Recursos forrageiros em florestas secas: como o conhecimento ecológico local pode influenciar a dinâmica de uso frente a sazonalidade

Abstract

Local knowledge and uses of forage resources are highly dynamic and complex in nature, and can be mediated by multiple factors, such as seasonality, floristic diversity, and morphophysiological characteristics of plants. In this context, it was sought through this study to investigate how the relationships of forage uses in the Brazilian semiarid, including the richness of mentioned plant species, use of exotic species and plant strata can be mediated by seasonality and vegetation cover. The study was carried out in two areas of the Brazilian semiarid region, the interviewees were selected using the snowball technique, farmers from an area with low vegetation cover (rural area of the municipality of São João do Cariri) and an area with high vegetation coverage (rural area of the Cabaceiras). For this purpose, semi-structured interviews were conducted with questions regarding forage uses in the dry / rainy season, preferences of ruminants and specific characteristics of plant species. 57 informants were interviewed in both areas and according to the results, we found that there is a positive relationship between floristic diversity and patterns and knowledge use of forage species, but exotic species are equally cited in both areas, also emphasizing the vast knowledge on ecological characteristics of species and diet of ruminants acquired by farmers during the field experience, with seasonality defining the use of species. In both areas the use of woody resources and native species was predominant. The diversity of information contributes to a better understanding of the use of resources within the forage category and points to the importance of including local experiences as strategies to ensure proper use and provides insights for the conservation of local resources.