Avaliação quantitativa e conservação de plantas medicinais lenhosas no semiárido da Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

The ethnobotanical search comprises the relationships between plants and human beings, permeated by culture and the environment. Among these relationships, we can highlight the use of plants for the treatment of diseases, an ancient practice, existing in history. The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and use of medicinal plants in the semiarid region of Paraíba under different methods to be observed, comparing them with each other and established as priority medicinal species for conservation. 8 study municipalities of semi-structured institutions of studies, northeast, Brazil. In total, 537 people were interviewed, 239 men and 298 women. Species use data were analyzed using Relative Importance (RI), Value in Use (VU) and Relative Frequency of Citation (FRC) methods. To establish priority species for conservation, the Conservation Priority Index (CPI) was used based on phytosociology data. 52 species of plants used in the communities were identified, of the 33 were found in the amount of phytosociology. Fabaceae and Euphorbiaceae were the most representative families in the study. It was noted a correspondence between the main medicinal species according to the methods compared. 2 species were attacked at high risk in at least one of the communities. The reinforcement of the need to establish sustainable use strategies as medicinal plants to avoid the study of resistance to use on the species.