action of the aqueous leaf extract Ziziphus joazeiro in the eradication of bacterial and fungal biofilms, and to compare these effects with the stem bark extracts, as well as with conventional standard drugs. The presence of secondary metabolites was observed through phytochemical prospection assays. The effect of the aqueous extract on microbial biofilm formation was observed by OD600 nm absorbance and the crystal violet assay. For bacterial and fungal biofilms, chlorhexidine gluconate and fluconazole, respectively, were used as positive controls. Phytochemical characterization showed the presence of secondary metabolite classes common to both extracts such as flavonoids, steroids and saponins. In particular, in the aqueous leaf extract phenols, condensed tannins and alkaloids were observed. Eradication results using the aqueous leaf extract showed an inhibition of the microbial biofilm mass, moreover the biofilms were more sensitive to the bark extract, which presented a greater inhibition number and an action similar to standard drugs. It is important to highlight the leaf extract showed significant eradication at the lowest concentrations for mature yeast biofilms, thus demonstrating its potential to modify microbial resistance susceptibility. Bacterial and fungal biofilm eradication results using the Ziziphus joazeiro aqueous extracts presented a biofilm inhibition effect for both, moreover the results support the ethnopharmacological knowledge surrounding the use of Ziziphus joazeiro stems in the community. In comparison, the bark extract presented a more effective treatment than the leaf extract against biofilms, presenting inhibition levels similar to the used standard drugs.

Levantamento de plantas medicinais cultivadas no município de Solânea, agreste paraibano: reconhecimento e valorização do saber tradicional / A survey of cultivated medicinal plants from Solanea, dry area of Paraiba: recognition and recovery of the traditional knowledge

RESUMO Objetivou-se neste trabalho reconhecer e sistematizar o conhecimento tradicional sobre as espécies medicinais, as indicações terapêuticas, as formas de uso e as técnicas de produção e comercialização de plantas medicinais no agreste nordestino, no município de Solânea, Paraíba. Visitas, entrevistas e amostragem foram realizadas a agricultores familiares da região por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas utilizando a técnica de turnê guiada. Após as visitas foi identificada uma atriz - informante. Foi feito um herbário com as plantas medicinais encontradas, nas quais foram identificadas e categorizadas quanto às indicações terapêuticas de acordo com a Classificação Estatística Internacional de Doenças e Problemas Relacionados à Saúde. Foram verificadas 59 espécies com propriedades medicinais distribuídas em 36 famílias botânicas, com o predomínio da família Lamiaceae. Enfermidades de afecções digestivas foram as mais indicadas. O chá foi o preparado de maior frequência.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to recognize and to order the traditional knowledge about the medicinal species, the therapeutic indications, the application forms, and the productions and marketing techniques of medicinal plants in the dry area of the northeast, in the city of Solanea, Paraíba. Visits, interviews and sampling were conducted to family farmers in the region through semi-structured interviews using the guided tour technique. A herbarium was built with the medicinal plants found and they were identified and classified regarding their therapeutic indications according to the Diseases International Statistical Classification and the Health Related Problems. 59 species with medicinal properties were identified and distributed in 36 different botanical families, with the Lamiaceae family predominance. The tea preparation was the more frequent one.

Local ecological knowledge is not a useful source of information concerning impacts caused by non-native Nile tilapia on fishery stocks / Conhecimento ecológico local não é uma informação útil acerca dos impactos causados pela exótica tilápia do Nilo sobre os estoques pesqueiros

Exotic freshwater fish can have deleterious effects on local biodiversity, although these impacts often only become apparent many years after the introduction. Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) may be a useful source of information in situations where formal technical studies are insufficient, but few works have examined the reliability of information generated through this approach. We examined the reliability of LEK by investigating the impacts of Nile tilapia on fishery stocks in an artificial reservoir in northeastern Brazil. We gathered LEK from 29 experienced fishermen and then confronted this information with official fishery statistics from the same site. Twenty-two fishermen stated that total catch in the Gargalheiras Reservoir had declined over the years, 68% (N=15) of them began fishing before 1976 (the year Nile tilapia was introduced into reservoir). Of those 15 fishermen, 87% (N=13) stated that tilapia has not negatively affected other species, which ran counter to analyses of fishery statistics. Our study suggests that the LEK of fishermen is not a useful source of information concerning the impacts caused by exotic tilapia. However, the LEK added an overfishing hypothesis of the decline in fishery stocks in the Gargalheiras reservoir.

Espécies exóticas de peixes têm causado efeitos deletérios sobre a biodiversidade local de lagos, porém esses efeitos podem tornar-se aparentes apenas anos após a introdução. Em situações onde informações técnicas são insuficientes, o Conhecimento Ecológico Local (CEL) pode fornecer informações úteis, mas existem poucos estudos que avaliam a confiabilidade da informação gerada por essa abordagem. No presente estudo, nós avaliamos a confiabilidade do CEL acerca dos impactos da introdução da tilápia do Nilo sobre os estoques pesqueiros em um reservatório do nordeste do Brasil. Nós coletamos CEL de 29 pescadores experientes, utilizando questionários e, posteriormente, comparamos as informações com os resultados das estatísticas de pesca do mesmo reservatório. Vinte dois pescadores afirmaram que as capturas totais no reservatório Gargalheiras declinaram ao longo dos anos, 68% (N=15) deles começaram a pescar antes da introdução da tilápia no reservatório. Destes 15 pescadores, 87% (N=13) afirmaram que a tilápia não afetou negativamente outras espécies, contrariamente aos resultados das estatísticas de pesca. Nosso estudo indica que o CEL não é uma fonte útil de informação acerca dos impactos causados pela tilápia. No entanto, o CEL forneceu a hipótese de que a sobrepesca pode ter contribuído também para as reduções nos estoques pesqueiros de Gargalheiras.

Abordagem etnobotânica sobre plantas medicinais citadas por populações do entorno de uma unidade de conservação da caatinga do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil / Ethnobotanical approach to medicinal plants mentioned by people from the environs of a caatinga conservation unit in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

As Caatingas, único Bioma exclusivamente brasileiro, têm sofrido grande extrativismo dos recursos, com perdas de diversidade biológica associadas ao fornecimento de madeira e extratos vegetais. As consequências impactantes sobre este Bioma têm levado a busca de estratégias para conservação, como a criação de Unidades de Conservação (UCs), a exemplo da Estação Ecológica do Seridó (ESEC Seridó), localizada no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte, cujas comunidades do entorno mantêm forte relação com esta ESEC. Como o mau uso dos recursos da Caatinga tem sido fortemente associado às necessidades das populações que ali habitam, este trabalho objetivou o estudo da percepção ambiental das comunidades do entorno da ESEC Seridó, focando sobre o conhecimento dessas sobre plantas de uso medicinal. Contabilizaram-se 48 espécies de plantas nativas e 39 exóticas, sendo 31 e 14 com propriedades medicinais, respectivamente. Foi constatado um rico conhecimento dessas comunidades sobre as plantas presentes nessa região, e a riqueza desses resultados são relevantes para futuras estratégias de gestão nesta Unidade de Conservação.

Caatinga, the only exclusively Brazilian biome, has suffered exploitation of its natural resources, with loss of biodiversity associated with wood and plant extract supply. The resulting impacts on this biome have led to the search for strategies for its conservation like the establishment of Conservation Units (CUs), such as the Ecological Station of Seridó (ESEC Seridó) located in Rio Grande do Norte State. The human communities in ESEC Seridó environs maintain a strong relationship with this conservation unit. Considering that the misuse of caatinga resources has been strongly linked to the needs of its inhabitants, this work aimed to investigate the environmental perception of communities from the environs of ESEC Seridó, focusing on the popular knowledge about plants of medicinal use. This investigation recorded 48 native and 39 exotic species, of which 31 and 14 species, respectively, had medicinal properties. The communities surveyed showed a deep knowledge of the plants found in that region and the wealth of these results is relevant for future management strategies in this Conservation Unit.