Uso de espécies vegetais no semiárido paraibano: uma análise sobre preferências em comunidade rural do município do Congo, PB

Abstract

Several studies carried out in the state of Paraíba (Northeast Brazil) have described how rural populations interact with useful woody plants available in the Caatinga. In this context, this study aimed to describe and analyze the interrelationship between residents in the rural community of Santa Rita (Cariri of Paraíba) and useful woody plants, evaluating their availability through ethnobotanical and plant inventory. The research was conducted in the municipality of Congo, and the data were collected between 2011 and 2012 through semi-structured interview with the householders (men and women). The data were analyzed using the use value. For phytosociological sampling, all woody shrub-tree individuals with DGL (stem diameter at ground level) ≥ 3 cm were recorded and their estimated height was also recorded. Fifty-six useful plant species were recorded, of which 42 were identified and distributed in 37 genera and 20 families. Myracrodruon urundeuva Allemão, Tabebuia aurea (Silva Manso) Benth. & Hook. f. ex S. Moore, and Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem & Schult.), T. D. Penn were the most cited species. Technology, medical, fuel, and construction were the main use categories. Regarding the Use Value (UV), Tabebuia aurea (Silva Manso) Benth. and Hook.f. ex S. Moore (caibrera) (UV = 5.88), A. pyrifolium (3.74), and Sideroxylon obtusifolium (Roem and Schult.) T. D. Penn. (quixabeira) (3.71) were the most prominent species. Twenty-four species belonging to 21 genera and 12 families were recorded in the phytosociology. Of the 2000 sampled individuals, 55 were not identified. The following botanical families stood out: Euphorbiaceae, (1524 individuals), Fabaceae (271 individuals), and Apocynaceae (117 individuals). Croton blanchetianus Baill (marmeleiro) (1400 individuals), Poincianella pyramidalis Tul. (catingueira) (198 individuals) and Aspidosperma pyrifolium Mart. (pereiro) (117 individuals) were the most prominent species. This study indicates that the local vegetation composition in the rural community of Santa Rita results from high degrees of anthropization; therefore, it is required a detailed study on the dynamics of use and removal of individuals that showed the highest cultural significance and use value.