Use of plant species in the rural community of Santo Antônio, BR 163 highway, brazilian amazon

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to assess the use of plants by residents of the Santo Antônio Community, located in the Rural Settlements Moju I and II, BR 163 highway, in the Brazilian Amazon. Fifty-five ethnospecies were found: 67.3% native and 58.2% arboreal. The species diversity indices (H') were as follows: 2.83 for exotic species, 3.44 for native species, and 3.77 for the grouping. In connection with the logged forest surrounding the community area, 18% of native species were common to both samples (SO = 0.18), concluding that the SP represents a "local pharmacy" and provides 51.4% of the native species used in the community. Ethnobotany can support future forest management activities, mainly regarding the criterion for choice of species, except those with non-timber potential. This methodology creates a participatory model of forest use whose considerations go beyond the timber market.

ethnobotany; family farming; the Amazon