Knowledge and use of ouricuri (Syagrus coronata) and babaçu (Orbignya phalerata) in Buíque, Pernambuco State, Brazil

The palm tree flora of Brazilian Northeast includes 80 native species, with a low level of endemism (27.5%), some of them threatened by the destructive alterations of the natural habitat, associated to disordered exploration. This study investigated the importance of the ouricuri (Syagrus coronata) and the babaçu (Orbignya phalerata) in a community established near the Catimbau Valley National Park, Buíque municipality, Pernambuco state. These species' importance to the local population was analyzed based on the following aspects: number of uses, informant number who utilize their products directly or indirectly; informants' concensus level of the reported uses. The data was obtained from semi-structured interviews (60 informants) and from indexes based on informant consensus techniques. Seven use categories were cited: human food, domestic animal food, wild animal food, construction, folk art, fuel, medicine. Despite of the diversity of uses (Sc = 33; Oph = 25), the two species' importance is predominantly linked to the almond's usage - as shown by the fruit value indexes (Sc = 0.48; Oph = 0.56). Analyzing each species' contribution to the total use, the ouricuri had a higher value (8.58) in relation to the babaçu (6.31). Indications of a knowledge erosion process were observed, and the informants pointed out that several uses were no longer practiced in the community - especially those linked to folk art.

Arecaceae; rural community; ethnobotany; palm tree; Catimbau valley